The 11 of November 1998 was different, for last year it was a party and we, the people who lost love ones, felt that our dead were dishonoured.

This year our dead let everyone know they were fighting men and it was payback time and the dead got their laugh in front of thousands of people.

Most Embarrasing moments... oops lost a shoe.

MARGARET A time to lead October 25, 1999 Dear Sir, Considering that November 9 is not going to be recognised as a holiday, the Bermuda population must acknowledge and accept that the next move should be our proclamation of Independence.

The world is professing to implement a new world order. And the new Government of Bermuda being exclusively blazon of change. Also as Bermuda is truly another world in size and or formation. In all of our diversities, Bermuda must be in the forefront of world change.

We all know that small axes cut down big trees. Evidently there should be no doubt in our minds that we can make a difference. Bermuda in its size has already proven to be more than that of what Juan de Bermudez discovered in 1609 (sic)! Because, we are a special breed of people. In honour of the aforementioned acts we as Bermudians need not forget how we can make it to where we are today. A tree can't grow without roots. Therefore, now is the time to reflect on our past! GILBERT R.S. SIMONS Why change it now? November 17, 1999 Dear Sir, Congratulations to the Bermudian from Smith's Parish for the letter about changing the name of Cup Match, published November 16, 1999.

I heartily endorse the sentiments presented. The historic background to the beginning of Cup Match is founded in the action taken by the members of the Somers Pride of India Lodge 899 (St. George's) and members of the Victoria and Albert Lodge 1027 (Somerset) Grand United Order of Oddefellows, Bda., to establish a Cricket Match, played on the anniversary of Emancipation Day.

The name should not and must not be changed. The rule to have Cup Match played before the first Monday in August has been in effect almost since the inception of this great event, so why change it now? FRANCES GOODCHILD Former member of G.U.O.

of O.F. Somerset Red brick eyesore November 15, 1999 Dear Sir, This is an open letter to the owner of the small red brick coloured building at East Broadway.

For months, years! that place is disgraceful at the gateway to our City! Papers, leaves gathered on the floor of the verandah, which is level with the sidewalk, what a sight for visitors as they take a lovely walk down to the BUEI Building. Please arrange to have it kept tidy pronto and often thereafter.

Thank you sir.

ONE WHO NOTICES She's "our'' Premier Dear Sir, I am normally only a reader of your Letters to The Editor column, but I am forced to write to you after reading your Editorial in today's paper (November 10).

When are "you'' people going to accept that the Hon. Jennifer Smith is "our'' Premier (Bermuda's premier) not "their'' Premier, as you quote in the tenth paragraph of your editorial.

On another note: Yes MP's should pay the payroll tax like everyone else.

CHARLES WILLIAMS Pretty as a poem November 17, 1999 Dear Sir, In the midst of my gathering materials in preparation for the celebration next week of the Sisters of Charity Sesquicentennial, I came across this poem written by our Sister Mary Rodriquez, who taught at Mount Saint Agnes in 1924.

Sometimes we who live in these beautiful Islands forget how blessed we truly are. Let us all try to focus on "a grain of good'' that we can sow rather than on the negatives that seem to be voiced so often and so easily. I do hope you will print this.

SISTER JUDITH MARIE ROLLO MSA Principal Bermuda Far where the broad Atlantic swells; Beneath an arch of blue, Where sky and wave together meet, A coral reeflet grew.

No mortal eye espied it there Nor seabird poised on high; Lonely it sprang, and lonely grew The nursling of the sky.

With soft, caressing touch, the wind In summer round it played, And murmuring through its crystal caves Unceasing music made.

The ministering wind, so sweet With fragrant perfume, brought A changeful robe of emerald moss By fairy fingers wrought.

Thus, day by day, and year by year The little islet grew; Its food, the flower dust wafted by, Its drink, the crystal dew.

By night the lonely stars looked down Each, from his watch tower high, And smiled a loving blessing sweet Upon this beauteous isle.

And forest birds, from distant lands, A moment settled there; And from their plumage shook the seeds Of many flowerets fair.

The islet grew and tender plants Rose up amidst the dearth, Bloomed, died and dropped upon the soil Like gifts from heaven to Earth.

Thus, ages passed, till cedar trees Graced that once barren strand, And "Easter Lilies'' sweet perfume -- Pervaded all that land.

So thus is every human heart A grain of good is sown Whose striving upward to the light Are seen by God alone.

A great corporate citizen November 8, 1999 Dear Sir, On behalf of the Board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda, I would like to publicly thank the Elbow Beach Hotel for allowing us the use of its facilities for our recent Halloween Party.

The support from the hotel staff, notably Kendaree Burgess Fairn and Sonia Whitter, was very much appreciated by all of our Big and Little Sisters and Brothers.

To all at Elbow Beach, thanks for being a good corporate citizen.

JUAN WOLFFE Vice-President Significant light show November 19, 1999 Dear Sir, The Leonid meteor shower is now history -- at least for this year.

It seems that some scientists were absolutely correct in their forecast, that the Leonids would be seen over the Middle East at precisely 2.08 GMT on November 18th.

Had the meteor stream been delayed by a few hours, the spinning Earth would have carried Bermuda into the path of a magical light show with about 2,000 streaks per hour. As it was, we only saw a few dozen meteors.

There is some poetic justice in the fact that about a hundred wise men (scientists stronomers) gathered in the Negev Desert, a few miles from Bethlehem, to observe the Leonid shooting stars. They reported a fantastic display.

We are reminded that 2,000 years ago, three other wise men followed a star in the same desert.

EDDIE MCGONAGLE CAT's out of the bag November 18, 1999 Dear Sir, Further to my letter dated November 9, in which I stated that the Hospitals only CAT Scan machine was not working, I take exception to an article printed in today's Royal Gazette in which Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman Mr.

Raymonde Dill states that the CAT Scan machine was only down for one day, (Wednesday, November 10).

I visited the gentlemen I referred to in my letter on that Monday, November 8, and was told at that time that his condition had "deteriorated drastically since the previous Friday and a CAT Scan has been ordered for him but the machine is broken.'' My letter to you was dated November 9. If, as Mr. Dill states, the technical team had it up and running on the Thursday, then that is a total of three days, not one. And for the elderly gentleman awaiting a CAT Scan, a total of six days. Could Mr. Dill have been misinformed...? NEED I SAY MORE Look out for artifacts November 15, 1999 Dear Sir, From the 1930s through the 1950s my great uncle, Manuel Simons, had a cedar carpenters shop in a small wooden and stone house at the foot of Stowe Hill in Paget. I am trying to make a record of samples of this work through photographs. He made cedar chests, chairs, tables, glass cabinets, stools, jewellery boxes, doll's furniture and picture frames. He also caned chairs and repaired furniture. He was a small man who always wore a felt hat and glasses.

He was a Seventh Day Adventist.

I would also like to find a photograph of the house; the shop was on the ground floor and he lived upstairs.

Readers with information can contact me at the above address or by phone at 238-0429.

LAUDRA ROUJA Southampton