The June 7 Opinion section of The Pilot was perhaps the finest I have seen in my 16 years of living in this area. For me, the Opinion pages are the most important part of the paper -- the first to be read and enjoyed.

Why did I like Sunday's issue?

First, the editorial dealing with Judge Sonia Sotomayor is well stated and probably should be a constant reminder to the readers.

Kevin McKinney's column on Amtrak was superb. As an aside, when I was stationed in Delaware I needed to go to Washington, D.C., to work with the Department of Commerce or the National Institutes of Health. I quickly learned that taking the Amtrak train was a far better way to conduct business than to travel by car.

The train ride provided an opportunity to review my materials so that I was better prepared for my meetings, and I did not have to worry about heavy traffic that accumulates in the D.C. area.

I agree, if you get a reasonable schedule and prices, Amtrak will flourish in providing passenger service for trips of up to two hours. This type of service between Pinehurst and Raleigh-Durham would be a winner, as you can make that trip in less than one hour.

The letters to the editor provided some perspectives that were not loaded with trash talk frequently finding its way into a newspaper.

Finally, I salute Allan Jefferys for his column on D-Day. We often forget how many lives America lost on that day, and it was good for Allan to remind us. I hope he provides that reminder each year.

Carl B. Munro

Foxfire Village