We couldn’t help noticing your lament (Editor’s column, Sept. 14) about restrictive seat belt requirements in a used-to-be free country. Motorcycle helmets and car seats can be added to the list. Until “Corporate America” and insurance companies took over the country, we had that freedom.  Remember when we could all pile into the back of dad’s pickup for a ride into town? Then there were those days when you really bonded with your kids by hugging, holding them in your lap, and playing with them while you went somewhere? The way things are going it soon may be illegal for kids to climb trees.

Barb used to live near Roy Rogers who rode a mini motorcycle all over the place. (Trigger had died). Roy refused to wear a helmet saying they would have to put him in jail first. His big white hat just wouldn’t fit over a helmet.

In my younger days I rode a gentleman’s motorcycle — a Honda Goldwing, all over the Western states and parts of Canada. Until they passed the helmet law I seldom wore one. But I have to admit that I did the night I flipped the bike end-over-end out in the middle of Utah. Yea, I landed on my head but walked away — slowly. I guess the sacrifice of freedom and the wind in my face was worth it — once.

Yep, those were the days. But the time came when we had to put it all away and sing one for Auld Lang Syne, and the freedom we once knew.

Al and Barbara Williams

Oak Harbor