DEAR ABBY: A letter that appeared in your column about baton twirling reminded me of something I witnessed many years ago:
During World War II, I was aboard ship in the South Pacific. One day one of the ship's crew members picked up a section of a broken broom handle and, stepping up on the after cargo hatch, began twirling the stick like a baton. He was absolutely fantastic! I watched spellbound by his artistic expertise. And so did a lot of other men aboard the LST (Landing Ship, Tanks). When he finished his exhibition, the sailors and Marines gave him a standing ovation. His demonstration was not considered effeminate by any of the crew or Marines.
By the way, the Marines were from the 5th Marine Division and we were headed for Iwo Jima! -- MARION E. HUTSON, PORTSMOUTH, VA.