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Sir: I suppose Dallas [April 15] is doomed to be the national whipping boy for a great many more years; it makes it doubly hard on thousands of Dallasites who loved and honored President Kennedy, and whose sense of impotent frustration is made almost unbearable by being lumped as one with those of our fellow citizens who would go to any lengths to forget. Why is mention so seldom made of the thousands of floral tributes, verses, photographs, and pathetic handmade memorials regularly left at the assassination site? Or of the petitions to have a permanent marker of dignity and respect? Or of the letters to local newspapers decrying the "official" attitude of our city? Please don't lose sight of us. We are here. And we are part of Big D.

(MRS.) SHIRLEY ACHOR Dallas

Naval Engagement

Sir: Despite alleged grading flaws, the Naval Academy last year won six Fulbright scholarships. But, of course, regardless of scholarship, present-day educators are bound to take a dim view of any institution in which there has never been a campus riot or a dirty-speech rally. The academy's mission is to prepare Americans to defend their country at sea. If the professors will consult their history books, they will find that, judging from the Navy's battle record, the academy does a pretty good job.

D. V. GALLERY Rear Admiral, U.S.N. (ret.) Vienna, Va.

Sir: The academic caliber of midshipmen could be raised if admissions procedures were changed. Most midshipmen are selected by competition for their Congressman's nomination. No matter how many qualified candidates compete for a nomination, only one can be selected. The reverse can be true: if there is only one candidate seeking a particular Congressman's nomination, he may be nominated regardless of his qualifications. This would change if admissions were made nationally, as for the Coast Guard Academy. DAVID M. SISSON Deerfield Academy Deerfield, Mass.

Sweet Reason

Sir: So you consider Cardinal Gushing "suddenly stiff-necked" for expelling eight rebellious seminarians [April 15]? Would you consider the Marine Corps commandant unreasonable if he didn't listen to a bunch of second lieutenants who tried to force him into running things their way?

ELIZABETH HART West Chester, Pa.

Back-seat Drivers

Sir: About the Kienholz exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum [April 8]: Thanks for letting us see just what was in that Back Seat. Now we know what we didn't miss by not driving across town to get a peek.

MRS. WILLIAM HORSEMAN Compton, Calif.

Prickly Point

Sir: About "In Defense of Women" [April 15]: HAT PINS ARE NOT DEAD. We sell millions of them every year, and many women under 70 use them.

RUBEN BONDY The Hat Pin with the Perfect Point New York City

Ouch!

Sir: I only wish the "friendly" gerbil that "never bites" had been "curious" enough to read your article [April 15] before biting me. OUCH!

DAVID JAY ARLUK Richmond Hill, N.Y.