In announcing his candidacy for a second term, President Bush drew the analogy that his policies were those of an eagle with those in opposition like ostriches with their “head in the sand.”

While his remark was probably intended as a swipe at candidate Pat Buchanan for his “America First” theme, the president might also remember that the eagle is most noted for the development and protection of its nest and family.

The key issue in the coming campaign must be about the preservation of our “nest” — the restoration of our national infrastructure — our school systems, our bridges and highways, our airports, our personal daily safety and our health system. It must be about what the candidate proposes to do for us at home between now and 1996. It must be about our children, our grandchildren and their future.

The history of yesterday, whether it be the demise of communism or “Desert War,” is somewhat irrelevant. The restoration of an infrastructure worthy of America will not only create jobs in the short term, it will create the level playing field America needs to be first in war and first in peace once again.

America has the greatest industrial potential in the world — we do not need to beg for help. We must find a leader whether it be the incumbent or another who shares this vision for the future with the capacity to make things happen. John A. Melrose Brewer