Letters to the Editor 01-22-2001
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- School Rivalry - Duty, Honor, Character - Great Community - Apology: It's Just A Game
School Rivalry
Editor, Times-Union:I feel something needs to be done about school rivalry. I am a junior at WCHS and I used to enjoy attending sporting events until one night after a home basketball game a couple weeks ago. My two best friends and I were jumped by female students from Tippy Valley. We filed police reports on this unprovoked act of violence and were promised appropriate action would be taken. To this day, nothing has happened to the two girls and we were left with sores and bruises. Then, this past Friday night at a home Tiger basketball game, some male Warsaw students were attacked by three male Valley students. Warsaw wasn't even playing Valley that night! The boys were arrested. At least something was done about that, but what about the next group of Warsaw students? Something needs to be done about this growing problem. I hate to say it, but I don't go to any more games because I don't want any more trouble. Why should I or anyone else have to be afraid to attend a school function or be scared to show Tiger Pride? Games wouldn't be any fun if there wasn't a little competition, but physical harm just because we are from another school?
Something is wrong here and I will see that something is done.
Amanda Swoverland
WCHS Junior
Warsaw
Duty, Honor, Character
Editor, Times-Union:In the spring of 1993, I knelt at my friend's grave in Marshalltown, Iowa, and apologized that someone who had protested and opposed Americans who served Vietnam was now the president of the United States. It was hard to believe that the American people had voted in this draft dodger when over 58,000 Americans had lost their lives in southeast Asia. My boyhood friend and fellow Eagle Scout, L/CPL Darwin Judge, had lost his life in service to our country during the fall of Saigon. To add to the pain, his parents had not been awarded his medals and he was not buried with an honor guard when his body was returned in 1976 after the Communists had held his remains for almost a year. In contrast, Mr. Clinton had experienced many privileges in his life, now having the opportunity to serve in one of the most influential positions in the world. Henry Judge, my friend's father, almost lost his life twice as a tail gunner on B-17s and reminded me often of my late father, who almost lost his life in Italy. He lamented that the American people had chosen Clinton over fellow veterans Bush and later Dole, who had faced death and survived fighting for freedom during World War II. Being part of the "greatest generation," Henry and his wife, Ida, struggled when Clinton visited The Wall in Washington and later won a second term. I visited my friend's grave again in 1997 and apologized. Mr. Clinton disgracefully conducted himself in the White House his second term, obviously not understanding the importance of character. My friend's parents never complained about the government's forgetfulness, but last year on the 25th anniversary of his death, we gathered to conduct a full military burial service as well as present the medals to honor their loss of a son in the cause of freedom. The Judges shared their pain again when Mr. Clinton decided to personally visit Vietnam, relishing his treatment and welcome in the city where my friend was killed. Mr. Clinton has been obsessed with his legacy these past eight years. One word will stick with him for his indiscretions and define his legacy: impeachment. It is a fitting explanation of his time in office. In contrast, Jan. 20 is a great day of celebration. The son of one of those World War II veterans, who lost to Clinton, will place his hand on the same Bible as his father and take the oath of office. President George W. Bush will restore character to the White House. This coming April I will join the Judges and others to dedicate a flagpole and raise the U.S. and Marine Corps colors in a park named in my friend's honor. I will also visit my friend's grave and kneel once more and tell him, "It's finally over," as I place the small Stars & Stripes near his headstone. I was recently on the phone with Ida when I heard a note of joy in her voice when she exclaimed, "It will be a great celebration because Clinton won't be in the White House!" America must never forget that duty, honor and character are more important than the legacy of a dishonorable man. We survive as a nation because of men and women who were willing to sacrifice, some losing their lives when their nation called them. We hear often about learning the lessons of Vietnam. I pray we will learn the lessons of Clinton/Gore. I pray we will remember those ideals that my friend and veterans of all wars have given as their legacy. When Darwin volunteered for the Marine Corps he subscribed to the motto, "Semper Fidelis," always faithful. America is moving back in that direction, my friend.
"In God We Trust"
Ken Locke
Warsaw
Great Community
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to say "THANKS" to a great community for all you have done for my family over the past months. What a great community we live in to be able to have our pastor (Lowe) and wife, Debbie, pray over and anoint my daughter, Lexis, for healing, as elders of our church. We visit a great regular-hours' doctor, Dr. Darr, who always makes my children happy with his animal balloons, and a fabulous regular-hours' pharmacist, Bill Harris, at Owen's. We have unfortunately had to use Medstat and its services several times. Each appointment was beyond my expectations. The first time, my daughter, Liza, had an ear infection and Dr. Walker treated her. He not only checked her at 8:30 p.m., but said he would immediately put her out of her intense pain, with some numbing drops in the ear. She was smiling when we left to get her medicine at CVS, which was still open until 11 p.m. The CVS clerk, whose name I didn't get, had red hair. He called her a princess and went out of his way to be nice to her.
Then Lexis became allergic to her medicine and broke out in terrible hives. Inconveniently, it was a Saturday morning. Although we had a two-hour wait this time at Medstat, she was able to see Dr. Moser, and as kindly and compassionately as he could, he got to the bottom of her problems, placing her on new medication. The third trip to Medstat was due to an acute asthma attack. My oldest daughter was placed in the skilled hands of Dr. Haines, who stayed almost an hour past his closing time, along with his nurse, to give her a breathing treatment. He actually rubbed her back while doing this and was busy giving stickers to my other daughter. Next came the flu, and an early morning run to Wal-Mart for children's Tylenol and juice. It was just 6 a.m. and I was so grateful that they were open.
We could not have reached any of these destinations without the Kosciusko County Highway Department always having our roads cleared out. I know this has been a very hard winter for them and that they have received various complaints. I want them to know that there are residents who appreciate all of the time that they have spent away from their families, missing Christmas gatherings and much needed sleep, to do their very best to keep our roads safe. I happen to know that our dedicated "sign man," Don Rogers, was out on Christmas Eve replacing a sign for everyone's safety and that we have the best head mechanic in the state, Mike Walther, working for our tax dollars repairing all of this equipment.
"THANKS" to everyone who is helping to make Kosciusko County a better place to live! To God be the glory!
Kari Airgood
Warsaw
Apology: It's Just A Game
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to apologize to several people for my actions following Wednesday's freshman basketball game at Valley with Triton.
After the game I got into an argument with a Triton parent and I allowed it to get out of hand.
I lost the fact that it is just a game and allowed the bad day I had to dictate my action.
I apologize to all of Triton's and Valley's fans and to Duane Burkhart, the athletic director at Valley, for making his already difficult job even harder.
And I apologize to the youth who witnessed it. This was not the proper way to handle conflict.
IT'S JUST A GAME; I'm very sorry.
Thomas Cody
Mentone
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- School Rivalry - Duty, Honor, Character - Great Community - Apology: It's Just A Game
School Rivalry
Editor, Times-Union:I feel something needs to be done about school rivalry. I am a junior at WCHS and I used to enjoy attending sporting events until one night after a home basketball game a couple weeks ago. My two best friends and I were jumped by female students from Tippy Valley. We filed police reports on this unprovoked act of violence and were promised appropriate action would be taken. To this day, nothing has happened to the two girls and we were left with sores and bruises. Then, this past Friday night at a home Tiger basketball game, some male Warsaw students were attacked by three male Valley students. Warsaw wasn't even playing Valley that night! The boys were arrested. At least something was done about that, but what about the next group of Warsaw students? Something needs to be done about this growing problem. I hate to say it, but I don't go to any more games because I don't want any more trouble. Why should I or anyone else have to be afraid to attend a school function or be scared to show Tiger Pride? Games wouldn't be any fun if there wasn't a little competition, but physical harm just because we are from another school?
Something is wrong here and I will see that something is done.
Amanda Swoverland
WCHS Junior
Warsaw
Duty, Honor, Character
Editor, Times-Union:In the spring of 1993, I knelt at my friend's grave in Marshalltown, Iowa, and apologized that someone who had protested and opposed Americans who served Vietnam was now the president of the United States. It was hard to believe that the American people had voted in this draft dodger when over 58,000 Americans had lost their lives in southeast Asia. My boyhood friend and fellow Eagle Scout, L/CPL Darwin Judge, had lost his life in service to our country during the fall of Saigon. To add to the pain, his parents had not been awarded his medals and he was not buried with an honor guard when his body was returned in 1976 after the Communists had held his remains for almost a year. In contrast, Mr. Clinton had experienced many privileges in his life, now having the opportunity to serve in one of the most influential positions in the world. Henry Judge, my friend's father, almost lost his life twice as a tail gunner on B-17s and reminded me often of my late father, who almost lost his life in Italy. He lamented that the American people had chosen Clinton over fellow veterans Bush and later Dole, who had faced death and survived fighting for freedom during World War II. Being part of the "greatest generation," Henry and his wife, Ida, struggled when Clinton visited The Wall in Washington and later won a second term. I visited my friend's grave again in 1997 and apologized. Mr. Clinton disgracefully conducted himself in the White House his second term, obviously not understanding the importance of character. My friend's parents never complained about the government's forgetfulness, but last year on the 25th anniversary of his death, we gathered to conduct a full military burial service as well as present the medals to honor their loss of a son in the cause of freedom. The Judges shared their pain again when Mr. Clinton decided to personally visit Vietnam, relishing his treatment and welcome in the city where my friend was killed. Mr. Clinton has been obsessed with his legacy these past eight years. One word will stick with him for his indiscretions and define his legacy: impeachment. It is a fitting explanation of his time in office. In contrast, Jan. 20 is a great day of celebration. The son of one of those World War II veterans, who lost to Clinton, will place his hand on the same Bible as his father and take the oath of office. President George W. Bush will restore character to the White House. This coming April I will join the Judges and others to dedicate a flagpole and raise the U.S. and Marine Corps colors in a park named in my friend's honor. I will also visit my friend's grave and kneel once more and tell him, "It's finally over," as I place the small Stars & Stripes near his headstone. I was recently on the phone with Ida when I heard a note of joy in her voice when she exclaimed, "It will be a great celebration because Clinton won't be in the White House!" America must never forget that duty, honor and character are more important than the legacy of a dishonorable man. We survive as a nation because of men and women who were willing to sacrifice, some losing their lives when their nation called them. We hear often about learning the lessons of Vietnam. I pray we will learn the lessons of Clinton/Gore. I pray we will remember those ideals that my friend and veterans of all wars have given as their legacy. When Darwin volunteered for the Marine Corps he subscribed to the motto, "Semper Fidelis," always faithful. America is moving back in that direction, my friend.
"In God We Trust"
Ken Locke
Warsaw
Great Community
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to say "THANKS" to a great community for all you have done for my family over the past months. What a great community we live in to be able to have our pastor (Lowe) and wife, Debbie, pray over and anoint my daughter, Lexis, for healing, as elders of our church. We visit a great regular-hours' doctor, Dr. Darr, who always makes my children happy with his animal balloons, and a fabulous regular-hours' pharmacist, Bill Harris, at Owen's. We have unfortunately had to use Medstat and its services several times. Each appointment was beyond my expectations. The first time, my daughter, Liza, had an ear infection and Dr. Walker treated her. He not only checked her at 8:30 p.m., but said he would immediately put her out of her intense pain, with some numbing drops in the ear. She was smiling when we left to get her medicine at CVS, which was still open until 11 p.m. The CVS clerk, whose name I didn't get, had red hair. He called her a princess and went out of his way to be nice to her.
Then Lexis became allergic to her medicine and broke out in terrible hives. Inconveniently, it was a Saturday morning. Although we had a two-hour wait this time at Medstat, she was able to see Dr. Moser, and as kindly and compassionately as he could, he got to the bottom of her problems, placing her on new medication. The third trip to Medstat was due to an acute asthma attack. My oldest daughter was placed in the skilled hands of Dr. Haines, who stayed almost an hour past his closing time, along with his nurse, to give her a breathing treatment. He actually rubbed her back while doing this and was busy giving stickers to my other daughter. Next came the flu, and an early morning run to Wal-Mart for children's Tylenol and juice. It was just 6 a.m. and I was so grateful that they were open.
We could not have reached any of these destinations without the Kosciusko County Highway Department always having our roads cleared out. I know this has been a very hard winter for them and that they have received various complaints. I want them to know that there are residents who appreciate all of the time that they have spent away from their families, missing Christmas gatherings and much needed sleep, to do their very best to keep our roads safe. I happen to know that our dedicated "sign man," Don Rogers, was out on Christmas Eve replacing a sign for everyone's safety and that we have the best head mechanic in the state, Mike Walther, working for our tax dollars repairing all of this equipment.
"THANKS" to everyone who is helping to make Kosciusko County a better place to live! To God be the glory!
Kari Airgood
Warsaw
Apology: It's Just A Game
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to apologize to several people for my actions following Wednesday's freshman basketball game at Valley with Triton.
After the game I got into an argument with a Triton parent and I allowed it to get out of hand.
I lost the fact that it is just a game and allowed the bad day I had to dictate my action.
I apologize to all of Triton's and Valley's fans and to Duane Burkhart, the athletic director at Valley, for making his already difficult job even harder.
And I apologize to the youth who witnessed it. This was not the proper way to handle conflict.
IT'S JUST A GAME; I'm very sorry.
Thomas Cody
Mentone
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