Letters to the Editor 06-30-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Red Cross Wrap Up - 'Under God' - Congrats To Polston - EMS Thanks - Iraq Article - Hats Off - Lack Of Uniforms
Red Cross Wrap Up
Editor, Times-Union:The month of June marks the end of our Fiscal Year 2004 at the Kosciusko County Chapter of The American Red Cross. It is a time when we take a few moments to analyze how our results measure up against the goals we established at the beginning of the year.
Our Blood Program has experienced some amazing accomplishments during FY 2004! During the month of May, donors participated in a total of seven blood drives across our county, and donated a total of 362 units of blood. During the month of June, a total of 210 units of blood were donated during three blood drives. I am extremely proud to report that during FY 2004 the residents of Koscuisko County donated a total of 3,400 units of blood versus an established goal of 3,275 units. In addition, our donors surpassed the totals number of units donated during FY 2003 (3,045 units) by 355 units!
It is very gratifying to be a part of the Red Cross in Kosciusko County and to experience the support of hundreds of resident donors who faithfully participate in our Blood Services Program. In addition, our chapter is blessed with wonderful volunteers who participate each month hosting our blood drives, providing registration and coordination services, serving snacks and drinks to donors, and caring for technicians and staff who draw the blood. We are indebted to the many individuals who make our Blood Program successful.
As we look ahead to FY 2005, we continue to see a growing need for blood donations as the demand for blood and the blood products derived from whole blood continues to increase. The need for plasma, platelets and whole blood increases as new technology is developed to treat disease, illness and trauma experienced by many in our community.
Therefore, we will continue to provide opportunities for residents to donat blood at various locations across Kosciusko County. During the month of July, we will host bloodmobiles in accordance with the following schedule: July 6, Mentone United Methodist Church, 2-6 p.m.; July 9, Koscuisko Community Hospital, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; July 13, Center Lake Pavillion, Warsaw, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; July 15, Syracuse United Methodist Church, 2 -7 p.m.; July 27, North Webster American Legion, 3-7 p.m.
In conclusion, each of these blood drives is open to the public, and we welcome all eligible donors to participate. Please call 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) and schedule an appointment to donate blood during the month of July. Of course, you are always welcome to "walk-in" at any location.
Your gift can save a life, quite possibly several lives. Thank you for your generous support.
Larry E. Peppel
Executive Director
American Red Cross Kosciusko County
'Under God'
Editor, Times-Union:In regards to William Michael Kelly's letter June 24:
Perhaps had the words "under God" been part of the original Pledge of Allegiance - and not an afterthought in 1954 in a time of the Red Scare of communism (and Americans' ensuing fear of the officially atheist nation) - they would be acceptable.
As the phrase stands now, "under God" is but a proofreader's unnecessary scribble on what had been an otherwise perfectly acceptable pledge, written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy.
"The key words for Bellamy were 'indivisible,' which recalled the Civil War and the triumph of federal union over states' rights, and 'liberty and justice for all,' which was supposed to strike a balance between equality and individual freedom," argues slate.com (http://slate.msn.com/?id=2067499).
And those lofty ideals, written eloquently in the pre-1954 pledge, were achieved.
The original pledge was fine as it was before then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower modified it, with a willing and overly-religious Congress, for his own personal beliefs in the mid-1950s. But don't make Eisenhower's religious agenda one that speaks for the nation as a whole, because it doesn't. His beliefs are not mine much like mine are not necessarily yours.
Saying "under God" does little but make the speaker believe himself - erroneously - more righteous. I prefer to bestow my praise on God privately, when it actually means something more than blind repetition, and forced at that.
Perhaps, as Mr. Kelly infers with his endorsement of the pledge of today, we should go back through every historical document and add "God" to them as well. Contending that the phrase "under God" in the pledge is on the same level to that in the Gettysburg Address is flawed: Gettysburg was original; the pledge has been modified from its original intent.
There's nothing like rewriting history to make it appear differently than what it actually was; Republicans did a fine job of this in bestowing glorious accolades on Ronald Reagan while ignoring the fact that he ran the national debt through the roof, ignored the plague of AIDS in our country and abroad and traded arms for hostages all while propping up dubious regimes in Central America and the Middle East.
I honestly don't care either way about whether the phrase stays or goes. It's not important. What I do care about is the radical religious right attempting to shove its misguided agenda of hate and intolerance across every spectrum of American life in the name of God, helped by a hypocritical warmongering administration that preaches love and compassion yet kills thousands of innocent people in misguided conflict and withholds lifesaving drugs to the poorest of the world.
Regime change begins at home, people. May God help us all.
Matt Perry
New Orleans, La.
via e-mail
Congrats To Polston
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations to Warsaw Police Officer Terry Polston, Indiana DARE Officer of the Year. I am confident that many parents in our community have had the opportunity to witness "O.P.'s" past and present capabilities, performance and leadership roles and personal triumphs.
I have chosen to focus my comments on what I believe to be the greatest importance in qualifying him for DARE Officer of the Year. Whereas so many people present outstanding achievements in a particular area, Terry's record evidences "balanced preparedness" - an invaluable balance between maturity and his ability to connect with children.
In addition to this balanced preparedness,Terry has demonstrated a genuine command for traditional values so often ignored - respect for authority, a solid work ethic, personal accountability and a sense of responsibility to others as well as to himself. In my personal opinion, Terry's ability to communicate these values to our children for the past 12 years as a DARE instructor sets him apart from others.
While many people may be inclined to determine that Terry's success is based on his preparation for life to date, I want to make it perfectly clear that he is doing an outstanding job of living his life.
Steven C. Foster
Chief of Police, Warsaw
EMS Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:We at South Central EMS Inc. would like to take this opportunity to thank all the businessmen and women who were so willing to contribute to our raffle. There were 100 items raffled off. We made more than $600 on the way to $3,000 to $3,500 for a new cot. The kindness and caring of all the businesses and ticket purchasers is deeply appreciated. Since we are a total volunteer service serving our community, our only funds are from runs and fund-raisers, and a little funds from township trustees. We are very grateful for every person who is willing to contribute so we can ensure patients the best possible care, thank you for caring.
South Central EMS
Iraq Article
Editor, Times-Union:I enjoyed the article on the front page of last Thursday's paper with the Iraqi schoolchildren and Lt. Col. Larry A. McCarty. I know there are a lot of good things happening in Iraq, but it's a shame the good news very seldom reaches us. The expressions on the children's faces tells the real story. Thanks to Pfc. Jonathan J. Springer and the Times-Union for the article.
Tom Shively
Claypool
via e-mail
Hats Off
Editor, Times-Union:Hats off to Sally Hogan for the wonderful job she did organizing the Warsaw Sesquicentennial Celebration. We enjoyed it very much. Thanks to Sally, to Carmen Lock at WCDC, to the entertainers, and the many, many volunteers who helped make it happen. It was truly a community event, the type that makes Warsaw a wonderful place to live.
Emmalee Kelley
Howard Woodward Jr.
Warsaw
via e-mail
Lack Of Uniforms
Editor, Times-Union:As a former member of the Warsaw High School marching band, I just want to express my disappointment with the appearance of Warsaw's marching band in Saturday's parade.
Is there no such thing as full dress uniforms anymore? Celebrating Warsaw's Sesquicentennial, in one of the largest parades this town has held in years, seems to me like an occasion to look their very best.
Maybe someone from our band department should contact Northwood High School's band department. Now they looked impressive!
Please don't get me wrong, the band members played exceptionally.
Kathy Zolman
via e-mail
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- Red Cross Wrap Up - 'Under God' - Congrats To Polston - EMS Thanks - Iraq Article - Hats Off - Lack Of Uniforms
Red Cross Wrap Up
Editor, Times-Union:The month of June marks the end of our Fiscal Year 2004 at the Kosciusko County Chapter of The American Red Cross. It is a time when we take a few moments to analyze how our results measure up against the goals we established at the beginning of the year.
Our Blood Program has experienced some amazing accomplishments during FY 2004! During the month of May, donors participated in a total of seven blood drives across our county, and donated a total of 362 units of blood. During the month of June, a total of 210 units of blood were donated during three blood drives. I am extremely proud to report that during FY 2004 the residents of Koscuisko County donated a total of 3,400 units of blood versus an established goal of 3,275 units. In addition, our donors surpassed the totals number of units donated during FY 2003 (3,045 units) by 355 units!
It is very gratifying to be a part of the Red Cross in Kosciusko County and to experience the support of hundreds of resident donors who faithfully participate in our Blood Services Program. In addition, our chapter is blessed with wonderful volunteers who participate each month hosting our blood drives, providing registration and coordination services, serving snacks and drinks to donors, and caring for technicians and staff who draw the blood. We are indebted to the many individuals who make our Blood Program successful.
As we look ahead to FY 2005, we continue to see a growing need for blood donations as the demand for blood and the blood products derived from whole blood continues to increase. The need for plasma, platelets and whole blood increases as new technology is developed to treat disease, illness and trauma experienced by many in our community.
Therefore, we will continue to provide opportunities for residents to donat blood at various locations across Kosciusko County. During the month of July, we will host bloodmobiles in accordance with the following schedule: July 6, Mentone United Methodist Church, 2-6 p.m.; July 9, Koscuisko Community Hospital, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; July 13, Center Lake Pavillion, Warsaw, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; July 15, Syracuse United Methodist Church, 2 -7 p.m.; July 27, North Webster American Legion, 3-7 p.m.
In conclusion, each of these blood drives is open to the public, and we welcome all eligible donors to participate. Please call 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) and schedule an appointment to donate blood during the month of July. Of course, you are always welcome to "walk-in" at any location.
Your gift can save a life, quite possibly several lives. Thank you for your generous support.
Larry E. Peppel
Executive Director
American Red Cross Kosciusko County
'Under God'
Editor, Times-Union:In regards to William Michael Kelly's letter June 24:
Perhaps had the words "under God" been part of the original Pledge of Allegiance - and not an afterthought in 1954 in a time of the Red Scare of communism (and Americans' ensuing fear of the officially atheist nation) - they would be acceptable.
As the phrase stands now, "under God" is but a proofreader's unnecessary scribble on what had been an otherwise perfectly acceptable pledge, written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy.
"The key words for Bellamy were 'indivisible,' which recalled the Civil War and the triumph of federal union over states' rights, and 'liberty and justice for all,' which was supposed to strike a balance between equality and individual freedom," argues slate.com (http://slate.msn.com/?id=2067499).
And those lofty ideals, written eloquently in the pre-1954 pledge, were achieved.
The original pledge was fine as it was before then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower modified it, with a willing and overly-religious Congress, for his own personal beliefs in the mid-1950s. But don't make Eisenhower's religious agenda one that speaks for the nation as a whole, because it doesn't. His beliefs are not mine much like mine are not necessarily yours.
Saying "under God" does little but make the speaker believe himself - erroneously - more righteous. I prefer to bestow my praise on God privately, when it actually means something more than blind repetition, and forced at that.
Perhaps, as Mr. Kelly infers with his endorsement of the pledge of today, we should go back through every historical document and add "God" to them as well. Contending that the phrase "under God" in the pledge is on the same level to that in the Gettysburg Address is flawed: Gettysburg was original; the pledge has been modified from its original intent.
There's nothing like rewriting history to make it appear differently than what it actually was; Republicans did a fine job of this in bestowing glorious accolades on Ronald Reagan while ignoring the fact that he ran the national debt through the roof, ignored the plague of AIDS in our country and abroad and traded arms for hostages all while propping up dubious regimes in Central America and the Middle East.
I honestly don't care either way about whether the phrase stays or goes. It's not important. What I do care about is the radical religious right attempting to shove its misguided agenda of hate and intolerance across every spectrum of American life in the name of God, helped by a hypocritical warmongering administration that preaches love and compassion yet kills thousands of innocent people in misguided conflict and withholds lifesaving drugs to the poorest of the world.
Regime change begins at home, people. May God help us all.
Matt Perry
New Orleans, La.
via e-mail
Congrats To Polston
Editor, Times-Union:Congratulations to Warsaw Police Officer Terry Polston, Indiana DARE Officer of the Year. I am confident that many parents in our community have had the opportunity to witness "O.P.'s" past and present capabilities, performance and leadership roles and personal triumphs.
I have chosen to focus my comments on what I believe to be the greatest importance in qualifying him for DARE Officer of the Year. Whereas so many people present outstanding achievements in a particular area, Terry's record evidences "balanced preparedness" - an invaluable balance between maturity and his ability to connect with children.
In addition to this balanced preparedness,Terry has demonstrated a genuine command for traditional values so often ignored - respect for authority, a solid work ethic, personal accountability and a sense of responsibility to others as well as to himself. In my personal opinion, Terry's ability to communicate these values to our children for the past 12 years as a DARE instructor sets him apart from others.
While many people may be inclined to determine that Terry's success is based on his preparation for life to date, I want to make it perfectly clear that he is doing an outstanding job of living his life.
Steven C. Foster
Chief of Police, Warsaw
EMS Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:We at South Central EMS Inc. would like to take this opportunity to thank all the businessmen and women who were so willing to contribute to our raffle. There were 100 items raffled off. We made more than $600 on the way to $3,000 to $3,500 for a new cot. The kindness and caring of all the businesses and ticket purchasers is deeply appreciated. Since we are a total volunteer service serving our community, our only funds are from runs and fund-raisers, and a little funds from township trustees. We are very grateful for every person who is willing to contribute so we can ensure patients the best possible care, thank you for caring.
South Central EMS
Iraq Article
Editor, Times-Union:I enjoyed the article on the front page of last Thursday's paper with the Iraqi schoolchildren and Lt. Col. Larry A. McCarty. I know there are a lot of good things happening in Iraq, but it's a shame the good news very seldom reaches us. The expressions on the children's faces tells the real story. Thanks to Pfc. Jonathan J. Springer and the Times-Union for the article.
Tom Shively
Claypool
via e-mail
Hats Off
Editor, Times-Union:Hats off to Sally Hogan for the wonderful job she did organizing the Warsaw Sesquicentennial Celebration. We enjoyed it very much. Thanks to Sally, to Carmen Lock at WCDC, to the entertainers, and the many, many volunteers who helped make it happen. It was truly a community event, the type that makes Warsaw a wonderful place to live.
Emmalee Kelley
Howard Woodward Jr.
Warsaw
via e-mail
Lack Of Uniforms
Editor, Times-Union:As a former member of the Warsaw High School marching band, I just want to express my disappointment with the appearance of Warsaw's marching band in Saturday's parade.
Is there no such thing as full dress uniforms anymore? Celebrating Warsaw's Sesquicentennial, in one of the largest parades this town has held in years, seems to me like an occasion to look their very best.
Maybe someone from our band department should contact Northwood High School's band department. Now they looked impressive!
Please don't get me wrong, the band members played exceptionally.
Kathy Zolman
via e-mail
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