Letters to the Editor 07-18-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Freedom - Assimilation - Sentencing
Freedom
Editor, Times-Union:As a Gold Star wife of the Vietnam era I would like to personally thank all of the people involved in the planning and those who participated in the War Memorial Rededication Ceremony.
Although I have not lived in Warsaw for a very long time, my family and roots are firmly planted in the soil of Kosciusko County.
Each time I return for a visit, I plan on visiting the resting place of my young deceased husband. The still existing grief usually deters that visit. So ... instead I walk around the courthouse - a familiar and comforting sight in my childhood. I visit the War Memorial and touch my Willie's name and remember him and our brief time together. I stand with tears running down my face until I feel certain he somehow knows I have not forgotten. For the living family members of the fallen soldiers whose names are engraved on that stone, I thank you.
The price of freedom is bought and paid with the loss of our precious sons, husbands, daughters , mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, schoolmates, neighbors and co-workers. Those left behind pay not with blood, but with tears and empty places in our lives that will never again be the same. Thank you again for remembering that freedom isn't free.
Dena DeBolt Walker, widow of Willard C. DeBolt, Virginia
Assimilation
Editor, Times-Union:One of the most valuable words in the English language is the action word assimilation. This word has two separate and distinct definitions - No. 1, absorb as nourishment, and No. 2, understand. Although the dual nature of the definition is separate and distinct, this does not mean that one may not be used as a model for the other. In the same way that our bodies absorbs nourishment for growth and evolvement, our minds must also absorb external nourishment for growth and evolvement. The perfect model for the mind is the one our bodies use instinctively when we absorb nourishment.
In order to see this perfect model for the purpose of emulation in our understanding of the external world, we must first be totally connected to our own inner being. If all of this seems very subjective, that's because it is. None of us are objects, we are all subject. Knowing one's self is not a selfish act, in fact it's the most important act one can perform. If one can't evaluate one's self, one has no chance of evaluating others correctly. Also one has no chance of seeing a well-defined pattern of natural law and natural order. Which in reality is the perfect model, or more aptly defined as divine law.
Perhaps Edgar Cayce is more descriptive in his wording, when he said, "Tendencies in the hearts and souls of men are such that these (good or bad things) may be brought about. For it is not the word, the earth, the environs about it nor the planetary influences, nor the associations or activities, that rule man. Rather does man by his compliance with divine law bring order out of chaos; or by his disregard of the association and laws of the diving influence, bring chaos and destructive force into his experience."
Since the intent is to become totally connected to the inner being, for the purpose that I've stated earlier, one needs a vehicle to achieve this goal. The most effective way I've discovered is a form of meditation that has always existed, but more recently discovered by "Bodhidharma" in China in the year 520. This method is called Ch'an or Zen. Zen is a method of self training that leads to an understanding of reality. Its basic idea is that a person can discipline his or her mind, so that he or she comes into touch with the inner workings of his or her being. Zen is not a philosophy or a religion, so one doesn't have to assume the lotus position for hours. No dogma, no traditions to follow. Zen is a method of thinking that may be performed anywhere at any time.
Zen leads one to an expanded awareness. This larger awareness can not be taught, each person must find it for him or her self. To conclude: The perfect model of assimilation is within each of us, to view it must embrace inner enlightenment.
Gene May, Etna Green
Sentencing
Editor, Times-Union:Recently in the news it was reported that a convicted killer's sentence had been reduced from death to a life sentence with no parole. Some were disappointed that the death sentence was not carried out. What has bothered me with the death sentence is that some human being is required to take another person's life, even though that person has been guilty of taking a life. I have no idea how a person who has done this really feels, but it probably can't be the best feeling.
Fred R. Yohey, Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
- Freedom - Assimilation - Sentencing
Freedom
Editor, Times-Union:As a Gold Star wife of the Vietnam era I would like to personally thank all of the people involved in the planning and those who participated in the War Memorial Rededication Ceremony.
Although I have not lived in Warsaw for a very long time, my family and roots are firmly planted in the soil of Kosciusko County.
Each time I return for a visit, I plan on visiting the resting place of my young deceased husband. The still existing grief usually deters that visit. So ... instead I walk around the courthouse - a familiar and comforting sight in my childhood. I visit the War Memorial and touch my Willie's name and remember him and our brief time together. I stand with tears running down my face until I feel certain he somehow knows I have not forgotten. For the living family members of the fallen soldiers whose names are engraved on that stone, I thank you.
The price of freedom is bought and paid with the loss of our precious sons, husbands, daughters , mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, schoolmates, neighbors and co-workers. Those left behind pay not with blood, but with tears and empty places in our lives that will never again be the same. Thank you again for remembering that freedom isn't free.
Dena DeBolt Walker, widow of Willard C. DeBolt, Virginia
Assimilation
Editor, Times-Union:One of the most valuable words in the English language is the action word assimilation. This word has two separate and distinct definitions - No. 1, absorb as nourishment, and No. 2, understand. Although the dual nature of the definition is separate and distinct, this does not mean that one may not be used as a model for the other. In the same way that our bodies absorbs nourishment for growth and evolvement, our minds must also absorb external nourishment for growth and evolvement. The perfect model for the mind is the one our bodies use instinctively when we absorb nourishment.
In order to see this perfect model for the purpose of emulation in our understanding of the external world, we must first be totally connected to our own inner being. If all of this seems very subjective, that's because it is. None of us are objects, we are all subject. Knowing one's self is not a selfish act, in fact it's the most important act one can perform. If one can't evaluate one's self, one has no chance of evaluating others correctly. Also one has no chance of seeing a well-defined pattern of natural law and natural order. Which in reality is the perfect model, or more aptly defined as divine law.
Perhaps Edgar Cayce is more descriptive in his wording, when he said, "Tendencies in the hearts and souls of men are such that these (good or bad things) may be brought about. For it is not the word, the earth, the environs about it nor the planetary influences, nor the associations or activities, that rule man. Rather does man by his compliance with divine law bring order out of chaos; or by his disregard of the association and laws of the diving influence, bring chaos and destructive force into his experience."
Since the intent is to become totally connected to the inner being, for the purpose that I've stated earlier, one needs a vehicle to achieve this goal. The most effective way I've discovered is a form of meditation that has always existed, but more recently discovered by "Bodhidharma" in China in the year 520. This method is called Ch'an or Zen. Zen is a method of self training that leads to an understanding of reality. Its basic idea is that a person can discipline his or her mind, so that he or she comes into touch with the inner workings of his or her being. Zen is not a philosophy or a religion, so one doesn't have to assume the lotus position for hours. No dogma, no traditions to follow. Zen is a method of thinking that may be performed anywhere at any time.
Zen leads one to an expanded awareness. This larger awareness can not be taught, each person must find it for him or her self. To conclude: The perfect model of assimilation is within each of us, to view it must embrace inner enlightenment.
Gene May, Etna Green
Sentencing
Editor, Times-Union:Recently in the news it was reported that a convicted killer's sentence had been reduced from death to a life sentence with no parole. Some were disappointed that the death sentence was not carried out. What has bothered me with the death sentence is that some human being is required to take another person's life, even though that person has been guilty of taking a life. I have no idea how a person who has done this really feels, but it probably can't be the best feeling.
Fred R. Yohey, Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092