Polston Receives Proclamation, Letter, Photo From President
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Police Department Sgt. Terry Polston has not allowed his battle with lung cancer to prevent him from teaching students the dangers of using illegal drugs.
Polston teaches DARE courses to students at Jefferson, Madison, Leesburg and Eisenhower schools. He also has served as a WPD officer for 26 years.
Recently, he received a DARE proclamation, a personal letter of encouragement and an autographed photo from President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush.
Polston, a six-year lung cancer survivor, has served as a DARE officer for the Warsaw Police Department for 17 years.
A ceremony was held Friday at Eisenhower Elementary School where Kay Kelly, Warsaw Community High School administrative assistant, and her husband, Bill, presented the items to Polston. The ceremony was attended by Eisenhower sixth-grade DARE students and faculty, Warsaw Schools interim superintendent Ralph Bailey and Polston's family.
Kay said White House officials learned of Polston's battle with lung cancer and commitment to serving as a DARE officer.
Bill, who previously worked with Polston at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and WPD, said Polston is deserving of the items.
"Terry is a DARE officer for the right reasons, and a person can tell what he means to the students when he walks into a room," Bill said.
Melissa Rees, Eisenhower Elementary School principal, said she is happy Polston was recognized by Bush.
"Terry brings a positive energy to the building and the students know they can count on him," Rees said.
Polston said he was surprised to receive the items.
"It was overwhelming and humbling to think that the president took time to send me a personal letter, proclamation and photo," Polston said. "I know the president has world problems to deal with, but it means a lot to me that he took time to write."
In the letter addressed to Polston, Bush states Polston is in his and his wife's thoughts and prayers.
Polston said he will frame the items and hang them on his office wall.
In April 2002, Polston was diagnosed with cancer in his left lung.
In July 2002, half of his left lung was removed, and he underwent 20 radiation treatments, which finished in October. The following May, another spot of cancer was located on his left hip, which led to 15 more radiation treatments.
He was put on an oral form of chemotherapy and attended regular checkups every six months until May 2007. While attending a normal appointment, Polston's doctors encouraged him to get a precautionary CT scan, which revealed another spot of lung cancer, this time in his right lung.
In March 2008, there was a benefit concert at Warsaw Community High School to raise funds to help Polston with the cost of his cancer treatment. He went through six rounds of chemotherapy three weeks apart, which he finished in November 2007.
Polston said he is still fighting lung cancer and has undergone 20 chemotherapy treatments in the past 24 months.
"The treatments are working and I remember to keep a smile on my face," Polston said.
