The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Elaine Slater Reese
Excuse me, Soldier! Do you have a moment? For so long I have wanted to talk with you. I see photos of you in history books. I see your name on memorial walls. And I see your birth and death dates in rows of crosses in cemeteries. Today I see you in action on the tv news. But I want to know you better. I guess mostly I just have so many questions I want to ask you.
You were so young. Why did you choose to leave the comforts of home for the unknown of a foreign land? Or were you one of the ones who had no choice? What were you thinking when you kissed your sweetheart goodbye? How did you feel when you knew you had killed the enemy? Did you see the haunting eyes of the innocent children over there? How did you feel as you dragged your two bloodied buddies out of the line of fire? Who wiped away your tears as you watched them take their final breath?
How cold was that foxhole? How frightening the nights? Did you feel even more alone when the mail didn't come through for weeks at a time and there were no loving words from home? When the sound of the artillery was deafening, how scared were you? When you heard the planes approaching again overhead, what words did you pray?
When you awoke with both legs gone, were you glad you were still alive or did you wish you had
died? Does the site of blood today bring back nightmares? Or do you live with them? Do you take things for granted now - or are you still thankful for clean clothes, boots that fit, and food served warm in the kitchen? Does your body chill when you hear particular words - Hitler, Pearl Harbor, North Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq and many others?
Does your heart always swell with pride when you see Old Glory waving in the wind? Do you feel anger when you see protesters desecrate the red, white, and blue? Are you sad when we do so little to honor you on Veterans' Day? It may seem so small and so late, but Soldier, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for what you have done. You have made it possible for me to live in America, the land of the blessed - the land of the free. THANK YOU, SOLDIER!
Dear Editor,
The Almost Home Animal Adoption Center will be hosting a bake sale at the Oquawka Banking Center on November 14th, starting at 8 am until supplies last.
Fresh baked goods donations would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off the day before the sale at the home of Joan Miller, which is the two story green house at the southwest corner of 3rd and Knox Street in Oquawka. She can be contacted at (309) 867-5161 for more details. Elaine Henshaw will be available to pick up donations and can be contacted at (309) 374-2571. Baked goods may also be dropped off as early as possible at the bank the day of the sale.
We had a wonderful response from the community when we recently announced openings for volunteers. As always, we can never have too much help, so if you wish to donate your time please contact me at (309) 867-4022 or nfosmore@accessus.net. You can make a positive impact with as little as an hour a month.
Don't forget our adoption hours are from 1-4pm on Sunday and our monthly meeting is the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Our adoption fees are $30 for a cat and $45 for a dog and all are spayed or neutered.
Sincerely, Candace M. Miller-Fosmore
Volunteer, Almost Home Animal Adoption Center