The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor,
As a resident of Henderson County, I think I am prouder now of our fellow citizens than ever before.
Following last Tuesday's vote for consolidation, it is very clear we have the best interests in mind for our children. A Yes vote for the Southern-Union consolidation clearly sets a strong foundation for our students and their future education.
I will be the first to admit that change is difficult, no matter how much it is needed. I think back to a warm summer night two years ago in the Union Junior High gym when Norm Durflinger, a consolidation feasibility study expert, first came into our county.
On that night, one of the first things he stated was, "Do NOT let this consolidation vote divide your community, your neighbors, your friends, or your family."
Clearly such change has the risk to do that. I have family, friends, and fellow citizens who I respect tremendously who were not in support of this consolidation.
Throughout the process, I think individuals on each side of the fence have respected each other's thoughts and opinions. Now that our future is clear, we need to unite for the success of our new school district.
With the many phone calls and emails I have received and made, it is clear that process has already started.
There is one particular phone call I would like to share with you. About ten months ago, I was approached by a well respected business man from a neighboring county wanting to pursue a business opportunity in a neighboring county.
Through that conversation, I remained steadfast that I wanted to invest in the future of Henderson County and my local business interests would remain here.
I was promptly told that "the future of Henderson County is not very bright: the North and the South can't get along: there is no economic development there: one only has to look at the names of the schools to understand that:"
Following that conversation, we mutually agreed to pursue different business interests in different counties.
I left that conversation frustrated, offended, discouraged, and concerned.
With time, that conversation faded from my memory. Then, on November 3rd I received a phone call from that same individual stating how SHOCKED he was that the Southern-Union consolidation had passed.
He went on to say that he thought this would not only create an outstanding education for our children, but would also create a solid economic foundation for the future of Henderson County and surrounding areas. It was only at that moment I realized we have opened the eyes of many and taken a HUGE step forward.
On that note, I would strongly encourage all citizens of our new school district to play an active role in developing our new school district.
There will most likely be numerous opportunities for participation such as parent teacher associations, booster club activities, advisory committee roles to the new school board, employer opportunites to provide real life experiences for our students, and numerous other ways to volunteer.
Although the first day of the new school district does not officially start until July 1st, the new school board will hold its first board meeting on November 24, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. (Biggsville campus superintendent's office).
Please do not wait to get involved! As we begin to shape the future of our new school district, your input and feedback will be needed.
I personally anticipate the development and maintenance of our new school to be a productive and joyful ride.
Make no mistake about it, there will be some bumps along the way that may require us all to wear our seat belts.
But, have you ever reached a goal without facing a few bumps along the way? My guess is that if Neil Armstrong ever had a chance to answer that question, he would have said the bumps along the ride were well worth it.
I see our new school district no differently. Fasten your seat belts, and jump on board.
The sky is the limit and the future education of our students looks very bright!!
Best Regards,
Lonnie D. Brent
RR Kirkwood
Dear Editor:
Bravo Battery 2/123 FA Unit out of Macomb would like to express their appreciation for the outpouring of support we've received in the last few weeks.
They appreciate the great numbers of people attending the send-off ceremonies, both at the high school and at the armory the morning the buses departed.
The soldiers have been receiving many packages, at Ft. Dix, containing items to be used in Iraq.
This is wonderful, but they have a 70 pound weight limit to take with them. What we really need right now is donations of dollars.
We are trying to raise enough money to supply each of our soldiers with Bore Snakes to clean their weapons while in the field. This will help keep our soldiers safer by keeping their weapons clean and in proper working order.
Anyone who would like to send a donation, no matter how small, send a check payable to: Bravo Battery 2/123 FA, FSG
Mail to: Brenda Burt,
2921 N. Co. Rd 2500,
Dallas City, IL 62330
or phone 217/659-7647.
I will be taking this to a meeting on December 8th.
We appreciate all of our surrounding communities. Keep those letters and prayers coming !!
Brenda Burt
RR, Dallas City
Thank You, Veteran!
By Elaine Slater Reese
Back in THOSE DAYS: it was different. Every morning of school the first eight years was started with EVERYONE saying The Pledge to the Flag.
And the Pledge included the words "under God". (We also said the Lord's Prayer.)
I learned to respect the flag and read about the meaning of its design and its costs in social studies classes.
Then there were the times when I saw on TV, protesters burning our flag and other derogatory acts. That angered me. Yes, we are all granted freedom of speech - but at the cost of whom and what?
A lot of years have gone by. I have reached that age where we really appreciate things we ignored before.
We do things our parents did that we felt were ridiculous. History was not my favorite subject, but now it's fascinating to spend time reading tombstones. (I have come a long way!) And I find myself often reading especially the inscriptions on the veterans' stones.
For me, the Civil War was GONE WITH THE WIND and a small photo of my great-grandfather in his uniform.
We have a poem he wrote at the age of seventeen while on a watch on a long, lonely night. World War II was listening to news reports on the radio about the battles.
Vietnam was Johnny Phillips, the blacksmith's son, coming home in that box. And, of course, there were the other wars and battles.
I have lived twelve years across from an American Legion. I have watched those men, friends bound together by what they have seen and where they have been - what they sometimes discuss and what they don't discuss. And I have learned that war comes at such a cost. The dollars are tremendous, but the heartaches are not measurable.
And today, the war is not chapters in history books. It is the flick of a remote control. It is taking place in our family rooms. Once again, families accept an American flag and look at photographs of their loved one in a uniform representing the United States of America.
I used to think Veterans' Day was our most insignificant holiday - NOT ANYMORE!!! Today I will take the time to really thank a veteran for his sacrifices. I certainly owe him that!