The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Subject: Election 2005 from UHS graduate stationed in Iraq
Tues., Feb. 1, 2005 3:47 a.m.
Dear Editor,
On 30 January 2005 the people of Iraq held their first free election in several decades. It was a sight to see.
As the morning progressed we were very concerned about the possibility of violence disrupting the elections.
The Iraqi people would not let violence rule the day. Every soldier was very proud of the way the people of this country stood up and showed pride in themselves and their country.
Roughly 62% of eligible voters voted. That is a higher percentage than who voted in our last election.
These are people who faced mortars, rockets, VBIED's (Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices), IED's, Small Arms Fire and threats of death if they voted.
The Iraqi forces were also a source of pride to all soldiers.
The much maligned security forces of Iraq were at their best when it mattered the most.
As all American soldiers pass an Iraqi soldier we look at them with a new sense of respect.
We are very proud of what the Iraqi people accomplished on the 30th of January and we are very proud we could help and be apart to of it.
There is a lot of work to follow these elections, there will be more violence, and this in not the end of the insugency, but we now know we are not doing this alone, we have the backing of the people who have the most at stake, the people of Iraq.
Sincerely,
SGT Joshua Law
United States Army
Josh is a former Gladstone boy, now a resident of Las Vegas, NV. He finishes a year in Iraq in March. In an email dated Sept. 2004 Josh wrote the following to the Quill:
[September 11, 2001 was one of the hardest things I or any of us have ever had to live through or witness. It had such a profound affect on me.
As I watched the towers fall, I remember sitting in my classroom (I was a teacher at the time) crying and thinking that somebody just beat us. That was the hardest part for me, no one is suppose to beat us.
As time passed I decided instead of talking about it, that I wanted to personally do something to avenge this attack. I had been reading that war with Iraq was immenent, so I decided to join. I knew I would have chance to go to either Afganistan or Iraq.
This was a difficult decision since I had just recently married my wife Tamara and also gained a step-son, Anthony. It was very hard leaving them but I felt it was important for me to do my part.
We have done a lot of great things here in Iraq, our brothers before us took down Saddam's regime and him personally and now we fight insurgents everyday.
The best part about our current job is seeing villages get electricity for the first time, seeing schools being built and seeing Iraqi's lives improve because of our efforts.
Along with most soldiers I am very proud of the work we have done, there is still a lot of work to be done, but we will stay the course and finish what we started.]
Unhappy About Mascot
Dear Editor,
Heat? I am a 1959 SHS graduate; three generations of my family have attended Stronghurst area schools; close relatives of mine have been teachers and board members.
Despite the fact that I no longer live in the area, I maintain an interest in the happenings of the district.
When I read in The Quill about the consolidation passing, it seemed like an opportunity for many good things to happen. The name of the high school and the combining of school colors into red, white and blue seemed especially fitting having had their origins in the Union and South.
However, the "Heat" mascot/team name does not fit with this and is, in fact, quite offensive. I'm sure the Miami team is the Heat primarily because of their location.
My sentiments are with the teen from Gladstone who brought you the petition. The term "Heat" can and will be used in a derogatory way, especially towards girls who are on teams or are cheerleaders.
I certainly see how this name could be voted on by the kids. I have been a high school teacher, a mother of teens, and am now a counselor. This undoubtedly seems hilarious to many of them who thought of the double meaning; others probably voted without thinking.
I hope you will rethink this decision. Please consider how often team names are in the media, school yearbooks, etc and go on long after those who voted are in school and long after you are on the board.
There are many names which would be more fitting with the red, white and blue... like Patriots or Eagles, or anything that students and the community can come together and be proud of.
Mary Ann Nolen
Chained Dogs In Hancock County
Dear Editor,
During bitter cold weather, the Humane Society in my community received complaints about an old, gentle dog chained outdoors day and night who was trying desperately and unsuccessfully to burrow into the frozen ground to escape the brutal wind chill.
The dog cried in anguish and frustration. His paws were bloodied from his efforts.
His only "shelter" was a small plastic pet carrier, the floor of which was covered by ice.
The Humane Society intervened, but this is no isolated situation. I have received expressions of concern for many Hancock County dogs forced to spend their lives chained outdoors, in all weather, with inadequate shelter.
Chained dogs often suffer from frostbite, dehydration, malnutrition, parasites, lack of exercise or improperly fitted collars (beware of dog fighting activities when pit bulls are subjected to these conditions).
And even when shelters and basic sustenance are adequate, the lives of chained or otherwise isolated dogs are lonely and unhappy.
The Vietnam Dog Handlers Association says that during the Vietnam War, dogs, hundreds of whom were killed in action, prevented an estimated 10,000 American casualties. Dogs are currently assisting American military personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq.
At the National Infantry Museum, a monument depicts a combat - attired soldier with a dog at his side.
An inscription reads, "They protected us on the field of battle. They watch over our eternal rest. We are grateful."
Dogs, some with serious injuries, worked themselves into exhaustion in rescue and recovery at World Trade Center. Mayor Guiliani awarded Daisy, a Golden Retriever, the Canine Medal of Honor.
Daisy's heroism saved 967 people on September 11.
In my locality, Zoey, a 4 year old Akita, risked her own life to drag her human family's disabled daughter out of their burning home.
Guiding eye dogs are lifelines and guardian angels for blind people.
People in Hancock County who chain and isolate their dogs deprive themselves of the love dogs offer. Nine years ago, I adopted a frisky black Labrador Retriever puppy from an animal shelter.
Athena loves being petted and hugged. She greets me with her tail wagging, her eyes all devotion.
Athena enjoys long walks with me and fetching baseballs. And when I have a bad day, Athena snuggles up to me and cheers me up.
Dogs are indeed, "man's best friend", deserving of a place in our hearts and inside our homes.
Joel Freedman
Joel Freedman chairs the public education committee of Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate New York. For further information about helping chained dogs, visit www.dogsdeservebetter.com or www.unchainyourdog.org
Dear Editor,
20 Things in Our World Hard to Understand
1. How can it be called the United Nations when they are so dis-united?
2. When Green Bay fans moon opposing players in the parking lot, why aren't they thrown in jail for indecent exposure?
3. When two-thirds of combat Vets think the war on terrorism and the Iraq mission was necessary, how can 56 percent of American people think it is not worth fighting? How can civilians have insight as good as Veterans?
4. We have all of these signs saying we support our troops. Doesn't part of this support also involve supporting our commander in chief?
5. Why don't they have an I.Q. warning for watching TV and listening to music? For example, anyone who watches most of the new TV shows or listens to rap music should have an I.Q. below 60!
6. How can Ron Artest, Randy Moss and other top athletes, musicians, actors, etc. not realize that they are poor role models for a lot of young people?
7. Why are one or more atheists' rights more important than the rights of the majority?
8. When the stock market, on average, for many years has returned about ten percent per year, how could anyone not want individual accounts for their Social Security money, which is currently returning approximately only two percent?
9. How can anyone in their right mind play the lottery at 100 million to one odds?!
10. How can the American people spend more on gambling than on all of the schools and churches in the U.S., (according to some statistics)?
11. If all things are possible with God, why don't we seek His guidance more often?
12. How come we want all of our mistakes to be forgiven but we are not willing to forgive others' mistakes.
13. We have always been the most peace loving nation and we will continue to be. However, will we ever agree that terrorism will not go away unless we take it away?
14. Will countries such as France, Germany, and Russia ever realize that world unity is essential if the huge problem of terrorism is to be overcome?
15. Is God trying to tell us something with the disastrous earthquake, AIDS epidemic, mud slides, starvation, unusual weather, etc.?
16. When donating a pint of blood every 8 weeks is so easy and could be life saving, why does such a minute percent of people donate?
17. When are we going to get our priorities right? According to Vince Lombardi, they should be, 1. God and your religion, 2. Your family, and 3. Your job.
18. What are the main attributes of team work? According to Bobby Knight, they are, 1. Loyalty, 2. Honesty, and 3. Respect for others.
19. What is the most important word in human relations (we)? The least important word (I)?
20. Why is it enjoyable to stretch one's imagination and why it is important to have both mental and physical outlets? (That is why some of us like to write letters to the editor!)
Weyman George
Macomb