Posted 9:46 pm Sunday, November 18, 2012
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Veteran gives thanks for Heroes Flight D.C. trip
ROSES: My name is Whayland Greene and I am 87 years old. I went on the trip to Washington, D.C. on Oct. 18-20, for World War II veterans sponsored by Brookshire's.
I would like to say that I have never been treated so nice three days in a row in my lifetime. Everything was planned so well that there was no wasted motion. The employees were excellent; they treated us like we were somebody.
The tour guide could not have been better. She was so much help and we were able to see so much more than we would have without her help. The motorcycle escort was very much appreciated. These were very dedicated young men and women. One group escorted us to the Texas line from Louisiana and another group escorted us on to Tyler. This happened going and when we returned. This was a group of younger veterans.
Even the pilots on the planes recognized us and spoke highly of us. The men and women and even children would come up and shake our hands and say thank you. Even the ladies would sometimes come up and give us a hug, and me being a widower after 64 years of marriage, made me feel young again.
The T-shirts, jacket and back pack were extra nice. Then to top it all off, we had 40 or 50 letters from school children that told us thank you in so many ways. I believe as young as they are, that they are being taught and I think they understand that freedom is not free. But to really understand that you have to see with your own eyes some of your close friends fall.
They welcomed us two nights at the Knights of Columbus Hall, two nights of good food and one night of fine entertainment. What a way to finish each day.
Thank you so much for making this trip possible for me and so many others. We were with a great group of old veterans. Both mornings when the bus was loaded, the morning started with prayer. That was fine with us, as we did a lot of praying in World War II on the front lines as well as the home front.
Thank you very much.
Whayland H. Greene
Tyler
I would like to say that I have never been treated so nice three days in a row in my lifetime. Everything was planned so well that there was no wasted motion. The employees were excellent; they treated us like we were somebody.
The tour guide could not have been better. She was so much help and we were able to see so much more than we would have without her help. The motorcycle escort was very much appreciated. These were very dedicated young men and women. One group escorted us to the Texas line from Louisiana and another group escorted us on to Tyler. This happened going and when we returned. This was a group of younger veterans.
Even the pilots on the planes recognized us and spoke highly of us. The men and women and even children would come up and shake our hands and say thank you. Even the ladies would sometimes come up and give us a hug, and me being a widower after 64 years of marriage, made me feel young again.
The T-shirts, jacket and back pack were extra nice. Then to top it all off, we had 40 or 50 letters from school children that told us thank you in so many ways. I believe as young as they are, that they are being taught and I think they understand that freedom is not free. But to really understand that you have to see with your own eyes some of your close friends fall.
They welcomed us two nights at the Knights of Columbus Hall, two nights of good food and one night of fine entertainment. What a way to finish each day.
Thank you so much for making this trip possible for me and so many others. We were with a great group of old veterans. Both mornings when the bus was loaded, the morning started with prayer. That was fine with us, as we did a lot of praying in World War II on the front lines as well as the home front.
Thank you very much.
Whayland H. Greene
Tyler
PRAYERS AND THANKS
ROSES: Recently, our neighborhood around Andy Woods Elementary suffered a tragedy when a young mother lost her life to a gunman. It is in the midst of this tragedy that I would like to thank TISD and the voters of this town.
My son was in his first grade class during the shooting which occurred one block from the school, and while the shooter's child was down the hall in her class. Two years ago, the old school building would have made “lock-down” impossible. However, not only did school officials act promptly to protect our children, but the new school building that the people of Tyler voted to build made this security possible.
Thanks to each of you!
And also our prayers go out for this poor woman's family.
Danny Price
Tyler
My son was in his first grade class during the shooting which occurred one block from the school, and while the shooter's child was down the hall in her class. Two years ago, the old school building would have made “lock-down” impossible. However, not only did school officials act promptly to protect our children, but the new school building that the people of Tyler voted to build made this security possible.
Thanks to each of you!
And also our prayers go out for this poor woman's family.
Danny Price
Tyler
THANKFUL AMID LOSS
ROSES: I would like to take this time on behalf of the Cayard Family to say thank you to everyone who attended my brother Mike Cayard's funeral. It warmed our hearts to know Mike was remembered by former classmates and coaches from John Tyler High School, as well as a host of friends and people he worked with. A special thank you to Phil Hicks with the Tyler Morning Telegraph for his article about Mike and his football days at John Tyler.
Colleen Cayard Kelly
Longview
RANT: How many times does a city road have to be dug up and poorly filled back in before it gets on a list to be resurfaced? Case in point is north-bound Donnybrook Avenue between Stanford and Wilma streets. There are at least 11 places in this approximate half-mile stretch, where the city has dug a hole in the street for repairs and attempted to fill it back in, and have failed miserably. Some of them are OK and don't rattle your vehicle too much, but there are a few that you really have to avoid. I travel this stretch of road daily and find myself swerving all over the road in an attempt to keep my steering from being knocked out of alignment. I understand the city cannot resurface a street every time a repair is made. However, because this is a fairly major north/south alternative to Broadway, surely it deserves some attention in the not-too-distant future?
Neal T. Smith
Tyler
Colleen Cayard Kelly
Longview
RANT: How many times does a city road have to be dug up and poorly filled back in before it gets on a list to be resurfaced? Case in point is north-bound Donnybrook Avenue between Stanford and Wilma streets. There are at least 11 places in this approximate half-mile stretch, where the city has dug a hole in the street for repairs and attempted to fill it back in, and have failed miserably. Some of them are OK and don't rattle your vehicle too much, but there are a few that you really have to avoid. I travel this stretch of road daily and find myself swerving all over the road in an attempt to keep my steering from being knocked out of alignment. I understand the city cannot resurface a street every time a repair is made. However, because this is a fairly major north/south alternative to Broadway, surely it deserves some attention in the not-too-distant future?
Neal T. Smith
Tyler
GREAT FACILITY
RAVES: I am a member of the Texas Unlimited Fun Flyers an Academy of Model Aeronautics sanction club, one of two clubs that use the park facilities at the city of Tyler's Northside Park at 2301 WNW Loop 323. On Saturday, Oct. 20, the TUFF group held its annual fun fly and model aviation appreciation day at Northside Park. The event drew participants who flew models, many from other clubs and cities in Texas and a few traveled to Tyler from out of state. Additionally, there were spectators who came to the park to enjoy the event.
As this is an annual event I have had the opportunity to speak to participants and spectators on several occasions. Many are surprised to learn that the Northside Park model air field is provided and maintained by the city of Tyler. As a model aviation enthusiast who has flown at sites in Texas and other states, I will assure you that the city of Tyler has ample justification for pride in the Northside Park.
I do not speak for the Texas Unlimited Fun Flyers or others that use Northside Park. But I do wish to use this forum to commend the city of Tyler and the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department for providing this facility for the use of those fly and enjoy model aircraft.
John Alder
Ben Wheeler
As this is an annual event I have had the opportunity to speak to participants and spectators on several occasions. Many are surprised to learn that the Northside Park model air field is provided and maintained by the city of Tyler. As a model aviation enthusiast who has flown at sites in Texas and other states, I will assure you that the city of Tyler has ample justification for pride in the Northside Park.
I do not speak for the Texas Unlimited Fun Flyers or others that use Northside Park. But I do wish to use this forum to commend the city of Tyler and the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department for providing this facility for the use of those fly and enjoy model aircraft.
John Alder
Ben Wheeler
LIGHTS OUT
RANT: Do you think our city maintains our street lights? I thought so until I attempted to report an outage. Good ol' Encor has a “call center” where you give them your information. They give you a confirmation code. Then the game begins. It's been three weeks. This morning the status is at least another 10 days. Gee, if we keep out-sourcing, maybe we can save a few more pennies.
Keith Miller
Tyler
Keith Miller
Tyler
GREAT HOSTS
ROSES: To the management and staff of the Hamptons Retirement Community for hosting an entertaining and very imaginative program for residents and guests Halloween afternoon. “Show Business” was the theme and the participants were dressed as actors, producers and etc.
Activities director Monica Gynes was dressed as Marilyn Monroe and acted as emcee and moderator. She introduced celebrities who dropped by and made “cameo appearances.”
Danny Burgess did an impersonation of Alfred Hitchcock. His costume gave new meaning to the old expression stuffed shirt.
Secretary Melanie did a Tippi Hedren scene from “The Birds.” She was dressed in a light colored outfit that had fake birds pinned to it. Melanie also did a cameo spot as the MGM Lion, even did the growling. Great lungs.
Nancy, front office did Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany's.” She did a good job, then returned later in a beautiful old period gown as Scarlett O'Hara doing “Tomorrow is another day.”
A 6-foot-tall male employee from Parading Health Services pantomimed Tammy Wynette singing, “Stand by Your Man.” Awesome.
In between acts Penny from the little store and Judy a staff member dressed as clowns and did impromptu dances in the aisles.
What an enjoyable afternoon. Ladies, you should have charged admission.
Mary Lanthim
Tyler
Activities director Monica Gynes was dressed as Marilyn Monroe and acted as emcee and moderator. She introduced celebrities who dropped by and made “cameo appearances.”
Danny Burgess did an impersonation of Alfred Hitchcock. His costume gave new meaning to the old expression stuffed shirt.
Secretary Melanie did a Tippi Hedren scene from “The Birds.” She was dressed in a light colored outfit that had fake birds pinned to it. Melanie also did a cameo spot as the MGM Lion, even did the growling. Great lungs.
Nancy, front office did Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany's.” She did a good job, then returned later in a beautiful old period gown as Scarlett O'Hara doing “Tomorrow is another day.”
A 6-foot-tall male employee from Parading Health Services pantomimed Tammy Wynette singing, “Stand by Your Man.” Awesome.
In between acts Penny from the little store and Judy a staff member dressed as clowns and did impromptu dances in the aisles.
What an enjoyable afternoon. Ladies, you should have charged admission.
Mary Lanthim
Tyler
