Posted 5:37 pm Sunday, December 30, 2012
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A thank you from a veteran, Dec. 30
ROSES: Dec 6, the management of Brookshire and Super 1 Foods Grocery chains entertained 24 Ark-La-Tex World War II veterans, their families and friends. This was the climax to a three-day all-expense-paid trip for the veterans on Oct. 18 to 20, to our nation's capitol and memorials.
Providing TLC were 22 Brookshire employees who gave necessary assistance to aging veterans with walkers and wheelchairs. Also accompanying on the trip was a medical doctor and two photographers from Shreveport Channel 12 KSLA. The entire trip was documented. Brookshire collaborated with KSLA Channel 12 and gifted to every veteran, a personalized picture album, individual photos for framing and two photo DVDs as mementos to the “World War II Hero's Flight.”
Our filmed tours included our nation's capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the Veterans War Memorial, including the Vietnam Wall, Korean Marine Memorial, the World War II Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and many others.
During the first leg of our journey, we were escorted from Shreveport to Tyler by members of the Motorcycle Guard. We then continued on to catch our flight to Washington, D.C., from Dallas, aboard an American Airlines flight. On our return trip, we were again escorted by the same cyclists back to Shreveport. All I can say is wow — what a great group of caring bikers.
Our tours were narrated by honor air volunteers who provided interest and historic significance to everything we visited, passed and observed.
Our accommodations, meals, tour assistance and entertainment provided by the Knights of Columbus were absolutely exquisite and went off with military precision.
William B. Wardlaw
Sibley, La.
Providing TLC were 22 Brookshire employees who gave necessary assistance to aging veterans with walkers and wheelchairs. Also accompanying on the trip was a medical doctor and two photographers from Shreveport Channel 12 KSLA. The entire trip was documented. Brookshire collaborated with KSLA Channel 12 and gifted to every veteran, a personalized picture album, individual photos for framing and two photo DVDs as mementos to the “World War II Hero's Flight.”
Our filmed tours included our nation's capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, the Veterans War Memorial, including the Vietnam Wall, Korean Marine Memorial, the World War II Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and many others.
During the first leg of our journey, we were escorted from Shreveport to Tyler by members of the Motorcycle Guard. We then continued on to catch our flight to Washington, D.C., from Dallas, aboard an American Airlines flight. On our return trip, we were again escorted by the same cyclists back to Shreveport. All I can say is wow — what a great group of caring bikers.
Our tours were narrated by honor air volunteers who provided interest and historic significance to everything we visited, passed and observed.
Our accommodations, meals, tour assistance and entertainment provided by the Knights of Columbus were absolutely exquisite and went off with military precision.
William B. Wardlaw
Sibley, La.
GREAT CARRIER
ROSES: To my Tyler Paper carrier. The dependable service is much appreciated.
Mrs. Jim Taylor
Jacksonville
Mrs. Jim Taylor
Jacksonville
LONG-TERM THINKING
REFLECTION: It seems that our society, particularly the younger set, has adopted the motto of “I want it all; I want it now.” Case in point is the drive to go to college in as short a period of time as possible, regardless of the long term financial implications of borrowing large sums of money (guaranteed by the government).
A young person graduating after a four-year stint would presumably be 21 or a little older, about the age where they might be thinking about marriage and children. They would probably be starting a new profession and would be generally at an entry level in their chosen profession. They would also be faced now with having to repay the student loans that they owe from financing their education.
If they are responsible individuals, they would probably have to dedicate about 10 years to repay their loans. This, in addition to the other expenses they would incur over the next few years, will make it a bit hard to stay current with everything which their life and family demands.
Some may argue that education is particularly costly these days but my response is that wages are also considerably higher than when I went to school and I managed to do it. Extending the time to complete an education and also if you individually have to pay for it as you go will appreciate your accomplishment and better prepare you for the future. Wanting it all and wanting it now will simply pave the way for difficulties later.
Bill Farrar
Hideaway
A young person graduating after a four-year stint would presumably be 21 or a little older, about the age where they might be thinking about marriage and children. They would probably be starting a new profession and would be generally at an entry level in their chosen profession. They would also be faced now with having to repay the student loans that they owe from financing their education.
If they are responsible individuals, they would probably have to dedicate about 10 years to repay their loans. This, in addition to the other expenses they would incur over the next few years, will make it a bit hard to stay current with everything which their life and family demands.
Some may argue that education is particularly costly these days but my response is that wages are also considerably higher than when I went to school and I managed to do it. Extending the time to complete an education and also if you individually have to pay for it as you go will appreciate your accomplishment and better prepare you for the future. Wanting it all and wanting it now will simply pave the way for difficulties later.
Bill Farrar
Hideaway
HOPE ON HORIZON
ROSES: To the city of Tyler, local churches, foundations, generous individuals and willing volunteers. Because of you, Gateway to Hope Day Resource Center for the Homeless was able to open for services on Labor Day 2012. More than 4,700 visits have been made to the center for one or more of the following services: showers, laundry, haircuts, mailing addresses, message center, photo IDs, computer access and social service referral. To give you some idea of the activity at the center — 900 guests have come for showers, 1,100 have done laundry, and 410 haircuts have been given. Because of these resources and the encouragement of the volunteers and staff at Gateway, 41 individuals have found jobs.
The invisible of our city are becoming visible. Smiles and hope are replacing frowns and discouragement. Several have found the support and encouragement to face addictions. Some are finding the courage to continue their education. Families are being reconciled. Even some medical issues are being addressed thanks to Bethesda Health Clinic. On a daily basis, lives are being influenced in a positive way.
Because Gateway has a strong team of volunteers who willingly give their time and because individuals, organizations and churches continuously donate toiletries, laundry products, blankets, cleaning supplies and social services, Gateway to Hope has a sustaining monthly budget of less than $6,000. Many of you have made generous donations; and, for that, we are most grateful. You have made operation of the center possible.
Donations to Gateway to Hope can be mailed to P.O. Box 240, Tyler, TX 75710, or dropped off at the center at 601 E. Valentine, Tyler. All donations are tax deductible.
We welcome the opportunity to give tours of our facility. Our operating hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Barbara Gilbreath
Gateway to Hope Board Secretary
The invisible of our city are becoming visible. Smiles and hope are replacing frowns and discouragement. Several have found the support and encouragement to face addictions. Some are finding the courage to continue their education. Families are being reconciled. Even some medical issues are being addressed thanks to Bethesda Health Clinic. On a daily basis, lives are being influenced in a positive way.
Because Gateway has a strong team of volunteers who willingly give their time and because individuals, organizations and churches continuously donate toiletries, laundry products, blankets, cleaning supplies and social services, Gateway to Hope has a sustaining monthly budget of less than $6,000. Many of you have made generous donations; and, for that, we are most grateful. You have made operation of the center possible.
Donations to Gateway to Hope can be mailed to P.O. Box 240, Tyler, TX 75710, or dropped off at the center at 601 E. Valentine, Tyler. All donations are tax deductible.
We welcome the opportunity to give tours of our facility. Our operating hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Barbara Gilbreath
Gateway to Hope Board Secretary
