Letters to the Editor for May 17-18

The day time stopped

To The Editor:

It was a beautiful day

The sun was shining

And I was finally in my garden

You were so excited to see your sister

Couldn’t wait to leave

Driving by yourself

So far away

I was worried…I’m a mom, so I can

You and Kat

Music up loud and giggling

Secrets sharing, life enjoying

Time to get there

Time to have fun

Then…time stopped

A road, by a field

Metal and screeching

Blond hair and brown hair

Shining in the sun

Two girls

Time no more

Memories only

Lives upset

Our hearts were stopped

That day in the sun

But time goes on

It seems so must we

Lives you touched

Your families will remember

Moments in time

Circling our hearts endlessly

Friends forever

Two girls on the day time stopped



In memory of our Kelli and Kat



Kelli would have turned 19, the 15th of May, so happy to be graduating and looking forward to life. Seems impossible it’s been 2 years now. We have many days that we still struggle, but time is healing and does go on. We think of all the families who’ve lost children again, and we want you to know…We love stronger, We love harder, and We REMEMBER always.

This one thought we leave you again, to say “I love you” is really not so hard. We love you Kelli….

Mom, Dad, Diane and Matt Carter

Marshall

Veterans of Foreign Wars

To The Editor:

At our past district meeting in Garvin, it was an honor to see the following Post members from the Minneota Veterans Foreign Wars being awarded a certificate for 100 percent membership. Actually their membership was well above 120 percent. The award was presented by Stan Kowalski, our state senior vice commander. These guys have done a great job and have worked hard. This just goes to show you that great things happen when we work hard and have goals. I believe it is truly important that here in Marshall that the Veterans of Foreign Wars has a goal and that is to become an important part of this community once again.

But I also believe it is important to get the young veterans involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This is an important goal and a must if we as an organization want to remain strong. We must remember that medical claims and other claims for our disabled veterans are helped by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other service organizations. We are the voice here in Minnesota and in Washington, D.C. The Veterans of Foreign Wars must have strong voice and must have a clear presence in our communities. The Veterans of Foreign Wars represent action, and working together in all our communities.

A few years ago the post here in Marshall had a place to meet, where all veterans could talk about old times and exchange stories and a place where the community was welcome. Well we no longer have a post home. As the commander of Veterans of Wars Post 742, it is my goal to bring back the Veterans of Foreign Wars as an organization that needs to become once again the great organization it was years ago here in Marshall.

Once somebody asked me what is the VFW. This surprised me as I thought everybody knew what those three letters meant. So I explained kindly what they meant and from this I also learned a lesson and this is we need to change with the times. So I encourage new ideas and new ways to do things and this is exactly what we need to do. I not only encourage our younger Iraq veterans, but our Vietnam veterans and veterans of all wars to take the lead in bringing back this great organization called the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Changing the subject, I would like to talk a little bit about Memorial Day. As you know this is a day where we recognize the sacrifices of the men and women who have paid the ultimate price so we all could be free and have the rights we enjoy today. Just remember when you are having your family gatherings and barbecues or whatever you are doing that day. Think about those who allowed you to enjoy those things. We should be thankful that we live in a country where democracy is alive and well.

Sincerely,

Wayne R. Heiselman

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Post Commander 742

Senior Vice Commander 3rd District

Wants to be remembered

To The Editor:

I was born in Marshall and I started grade school there. Not long afterward, my father lost his job so my parents decided to move to Nashville, Tenn. While we were moving, we had a bad car accident and my parents were killed.

The hospital contacted some of my relatives, but they would not accept me. So after I recovered, the Dept. of Social Services placed me in a group home until I was adopted or when I turned 18. I was never adopted, so when I turned 18, I started out on my own.

As luck would have it, I got mixed with the wrong crowd and I got into trouble. Now I am in prison in Alabama.

I am sure that I still have some relatives living in or around Lyon County and I would be very thankful to you and your staff if you would be so kind and print my letter in your newspaper. Hopefully some of my relatives would see my name and remember me.

I would very much like to hear from them or if anyone wanted to just write me I would appreciate hearing from them and I would surely answer their letters because I have no one.

Thank you,

Charles Kolb, 131672

100 Warrior Lane, Y-34

Bessemer, AL

35023

Nauman says thanks

To The Editor:

As various “anonymous” on-line readers suggested, a fundraiser is underway. Beginning with numerous phone calls and offers near and far; people either wanting to donate used equipment or money to purchase equipment and with the assistance of family and friends. As it was, I received a call from my son yesterday; he did not know about the letter that I put in the paper so when I told him about it he did let me know how proud he was of his mom. I explained the situation and offers I had received and he let me know that anything was better than nothing. Nothing extravagant — gloves, balls, bats…just the normal softball equipment needed to play the game; new or old.

It was an idea that my son had, to ask for said donation, and I was acting on his behalf. Due to some financial hardships that we, as a family have been facing, it is not possible for us to purchase the equipment needed. I won’t go into those reasons but “Walk a mile in my shoes” seems to fit. I can’t say how much is needed monetarily, but whatever I do receive, rest assured, I will certainly spend it on whatever equipment I can and ship it to my son and his fellow soldiers.

We do continually ship “care packages” which contain various homemade items, family photos and other things not available in Iraq, and had never asked anyone to donate prior.

I would like to “thank” all the people who have supported me, contacted me and/or offered donations and suggestions. All of this means more than you can imagine. My letter was just that: “my opinion,” something that I felt strongly about and needed to express. Again, “Thank You.”

Kay Nauman

Marshall