After the hugs and farewells with family and friends at Kelley Hill were finished, our 3rd Brigade soldiers once again loaded onto buses for the short trip to Lawson Army Airfield and to planes waiting to return them for the fourth time to Iraq. Once they arrived at Freedom Hall they were met by a quiet but enthusiastic group of community supporters there to thank them and to ease their wait before they loaded onto the planes.
It was clear the soldiers appreciated the donuts at 3a.m., the coffee and cookies at dawn, and the bottled water, sodas, goodie bags, paperback books, Bibles, exercise bands, playing cards and snacks.
But what they really seemed to value was the genuine outpouring of support from friendly faces, wishing them well and thanking them for their sacrifice.
I want to recognize the following organizations that helped to organize teams of volunteers that saw off every flight: Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Red Cross, CB&T, United Service Organization (USO), and Operation Homefront. Once again, we can be proud of our soldiers and proud of our community.
God bless the 3ID and keep them safe!
Steve Hesler
Cataula, Ga.
Staying informed
Although I live in LaGrange and subscribe to the Lagrange Daily News, and enjoy the local newspaper, I also have home delivery of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. It is far more than a local newspaper and I find it indispensable in keeping abreast of state, national, international and sports. Referring to the latter, I doubt there is any paper in the state that surpasses the Ledger-Enquirer in its in-depth coverage of college sports. There is also excellent coverage of professional sports.
I also find the Business section vital in these times in order to be aware of financial news that impacts us all. I consider the variety of columnists important.
All in all, I congratulate the editor and publisher of the Ledger-Enquirer for the excellence of the paper that is important to wide geographic area. I was sorry to read of the continuing financial stress on the publisher.
Bill Kennedy
LaGrange, Ga.
You call that ‘news’?
Just when I thought I’d seen it all, I saw your front page Kelly Clarkson “advertisement,” posing as a news story, in Saturday’s paper.
Words fail me! How can a “legitimate” newspaper put this nonsense on the front page when there are so many pressing national and international news to report? If I were the editor of this “newspaper” I would be embarrassed to show this issue to the home office. No wonder American newspapers are closing shop.
Ray Figueroa
Columbus
Time of need
Good morning, everyone. It has turned cool again, and Our Lady of Rose Hill Ministries continues to see the number of homeless and needy persons in our community grow. We are very excited that soon our whole mission house will be insulated and rewired. As the homeless come in from the cold, they will soon be able to wash and dry their clothes while they get a shower and have a meal and Bible study. One day soon we hope to have a TV for them to watch the ball game, and a daily paper. As soon as we can come up with a computer, our Web site will be up and running.
As always, we trust in God to provide for all our needs. We know if He can use vessels of wood, such as ourselves, that He may also touch some of you as well. If you have any jackets you may have outgrown or blankets you no longer need, we can certainly use them. Although those who are bridge dwellers or tent dwellers can accommodate only what they can carry in a backpack (and there is another idea: We can use backpacks!), we have many impoverished people who come to us when they are in need.
If you have mismatched silverware, large pots or perhaps a not-so-perfect set of dishes, we can use them. We continue to serve all on real dishes with real silverware, rather than to use disposables. Long story short — if you don’t need, we probably do. You could drop things off at our mission house at 210 27th street, or call to arrange for pickup. Please keep our little ministry in your prayers as we continue to seek out the face of Jesus in His most distressing disguises.
Susan Wieczorek
Our Lady of Rose Hill Ministries
For all who love you
Please be sure to schedule your mammogram if you’ve not already done so. My family was directly affected by breast cancer over 13 years ago. Thankfully, the cancer was found in time to give my mother the best chance of survival. She is alive and well. I became a true believer in the importance of routine mammograms since that time.
If you are a woman, please be sure to schedule this important screening now. If you have an important woman in your life, please encourage her to do the same. It could mean all the difference.
Diane Welch Pippins
Columbus
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