By Staff
Memorial Day for honoring war dead
To the Editor:
I have been reading and hearing of plans for our county's annual Memorial Day celebration and have attended the Meridian event regularly. However, last year something was done during the program that bothered me somewhat.
Memorial Day is a day established "exclusively for honoring those who died serving in uniform during wartime." I quote this from the Veterans of Foreign Wars magazine, dated May 2001.
Last year, and again this year, according to what I've seen, plans are to read the names of local veterans who have died in the last year. I'm sorry they died. I am proud that they were veterans, which means they were members of some military service, at some, and any, particular time.
Memorial Day is set aside to honor, as stated above, those who died "while" serving during wartime, giving their lives for freedom. Their names are on the memorial plaque at the Lauderdale County Courthouse.
I personally think that it is inappropriate to include the acknowledgement of veterans who died during the past year, from who knows what cause, on the day we are honoring our war dead.
Why not memorialize them on Veterans Day? I further think that it is demeaning to the honor and memory of the true honorees of the day.
This letter is not intended to degrade anyone just to stir thoughts about the real meaning of Memorial Day.
Bobby Rushing
Meridian
Applauds customer service
To the Editor:
Approximately two weeks ago, I made a special trip from my workplace to Bonita Lakes Mall to pick up lunch from Chick-fil-A. Depending on traffic, it is a good 15 to 20 minute drive one way. I placed my order for three sandwiches and three fries.
Upon returning to work, I discovered I only had two sandwiches. Needless to say, I became very unhappy, as it was not feasible to return to the mall for one sandwich.
I placed a call to Chick-fil-A to vent my frustration at having no lunch and expecting only to be offered a free sandwich on my next visit. A gentleman by the name of Anthony Arrington answered the telephone. When I explained what had happened, he asked me where I was and I told him I was back at work. He asked me where I worked and if I liked brownies. In about 15 minutes, he walked in the door with a wonderful smile on his face, a sandwich, a brownie, a coupon for a free sandwich and a very big thank you.
It is so refreshing in the fast paced way that we live and do business today to find someone willing to give old fashioned "customer service." There are so few Mom and Pop businesses left today that offer true customer service and you certainly don't expect it from a what is considered a large, corporate company.
Thank you, Anthony, and thank you Chick-fil-A for caring enough to teach your people to offer genuine customer service and satisfaction.
Kathy Anderson
Meridian
Leadership Lauderdale lauded
To the Editor:
Over the course of the past two years, I have had the privilege of participating in a leadership training course designed to enhance community leadership and development.
Leadership Lauderdale has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to experience the talents of a proactive group of people who genuinely care about the future of my community. It has been refreshing to experience the eagerness toward community excellence exhibited by the participants, facilitators, program sponsors, and citizens.
The love for God, family, and friends resonated throughout the group, making me proud to know I live in a community that continues to hold the aforementioned qualities in high esteem.
Throughout my Leadership Lauderdale experience I have learned that leadership is a calling from within that humbles one to give of himself to others unconditionally. It is a calling that prepares one to have a vision, which inspires him to remain diligent in servanthood.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to Mr. David Little, Superintendent of Education for Lauderdale County School District, for nominating me for this program. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to the sponsors who gave monetary gifts to fund the program. Last, but not least, I would like to thank the facilitators and participants who taught me so much about inner work, servanthood, and leadership.
This experience has taught me many valuable lessons. I have learned that each second of my life is a new and unique moment that will never be again. What I do with that moment in my service to others will display to future generations the urgency for all people to explore life's problems together in unity so that from the alliance of one, working with and through the other, together we can change the course of history.
Denise Knight, Ed.S
Federal Programs/K-4
Curriculum Coordinator
Lauderdale County School District
Baseball camp makes a memory
To the Editor:
On one Saturday afternoon in March, I got to go out to the Rush Hospital/Jay Powell baseball camp at West Lauderdale. The afternoon started off slow, while we were trying to find out where we needed to go. I rolled around watching the events take place. The kids were taught how to run and catch and everyone got a T-shirt just for participating.
I think that a baseball player needs to give back to their community. Kids need someone they can trust to talk to and this program has that resource. The players signed caps, gloves and shirts.
Since I was in my wheelchair, I got to go to the front of the line to shake Jay's hand and talk to him. The players signed a ball for me and I got to ask Jay about his arm that was injured some time ago. He told me his arm was doing all right and that he hoped it would be ready by opening day. Jay is playing for the Houston Astros now. The men from the group home where I live got to see them play at the Astro Dome a year or so ago.
I want to thank Jeremy Jackson for setting it up for me to go the camp. Without him, it may not have been possible. Jeremy went to West Lauderdale, just like Jay. Jeremy played ball at Mississippi State when he was in college and plays for the New York Mets now.
It was a memorable day for me. I will never forget it as long as I live. I really appreciate Jeremy for helping out. He didn't have to. Thanks.
Shannon Boatner
Meridian