The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Letters
PUBLISHED: February 28, 2008
To the Editor: One week before Christmas this year, my family experienced a house fire. Most of what we owned was either completely lost or irreparably damaged. We escaped into the night wearing only our pajamas. The local fire departments, Dexter, Chelsea and Putnam, were quick to arrive and fought valiantly to save what was left.
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They raced into our house and grabbed photo albums and boxes of pictures as well as framed photos. They put them all on a table in the basement and covered them with a fire/water proof tarp. I can't thank them enough for saving the most irreplaceable things that we had. Their genuine sympathy and condolences were a great comfort to my family and I.
News of the fire spread quickly throughout the community. An unofficial headquarters, manned by my family, was established at my dad's house. The outpouring of love and support that came soon after was not to be believed. Clothes, winter gear, toys, food and money began to pour in. Friends, acquaintances and total strangers brought unimaginable gifts to us, tangible and otherwise. Often, the gifts were completely anonymous, just left on the porch for us to find. We received Christmas presents for our kids, dog food for our beloved Reggie and gift cards in abundance. Dinners came to us every night. Visitors called and stopped by to ask what they could do to help. The people of the community were a bright and beautiful light in our darkest hour.
To name everyone who helped would be impossible. Still, if you'll indulge me, I would like to name a few. The congregation of St. Joseph's Church gave of their money with great generosity. First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor was and still is a huge support to me and my family. The Dexter Pub provided us lunch the day after the fire and invited us to dinner. Shannon at Smarty Pants clothed my children when they arrived at her store in their pajamas.
The Dexter schools sent out emails asking for donations and the school community responded. Thank you to the countless parents that gave clothing and gift cards. The teachers and staff at the schools were and still are a tremendous support for my kids. A special thank you to Mrs. Budd and Mrs. Mann at Wylie and to the Rockin Rollers team teachers Ms. Berryman, Ms. Selecman, Ms. Spencer and Mr. Fry at Mill Creek. The Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club each visited us and gave as well. I would also like to acknowledge all the anonymous people that donated to the fund that was established for us.
Christmas will never be the same for us - in a good way. This Christmas, we experienced the true meaning of it all. We felt unconditional love and support in our greatest time of need. It has changed who we are as a family and as individuals. We will be forever grateful to everyone who gave of themselves and helped us through this very difficult time.
With gratitude,
Kelly Young
To the Editor: When I was eligible for the draft, and the Vietnam War was raging, I was fortunate not to be drafted. I have held great sadness over the years for those who were drafted and forced to endure the horror of that war. I feel a strong connection to them. They are my brothers.
At no time was this feeling more intense than in 1971 when the Vietnam Veterans Against the War conducted the "Winter Soldier Investigation" in Detroit. The name was taken from Thomas Paine who in 1776 contrasted "sunshine patriots" with the "winter soldiers" who stand up for the soul of their country, even in its darkest hours.
At that time in 1971 it was just months after official trials had finally began into the My Lai massacre and the subsequent cover-up by the military. The massacre had occurred almost three years prior and it had been just over a year since the truth about the massacre had surfaced - the mass murder of 347 to 504 unarmed citizens of the village.
The "Winter Soldier Investigation" made it clear to anyone who could watch, that the My Lai massacre was not the exception. At the investigation veterans testified for three days about the senseless atrocities of the Vietnam War. Troubled and broken men, many in their early 20's, haunted by their experiences, testified to: the senseless killing of civilians, often women, children and infants; the wholesale burning of villages for no valid reason; the torture of prisoners; the gang raping of women; and the cutting of ears from the bodies to wear as prizes.
Sometimes looking truth in the face is shattering but cleansing.
Now we are engaged in another insane war of senseless killing and torture. Now a new generation of young men whose lives have been broken will tell the hard truth. The Iraq Veterans Against the War is conducting "Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan," March 13-16, 2008 in Washington DC.
Sometimes looking truth in the face is shattering but cleansing.How else will we ever end the insanity?They are your brothers and sisters, your sons and daughters.
Warren I. KressLima Township
To the Editor: I read with a little interest Mr. Grohnert's letter to the editor on Feb. 14. His statements, agreeing with (Rich Robinson's) statements are so typical of the radical left - long on rhetoric short on facts.
He forgot or chooses to ignore the Clinton administration's scandal per hour culminating with the President's impeachment. How often has that occurred? He also ignores the fact that the Clinton administration decimated our military and intelligence units, which helped pave the way for the 9-11 horror.
Ray Lutovsky
Chelsea
To the Editor: I learned that two weeks ago John McCain was the only Senator to duck a crucial vote on the future of clean energy in America - dooming to failure the measure that would have helped make renewable energy more affordable and accessible. Now it turns out this missed vote is part of a pattern.
He has a record of voting with polluters and special interests and ducking the important votes. Within the League of Conservation Voters, McCain's score is 0 - lower than members of Congress who died last year
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