Persevere when facing Social Security issues
The following is based on my father's experience with the Social Security Administration upon the death of my mother on Sept. 30.
Though mother's October Social Security check was dutifully returned, my father received a notice advising that he must also return the benefit provided in September. My father's appeal was denied.
He also corresponded with his state congressman. His representative provided him with a reference to and copy of Publication No. 05-10077, ICN 468300, Unit of Issue HD (one hundred), June 2015 (January 2015 edition may be used).
To quote form page 13: "We can't pay benefits for the month of death. That means if the person died in July, the check received in August (which is payment for July) must be returned."
With my father's determination and help from the congressman, the Social Security Administration finally admitted that the benefit paid in September (the month she actually died) was for August and did not need to be refunded.
I provide this as helpful information for any of my fellow citizens dealing with this potential injustice.
Sherry Kitts, Hixson
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Study of religions important for all
It should be acceptable for children to be taught about religions. An understanding of other religions is important for children to have because it is fundamental to the way that our society and other societies function.
Many people came to the United States to have the freedom of practicing their own religion, and states such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland were first founded as religious colonies.
We need to learn about religion throughout school to understand the history of our own country and other countries around the world because there is no way to learn about the past without understanding religion's role in world development.
Hannah Bagby
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Jesus said pray for all, so just do it
Why don't more Christians take more time to pray for our enemies?
Sure it is hard, but if you take time to read such Bible scriptures as Matthew 5: 43-44 and Romans 12: 12-20, you will see these scriptures say to love your enemies, pray for them and feed them.
Remember, Jesus died for all, including our enemies. If your enemies are important enough for Jesus to die for, the least Christians can do is pray for them.
Jennifer Bradford
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Kind soul replaces beloved Christmas tree
To the lady who wrote to the Times Free Press last year and lamented the fact that the Christmas tree at the Hickory Valley railroad crossing was missing: Good news, it's back.
Some kind soul has placed a fully decorated tree in place of the one that grew on that hill. To the person who placed the tree there, may God bless you.
You are a bright light in an increasingly dark world. We don't know who you are, but God does.
Jim Collis