Let’s pay tribute to POWs, MIAs
On Nov. 11, we pay tribute to the men and women who have served our nation unselfishly. Within each of us lies the American spirit, a burning desire to dedicate and commit ourselves to the American ideals of freedom. That desire is deep within the heart and soul of each soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Coast Guardsmen. It’s undaunted by weather conditions, living conditions, or hardship of mission.
Whenever and wherever America called, we were there.
We’ve never failed to answer our America’s call. Throughout our nation’s history, America’s military has always been the beacon of freedom. We fought in Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. We are givers of hope even now throughout the Middle East, as we fight terrorism, with our heads held high.
Yet, through all these periods of war and American history, one question remains unanswered. Where are our brothers: our prisoners of war, our missing in action veterans? Also known as POWs and MIAs.
This isn’t an absence of choice, but rather one which emulates duty, honor and country. Let us remember their absence. They’re unable to be with their loved ones today, so we join together to pay humble tribute to them, and to bear witness to their continued absence.
HANNAH T. SCHOOLFIELD
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 66
Pikeville, Tenn.
Don’t drop Bible classes
The Times Free Press recently ran an article about Georgia’s school Bible class law, and that counties have dropped it due to dwindling interest.
This is a great problem; the main reason this is happening, according to the paper, is that this class is not seen to be as important as the other subjects in school by either the faculty or students.
Not only is this idea the opposite of what Scripture says, “the father of American education” agrees, too! Part of Webster’s definition of “education” is: “To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.”
Teachers and faculty should give serious heed to these words of wisdom and spurn the very thought of dropping Bible classes.
No hunger and thirst after righteousness in today’s youth is an equal problem.
The world, the flesh and the devil are stealing American’s hearts from God. Individual repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the only solutions for this problem.
NATHAN TYLER
Ocoee, Tenn.
Hill City deserves what was promised
As a parent of a child who attended Normal Park Museum Magnet School for two years, and as someone who owned property in the Hill City neighborhood at one time, I feel it important to speak out on behalf of the families who live in that neighborhood.
I support them in their endeavors to have the school board vote to include them back into the zone for Normal Park. All parents want what is best for their children.
And Normal Park is a fantastic school offering educational opportunities to its students. I can find no fault with Hill City for pushing for what was promised them. To me, to many, it seems only fair.
CAARA STONEY
Don’t let secret hold you back
Men, women, boys and girls are what make up the population. Unfortunately, some have a secret they are forced to face every day: child abuse and neglect. Thousands of cases pertaining to child abuse and neglect are reported in the state of Tennessee alone. Between the months of July 2008 to June 2009, over 20,000 children were served by Child Advocacy Centers in Tennessee.
When these children grow up, there are several factors that limit them from having what society has deemed to be a “normal” life. Research has shown that depression is the major underlying factor preventing theses adults from normalcy.
Depression is a gateway to disruptive beliefs about themselves and others, high unemployment rates, poverty, and in some extreme cases, personality disorders and violence.
Adults facing this secret also face the fact they may not be able to provide for their family medically and/or financially. With the amount of stress caused by the above issues, some adults resort to what they only know: abuse, neglect and violence.
People do not have to be just another statistic. If you are scared, worried, and feel you or a loved one is in danger, please contact 877-237-0004 or go to https://reportabuse.state.tn.us/ and submit a report.
MEGAN GALLION
Add other streets to NPMM zone
As residents of Hill City fight for Bell and Spears avenues to be included in the Normal Park zone, we ask that Sharon Circle, Chestnut Lane and Curve Street also be considered.
This small circle of homes consists of 20 houses with five potential students. These streets are approximately 100 yards from Normal Park Upper School and under a mile from the lower school, but not zoned for Normal Park.
Because Bell/Spears is located farther away, we feel it is only fair to re-evaluate the zone with consideration given to those streets within proximity such as ours.
Requiring parents on Sharon/Chestnut/Curve to drop off and pick up their children at schools in Rivermont and Red Bank in lieu of allowing them to walk 100 yards to school is unreasonable. Due to the proximity of the school, Normal Park parents use our streets as parking lots for campus events, and even use our driveways as turnarounds.
We do not support overcrowding NPMM or accommodating in-zone growth by the school giving up the very programs that make it a great school. If we lose what makes NPMM great, then the entire community loses. Residents want a fair re-evaluation of the zone.
ALEX AND MAGGIE ESTES
All can benefit from walking
Bravo to the City of Cleveland for encouraging students to walk! They might learn to love walking.
Probably 90 percent of Americans could walk a mile or two. But 90 percent of us refuse. The prevailing thought is, “I can afford to drive in this free country, so I will drive.” Even retired and unemployed and people on days off!
Why hurry to get somewhere else, to then sit at the TV or computer or at a dinner table? Who benefits with our disdain for walking? Not our environment, not our waistlines, and not our pocketbooks. The big winners are the oil companies.
People say they don’t feel like walking. True, when we seldom use muscles we have no energy.
But challenging ourselves to go places on foot brings satisfaction, and more energy comes with each walk.
We “can” walk to a store or to a friend’s home. Yes, it takes longer. But time (and money) is saved later on, on health care, if we commit daily to a few trips on foot. The rest of humanity does! I imagine that people with paralyzed legs would give anything for the chance to walk to any destination!
ANNE GARRARD GRINDLE
Sewanee, Tenn.