Flags in Ringgold underscore patriotism
Memorial Day has come and gone in Ringgold and the flags are all stacked and put away until November.
Thanks to all the newcomers to our endeavors to honor the deceased veterans of our county. It was a delight to see very small children helping. Thanks to the parents for getting them involved. It’s hard and hot work, but hopefully it will become part of them. We had some retired couples from Chattanooga who came to help. We had two retired UPS drivers from Calhoun who drove up to help. For us “older” volunteers, seeing all the young help was a great thing.
Ringgold’s Domino’s Pizza and Kiwanis Club provided food on our workday. We especially appreciate retired Mayor Joe Barger and Gilbert Childers who spend many hours putting all this together.
Last week a young couple from Union County, Tenn., was in the Ringgold area for a ball tournament and stopped to ask about the flags. They really loved Catoosa County’s show of patriotism.
Thanks again for your help. We hope to see you again in November when the flags go up for Veterans Day.
Sharon and Pete Pedigo
TDOT signs not best use of money
I love to see my tax dollars at work, so I get a warm fuzzy feeling whenever I drive under a TDOT message sign on the interstate.
Most recently, one of these signs reminded me to make sure my child was buckled in. The message didn’t apply to me – I was driving alone – but it did make me think: Who’s the target audience here? Careless parents who forget to fasten their little ones in, but will do so if reminded by a road sign? A large group, indeed.
Later, I passed another sign reminding me to get off my phone and drive, but I didn’t read it because I was typing this letter on my iPad.
How much does one of these signs cost? I’ve visited other states where all the road money is wasted on things like expanding lanes or fixing potholes, but we’ve got all of the two lanes we need on the stretch of I-24 I use. The umpteen thousands of cars and semi-trucks careening through that slalom have plenty of space; they just need someone to remind them not to kill each other.
Pauline Stevens
South Pittsburg, Tenn.
More blood donors needed to save lives
I was very sad to see that Harry Geller could no longer give blood to Blood Assurance. Harry Geller is an American hero who has saved many lives with his donations of the most valuable thing that we have to offer.
I am working on 32 gallons of blood donations and to think that Harry has donated twice what I have donated is mind boggling.
Science has never been able to duplicate blood so the only way for doctors and hospitals to get blood is for caring people to walk into Blood Assurance, roll up their sleeve and say “I will give to help save a life.” I strongly suggest that more healthy people get involved.
Floyd Shadrick
Apison