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Letters to the EditorsLetters of thanks© St. Petersburg Times published February 7, 2002 Editor: This is to thank American Legion Paradise Post 79 and adjutant Ed White and Mrs. White. About six months ago in a letter I sent to Mr. White, I mentioned the Nov. 11 Veterans Day activities being planned. I wrote how I would love to attend but saw no means of getting there and wished them the best. Lo and behold! I received a letter from Post 79 informing me my wish might come true. It was a very special day. I am an elderly person living in a retirement home and this was a wonderful happening. Ed White arranged to pick me up and I was made a special guest. It was like being on that program "Queen for a Day." They arranged for me to have a seat up front and I sat next to a lovely lady, Congresswoman Karen Thurman, and I was introduced to many nice people. The band was playing patriotic songs and it gave me goose bumps and a few tears. The French Deputy Consul was awesome, snapping out almost 400 salutes to our heroes who took part in the liberation of France during World War II. After the program, I was invited over to Paradise Post 79. It was all so impressive. I hope our citizens will always support the American Legion and many other veterans organizations all over our nation, and we always give thanks to our heroes.
Editor: It seems negative publicity of nursing homes gets too much notice these days, and I would like to give a positive view of one that I am familiar with, Bear Creek Nursing Center. My dear mother spent almost five years at Bear Creek. The transition from a nursing home up north was so smooth, she hardly knew she had been moved. She suffered from Alzheimer's and as the disease took its toll, her needs became more intense, but she was always treated with an abundance of love, respect and kindness. The compassion of the nurses and aides is indescribable. They loved her as their own. She was hugged and kissed daily, and gently urged to eat her dinner each day by her special nurse, Jean Shank. I always found my mom clean, comfortable and in a pleasant state of mind. Most of the same nurses, certified nurses' assistants and staff were there the five years of her stay. The staff not only tended to their paperwork, but helped the patients at mealtimes and never failed to give a kind greeting to each patient. It is very unusual to find employees with such a high degree of empathy for those less fortunate. I was truly blessed to have my mother spend her last years at Bear Creek Nursing Center.
Editor: The spirit of giving is still alive. Another year has passed, but our world has been turned upside down by a terrible act of terrorism. We at the West Pasco Pregnancy Center rely on the financial support of this community and I have to agree with all the other charitable organizations that the financial donations went downhill for us after Sept. 11. We are all struggling to survive and trying to keep going. But let me also share some good news with you. This last Christmas we saw many miracles happening. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the people who "adopted" some of our client families and made Christmas special for them. A big thank you to the Birth Place at Community Hospital, All Saints Lutheran Church, Hudson Reformed Church, Grace Bible Church, the Youth Group of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the High School Religious Education Class at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, members of the Ambassador Club of the Chamber of Commerce, and all the other individuals who went out of their way to help the less fortunate in this community. We felt like Santa's elves when we delivered all these beautiful Christmas gifts. You should have seen the eyes of our clients and their families. We saw many tears of joy and gratefulness. It was an awesome experience for us to witness. Thank you to all of you for making a difference in so many lives. We feel blessed and we are proud to be part of this community.
Editor: This letter serves as a great big thank you to Kim, who kindly assisted me when I was in a car accident at the corner of Nebraska and Rowan. I thank you for your kindness and compassion and for staying by my side until my dear friend, Kelly, arrived. Also, thanks to Pasco County firefighters and paramedics who kindly attended to me and the ER staff of Community Hospital.
Editor: We at Chasco Elementary would like to thank our many business partners that have been so generous and supportive throughout the year and especially during the holiday season. Whether it be sponsoring families, donating materials, speaking at the Great American Teach-in or providing valuable input at the School Advisory Meetings, they are always available to lend a helping hand.
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