Heartfelt thanks to — and from — Afghanistan

My fourth grade class at Lost Creek Elementary, along with my student teacher from St. Mary’s, Miss Kariana Wolfe, wanted to do something for one of our own. One of our students, Dylaney Plasse’s father, Sgt. John Plasse (Terre Haute Chief of Police) is on his second tour in Afghanistan. We decided to send non-perishable items (goodies) to his soldiers and him along with letters, colored pictures, and photographs. We mailed 11 full boxes. They arrived on Nov. 19. It took only six days to get to them. Were they ever grateful! I am including part of John’s email he sent to his wife, Julie, to forward on to me.

I read that email to my class, and we were so touched that we were able to make them happy. The kids were surprised that right after they opened their boxes, they only had one left.

That touched my heart. What better way for young children to understand what gratitude and thanks can mean. The following is part of John’s email:

“WOW! Please send Janet this and let her know how happy the guys and gals here were to receive the packages! I opened them all and told people to help themselves while I was doing it in the main foyer to our building. I had one box where I was taking out what I wanted but one of the privates thought that was for the taking too and took some things out of it. His face was like a little kids though he was so happy that I wasn’t going to say anything to him for taking what he had. He must not get very much so I’ll make sure to give him things in the future. But the vultures were circling and last time I checked there was only about one full box left. I was able to get those caramels with the white centers, 2 bags of chex mix and the cheeze it snack box.”

That is appreciation! Thank you Sgt. John Plasse and the men and women who are serving our great United States.

We plan on doing this again after the first of the year.

— Janet Greulach

Lost Creek Elementary fourth grade



Tired and offended by the ‘politically correct’

I, too, am outraged, offended, etc. What offends me is the terrorist attack of 9/11 by the “generous and kind-hearted Muslim terrorists.” Also, I am offended by the terrorist attack at Fort Hood by another of the “generous and kind-hearted Muslims.”

Of course we must be “politically correct” and not offend the “generous and kind-hearted Muslims” and not even call this a “terrorist attack” (thank you Obama).

I have had a belly-full of “politically correct” and “terrorist attacks by Muslims” and I think I am not alone.

I am also offended by the way front-page coverage was done.

Thank you Bible Baptist and pastor. I have never been to Bible Baptist, nor do I know the pastor. I will make it a point to change that.

— Joe DeLorme

Clay City



Explanation of where intolerance really exists

Saagarika Coleman said she was “hit with a wave of shock” and was “horrified” by a sign at Bible Baptist Church proclaiming a fact about Jesus Christ. If she thinks that is intolerant she should move to an Islamic country where Christians are not allowed and if someone becomes a Christian, they are murdered! That is intolerant!

Their rallying cry is also “Death to America.” How do you like that for tolerance! Explain to your parents (who I suspect wrote the letter for you) where intolerance really exists!

— Carl Hooley

Terre Haute



Christians have no need to offend with messages

In reply to Saagarika Coleman: You write very well for your age and are right about the sign being tactless in the manner it is presented. As Christians we have no need to offend others to “preach the gospel” as we are instructed to do.

Jesus told his disciples to preach the gospel (the good news of Jesus), heal the sick, and see free those in spiritual bondage. God’s real power is in His magnificent love and grace for everyone. He, God the Father, did however, put down certain rules, along with specifying the punishment for failing to obey, and enforces His rules to an exacting specification, equally and lovingly with an amazing grace to and for all.

— Van W. Cottom

Terre Haute



Medicare should be made available to all Americans

Last week in talking with my 75-year-old brother-in-law, a lifelong conservative Republican, we discovered a shared belief — the need to extend the Medicare type of health care to all Americans. We may disagree with details of how this should be done, but we both agreed that Medicare offered by the American government is a fair, equitable and beneficial health care program that should not be denied to other citizens of our country regardless of age. The issue of health care reform is political and economic in its impact on our society, but at its heart is a moral issue that goes to the core of our fundamental beliefs about the kind of society we want for ourselves and our children.

As a retired bank executive and a retired public school teacher, both of us have experienced Medicare health insurance coverage for serious diseases, such as cancer. Both of us pay for private Medicare supplemental insurance, but we agreed that Medicare was preferable to the insurance provided in the past through our employers. It allowed us more freedom of choice in our doctors, the hospitals to which we could go in emergencies, and in the fairness and speed with which it handled claims. Neither of us felt we had experienced reduced or inadequate care under this federally provided health insurance program.

None of us have to look very far from our own households to see friends, neighbors, or relatives who currently need universal health care at a cost they can afford. It might be a neighbor who has lost his job that included the family’s health insurance. It might be a family member with a chronic health problem that prevents her from qualifying for private insurance. It might be the daughter of a friend who has lost her home because she gave birth to a child with catastrophic birth defects and cannot pay the astounding medical bills brought on by this situation. It might be a grandson just out of college and ineligible for continued coverage with his parents, health insurance and still seeking a job that would provide him health insurance.

My brother-in-law and I recognize that our own extended family represents a microcosm of the larger society. Within the past five years our family has had all of the above situations occur. Would any of us deny those family members the protection of affordable health care? How many of us would deny the option of something like Medicare to our neighbors and friends? Why then are we willing to deny it to all citizens, just because we don’t know them?

My brother-in-law and I are polar opposites in politics, lifestyles and income; yet we shared common beliefs about reform of health care. If we can find common ground, why can’t our elected officials listen to their consciences and do what is right for the majority of Americans? Health care reform ultimately does become a moral issue. How can we justify denying to others what we would want for our own sons or daughters?

— Becky Whitmore

Parke County



Article shared insight into war through vet’s eyes

I very much appreciated Howard Greninger’s Veteran Day’s feature “Memories from a World War II Vet” about the Terre Haute veteran Capt. Susie J. Thurman.

The details in Greninger’s piece provided “candid” insights into wartime, most particularly into the experiences of African-Americans and a woman who, as she notes, saw and lived history. I admire her talent for observation and analysis.

Susie J. Dewey certainly is remarkable — as an early-on and longtime educator and as a veteran and a patriot. Hers is a great story to honor Veteran’s Day.

— Myrna Handley

Terre Haute



Good luck with ‘hope and change’

Come on Stephanie Salter, get off Congressman Brad Ellsworth’s case. As you’ve noted in the past, he is sooo handsome. Don’t you remember when the congressman was first campaigning for his House seat? He and his wife’s good looks was their biggest attribute.

Even though the Trib’s editorial slant is reliably liberal, the Nov. 8 editorial had Stephie’s fingerprints all over it. Good luck to your circulation department with those “hope and change” editorials.

— Steve Trego

Paris, Ill.



Ellsworth didn’t think when he voted for HC

Congressman Brad Ellsworth voted for freedom last week when he voted for government-controlled health care. He voted for the freedom to have one group of Americans continue to subsidize the lives of other Americans. Free health care! Can you imagine it? You don’t have to pay a dime. Unless you consider the “surcharge” or the fact if you get health insurance from your employer it is taxed as income. Awesome! Thanks Brad Ellsworth. Just when I thought the bloated, overspending, pig of a federal government couldn’t possibly justify saddling my great-grandchildren with debt, you ride in and prove me wrong.

Congressman Ellsworth, this bill is simply wonderful when it comes to freedom. The bill you voted for not only tells Americans that they have to buy something, you make it against the law if they don’t. And the best part, this bill, your bill, sends Americans to jail if they don’t. You hear that America. This bill sends you to jail if you don’t do what Brad Ellsworth tells you to do. Forget that your family relies on you for their livelihood and that you may be a perfectly upstanding citizen. No, you will go to jail if you fail to buy what the federal government tells you to buy.

Liberty abounds from the left side of the aisle.

Did Congressman Brad Ellsworth think about the constitution when he voted for this bill? Did he consider the fact the federal debt ceiling was raised again to $12 trillion? Did he consider that the federal government would be creating a government entitlement that will ever-entwine politicians and bureaucrats in our lives? No. Not our congressman. No, Brad Ellsworth based his decision on whether or not the bill would allow federal dollars to pay for abortion. Thanks Congressman. This was always the first thing on my mind. Because this bill was flawed until the Stupak amendment was added, then, it was perfect.

I say why waste time with this ridiculous thing called the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Wouldn’t it just be easier to throw these old, tattered documents away and then you and your colleagues can just tell us what we’re allowed to do? Because, after all, nowhere in the Constitution does it say that health care is a right. I think that makes your vote even more wondrous because you stepped right over that pesky Constitution and just voted this massive monolith of federal intrusion into law.

You wouldn’t allow us to come and talk to you during the summer recess. No, town hall meetings were much too open of a debate in this politically charged atmosphere. But, because you’re a man of the people, you let us call in on a teleconference. That way, “the untouchables” are kept at bay and the content can be tightly controlled. Perhaps next year you can drop leaflets letting us know where you stand. That way, you never have to leave Washington and face your constituency. Dropping the sarcasm for a moment, these teleconferences were a horrible slap in the face because it proved you didn’t have enough faith in the voters to maintain a civil discussion. In other words, how condescending was this that you didn’t think we were educated enough to talk face-to-face?

Brad Ellsworth, you voted for this bill. It is your baby. And after seeing the amount of liberty that is going to be destroyed and watching the amount of control that our federal government will have over our lives, the lives of my children, and yet unborn grand- and great-grandchildren, I believe, it is time that voters make this your last term in office. It is very apparent that neither you, nor your leadership can be trusted with maintaining and upholding the constitution. Remember that oath? The one you took when you stepped into office? Disgusting!

— Eric Brown

Terre Haute



Grandparents’ program a success at Davis Park

A program designed to honor “Grandparents” was successful at Davis Park Elementary School, due to the participation of our grandparents and the planning of our staff.

More than 275 grandparents or family members visited classrooms, had refreshments, and had their pictures taken with their grandchild. The out pouring of love by the grandparents, as well as the respect shown by our students to the grandparents, was evident. Our students and staff really enjoyed their presence. Our children are obviously supported by many compassionate and successful adults.

Thank you to our committee and staff for their hard work in organizing this program. A big thank you goes out to all our children’s family members who attended the event. Our grandparent’s kindness and support of Davis Park is truly appreciated.

— Tammy Roeschlein, principal

Davis Park Elementary School