Great job
To the Editor:
I would like to express my appreciation to the Switzerland County Tourism Board, the Director, the staff and Adam Cole for what they have done – ranging from the “Fourth Coolest Small Town in America” to the recent successful Tater Bug 30.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Randy Knott
Fishing Worm Ridge/Tater Bug
Community needs
To the Editor:
The members of the Switzerland County YMCA’s Leaders Club are asking the community for help in identifying the needs of the residents in Switzerland County. Assembled of a group of hard working teen, we enjoy helping out around our community. While we have traveled to other states and counties to do service work, we really want to make needed changes here in Switzerland County.
Our abilities have a wide range. We have participated in a variety of projects from planting trees and working at the food pantry to fixing a roof. We need your help to keep up the good work. It would be greatly appreciated if the community let us know if they are aware of someone or some place in need.
What would you like to see Next Era do for the community? What could Next Era help you with? Please stop by the YMCA or call 812-427-9622 to provide your suggestion.
Thank you.
Brianna Simpkins
Vevay
Memories
To the Editor:
The following you are about to read is a true story. Much of it a personal one. But in its entirety it is a composite of many stories I know to be true. When we think of all the cost the world has suffered for each side of war, it is nearly impossible for anyone to escape its touch.
Some of the bravest people of war never saw it. They lived with it the rest of their lives just the same. One of those people is a woman I know. Her husband came home from Vietnam, an infantryman. In his dreams he was still there. To calm him as he was becoming quite physical, she would insert her finger between his teeth while he dreamt. And he would leave that place in his dreams to sleep in his own bed.
A better story of true love, devotion, and pure bravery is hard to find. Imagine a combat ready soldier ready to fight, and she would put her hand in the mouth of the lion if you will. Over the years he left that place nearly permanently in his dreams, because of her. What medal would we have for her? I hear this as a song myself, but take it as you will. The real purpose of it to me is to remember both the soldier’s plight, and their families as well.
How many stories untold? For every soldier there waits mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, children, all touched by their role in the world. All supportive, hoping, praying, welcoming, and burying their heroes. What guilt does the soldier find when they see the difficulties they bring home? So much of our veterans’ stories remain unknown. Yet without them where would we be? So for my veteran, for all veterans, I share this hoping those who haven’t seen these things before may contemplate.
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For my soldier man
She said damn that foreign land
Stole away my married man
Sent me home an empty shell
Who screams at night
And dreams of hell
And she pledges allegiance
For her family under God
She just wants to live and leave it
In a land she never saw
You’re satins soldiers
With blood on your hands
Go back home
To your foreign land
And they protest in leisure
With the freedom he fought to give
Consequence of words doesn’t concern them
They’ve got the right to hate him
I lost something in that foreign land
I went away a happy man
But hero’s medals never show
The stains on soldier’s souls
And he pledges allegiance
For his country under God
He just w ants better for his children
He knows how much it cost
You know my daddy was a soldier man
He went away to a far land
Now he’s back home but I don’t think he sees
Sometimes I wonder if he knows it’s me
And I pledged allegiance
In a roomful just my age
The words committed to our memories
Long before we knew we’d have to pay
God bless any soldier who stands to die
Believing God is on their side
Hero’s medals never show
The troubles their families know
And I pledge allegiance
For countries under God
I just want better for generations
That they’d never know the cost
Jon Thompson
Vevay