Disrespect for American flag disappointing
This letter is in response to a May 29 letter in the Skagit Valley Herald by Larry Collinge.

While the U.S. code (Title 4, Sec 8,(a)) spells out the laws governing governmental display of the flag, Mr. Collinge is, unfortunately, correct that the upside-down display of the flag by a citizen has been judged a form of free speech (Spence v. Washington, U.S. Supreme Court, 5-4 decision).

That being said, I find it deplorable that a citizen, any citizen, finds it appropriate, no matter how frustrated with political decisions he/she may be, to use the national flag representing all of our citizens to indicate or demonstrate what is purely “personal political distress.”

Flying the flag in this manner is, in my opinion, disrespectful to the veterans from all wars who have sacrificed to protect our constitutional freedoms, and to each and every one of our citizens who respect and treasure our country first, beyond political affiliation or personal opinion.

I find it interesting that Mr. Collinge states “I haven’t gotten to the point yet that I have found it necessary to defame or desecrate our flag.” I hope that, as he considers respect to be subjective, he considers an alternative method of demonstration that is less invasive to the feelings of his friends, neighbors and fellow citizens.
William Swain
Anacortes

Real Heroes event funds Red Cross’ primary mission
The Real Heroes Breakfast, held May 14 by the Anacortes-San Juan Chapter of the American Red Cross, was a tremendous success. We’d like to thank our generous sponsors and volunteers who helped make this event the best so far. In addition, special thanks are due the Anacortes American for its coverage of our hero awardees and the event follow-up article.

With donations still coming in, we have now surpassed $50,000 in total funds raised from the event. I wanted to provide some clarification as to where the funds are used. As the recent American article (“Red Cross Real Heroes breakfast raises $46,000,” May 28, 2008) noted, these funds will be used to continue the mission of the local Red Cross chapter. The major expenses to be covered include the provision of 24/7 disaster response, office operations, health and safety classes and others.

Our press release on the event noted other services, such as utility assistance and the provision of school supplies and equipment for children.

While these programs are partially supported by the funds raised at this event, the vast majority of funding for these is by designated donations from local residents and organizations. These regular contributors are vitally important to maintaining these very effective programs for community residents who are suffering difficult financial times.

Our Real Heroes Breakfast event was very successful because of incredible support from our community, sponsors, attendees, volunteers, awardees and the American.

Thank you.
Stephen McIntosh
Board Chairman

Memorial Day services deserve better attendance
Memorial Day 2008 was a recent three-day national weekend, with memorial services available each day.

A Saturday memorial service rededicating Memorial Highway, in commemoration of Skagit County’s World War I fallen military, was well done. It reviewed the history behind naming SR 536 “Memorial Highway,” a history unknown to many today.

A roll call of Skagit County’s World War I fallen were read, and each tolled. And, carrier pigeons were released, depicting the freedom we hold, by being victorious in World War I, etc.

The rededication of Memorial Highway was due to the vision and efforts of citizen/veteran LeRoy Anderson, aided by Master Gardeners, and the WSU Extension facility.

A Sunday memorial service was held at Trinity Anglican Church in Mount Vernon, represented as their first annual Memorial Day service. It was a “homey” memorial service, in a church setting. The Trinity Anglican Church Memorial Service was open to the public, and ecumenical. Meaning: It was reverent, but not “churchy.”

On Memorial Day, memorial services were conducted at various local cemeteries by veteran organizations, (i.e. the American Legion, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars), in concert with Boy Scouts, or the Burlington-Edison High School ROTC, depending on the cemetery.

There was ample opportunity for the public to attend a Memorial Day service over the Memorial Day weekend. The community pages of the local print media informed the public of the Memorial Day services. But the Memorial Day services were poorly attended, and most were seniors.

America’s freedom is not free. We are free only because of those who went before. And, if we do not reflect upon, and honor, those who establish/maintain our freedom, we could lose our cherished freedom — freedom some take for granted as a birthright.

Some need to wake up. We are in troubled times.
Roger Pederson
Bayview

Support for Our Town Our Park was fantastic
Where to begin? At the risk of leaving off countless names, we feel we must thank by name many who helped make the children’s dreams come true during Our Town Our Park’s Build Week.

First of all, the following volunteers showed up by 7 a.m. each morning and didn’t leave until sometimes after 9 p.m. for five days.

Construction captains: Dustin South, Dennis McCarn, Carrie McCready, Nicole Johnston, Louie Santos, Brian Strickland, Russ Pittis, Heather Brennan, Ron Carlson, Ray Bloom and John Bartlett.

Folks who went above the call of duty, working all five days, many for 14 or more hours a day: Chuck Ackerman, Harry and Mary Chandler, Steve and Julie Coryell, Gene Earnest, Terry Green, Dave Groves, Cathy Hoy, Sonny Jordan, Samantha Maghan, Jim and Diane McClure, Kate Metcalf, Roger Pearce, David Rapella and Steve Wilholt.

Pickets: Bob Baggs and Emerson Nordmark. Tool trailer: Bob Aahl, Julie LeMire, Darby Jordan and Katie McCarn.

Secondly, we would not have had the strength and endurance to pull this off without the generous donations from the following restaurants, service groups, and churches, who provided meals, desserts and coffee each day: Skagit Valley Co-op, Brown Lantern, McDonald’s, Jack in the Box, Adrift, J & J Espresso and Smoothies, Penguin Coffee, Jahlillah Cookies, Starbucks, Gere-A-Deli, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Avenue Catering, Anacortes Christian Reformed, Assembly of God, Donut House, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Strawberry Bay Coffee Co., Pizza Factory, Papa Murphy’s, Anacortes Lutheran, Coca Cola Industries, Walton Beverage, The Store, Food Pavilion, Safeway and Taco Del Mar.

And the labor? In addition to hundreds of individuals and families who came out to push their muscles to the limit, many for several days in a row, the following groups were invaluable in getting the project completed on time: Anacortes Christian Reformed, Anacortes Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and youth group, Anacortes Fire Department, Anacortes School District classes, city of Anacortes, Anacortes Parks and Rec., Barrett Financial, Boy Scout Troop 84, Christ the King, First Assembly of God (childcare facility) Girl Scouts, Island View Elementary(childcare facility), Noon Kiwanis, Kiwanis Sunrisers, Knights of Columbus, North Island Young Life, Paulk Construction, Anacortes Rotary, Shell Puget Sound Refinery, Soroptomist International, Thrive, Starbucks, Transpac Marinas, Webelos, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Windermere.

Finally, we wish to thank the children, their parents and teachers, and the schools, who kept this vision alive all year long. From preschoolers to high schoolers, you all played an integral part in making this your playground. And hopefully you learned how important the community thinks you are: We all came together for you.

So here’s to the children and the wonderful people of Anacortes … for helping our town build our park!
Treva King
Our Town Our Park Steering Committee

Many helped Team Rekevics raise money for Relay
Due to the generosity of so many individuals, the Relay for Life’s Team Rekevics’ Benefit was a huge success. The funds raised this year doubled last year’s total and exceeded our expectations at $22,000.

Special thanks go to Northwest Rigging for sponsoring the event on May 3, to Mid-Life Crisis and the Alimony Horns for donating their time, to Jennifer Bowman for the terrific original painting she created especially for the benefit and to over 70 generous merchants and individuals that donated so many fantastic auction items.

Thanks also to the many restaurants in town who generously donated so many delicious hors d’oeuvres for the event, to the committee members who spent many hours organizing the event and to all the individuals who worked behind the scenes to make it such a success.

Also, our gratitude goes to everyone who attended and supported this worthwhile cause.

The funds raised will go to the American Cancer Society. Anyone that would like to have the opportunity to donate can do so at the Team Rekevics Web site — http://www.events.cancer.org/goto/rekevics4102. The Relay for Life walk will be on June 27 and 28. Join us, because together we can find a cure.
Team Rekevics Committee
Susan Carpenter, Stacy Doyle, Pam Edwards, Wendy Gray, Betty Littrell, Judy Montgomery, Judy Rekevics, Stephanie Schwenk

Voters should know primary has changed
Don’t let the primary elections fool you this year.

Many voters do not realize that there are three candidates running for District 10 representative. Two are Democrats and only one is Republican. None of the three candidates is required to list party affiliation, which will doubtless cause confusion among voters. Voters will have to do their homework and refer to the Voter’s Pamphlet.

District 10 voters must not make the mistake of thinking that the Republican candidate, Barbara Bailey, will automatically be a final candidate simply because she doesn’t have a Republican opponent. It will be possible to have two Democrats running against each other with no Republican candidate on the ballot at all.

It is always important that citizens vote in any election, but it is critically important that Republicans be informed and vote in this upcoming primary.

Barbara Bailey has done an excellent job and deserves the chance to be re-elected.
Judith LaMontagne
Freeland

Letter carriers helped stamp out hunger here
The 2008 “Stamp out Hunger” Food Drive was a success. I would like to thank the following volunteers for helping Anacortes letter carriers pick up 9,000 pounds of food on May 10: Brian Ricks, Jerry Keltner, Joni Graves, Nancy Boyd, Judy Hakins, Pam Ross, Matthew DeRosa, Austin Robinson, Lavern Phipps, Melissa Foster, Keitho Mihills and Tracey, Tatum and Phoebe Kenn.

Thanks to the staff at Mail Boxes Etc. for allowing us to place a container there for food donations. Special thanks to the staff/volunteers at our local food banks — 4th Avenue, Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul for their efforts to help those in need year-round.

Lynn Oliver
Food Drive Coordinator