Unable to Attend
Dear Editor: I received the following letter from Col. Thomas J. Roth, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff.
Mary Lou Vilandre
Dear Ms. Vilandre: I’m writing to inform you that United States Army Alaska will regrettably be unable to support the 2013 Alaska Day Festival. Our tradition of support for the past 55 years means a great deal to the Army and is something our Soldiers and leaders look forward to each year. Our inability to attend this year is not something we take lightly.
As I’m sure you are aware, the sequestration has had a significant impact on government resources. Additionally, the Department of Defense has imposed significant restrictions on funding to support community relations events. Recognizing the significance of the Alaska Day Festival and the importance of the Army’s role, United States Army Alaska requested an exception to this policy, but unfortunately we were unsuccessful.
I genuinely hope the Alaska Day Committee and the city of Sitka understand the Alaska Day Festival is as significant for United States Army Alaska as it is for your community. The Army and Sitka have a shared history that we take great pride in celebrating. We are so grateful for your community’s enthusiasm and warm generosity toward our Soldiers, not only during the annual festival, but each and every day.
Again, please accept my most sincere apologies on behalf of the Soldiers and leadership at United States Army Alaska. While we will not be able to attend this year, please be reassured that we will do everything we can to ensure our participation in the future.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Roth
Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief of Staff
Creative Invention
Dear Editor: It seems to me that at least half our nation’s congressmen/women in Washington, D.C., could use a creative invention. This wonderful device has been in the research and development stages for several thousand years.
To get each and every senator and Congress person properly fitted with this latest contraption might take only 60 to 300 seconds, even many of us common folks could benefit also.
I speak with great admiration and respect of: ‘‘context lenses.’’ (I do NOT mean to say contest lances.)
The American voting population has had quite enough of bullfights.
These context lenses (in any initial try) have been distributed for sometime in the guise of public education. Unfortunately there have been setbacks caused by television.
Please: try out your ‘‘context’’ lenses today. They make difficult situations less so (in your head).
Wayne Bowers, Sitka
Fill the Bus Thanks
Dear Editor: Sitkans Against Family Violence would like to send out our most sincere appreciation to Gerry Hope, Sitka Tribe transportation director, for again coordinating with the Ride for the Fill the Bus food drive. Benefiting SAFV and STA Social Service Department, it’s sometimes difficult to comprehend that there are folks in Sitka who aren’t able to afford to feed their families, but this is sadly the case.
We at the shelter have an average of 10 to 15 women and children daily who are in need of healthy meals, and along with another generous benefactor, the Ride has just filled our pantry.
There were many folks who gave up much of their Saturday on Oct. 12 to participate in soliciting food donations at AC Lakeside and Sea Mart. Along with Mr. Hope, we’d like to thank Jean Swanson, Terry McGraw, Mindy Lowrance, Tammy Young, Donna Castilli, Glade Morales, Koren DeBell-James, Amy and Journey Stus from STA Social Services Department.
Thank you also to Sabrina Smith, Sammy and Madison. And, as always, gunalcheesh to the wonderful Mt. Edgecumbe students who give so much to our community: Deirdre Creed, Nick Bouker, Jeffrey K. Moore, Harmoni Grady, Cody Weisz, Bobbie McNeley, Shanelle Afcan and Hannah Kimber. Please forgive me if I omitted anyone. It was not intentional.
I’ve mentioned that in the future SAFV will be more dependent on the community for groceries, especially perishables, and this certainly is a promising, generous first response to our request. With much gratitude,
Vicki D’Amico, Executive Director,
Sitkans Agains tFamily Violence
