LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Henson family grateful

Dear Editor,

We would like to express our gratitude for all the prayers, cards, food, flowers and support during our mother’s illness and passing. We have been truly blessed by the compassion shown to us by this community. It is comforting to know that our mother made a difference and touched so many lives by the way she lived her life and through her volunteer work.

Thank you, THE FAMILY OF ALICE HENSON Pea Ridge, Ark.

Jobe family grateful

The family of Dortha Jobe would like to express their sincere thanks to all who sent food, flowers and cards in our time of grief.

We would like to especially thank the sixth-grade football team moms who brought food and paper products and sent flowers.

You gals rock!

JULIE, DENVER, CARSON & JIM & JACKIE JOB Bentonville, Ark.

A D.A.S.H. to Remember

Dear Editor,

All we can say is WOW!

Thanks to the support of all our sponsors, family friends, participants and Pea Ridge Community the third annual Ryan Mondy - A D.A.S.H. to Remember 5K race and 1-mile fun runwas a huge success.

We would like to say thank you to the following:

◊Gold level sponsors - Threads, Rush Running, Pea Ridge United Methodist Church, Aflac Kelli Rosser, NWA Restore It, Kikiberri frozen yogurt, Crowder Construction and Best Collision.

◊Silver level sponsors were Sonic, Outdoor Cap, Farmer’s Insurance Lori Rogers, Arvest, Chili’s, Chick-fil-A and A Moment in Time Photography.

◊Bronze level sponsors were Marvin’s Food Stores, T bar L Ranch, McDonald’s, Dye Hards Gym, Nestle, Pink by Julie, Liberty Bank, Pea Ridge Middle School FBLA, Walmart and Ivesco.

We would also like to thank the Pea Ridge youth baseball for the use of the facilities, Pea Ridge Police Department, Pea Ridge School District, Pea Ridge Cheerleaders, Chris and Kim Beauchamp, Stacey and Nick Mooneyhan, Rusty Sorrell family, Jessica Hansen and family, Samantha Williams, Jennifer Crone, Girl Scout Troop 5053, April Schultz, Dana Frost, Rick Medlock, John McGee, Katie Wright, LeAnna Paine, Larry Mathis family, Charles and Alice Crabtree, Dennis and Corinna Houston, Annette Beard, Mr. Duvall’s fifth grade Social Studies students, Matt Blaty, the Rev.

Brian Timmons, Tammy Laycox, Pea Ridge United Methodist Women, Tim Fielder, Carolyn Armour,and all behind the scene volunteers who were a part of this successful event for the Ryan Mondy Scholarship.

We are looking forward to next year’s race. Remember, Doing Anything Supportive Helps - Make your D.A.S.H. count!

CHRIS AND ANDREA MONDY Pea Ridge, Ark.

Veterans honored

Dear Editor,

I had the honor to accompany 88 World War II veterans recently on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. I went as a guardian with two WWII Navy veterans as my charges.

Chuck, a fellow submarine veteran, and Grady, a surface ship sailor. Both are great guys. We left XNA at 8 a.m. and were honored by the XNA Fire Department as they shot a water arch over our plane. This is done only on rare occasions such as the arrival or departure of a head of state or other some such dignitary.

After a two-hour flight, we arrived at Reagan National Airport and were again honored with a water arch as we approached the gate. The ground crews at both airports stood at attention and saluted our plane as we passed. What a great feeling to be with these veterans who were being so aptly honored. The reception at Reagan Nationalwas fantastic. Music, flags, cheers and hugs along with Congressman Steve Womack welcomed our veterans. We then boarded our buses which took us to the WWII Memorial.

We had almost two hours to take pictures, visit with other veterans and completely tour the grounds. As an added bonus, WWII veteran and past U.S. Senator, Bob Dole and his wife Elizabeth were there to greet our guys. The Doles were very instrumental in getting the memorial built and try to meet every Honor Flight. A box lunch on the bus was next and then we headed to the Korea and Vietnam War Memorials. After that, we drove to the Air Force Memorial and then the Marine Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. We boarded our flight home around 6 p.m. and arrived back at XNA around 8:30 p.m. The reception at XNA was beyond description. Friends, family, active and retired military, teachers and school children were there to greet us. What a fitting way to end the day.

I want to thank Nancy Williams and Bill McKenzie for all the hard work they put in making this day so remarkable. I also want to thank Tyson and Walmart for their support.

Finally, I want to thank once again our WWII veterans. They were true heroes from the GreatestGeneration.

PETE RATHMELL Garfield, Ark.

ESA members support St. Jude

To the Editor,

Members of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) joined as a community in the fight for a cure against children’s cancer through a fundraising event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Members of Beta Alpha Chapter of Pea Ridge, hosted a national ESA event in our community at the fourway stop during the Mule Jump on Oct. 8.

Our community showed our appreciation for cancer research in children through ESA’s fundraising event and the help of others. Beta Alpha’s annual road block has always been a success for our fundraising efforts for St. Jude. We want to send a very big thank you to the community and guests of the Mule Jump for giving $2,047.77.

All proceeds will go directly to St. Jude.

From 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., we collected donations and handed out 800 stickers until we ran out around 11 a.m. This year we all wore “Team ESA” shirts, the first time St. Jude let ESA use their logo on our member shirts. We wore funny hats and a couple of us even wore clown costumes. As members of Beta Alpha, we enjoy seeing our community empty their cup holdersand ashtrays full of change into our buckets. We are very appreciative of the donations for directions to the Mule Jump, pumpkin patch or Eureka Springs.

We also received a gold wedding band in our collections that we will gladly give back to the owner.

Please contact Jim Crews at 451-0114 for information about the wedding band.

In addition to volunteering, ESA members across the country demonstrated their commitment to St.

Jude’s cause. Founded in 1929, ESA offers programs and projects to help make a positive difference in the lives of others. ESA has created a powerful network of nearly 1,000 chapters to excel in community education, service and philanthropy. ESA adopted St.

Jude Children’s Research Hospital as their international philanthropic project and has raised more than $130 million in cash and pledges for St. Jude.

Those interested in ESA can learn more by visiting www.esaintl.com, or by contacting ESA headquarters at 970-223-2824.

KAREN KITTERMAN Pea Ridge, Ark.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 10/26/2011