Published: July 30, 2006 04:22 pm            

7/30/06 Letters to the editor

Happy to be back in Cleburne after 25 years



Dear Editor:



For 25 years, my husband Barry Townsend was employed with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a park manager. His job took us upon a wonderful journey. Our son Billy had the opportunity to attend a small public school in Tatum, Texas, where he graduated in 2002. We lived away from Cleburne approximately 25 years.

We were blessed by God to have the opportunity to reside in some beautiful state parks. Barry started at Cleburne State Park in the early 1970s, and then was  promoted to Colorado City State Park in West Texas. Each state park displayed a unique beauty and holds a memory in our hearts. Even though Billy is 23 years old, he has fond memories of each state park.

In the ’80s, Barry was promoted to Huntsville State Park. I felt that I was living in a wonderland. This park was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. This was my first experience to view beautiful pine trees.

Then there was Martin Creek Lake State Park. That was Barry’s last destination in his park career. This park was located in Tatum. We spent almost 14 years living there, but being a park manager comes with a price because you are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We finally made the decision to move back to Cleburne.

Guess where I live now? Across the street is my childhood home. We prayed to God to help us find a nice place to live in Cleburne. About three years ago, while searching for a home, I drove down the street where my childhood home stands and across the street stood a small modest house being built.

Barry and I agree that the Lord put us back in Cleburne and returned me back to a place that is so familiar to me.

I made some great friends and the professors were outstanding. I will be working on my teaching certification next year. I found my calling last year and I love teaching. 

I’m writing this letter in memory of my dad. My dad, Leonard Tice, would frequently tell me that he wished we would move back to Cleburne. I just know my dad is all smiles because he always hoped that one day Barry and I would own a home and now we do. I miss my dad dearly and even though we lived away for 25 years, daddy always kept in touch with us. Almost every day we kept in touch and he never missed my birthday, anniversary, mother’s day, valentine’s day and all occasions.

He was a devoted father to my siblings. Daddy was a kind-hearted, sensitive and compassionate soul who loved people and people loved him. When visiting daddy, he always appreciated the visits and he would shed a tear when we departed. I’m proud to be his daughter and I find some of his personality within me. As I’ve grown older I enjoy talking to people and making small talk. 

I am happy to be back in Cleburne because of my mom. Her name is Dora. I get to see her in person instead of calling long-distance as I did in the past. While I’m on the subject of my dad, I want my mom to know that she is the most wonderful mom a girl could be blessed with even though I’ve told her many times. She is a mom that is soft spoken and is always there for me. What more could I ask for?

My life is great and looking back I’ve endured a life with some fantastic experiences along with my husband Barry.



Susan Tice Townsend

Cleburne



America — Love it or leave it



Dear Editor:



I have been watching various newscasts covering the situation in Lebanon and I am appalled by what I have witnessed. Over the last few days I have seen so-called “Arab-Americans” here in the United States demonstrating in support of Hezbollah and Hamas, known terrorist organizations whose sole purpose is the destruction of the nation of Israel, a professor at the University of Wisconsin who is telling his class that most of the terrorist attacks (including 9-11) were in fact orchestrated by U.S. intelligence agencies and just about every country in Europe condemns the Israelis for defending their country.

First of all I applaud the Israelis for their actions. The Israelis have the right to defend themselves and their country. As an ally, the United States should stand strong in its defense. While the rest of the world is whining about the destruction of the Lebanese infrastructure, I see it as a risk one takes when you allow members of a terrorist organization to be elected into your government, just as the Palestinians have done with Hamas in Gaza.

All the “Arab-Americans” in this country who publicly support terrorist organizations should be taken into custody as your actions fall under aiding and abetting the enemy, held incommunicado until this is over, stripped of citizenship if indeed you are citizens, and thrown out of the country. If you come to our country, then learn our language, support our government, abide by our laws and integrate into our society. If you won’t or your religion prevents you from doing so, then go back where you came from as you’re not welcome here.

Kevin Barrett, the professor at the University of Wisconsin who believes the terrorist attacks in this country and Europe were orchestrated by U.S. intelligence agencies and espouses this insane rhetoric in the classroom, should first be fired, then stripped of his U.S. citizenship and deported to whatever country would have him (France, as always, comes to mind) if not tried for treason and shot.

Kofi Annan and the entity known as the United Nations should be unceremoniously booted out of this country posthaste. All that has come out of the U.N. the past few days has been the repeated criticism of Israel while at the same time trying to legitimize Hezbollah’s actions.

There should be an immediate cessation of foreign aid to every nation that constantly criticizes the actions of the United States in the war on terror. You are either our ally or not and if not, then the American taxpayer shouldn’t have to bear the burden of supporting you.

In closing, while dropping my daughter off at the airport this past week, I had the opportunity to personally shake the hand of and thank a few of the sons and daughters serving in our military, expressing to them the appreciation of a great many of us here at home and how proud we are of them. I am neither ashamed nor embarrassed to say that tears came to my eyes while watching these brave kids going off to war and the unabashed anger I feel at the “garbage” allowed into our country who, protected by law, are allowed to publicly support the very enemy these young men and women go into harms way to protect us from.

God bless and protect each of you and your families for the sacrifices you make on our behalf and bring you all home safe. America — Love it or leave it!



Rikky D. Perkins

Cleburne

        

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