Editor, Daily Press:
I guess you could call me sentimental, old fashioned, but I felt I should put some words on paper for all my friends and family in Tahlequah.
My name is Tommy Young and have called Tahlequah home all my life. Raised out off Black Valley Road in the Woodall community. I spent my elementary years at Woodall and graduated class of ‘83 from Tahlequah High School. Don’t really know what prompted this letter, except an ol’ country boy, far from home, thinking of home. The date at the top was the day I walked across the stage at “Redmen Stadium” (of course, can’t call it that anymore!) and received my high school diploma. Maybe this would bring me to one objective of this letter.
I’m stationed in Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, on the Sather AB compound. I am part of a combat weather team, supporting aircraft as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I’ve been her since the first week of January to leave mid July. One of the biggest things I have found to get me through this deployment was the wonderful cards, letters and packages from all the great people back home – family, friends, church family and the ones that hit “home” the most were the letters placed inside care packages from Keys Elementary and my alma mater, Woodall Elementary.
As I read the young’ens letters I would have to stop, close my eyes and picture myself sitting at those tiny desks. Can’t believe it’s been 30 years since I “graduated” as valedictorian of the 1979 eighth-grade class. At the time, I couldn’t remember for the life of me my speech – but out of respect for my fellow Wildcats, this ol’ man can name you the whole staff through my years as a Wildcat (sort of a tribute to those guys who made me the person I am today). Here we go.
Starting of course with the principal, Randall Davis, secretary Lois Parker (who had a hand in the letters/care package), Shirley Minneman, Jannette McGee, Mary Davis, Imogene Campbell, Judy Meyers, Jannelle Meigs, Wayne Poppino, and Tommy Seitz. Of course who could forget the cafeteria crew – ran by non other than my own mother, Maggie (Kiddie Kookie was her CB handle – remember those things?), Shirley McClure and Dorothy McCully, God rest her soul.
Not too bad for 30 years, two major conflicts and many miles traveled across the world.
I guess this could be a sort of challenge to those young authors of my much appreciated letters. With summer coming up (of course I don’t think you guys still do the end-of-the-year Murrell Home picnic) but just remember to be safe, play hard, listen to your parents, stay out of trouble and make it back next year to work on those childhood memories that I’m sure you will cherish as much as I did.
One last bit to say my appreciation to all of the people not just back home, but over the USA as a whole: The troops over here know and definitely appreciated the support of everyone – from the free Mother’s Day call from VFW posts , to the care packages from everyday people (Girl Scout cookies seem to be a hit this spring). So on behalf of all of us, thank you, God bless and you all are in my thoughts and prayers!
See you all at Walmart in August as I make my annual visit back home – or shall I say “God’s country” – Tahlequah, Okla.!
Tech. Sgt. Thomas Young
U.S. Air Force
Letters to editor
Sergeant says thanks
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Make sure you vote
It’s that time of the year again – time for the school board to extend a two-year contract to three years. It seems the board is much more interested in the job security of [Superintendent] Shannon Goodsell than for the teachers and staff.
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Ego influencing justice
Last year’s incident in the jail where inmate Daniel Bosh received significant injuries from what appears to be an attack by a jail employee serves as a reminder that we have flaws in our justice system.
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Harnessing talents
Women met Tuesday, Jan. 17, who believe in the values of a strong U.S. Constitutional government, with more power in the state and local government; women who believe our federal government is spending out of control, to the point of pushing our nation into the poor house. We call ourselves conservatives.
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Flip-flopping on issues
Shannon Goodsell, superintendent of Tahlequah Public Schools, apparently can’t make up his mind when it comes to giving taxpayer money to private organizations.
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Thieves target cross
I am writing you regarding my cousin’s memorial cross on State Highway 51. He has been gone for four years now. The week before the four-year anniversary of his passing, someone stole his cross.
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Kudos to the City Council
Editor, Daily Press:
Our elected officials showed wise judgment at [last] Monday’s City Council meeting. They chose individualism over collectivism. -
Scare tactics on aliens?
Editor, Daily Press:
I just finished watching scare tactics on a new channel called the Curiosity Channel, on satellite television. It was about, “What would we do if we were attacked by beings from outer space?” It was, in my opinion, designed and produced by the big corporations who are now running the world. -
Think twice about testing
Editor, Daily Press:
I do not condone the use of drugs by welfare recipients and I do not believe that many can afford to use drugs. I also do not condone government intrusion into the private lives of citizens. -
No tax for B&GC
Reader Everett Childers argues there are better ways to fund the program.
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Many are seeing ‘red’
Oct. 26, 2011
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