Chatting with home folks
Country newspapers are noted for "folksy" commentary and chatting with the home folks. With that in mind, let's continue.
Consider this a "card of thanks" from your Ol' Editor in regard to the many kind expressions received due to receiving the top international award in weekly journalism. Messages came by nearly every means, and are being saved. The OE is proud of them, he's not used to receiving such praise. Again, thanks.
Folks have asked about the award, and we've tried to explain that it's recognition far above any we dreamed of receiving. We hope we deserved it. We've tried to remain humble, but our buttons keep busting.
This week finds your OE in Pittsburgh, Pa., at the Golden Triangle on the banks of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers where they join to form the mighty Ohio.
It's one of our favorite spots. It's the birthplace of the 99th Infantry Division, which descended from William Pitt and continues to be headquartered there today. They've named a 99th Division Memorial Highway, there's a 99th Division musem, and soon there will be a bronze statue of a WWII soldier in combat gear wearing the 99th shoulder patch.
More than 27,000 troops wear the Checkerboard patch today. But they can't join our association, membership is reserved for men who served in the 99th during World War II.
Soon those men will be gone. Conventions formerly attracted 1,200 attendees, then the number dwindled to less than 1,000, it was 800 two years ago, and only 600 are expected this year. Soon, there won't be enough to hold an annual reunion.
It seems a shame that the association will cease to exist, though there are thousands of young men and women wearing the patch.
But that decision was made by the membership. Their editor doesn't agree, but has only one vote.
Those men fought to defend America's freedoms and are exerting that right. We hope they change their mind before it's too late.
— BILL MEYER
