“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.



Dr. King’s quote is my all-time favorite and it is printed below my e-mail signature as a reminder to never stop pushing agendas that I know are good and right for our world. My agenda often relates to equality, diversity/inclusiveness and respect. Take a moment to think about your agenda for Southern Indiana and beyond.

As 2007 came to a close, I became reflective of the past year in Southern Indiana and the people who remained vocal about things that truly matter to the lives of others — in our world — in our community.

Throughout the year, this column focuses on Extra Milers who quietly go about doing good things, without need for recognition or accolades. However, they are not the only people who go the extra mile to make our world a better place to live and work. The people who are in the forefront, relentlessly making headlines for change are also Extra Milers. Their efforts are acknowledged in this column.

Who is your Southern Indiana Extra Miler — the person who risks it all to make positive change in our community? Is it the politician who casts the lone vote for change that will give us a healthier community? Is it the person who fights for positive change in your workplace by being vocal about unfair treatment, or is it the person who directs large nonprofit efforts to provide better lives for those less fortunate?

Maybe it is the person who has faced adversity, overcome their hardship and now works relentlessly to help others who find themselves in the same situation. If your teacher, doctor, nurse, boss, lawyer, friend, pastor, rabbi, co-worker, neighbor, student, etc., is an Extra Miler, cut out this article and hand it to him or her with a personal thank-you note for being vocal about what matters in this community.

If you have received a copy of this column, thank you for being a Southern Indiana Extra Miler. Even when it hasn’t been the easiest journey, you have stayed the course to ensure the job is done and our community is a better place to live and work.

You are being recognized as an Extra Miler who makes a positive difference in our community and in our world. Thank you for not being silent about things that matter. We hope to continue reading, hearing and seeing your good work in 2008.

Happy New Year, Southern Indiana.

Remembering Our Military in 2008: The overwhelming positive response received from the past two columns regarding our troops has encouraged me to continue our efforts to recognize the men and women who are some the greatest Extra Milers of all — our military members. In the months to come, you will be reading about on-going efforts by The Evening News and The Tribune to recognize and remember our troops throughout 2008.

These efforts will be in conjunction with Blue Star Mother’s Chapter President Vanessa Coulter and Judge Jerry Jacobi. We will provide information on how you can provide ongoing support for the thousands of Indiana troops who are either already in Iraq or soon will be.

I recently spoke with Dr. (Col.) Jim Higgins, who is the senior pastor for McEachern Memorial UMC in Powder Springs, Ga. In 2007, he served as an Army Reserve chaplain, stationed in Balad, Iraq at LSA Anaconda. His blog, found at www.letters-from-the-desert.blogspot.com details his remarkable journey as a minister and soldier.

One of his stories caught my attention and I share it with you in an effort to keep our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers. Dr. Higgins gladly authorized this reprint of an original blog written in May:

“From a Chaplain in Iraq: I recently attended a showing of ‘Spiderman 3,’ here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature.

All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem the music stopped. Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped.

What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start.

But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:

‘And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star - Spangled Banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?’

It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq. I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here.

Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad ... For many have already paid the ultimate price ...”

Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and owner of EEO GUIDANCE, Inc. If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an EXTRA MILER, let her know about it. To submit a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via e-mail: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com or mail: THE EXTRA MILERS, The Evening News, 221 Spring Street Jeffersonville, IN, 47130-3340.