Come honor veterans starting today
The Vietnam Memorial Wall (The Moving Wall) is coming to Clark County 4-H Fairgrounds today through Monday. This will be an unforgettable experience for many.
There are 30 men from Clark County that gave their lives and are listed on the Wall. There are a total of 58,044 men and women listed on the Wall, which is a replica of the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Wall, but half the size.
If you visit the Wall, there are some very strict rules set by the Vietnam Memorial Foundation. Nothing can be sold or promoted near the Wall — no loud music or noise allowed, no cell phones, pets, food or drink are allowed near the Wall.
The Clark County Red Cross, V.F.W., American Legion, 4-H, and Charlestown Beautification Committee are all involved in bringing this event to southern Indiana, so those who haven’t been to Washington, D.C. to see this memorial should visit the 4-H Fairgrounds, because we don’t know when it will pass this way again.
If you have a relative or friend listed on the Wall, contact Donna Ennis at 502-548-8604, so the next of kin will be included in the Opening Ceremony at 6 p.m. today. They will receive a stepping stone with the branch of service logo, compliments of The Concrete Lady in Charlestown.
If you can donate four hours of your time, call the Clark County Red Cross at 812-283-8416. Also, if you can spare any donation, please send your check payable to Charlestown V.F.W. Post and put “T.M.W.” in the memo line of the check. Anything above expenses must go to Vietnam Memorial Foundation.
If you have questions, call Mark Goodlett at 812-256-1100 or 502-727-1532.
If you make the visit to 4-H Fairgrounds, I will guarantee you will be moved. Please come and show your respect to the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam War — it’s free and those on the Wall died to protect our freedom.
— Harold Goodlett, Charlestown
Reader: Don’t worry yourself so much over politics
I recently read Lindon Dodd’s opinions about the new Great Clark County Schools superintendent. Though I’m uncertain if Mr. Dodd has endorsed our new leadership, I’m positive he has an ax to grind about some of the board members.
If I understand his article, he thinks Dr. Stephen Daeschner is paid too much, but he’s happy that he knows where the money is going. So, if I rob a bank, Mr. Dodd would believe what I did was wrong, but if he knew where I was spending the stolen money, he’d feel better about the whole thing.
I’ve watched the Greater Clark County School Corporation very closely over the past 32 years. The two board members Mr. Dodd scorns did not invent the pork barrel mentality they are accused of displaying. Far from it.
As a matter of fact, I would guess that as many as 50 percent of Greater Clark’s current employees — at all levels — were hired based upon some “connection” they had within the corporation. Moreover, it’s common knowledge that Dr. Daeschner was heavily recruited by one of the board members Lindon Dodd dislikes! I ask, did that board member do a good or a bad thing?
I’ve lived in Clark County since 1980. My impression of our community is that everything happens here that involves power, authority and prestige is, in some way, political. If I am wrong about that, I know I’m right that what I’ve said is a common perception.
I coached Little League baseball one summer at one of our local fields. Politics were so infused in the sport that there were times it seemed necessary to call the mayor to find out if a pitch was in the strike zone. Of course, he wanted to check with his attorney before he made a decision.
I believe Mr. Dodd should follow his own advice and forgive and forget simultaneously. Forget about the school board position that you may or may not have won if you had decided to stay in the race. Forgive the individuals you refer to as “these guys” for following the examples set by many men and women in Greater Clark long before you got interested.
Dr. Daeschner is the whole package. I think it’s going to be interesting to see how our community responds to true educational leadership — no strings attached.
There is a phrase that I have picked up along the way. It goes like this: no sooner do Americans build statues to their heroes than they move to tear them down.
— Ken Miller, Charlestown
