Saluting those who have made our way of life possible
By Managing Editor Patricia St. Louis

By the time you read this, election results should have (hopefully) been announced. In that regard, our thanks go to all who sought election with the best of intentions- just as we congratulate those who were selected by a majority of their ‘fellow Fountainites,’ to represent us on the Fountain City Council and District 8 School Board.
So many of our freedoms, including the freedom to vote into office the person we feel will do the best job of representing us, the freedom of the press, freedom of speech, etc... are so “normal” for us, we often take them for granted. Perhaps that’s because it is our “birthright” here in America to enjoy such freedoms; still- we must always remember that they came a quite a price... As we’ve heard it said- Freedom isn’t free. That is why I hope you will join us in saluting our men and women of the Armed Forces as well as our military retirees this coming Veterans Day. In a way it seems a shame that we have had to select one day a year to do so- only because we should really and truly be doing so EVERY DAY of the year.

As our troops continue to deploy across and around the world to bring peace to other nations while also fighting to protect our freedoms we hold so dear, they  sacrifice all that we continue to take for granted...
The comforts of home are replaced by meager surroundings, tents, camps..

The sight of family members and loved ones is replaced with the faces of strangers- those who are suffering and those who are plotting against them...

Their warm beds and meals cooked in a warm, loving home are traded in for cots, or sleeping on the ground, eating MREs or whatever is available at the time...No longer can they just hop into their vehicle and run to the corner store for whatever they need... zip through a drive-through food lane for a tasty treat... no longer can they attend their kids school programs and sporting events... no longer can they gather with fellow friends at their chosen place of worship...

For most of us, doing these things is the ordinary, the common place. And that is why now more than ever, we need to remember those who continue to put their lives on hold, change their lifestyles to ensure we can continue to enjoy life as we have it now....

I hope you will join us in saluting our local veterans at the special ceremony planned Sunday in front of Fountain’s City Hall, and at any other local observances. We owe so very much to these folks- let’s show them our thanks!!

Also, with the holidays fast approaching, I’d like to share an email I received from a friend recently... imagine the difference we could all make in the life of a soldier or two if we simply complied with the following request....

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:  
A Recovering American Soldier,
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical  Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
Remember, regardless of how we feel about the war, they served their country with pride and honor. For that we should be forever grateful!

PATTY'S ARCHIVES
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