Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I am past due in my responsibility and promise to a man I came to love and admire. We planned to do this together, but the cancer progressed so quickly, time did not permit.

We have heard the phrase, "We often entertain angels unaware." This man and no other human being will ever be an angel, but he was a genuine hero. He did not see himself in that light, but he was truly a hero.

In the fall of 1965, President Lyndon Johnson ordered American troops into Southeast Asia (Vietnam) to try and stop communist aggression. Many of America's finest men and women lost their lives and others came home injured; scared to face crowds of anti-war demonstrators, calling them baby killers and other names. Space does not permit a detailed account of the horrors of this way. Watch the movie, "They were Soldiers." It will give you the real story.

Peter (Pete) Royal found himself, a small town Georgia boy, in the thick of war as a helicopter mechanic. The best I can recall, Pete's story: It was night. A chopper was down outside the perimeter, and we went after it. That's when they blew me up. As I hit the ground, I thought if I don't get up, they will kill me. A leg would not work; hands would not pull me up. I realized I was badly wounded.

Accounts by others recall that Pete directed medics to other wounded. "They need you more." Pain and every emotion known to man were experienced by him.

Pete remained in the Tripol Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii. He had 27 surgeries on one arm alone! Pete came home. Parts of his life fell apart, maimed by war. He did not quit. He did not give up on life. Many of you were blessed with his friendship through his barber shop.

A short while before his death, he told me what he often recounted. I said, "Pete, you are a real hero." He said, "No, Brother Ray, I'm not, and I'm not bitter or mad at anyone. I did what I was supposed to do for my country, and I would do it again."

In the crucial of war and pain and the call to duty, real heroes are shaped out of the raw materials of common men and women. He was not a tall, dark, handsome movie star, but he was a real hero. We often entertain heroes unaware. God bless those who gave and those who gave all.

I am blessed to have had him call me his friend and pastor.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ray Freeman

Dear Editor,

Wednesday afternoon was a perfect day for fishing at Magnolia Springs State Park. It was also a perfect day for a rescue.

Shortly after five o'clock, Joe Crumley of Decatur was fishing near the back of the lake at Magnolia, when his boat capsized. He was thrown into the water, loosing all of his tackle. Crumley said he was reluctant to leave the boat and swim to shore when he noticed two alligators sunning on the bank. He clung to the capsized boat for 30 to 40 minutes before being noticed by onlookers, who summoned the Jenkins County Sheriff's Office and DNR Patrolman Don Dasher. Members of the North Jenkins Volunteer Fire Department heard the call and responded.

On arrival, the first responders discovered that Crumley had already been rescued. John Campbell and Patrick Patterson, electricians from Augusta, had stopped to rest at the park when they saw the struggling Crumley. They quickly commandeered a canoe and improvised, using conduit benders as paddles, to reach the victim. Patrolman Dasher was able to get his DNR boat into the lake and complete the rescue.

Both rescuers were reluctant to be called heroes, and asked that their pictures not be taken. Crumley expressed his appreciation to everybody. Patrolman Dasher was able to retrieve the man's boat and most of his fishing tackle. Another example of everyday heroes.

Mike Lane

Dear Editor,

I'm a member of C.V. Dwelle Post 2776 of Veterans of Foreign Wars here in Millen. We are raising money to erect a monument in memory of all who served and those that lost their lives so that we may have the freedom that we enjoy today. Almost every county that adjoins us has a monument listing those who lost their lives on their courthouse square.

At this time, we have raised about half of what we need. I'm asking all citizens of this county to help. Also, we need businesses, civic groups and veterans to help.

These men and women who served our country need to be honored.

My dad, Cleve Garvin, served in the Navy and was involved in every major battle of the South Pacific. I also had relatives to serve in the Civil War and the Mexican War. One lost his life at the Alamo.

There will be 34 names on this monument. From World War I through Vietnam, almost everyone has a relative who served in our armed services!

To contribute, send to me at 107 Gayle Drive or to Byron Scogins at P.O. Box 687. All contributions are tax deductable.

Please help. Thank you so much. May God bless you.

Ray Garvin

Dear Editor,

I know the folks of Jenkins County need some good news, so please allow me to provide some.

While visiting in Millen on Mother's Day, I managed to injure myself. I needed some stitches, so I rushed to the Jenkins County Hospital. The care and treatment that I received by Dr. Powell and the ER staff was magnificent. They were very professional and as patient as Job. I can't say enough good things about them.

So if you feel the need to point fingers, ride by the hospital and point at it. Tell yourself, "I'm sure glad we have that place!"

The hospital is a real asset to your community, and sometimes to those of us from elsewhere.

Gene Walker

Thomson