Family appreciates  communities' support

The Gasner family would like to thank the Waupun, Beaver Dam and Horicon communities for their support, prayers, well-wishes and assistance as we continue to deal with a serious health issue.

Never could we have imagined the outpouring of love and kindness that we have received from these communities. We have been overwhelmed by the cards you have sent, the delicious meals prepared and delivered, the offers to help in any way, the rides to Madison for treatment, and more than anything your prayers. The Choirs Who Care Concert brought us shelter early on. Thank you to those musicians for sharing their gifts along with those who supported the concert. Our BDACT friends brought joy into our lives for a day with their show, "Singing The 60's and 70's." We and the UW Health Neurosurgery Tumor Research and Education Fund thank you for attending those concerts.

If you didn't see the show, they are doing the show again at Swan Park in August. It will be a fun evening.

Thank you.

We are truly blessed to be part of this community and know that you will continue to keep us in your prayers as we continue on this difficult journey.

— Donn and Renee Gasner

Jocelyn and Olivia

Having the freedom to speak out and challenge

Can we state our case for our views without charges of racism or questioning our motives?

 I have tried to make the case for local and limited government without name-calling or questioning people's compassion.

Whatever side of the "Vibe" magazine issue you're on, just because we question its appropriateness in our schools, that doesn't make us racist. If we question our federal government taking over health care, our auto industry and our banking system, that doesn't mean we lack compassion. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are two of the leading causes of our recent financial problems. They were started in the name of compassion for people who couldn't afford a house. Unintended consequences?

 How about some compassion for the hard- working taxpayers of this country? These things cost more than we can afford. We are pushing the debt onto our future generations. For business owners, it would be easy to say "let the government pay for health insurance for our employees, then we wouldn't have to." On the other hand, people are already taxed enough. Give us health care and raise our taxes; that is the shell game politicians play with our money.

 Mr. Mundell says our health care industry "denies health care to tens of millions of people." Nobody is denied health care in this country. Hospitals can not turn anybody away because they can not pay. Our health care system may not be perfect, but as the saying goes, the grass is not always greener on the other side.

 I believe Thomas Jefferson had great foresight when he said, "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." I believe there is a silent majority of people out there who think the same way today. 

  — Hugh L. Roberts Jr.

Randolph

Memorial Day observance draws praise

The theme for this year's Memorial Day Parade and ceremony was "Land of the Free Because of the Brave." How appropriate, as there are still many young men and women serving our country.

Memorial Day is a day to give honor to those who served their country and now are deceased. Some have given their lives over seas and some are military men and woman from previous wars and each year we honor the fallen veterans who have passed away since last year.

A thank you to Mayor Tom Kennedy for his kind words at the ceremony at the site of the Veterans Memorial Park at Oakwood Cemetery.

A special thank you to Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, guest speaker. Ms. Abrahamson stressed the fact that we are all fortunate to be able to live in the Land of the Free and accomplish our individual dreams.

A thank you to the Beaver Dam High School Band for providing musical selections during the ceremony.

The Memorial Day Committee would like all organizations to plan ahead to next year and provide a float for the 2010 parade.

We are very fortunate to have all of the veterans organizations and auxiliaries in Beaver Dam and the area to carry on the tradition to honor our veterans on Memorial Day. We look forward to another year and your continued support.

— Marj Spiel