ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 25, 1996 TAG: 9612260026
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: HOLIDAY
TYPE: LETTERS
YES, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. I have seen angels as well. Right here in Roanoke.
This year has been rough for my family. In June my husband lost his job in Maryland, when I was eight months pregnant. We were out of money and prospects. We decided to start life over in Roanoke, where we had come on vacation a few years ago.
The people we met upon arriving here were so helpful and kind. We got Medicaid coverage for the pregnancy and my 4-year-old daughter. We got food stamps. My husband got unemployment benefits until he found a job one month later.
In October, when my new son was 2 months old, things were still bleak and money was tight. I received a form to apply for Christmas help. I filled it out and forgot about it.
I never thought I would need public assistance. Thank God it was there for us when we had no other way to go.
Last week I got a simple postcard in the mail: "You have been selected to receive Christmas help." I was excited and hopeful that maybe we could have a nice Christmas after a year of struggles.
On Dec. 17, I went to the Salvation Army. I had to take my kids with me and was concerned that the surprise would be spoiled. An angel appeared to me, dressed in the Salvation Army uniform. She offered to stay with my children while I went in to get their gifts. I waited in line, not really expecting much. Another angel appeared, to escort me through Santa's workshop. There were toys for all ages, boys and girls. So many toys. We walked through and filled two large bags with gifts for my children. Then another bag was brought to me for my daughter, from the angel tree. Another angel had touched my life.
I thought for sure this was it, there couldn't be more. My escort led me outside to a shopping cart. She put my bags of goodies on top of a box. The box contained a complete Christmas dinner. Turkey, stuffing, even pumpkin pie! I was almost crying when I thanked these people with such generous hearts.
I realized there are so many angels out there behind this. Every person who puts coins into the red buckets; every volunteer who rings the bells and fills the stockings. Santa is alive and well in the hearts of these people.
Thank you so much. I cannot express what it means to me and my family. Merry Christmas to you all.
HEATHER FROESCHL
ROANOKE
Pride in Tech is being strained
AS A young man, my dream was to attend Virginia Tech. Luckily, I was able to do so, and I graduated in 1958.
After having been on campus for a short while, I noticed my blood became Tech burgundy, and it has continued to be that way. However, I am beginning to wonder if the color is changing slightly.
Is the price of national recognition worth the embarrassment that has been heaped upon Tech by the media and the actions of some members of the football team? Can't these athletes appreciate the fact that they are receiving a first-class education at little or no cost to them? One would also reasonably expect that the athletes, knowing that they are going to one of the big bowls, would do anything to keep their names and the name of the university clean. How must players who have behaved for the entire season feel about the latest incident (Dec. 17 news story, ``Players charged with rape'')? How must the kids who look up to these athletes feel? Are they getting the message that it's OK to do what you want as long as you are a well-known player?
Several years ago when the Tech logo was not easily obtainable, I purchased special-made windbreakers, personalized golf balls and numerous hats. How proud I have always been to be a Tech graduate! Now I feel a little bit apprehensive about wearing these articles - but I still do.
Being an educator, I am continually asked which school would be best, and I'm proud to highly recommend Tech. But I am hearing entirely too many jokes about the football players, and how their probation officers let them out so Tech could win a certain ballgame. As you may have guessed, I'm really hurting, and I desperately want to feel better. Please help me, Coach Beamer, football team and Virginia Tech.
JIM BOYD JR.
VIRGINIA BEACH
People need to follow directions
``I TURN on the tube and what do I see? A whole lotta people cryin' don't blame me.'' These insightful words from the rock group The Eagles perfectly summarize recent news articles, and a distrubing trend I've seen in this country for several years.
It seems that 20 to 30 infants have died this year because they were strapped in infant carriers and riding in the car's front seat when airbags deployed for various reasons. One article detailed how a group of ``concerned parents'' was calling for new labeling, information campaigns and regulations to warn parents that airbags can kill infants riding in the front seat.
These ``concerned parents'' don't need new warnings - they need to follow directions. All federally approved infant carriers and car seats sold in this country come with instructions on proper use, which state that child seats are not to be placed in the front seat but are to be placed only in the center of the rear seat. We don't need new warnings and additional information. People simply need to follow directions.
There was a rebuttal (Dec. 7 letter to the editor, ``Don't broad-brush with criticism an entire generation'' by Margaret B. Caldwell) to a letter (Erik Ranberg's Dec. 2 letter, ``How about a swift kick for all the whiny baby boomers?'') calling for ``whiny baby boomers'' to be given a swift kick in the butt. All hail and hallelujah to the original author! A great many people need it.
Having been born in the early 1960s, I'm a boomer and can cite several examples of my endlessly complaining counterparts who could use a little old-fashioned attitude adjustment. Then comes this person who writes that the original letter is wrong because lots of boomers are good people who do good things. Granted. But, once again, read the directions. The original letter doesn't berate all baby boomers - just the lazy, whiny, ``don't-blame-me or I'll-sue-you'' types. They are the ones who need to shut up, get to work, follow directions and accept responsibility for their own actions for a change.
MARK EARLY
ROANOKE
A random act of Santa's kindness
WHO SAID there is no Santa Claus?
Last Friday, I did some shopping in Food Lion. At the checkout counter, I was waiting for the cashier to call out my total, but she remained silent. As I tried to hand her my money, she said, ``It is paid already.''
I said, "Pardon me?" "Yes, this gentleman paid for you."
I turned around and a smiling gentleman said ``Merry Christmas and God bless.'' Pleasantly surprised, I just managed to stammer ``Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you.''
Never have I felt the spirit of Christmas more than at that moment! Happy holidays and God bless you all. Thank you, Santa!
EDITH GAWRISCH
TROUTVILLE
A wise view of the death penalty
I APPRECIATED Cabell F. Cobbs' Dec. 6 letter to the editor, "For some, death is the right penalty." Too many times, sadly, we have come to realize that is true.
As an attorney, he has observed first-hand that penology fails to "rehabilitate criminal psychopaths," who then continue to threaten and kill; therefore, the death penalty is a "civilized punishment."
His late father, Dr. Walter Cobbs (our wonderful family doctor until he died) would be proud of him and his stand in this matter.
MARGARET TYREE RAMSEY
RICHMOND
Stop electing lawyers
I HEAR everyone in Virginia complaining about this or that law. There is only one thing to do: Stop electing lawyers to our House and Senate. Then they can't write the laws that benefit them.
Why do you think we have so many appeals in this country, immoral standards or stupid lawuits? Because it's lawyer-legislators who make laws to keep their buddies in business.
Virginians, stop voting for lawyers. They are going to chase your vote just like when they started out chasing ambulances.
HERBERT KREBS
VINTON
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