THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 25, 1995 TAG: 9510250021
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
On Oct. 13, the U.S. Navy celebrated its 220th birthday. Those readers, both Navy and civilian, who attended Norfolk's celebration of this occasion shared one of the most moving events in our city in many years. More than 25,000 Navy personnel and civilians came together in downtown Norfolk for an event that made one feel proud and good about the special relationship this community enjoys with the U.S. Navy.
It was a happy occasion. It was an important occasion. Navy personnel and the civilian community of every rank and at all levels came together at one time and in one place to make a grand public statement to our commitment to each other and to our future.
As one of the organizers of this event, I am grateful to all three network television stations that came out to cover and record all of the events that took place.
Little was missing to make the event memorable. Lots of ``firsts'' were created. Memories will remain with all who participated in the events that began Friday noon and continued nonstop until late Saturday with the Atlantic Fleet Chili Cookoff.
Did I state ``little'' was missing? Perhaps I should restate that. Something pretty significant was missing. The coverage of this event in The Virginian-Pilot was dismal, embarrassing and, for the most part, nonexistent.
I find it sad that the newspaper never fails to recognize and record its own milestones but cannot afford more than a file photo buried deep in the local section two days after the event to recognize and record a milestone of the single largest member of our community, the U.S. Navy.
What will it take for the staff and management of the newspaper to recognize that your constant lack of recognition of local and community events, not just in Norfolk but throughout this region, contributes to the negative impressions our residents feel at times about their communities (which you never miss the opportunity to report). Good news is also news, and should be reported.
I would not be the first to point out that your competition across the water, the Daily Press, does a far better job of covering southside community events than our own local hometown paper.
I am embarrassed for you.
KAREN SCHERBERGER
Executive director
Festevents
Norfolk, Oct. 14, 1995 by CNB