THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604040156
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Another View
SOURCE: BY JIM SCHAEFER
(as told to him by ``The Outer Banks Varmints'')
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
In February 1996, one of our own came to your shores to die.
We in the depths of the ocean would have rather it had been in the deepest of the sea. But Freddy the fin whale has chosen your Pamlico Sound to pass away in hopes that you will learn how important it is to care for the living of the sea. Over-killing, over-fishing and polluting our waters. . . will only destroy us.
We, the Outer Banks Varmints, were close at hand to watch over Freddy, but his passing would come, and this could not be stopped.
At this time we feel that you need not know of the Varmints, but this time will come also.
So now we begin, we will see if you care and we will see if you learn.
When you first found Freddy alive and stuck on that sand bar, we knew that a few of you would show concern and think of ways to help him. As the hours passed and the struggle entered into another day, the concern grew far greater than we thought possible.
You were trying to save Freddy, you were worried about him like he was one of your own. And he was. He was now part of your thoughts and your life. You were willing to work, body and soul, to free Freddy.
As Freddy laid partially submerged and his massive tail beat the water and his huge head heaved from the water, his breathing started to slow. When you found out that this was starting to happen, people everywhere were coming up with ideas. But it was too late, and Freddy would pass away in a few hours.
If it's any help to the many who put their heart into the efforts to save Freddy, understand this: He was aware of the love and the thoughts for his safe return to the sea.
And now to Coast Guardsman Allen Hunter . . . Allen, we, the Varmints, never left the side of our beloved Freddy. We saw you and heard your kind words to Freddy. We felt your feelings, as did Freddy. You have now joined a select group of people on land who have had a uniting with the sea. For the stroking of the head and the love and the kind words of concern, we thank you.
You will never in your lifetime forget Freddy. You will look back in later years to that day and time you spent with him. This chance meeting of one of the sea and one of the land was meant to be. Be proud, Allen. We give you this: In the Sea of Life there will live forever the words, ``What's wrong, partner?
``What can we do for you?'' MEMO: Jim Schaefer lives in Aydlett. He is working to raise awareness of the
``Outer Banks Varmints'' _ our neighbors under the sea.
by CNB