THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 16, 1996 TAG: 9609130020
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 31 lines
Being a fifth generation ``born-here, raised-here'' Eastern Shore native, I said a prayer of thanks that Kerry Dougherty lives on the western shore.
In a Sept. 7 column, Ms. Dougherty equates traveling to the Eastern Shore with crossing ``into another country.'' The good people of the Eastern Shore pay their share of taxes to the same state treasury she does. Granted, we are often forgotten on state maps but do not consider our small peninsula a foreign country. We proudly fly the flag of the commonwealth of Virginia alongside the American flag.
So we look different and our clothing is different. Most probably her observation is true. We are a proud, honest group of people - working people who tend to dress accordingly. Ms. Dougherty says we are ``sadly impoverished.'' Not hardly. Our heritage is rich, our friendships everlasting and our family ties run deep. When someone in a community is stricken with illness requiring treatment in Norfolk or Richmond, we don't seek the sympathy of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Commission. Compassion and support come from fellow Eastern Shoremen.
How sad Ms. Dougherty and her husband feel they have to bring their children here to see ``the misery of their fellow Virginians.'' Take off the rose-colored glasses, get your nose out of the air and really take a look. One's degree of wealth is not detemined by the house they live in, the way they look or the way they dress.
ELIZABETH B. FLOWERS
Parksley, Sept. 12, 1996 by CNB