Some thoughts on Sept. 11, 2001, anniversary

To the editor:

As the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001, approaches, I would like to share reflections I have saved through the past 10 years.
 “A view from a patriotic American and American Soldier”
I was there for you when you were born
I was there for you when you played and laughed and sang back home
I was over there for you when you kissed your first love,  and when you held your little ones close
I was there for you when prayed, protested, danced and went to work day after day
When you grew old and taught your grandchild how to catch a ball or ride a bike in the sun, I was there for you.”
 From “Soldiers Creed”

 “I was an American child. Now I am an American soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the American people, I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I stand ready to deploy, engage and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom, and the American way of life.”
 Let us all remember how we came together as true and loving Americans 10 years ago and how we all helped one another get through the saddest and most tragic day of our lifetime. Our lives have changed forever. However, our love of country has grown stronger and we will forever be grateful to those who have lost their lives and served our nation proudly in many different ways.
 
Nancy Lee Kelley
Old Orchard Beach
American Gold Star Mother of
Army Cpt. Christopher Scott Cash
Republicans wrong to stop voter registration

To the editor:

For more than 40 years, Maine has allowed its citizens the right to sign up and vote on election day. Now, in less than a year, Republicans have decided that is the wrong thing to do.
 They prefer to block people from voting on election day, if they can, and to make it more difficult for people to be able to use their right to vote. Maybe that will help the Republicans, but it sounds to me like a country trying to keep its people from using their voices heard. Shame on us.

Dannette Dean
Saco

Decision is ‘Un-American’

To the editor:

I don’t have much to say besides what should be obvious to all who read the paper and watch the news. This is a systematic GOP partnered with special interests who attempt to reduce the amount of votes for minorities, young people and seniors.  
They are afraid that if they give equal voting rights and opportunities that have always existed it will continue to keep the ideological right wing from entering the White House. This is one of many GOP states nationwide doing the same thing. It is un-American and completely without merit.

Jonathan Cormier
Biddeford

Don’t take away voting rights

To the editor:

As someone who has registered on voting day and who votes for Republicans, Democrats and Independents, I was greatly ashamed when I learned some politicians not only want to repeal election day registration but also are labeling their opponents as radical liberals and far left-wing.
The right to vote is a freedom in this country. A freedom every single elected representative should fight until their dying breath to protect. Thousands in our armed services have already done so. When you take away a person’s right to vote you take away their liberty to choose for themselves the voice they want to represent them in Augusta and Washington.
It smacks of fascism and it sickens me to hear any Mainer in support of taking away such freedoms. Limiting voting rights is a disgrace to our state, it is a dishonor to our men and women in the armed services and it has no place coming out of the mouths of our democratically elected officials.

Alice Morris
Old Orchard Beach

Thank you to tourney founder

To the editor:

Remembering that special snapping sound a golf ball makes as it’s hit off your favorite tee is a very personal experience for a golfer, much like the conversation I had with Mr. Tom Winston, the founder of Tri-City Golf Tournament. Not only is Winston an institution in golf – he was inducted into the Maine Golf Hall of Fame in 2006 – he is a 91-year old inspiration.
 For anyone who talks to Winston about the tournament I am sure they get the same modest response: “I started the tournament for fun and year after year it just grew and grew.”
He is quick to point out that in the beginning it took a team of about 12 people to organize the event. “A lot of people had to be involved because we didn’t have computers in those days, it was all manual,” he said.
 This year the three-day event is being held at Biddeford-Saco Country Club Friday, Deep Brook Golf Course Saturday and Dunegrass Country Club Sunday to benefit the scholarship program of the Rotary Club of Saco Bay and an annual junior golf clinic for students. The event is open to all amateur golfers with established United States Golf Association handicaps who are members of Deep Brook Golf Course, Biddeford-Saco Country Club, Dutch Elm Golf Course, Dunegrass Country Club or residents of Saco, Arundel, Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford, Lyman, Hollis, Dayton or Buxton.
“At one point the tournament was the second largest in the state, having over 220 participating players; second to the Bangor Open” Winston said. “Bob Bourque took over for me in 1996 and John Bouchard, from the Rotary Club, took it over from there. If it were not for those good guys, it would have stopped a long time ago.”
In a time of instant messaging and fast paced lives, I am grateful Winston took the time to reflect upon his memories of this annual community based golf tournament. He’s a man of many dimensions: a Bates man, had a successful insurance career and spent 40-years as a local sports broadcaster.
For more information, visit www.sacobayrotary.org.

Dru Laduke, Rotary Club of Saco Bay
Old Orchard Beach