Recalling the first D-Day
It’s June 6, 2024, as I write to honor the troops of the “Greatest Generation,” who 80 years ago overcame their fears and prejudices, and joined our allies Great Britain, Canada, etc., in a massive effort to restore freedom to a world overrun by Hitler’s Nazi war machine. Eighty years ago, thousands of our soldiers risked their lives and their futures in the withering fire on Normandy beaches, D-Day, 1944.
How many of us remember the dark days of 1944? My Dad, CWO James H. Wilcox, spent five years in the war effort. Many of your grandfathers, great-grandfathers, husbands, brothers likely did as well, some paying the ultimate price.
In Cherokee County, 22 died and many more were casualties; among them were Private John E. Whitt; Corp. Garland H. Palmer; First Lt. Willard Lovingood and Staff Sgt. Clyde Brown.
President Joe Biden paid tribute to those who answered the call to defend freedom in 1944. His tribute to our veterans was magnificent, bringing tears as I remembered those who paid the price to retain our hope of democracy.
Our family’s price was small: Dad was away from his wife, Marie, and daughters, but of my Dad’s basic training fellows, he learned later only two survived.
I am heartsick to hear some have gone to war against their fellow Americans. We all have good and not-so-good in us, but can’t we come together and pull together as we did during the Nazi challenge? Are some of us inviting Nazis to rule us again?
Even if you believe your leader should be Donald Trump, who said, “Why should I go to that cemetery (Aisle-Marne Cemetery near Paris)? It’s filled with losers.” He referred to the 1,800 Marines who died at Belleau Woods as “losers and suckers.”
Please listen to Biden’s commemorative D-Day speech to all Americans. He leads us to find all the good that brings us together.
Joan Wilcox Tidwell, Murphy
Love, care and share
Our 2023-24 school year and weekend Kid’s Food Bag Ministry has ended. How blessed this ministry has been, supplying more than 4,300 bags (MANNA and supplements) to our Andrews schools.
Of course, this could not have been done without Beaver Creek Baptist – Angie Brooks, Second Baptist – PeeWee and Amy Davis, Junaluska Baptist – Jason and Julie Rowland, Rowland’s Creek Baptist – Jason Chastain; and Andrews First Baptist churches – Terry, Laura and Jennifer Postell, Dorcas Brooks and Helen Wilson.
Our faithful ones who deliver weekly: Dalton, Colton and Bryan. Monthly financial support: Dr. and Mackie Garland and designated offerings at Andrews First Baptist to Kid’s Food Bag ministry; Operation Help/Hope; Helping Encourage Little People/ Helping Out Public Education.
It is good and pleasant for children to have help and hope. Thank you, Andrews community, for loving, caring and sharing. God bless.
Nancy Taylor, Andrews
God bless America?
Who, what, when, where, why and how has America gone wrong? Does it go all the way back to 1776?
Even if we were still under British rule, it wouldn’t be no better – England has got problems of its own.
President Donald Trump keeps saying he will make America great again, but how can he do that if all he wants to make great is his ego?
President Joe Biden may not be much better. If he fusses at Israel for continuing their war with Palestine, yet continues to send them aid, then what does that prove? Israel claims to be God’s chosen people, but even they will lose their power as we travel on to the end of time.
Keep your eye on Germany – they will be the strong nation everyone else wants to be.
So, what’s next? All we can do is live life one day at a time and hope someone in power doesn’t make an immature decision that will put a negative influence on America and sink it even further into the “quicksand” of disobedience.
God bless America – will He? I kinda doubt it. Why would he even want to?
Arnold Couch, Brasstown
Take up arms for protection
The following letter was sent to U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.).
We need to make constitutional carry the law of the land instead of the unconstitutional concealed weapon permitting process we have in place nationwide. North Carolina and many other states have already had “Reciprocal” agreements in place for years.
After spending 26 years in the military and law enforcement, I was required by state law to obtain a concealed weapon permit to protect myself, my family and others. How ridiculous, insulting and unlawful is this?
Most sheriffs and chiefs of police nationwide admit that requirements of having people get concealed weapon permits in order to carry a firearm are a burden to their already overworked and understaffed agencies.
If anyone wants to possess a firearm they can have one – all we are doing is placing an obstacle in the way of law-abiding citizens being able to protect themselves. In addition to this unconstitutional series of roadblocks, our federal government is targeting veterans like myself to find ways to disarm us while being given health care after we have worn the uniforms of this country’s military.
In my 72 years, I have never seen the level of corruption and treason being committed by elected representatives from local, state and national levels.
We also have millions of enemies already in place in our country ready to attack us from within like a silent army waiting for the opportunity to harm and kill us.
Now more than ever, the citizens of this country must take up arms and be able to protect themselves and this country, because at the end of the day all bad actors understand are good men and women with guns to prevent them from harming us.
Don Pagani, Murphy
A happy day to all fathers
Hats off to all dads who exemplify character, honesty and integrity in their household; who respect their wife, kids and grandparents; and who love to spend time with their families.
My brother, Richard, and I were honored with such a dad. We never remembered calling dad our father, and he never questioned why. His full name was Richard Raymond Combs, but everyone called him Ray.
Our family moved to Bradenton, Fla., in 1947, where our dad took over a drive in-theater because our mom’s dad wanted to retire. Dad ran the theater for 13 years before selling it, then spent 10 years in the insurance business, but his heart was in having his own gas station, because he loved working with his hands. A door opened for him to have his own station by the grace of God.
My brother and I used to go to the station in the summertime to help dad clean customers’ windows, gas up vehicles and even put air in the tires when gas was 70 cents a gallon.
Dad was a gentle, tall drink of water, and he was always on call for his customers. Folks would call him in the wee hours of the morning that their vehicle wouldn’t start, and he would get dressed and drive miles to help.
Dad’s business flourished because he showed his love and honesty toward others in all the years he had the station. I never heard my dad complain about anyone or talk bad about others. He treated folks with honesty.
Dad loved playing golf, and he found at a yard sale a set of left-handed clubs, which back in the 1950s was hard to come by, and seeing his boys were left-handed as well he would spend his off days teaching us how to play. He was a businessman, but foremost a family man.
One Christmas morning, my brother and I found two sets of clubs under the tree. What joy filled our hearts that our dad loved us so much.
Thank you, God, for a dad who loved life, people and his family with all his heart.
Frank Combs, Blairsville, Ga.
Fires Creek dumping site
I read the Cherokee Scout last weekend while visiting Murphy. It was really good; editorials, stories, local crime, all good information.
Based on what I read, you might be interested in this information. The Forest Service is the only other agency I can think of that might be interested.
This is the location of a public free campground: Fire’s Creek Dispersed Camping, 1119 Fires Creek Road, Hayesville, NC 28904. There is an abandoned campsite, next to a beautiful stream, with piles of disposable diapers everywhere.
There are trash heaps covered with tarps and scattered children toys. Finally, all the campfire pits are trash burn pits.
I am torn between the pollution and poverty. It is the pollution that I am writing about, and I hope you will report.
I felt this treatment of the community’s property should be known.
John Jones, Raleigh
Town library still needed
The Town of Andrews needs to keep library funding for the support of our children and many of our senior citizens. I’m against cutting funds.
Claudette Morgan, Andrews
Alcohol is not justified ever
It’s a fact. Alcohol is a drug, “the most common type of substance use disorder in the United States,”
the National Institute on Drug Abuse explains. It’s also a fact Cherokee County is drug infested.
In his column, Publisher Brown’s justification for Murphy’s Music & Brews, an alcohol-driven fundraiser for veterans, is hypocrisy at its best.
Brown, you missed the point. The money end does not justify the misguided means. Read about intense battles veterans have with alcohol, plus the increased suicide risk, at nida.nih.gov.
“Sixty-five percent of veterans who enter a treatment program report alcohol as the substance they most frequently misuse, which is almost double that of the general population. Substance use often precedes suicidal behavior in the
military. About 30 percent of Army suicides and over 45 percent of suicide attempts since 2003 involved alcohol or drug use. In addition, an estimated 20 percent of high-risk behavior deaths were attributed to alcohol or drug overdose.”
The video gallery at maketheconnection.net reveals personal struggles.
“Alison felt unprepared for civilian life when she left the Marines. She behaved erratically and began drinking heavily in an attempt to cope with depression and anxiety. After losing her nursing job, losing custody of her children, and becoming homeless, she sought support.”
“While serving in the Army and Indiana National Guard, Kris drank alcohol as a way to bond with fellow service members. He continued to drink after service while attending college. After multiple car wrecks, he attended rehab, which started his sobriety journey.”
Veterans deserve thoughtfulness. Show it with direct donations to such organizations as Warriors Veteran Outreach, the Wounded Warrior Project, Shepherd’s Men and others.
“The event also brought in musical acts that otherwise never would have played here,” Brown again
justified. I doubt if they were ever missed.
Mike David, Murphy
Fox in the hen house
We have a new agency in the government – it’s called the Biden law firm. If you ever feel the need to get screwed over, call this number: 1-white house. Sorry, lefties, this number is for MAGA Trumpers only.
I can see why the Democrats want to destroy President Donald Trump. Trump is a threat to what the lefties wish this country to become, a socialist, communist, government-ran country. Many thanks to Trump for being a thorn in the backside of the lefties.
Do you people who have stickers all over your car, many of which have, “Biden-Harris – four more years.” Have you given any thought to what you’re voting for, have you thought of what it might be like to live in Russia, North Korea or China? We’re heading in that direction, and I can promise you won’t like it.
Our election system is already turning communist style. Politically prosecute your opponent. In Trump’s New York City case, 34 charges were brought against him.
You know, like Hunter Biden’s tax evasion case, intentionally postponed until the time was up. Not so in the Trump case.
The Biden law firm turned the expired misdemeanor charges into felonies – how convenient – six months before the election. These charges will be appealed to a higher, more sensible court.
In the district where Trump spent his six-week trial in New York City, in 2016, he only won 6 percent of the votes – Biden won 94 percent. Does that sound like a fair place for Trump to stand trial?
This whole circus, which is what it is, has been rigged, hand-picked, judge and jury, against Trump from the start.
I know Trump’s verdict tickles some people. I also know the polls show Trump over Biden. The polls also show 63 percent of Americans are living from paycheck to paycheck because of Bidenomics. Maybe the legal citizens of the United States of America are thinking, enough of this.
There is a new poll being conducted to see how many Whoopi Goldbergs live in the United States.
The results won’t be in until Nov. 5 or 6. The time has come to turn the fox loose in the hen house — the big White House.
Perry Reece, Hayesville