I would like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to Rep. John Ward for his part in retrieving a piece of my mother’s legacy. It is well known that the end of an era has come with the recent demolition of the former the Brainerd State Hospital. My mother, Georgia Sedahl, had the privilege of being in the first psychiatric technician class beginning her career there in 1960. She retired in 1986 with the title of volunteer coordinator/ public relations specialist. Mom was passionate about the purpose of the hospital and the care given to those with special needs. It was such an honor for our family when, in May of 1992, Building 4 became known as the Sedahl Center, recognizing her contributions to the residents of the facility and the community that it served. Mom, who passed away in January of 1991, would have been so humbled to receive this honor.
When I learned from my niece, Kari Brusseau, that Building 4 was to be demolished, I knew I had to find a way to acquire the plaque and photo of my mother located inside, as well as the Sedahl Center sign posted outside its entrance. Kari suggested that I might contact Rep. Ward for help. I found him on Facebook and wrote of my desire to retrieve these items. He responded immediately with a positive attitude of, “This can happen.” I was elated!
Within a few days he contacted me by phone to clarify my request. He and his assistants were able to secure the items, and had the plaques cleaned and repaired. Rep. Ward even had the photo of Mom replaced on the plaque, as the original had been damaged over the years. He was also able to have the Sedahl Center sign from outside the building removed and secured for me. I am so thankful to Rep. Ward for working in such a timely fashion, taking my request to heart, and making it real. I realize that it took several people to have this all come together, but none of it would have happened without Rep. Ward’s persistence. Once the items were obtained, he was quick to get them to my niece so they would be in our family’s hands before Thanksgiving Day. They are now in Duluth with me hanging in my memorial garden. These items mean more to me than I can express. Thank you, Rep. Ward, for rescuing what was once bound for the demolition pile, but are now priceless family treasures.
With deepest appreciation and gratitude,
Barbara Sedahl Eckenberg
Duluth
Comments (22)
Add commentWard must be replaced
Mr. Ward did something nice. However, his political idealogy goes hand in hand with Obama and his Marxist administration. His votes are proof. He must be replaced in the next election, along with everyone who supports Obama and his ideology.
"Marxist"
You lose!
How do you define Marxism?
channeling Faux News again?
John Ward is a great representative for this area.
Republicans vote for him, that's why he wins by such large margins.
How do you define Marxist?
Seriously, Fox News does not know who Mr. Ward is.
I give Mnright more credit than that.
Who on Fox news called this administration Marxist?
Probably a guest -- so I don't think you want
to go there as guests say all kinds of idiot things.
I'm surprised you watch Fox News and would remember
everyone and everything that is said.
Brilliant of you.
What is Faux News?
I keep hearing that call sign. I know Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and the major network news stations but I have never heard of or seen Faux News.
Ward? Great Representative?
Great at what? Scarfing up all of our tax dollars and spending it all on those wallowing at the government trough! Great at what? Distorting his voting record to appease whomever is in front of him at the time to get their vote! Great at what? Helping pass bloated bonding bills that create short term jobs paid for on the state credit card then bragging about it like he saved the world from unemployment! Great at what? Patting himself on the back, claiming none of us would have air to breath or water to drink without His Excellency! Yep, you're right, Ward is such a Great Representative that we cannot afford him (or his kind) anymore!
Faux News
LLR-Certainly you must have heard F A U X news before. It comes on at all hours of the day and evening. It's on channel BDD. It's anchor person is a lady named MINNESNOWDA. Once in a while she has a sidekick or two. Sometimes it's kind of humorus.
Plus
Plus, Charlie, it's really down to earthy......er, er, sorry I meant down to earth.
(I always thought she should just go with the name Sybil).
John Ward
Back to John Ward and the returning of the items to this lady.
I see they have meaning for her and I get that. But,
is that what a state rep. should be doing? Just asking as
many people could have done what he did.
I just don't get all the personal things that people ask and
get state and federal reps to do. Is that what they are voted
in to do?
No one could possibly do all such errands for all of us.
If you do for one, you should expect to do for all.
Some of us would never even think of asking a state rep.
for help on such a thing.
Again, glad she found out about the building and retrieved the items.
Great at what
Hey CONSERVATIVE, you forgot a few things about what makes Ward such a great Representative. It's the way he is in lock-step with that fascist Dictator-in Chief, Barack HUSSEIN Obama. It's how he votes only like our socialist, clueless, governor, Mark Dayton tells him to vote. It's how he will follow George Soros blindly off any cliff like all the other partisan good little sheep.
Faux news/noise
Real funny, not original.
I suggest a comedian be hired for new jokes.
Ward Owns it
SML-Didn't you know John Ward owns the old state hospital. He has made his entire political career on that place. People even call him when some construction company cuts down a tree out there. That's how much he has the DFL brainwashed. He doesn't have a legitimate issue. The state hospital was great in it,s time, like when that ladies mother worked there but it's a dead horse now but Ward keeps beating it.
Faux is pronounced foh, so
Faux is pronounced foh, so people to me look stupid when they try to make the comparison between faux and fox. I am sure John Ward being a teacher feels the same
Faux means false in French.
And that is Fox in a nutshell.
False news, false hysteria, false outrage.
But if you suffer from low blood pressure, it can raise it without meds.
There Sadie, new joke.
Serious minds at work
I was sure most people have heard that so many times
for so many years and are aware of the play on words.
Like I said, it is time for a new joke.
But, if you want to continue, please do.
This is a repeat letter from last year
and I am sure it was republished at Ward's insistence. What a cheap way t garner votes. Ward was a teacher? He must have sucked because he's no better at being a politician!
Pd
Yes he was a teacher. Check out what kind of teacher & you will understand why so many on here like him. THEY where in his class with fish being the valedictorian!!!!
Very nice, but.
"with me hanging in my memorial garden"
Doesn't that hurt your neck?
Repeat Letter
God bless you mother and her great achievments at the former state hospital. Your mother retired in 86, passed away in 91, the state hospital has been closed for several years, you allowed your mothers achievements to hang on the walls and decay for all these years, and all of a sudden, just before the election you decide to publicly thank John Ward for doing something at HIS STATE HOSPITAL. Is there any reason you didn't ask your own legislator from Duluth to help you. I'm sure he/she would be able to get permission from John Ward to tread on his holy ground. Is there any reason you waited until elections to thank John Ward. Also, would your mother be rolling over in her grave if she knew you were using her great accomplishments to promote some clown running for the legislature. If in fact this letter has been used previously, shame on you. You and John Ward are both a disgrace to your mothers legacy. This shows how much respect for his constituents that John Ward has. He is pathetic and needs to be replaced immediately. If you have intentionally repeatedly used this letter to promote John Wards re-election, you owe the reading audience of the BDD an apology letter in the paper, and if you have a concience, an apology to your family. If what I have said in the above letter is incorrect, my SINCERE APOLOGIES to you and your family, and may your mother rest in peace.
PS: Watch this column in the near future for more great articles on how John Ward has used/abused his constituents, including Veterans, to advance his own political career. Also watch for future articles on how he has used his handicap/disability to disgrace all handicapped people. The gloves are off now, John Ward. We've had enough of your corruption and abuse. Resign now.
southie
If faux means false, you must be speaking of MSNBC and CNN.
False news, false hysteria, false outrage