Open Forum

May is a special time for the veterans organizations. We have memorial services for our deceased members, dedication programs for the World War II Memorial, Memorial Day programs to honor our loved ones, especially our veterans.

May is also VFW Buddy Poppy month. The VFW Post, Auxiliary and Post sponsored Boy Scouts will be promoting our Buddy Poppies in Brainerd/Baxter May 21-22.

All proceeds are put in the relief fund to be used in our local area to help our needy veterans and families. This past year we provided phone cards to local military serving overseas. We adopted a local homebound vet and a military unit overseas, plus other projects involving members who are ill. The poppy promotion is our only fund raiser for the relief fund.

Everyday is Poppy Day for hospitalized veterans in V.A. Hospitals and State Veterans Homes. It is a year-round project for six veterans facilities. The veterans receive income to be used for the little luxuries which make hospital life tolerable. It is also good therapy to be working with their hands.

When you see VFW members or scouts with a basket of poppies, they are offering you a once a year opportunity to thank the service men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice and those in hospitals who may never be physically fit.

What better way to bring meaning to the VFW Motto "Honor the dead by helping the living" than by buying and wearing a VFW Buddy Poppy proudly.

Lucille Schellin

Rosie Robison

VFW Poppy chairpersons

Daughter objects to comments

I'm writing to voice my opinion about Steve Moline's election write-up for the Crow Wing Power Board of Directors. Comments were made regarding my dad, the late Harvey Roggenkamp and the other directors concerning his belief that the CWP Board is becoming a retirement attraction rather than an active voice to benefit members. Mr. Moline complained about the directors, how the board is operated, and why he is unable to become a part of the board because there is no term limit. Mr. Moline also thinks there should be a "refresh to the board" but he doesn't tell us how he would bring new and fresh ideas to the CWP Board, what he has accomplished in life or why members should vote for him.

Incumbent Don T. O'Brien noted in his election write up that "in the last national survey, Crow Wing Power received the highest score for customer satisfaction among all electric utilities in the nation." This would lead me to believe that the current directors, including my dad who served for 20 years, have been doing a good job. This also leads me to believe that change is not always for the better, especially if the members are happy and operations are good.

My dad was part of CWP Board for eight years prior to his retirement from Potlatch in 1992. Along with the other directors they worked hard to meet the needs of CWP members.

In closing, I feel that Mr. Moline's comment that being part of the board of directors should not last "until death do us part" is rude and hurtful. Not only to my family and myself in light of the sudden passing of my dad, but also to the other incumbents.

Trish Roggenkamp

Brainerd

CWP Member