Open Forum

After reading "The Greatest Generation," and many more books including "Band of Brothers" and being a World War II vet myself, now I see on the front page of the Sunday, July 11, 2004, Dispatch the changing of the guard. While looking at the pictures of Gaylord Zelinske and Don Hauck, a lump comes to my throat. They are not just old men; they are beautiful and vibrant young men, trapped in older bodies with extraordinary life experiences. These are the men, when our national anthem is played and that most beautiful cloth in the world goes by, stand up ramrod straight and salute. And they also feel as I do. It is permissible to have a tear in your eye. Thank you Gaylord Zelinske and Don Hauck, for a job well done! I salute you.

Ralph Yeager

Merrifield

Cancer volunteer leaders needed

The American Cancer Society has been an active member of Crow Wing County for many years offering a number of patient and family services, support groups, tobacco control programs and lifesaving research. We continue our mission thanks to the help of generous volunteers and dedicated staff.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a community event. It's a chance for the community to come together for one common cause. Being a part of Relay for Life means I'm part of a national grassroots movement to fight cancer. Being a Relay for Life volunteer, means I'm making life better for cancer survivors, patients and their families.

But we are faced with a critical shortage of volunteer leaders. With the challenges of our day-to-day demands , time has become a premium and many people are finding it difficult to participate in community service. It's because of the volunteers who preceded us, however, that certain types of cancer are now highly treatable or even curable. With more help, we will continue to win the war.

The American Cancer Society needs your help. Plans are under way for the annual fund-raiser -- held July 30 at Don Adamson Field in Brainerd -- to support cutting-edge cancer research, provide free transportation to hospitals, help prevent youth smoking, publish lifesaving literature, and develop new weapons to fight cancer.

Now is the time for individuals, families, organizations, schools, religious groups, corporations, and small businesses to build a team and join our fight to reduce the burden of cancer. Relay for Life can be the site of a company picnic of family gathering while supporting a great cause.

To sign up or participate or learn how you can volunteer for other patient services, call (218) 829-6212 or visit us at www.cancer.org.

Karen Owen

Relay for Life chair

Crow Wing County