LETTERS

A visit with old friends

Dear Editor:

On Saturday, Feb. 25, I visited the Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Rockefeller Gardens. The wall is a 3/5 scale replica of the Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., which is located near Constitution Gardens on the National Mall. Seeing the wall escorted to Ormond Beach is emotional. Searching for the names of my classmates among 58,000 names on the wall was an emotional overload.

I could see my reflection on the wall. With the help of a volunteer,

SEABREEZE CLASS OF 1970 DONATES $3,000 TO TWO LOCAL GROUPS

The Seabreeze High School Class of 1970 has donated a total of $3,000 to two local organizations, thanks to funds raised following its 52-year high school reunion.

The money came from class member donations and in-kind contributions.

The first donation of $1,500 went to First Step Shelter in Daytona Beach and will be used for the shelter’s outdoor safe zone.

The second $1,500 donation went to Seabreeze High School’s Athletic Department, where the money will be used to help students in financial need participate in sports.

“The class would like to recognize the over-and-above effort by Mr. Montgomery to assist and contribute to the success of their reunion, as well as his outstanding leadership to promote SHS Athletics to alumni and other local concerns,” class member Rick Bosang said in an email.

Volusia County

Schools Name Cte

Teacher Of The Year

Hayley Dougal, director of Spruce Creek High School’s Academy of Finance, was recognized as Volusia County Schools’ Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year at added: “We’re making our sculptures in class — tomorrow.”

I trudged to the corner of the garage known as the Museum of Unfinished Projects, and I found the perfect artifact: a white half-shelf.

Like a humble subject hoping for the princess’s approval, I entered the family room and held up my offering, knowing that rejection would mean death, or worse — a late-night trip to Lowe’s.

“It’s a little big,” she said.

“Perfect for a big sculpture.” She was motionless, in regal silence.

“Or,” I relented, “we could cut it.”

I retrieved a handsaw and two clamps from the garage and set them up on a table in the kitchen. I knew I could saw the board in about 60 seconds, and I was about to do it, but then I looked at Ellie on the couch, and suddenly I saw her not as a princess but as a young girl who had never used a handsaw, a girl

I found their names: Henry Lewis Allen and James Madison Masters, Jr. Henry had asked me to the prom when nobody else would. I didn’t expect to find his name, since he had been classified “missing in action” for so long. The names are listed chronologically on the wall in order of their causalities.

At my recent 60th reunion, held at The Casements, we had a “Missing Man Table” set for both Jimmy and Henry. Both played football for Mainland High School. Jimmy made sure I never missed his game. In fact, once while on the field, he was looking up at the stands searching for me to make sure I was watching him. He was reprimanded an awards dinner at the DeBary Golf & Country Club on Feb. 23.

Eight other finalists were also recognized:

„ Emmet Foxworth, DeLand Middle School

„ Patrick Hole, New Smyrna Beach High School

„ James Kohler, T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High School

„ Christina Marrero, Pine Ridge High School

„ Joseph Monaco, DeLand High School

„ Paul Reed, Mainland High School

„ Margo Rivera, Atlantic High School

„ Shelli Walters, University High School

“Congratulations to all of our CTE teachers for preparing our students to become better employees, bigger thinkers and more responsible neighbors and colleagues, so that each of our students will have their own happy and productive tomorrow,” Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said.

Board Chair Jamie Haynes, Vice Chair Anita Burnette and Board Member Jessie Thompson also attended the event.

VCS has over 47 CTE programs in 10 high schools, and 21 career academies in nine high schools. There are also CTE pathways across 14 middle schools.

VCS LAUNCHES ‘GREAT

PEOPLE GREAT DEEDS’ CAMPAIGN

Volusia County Schools has launched a new initiative called “Great People Great Deeds,” to recognize educators and support staff who go above and beyond their work who would one day be a woman, likely a mother, someone who was capable of all I could ever do and more.

If I were to cut this board, it would be done quickly, and I could move on with my life, but would I be robbing her of the small satisfaction that would come from cutting her own board for her own project?

I knew the difference I had felt in the past when I knew my parents had helped me with a middleschool project, and how I felt when I accomplished it on my own, no matter how jagged the edges.

To my surprise, Ellie didn’t protest when I handed her the saw. I demonstrated briefly, and then she took over.

The teeth caught as she scraped the saw against the wood. She tried again, concentrating. Minutes passed.

From the other room, my wife, Hailey, said, “Looks like it’s Ellie’s by the coach for that! It was as if the three of us were together again. The spiritual connection I experienced at the Traveling Wall is exactly what the young university student, Maya Lin, intended when she designed the Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Her design was chosen out of 1,400 submissions in a nationwide contest. When I was standing at the wall, I thought the volunteer would give us some space to reflect on the times we had and the time we had missed. However, she stood right by my side. It was then that I realized that she was the volunteer “hugger.” When I started to cry uncontrollably, she gave me a much needed long and tight hug. Two other volunteers turn to be in your column.”

Ellie looked at me and said, “Seriously?”

“Maybe,” I said. “Never know.”

Again, the teeth caught. But she eventually got the hang of it. The motion became smoother, and she learned to hunch over the board for better leverage. Finally: success. She held up the fruits of her labor and said, in her teenagerly ironic monotone: “Ta da. A board.”

It wasn’t a landmark accomplishment in her life; maybe she’ll forget all about it. But despite her attempts to stay cool, I could see a smile creep across her face as she then sanded the edges of the board and envisioned her sculpture resting on top of it.

As a way to confirm her permission for me to write about this episode for my column,qw she added: “Probably the most notable thing I’ll do all week.” printed out the full military profiles of my classmates, which included dates and their photos.

BARBARA SANDBERG Ormond Beach

Editor’s note: The Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial was displayed during Ormond Strong’s Military Veteran, First Responder & Community Family Appreciation Day. For more information on the memorial, visit travelingwall.us/. Send letters up to 400 words to jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com.

Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

PalmCoastObserver.com

ORMOND BEACH Observer

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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Adoptable Pets

Rowan, a 7-year-old terrier and American Staffordshire mix. His adoption fee is $75.

Beachside Celebrates Black History Month

Beachside Elementary hosted an African American Read-In event in honor of Black History Month on Feb. 23.

It had been a long-standing tradition at Osceola Elementary to host the event every February, Beachside Elementary first grade teacher Amy stoner said in a statement to the Observer Beachside Elementary was creat- duties.

Superintendent Carmen Balgobin and her team surprised one instructional and one non-instructional employee with the honors on Feb. 24:

„ Deborah Treur, intermediate teacher, Beachside Elementary

„ Gregg Bastian, guardian, Spruce Creek Elementary.

Treur tutorings students before and after school as well as tutoring ed as a result of the merger between Osceola and Ortona Elementary, and the tradition lives on.

“We wanted to continue that tradition here at our new school Beachside Elementary, and it was a success,” Stoner said. “We had leaders from our community come out to read to every classroom. Our students loved welcoming them and hearing the stories they shared.” off campus voluntarily, according to her nominator, Principal Barbara Bruner.

“Her heart is always for our students, and her dedication is shown by her tireless efforts for her students and Beachside,” Bruner said.

Treur also recently helped a student whose home flooded.

Treur found free and low-cost furniture and other items the family needed, and delivered them to their home.

Bastian, a retired Port Orange firefighter, was recognized for helping his neighbor evacuate from a fire on Christmas morning.

He then put out the fire with a garden hose before the fire department arrived.

“As I always say, Mr. B. has an uncanny ability to always be in the right place at the right time.” Principal Andrea Hall said. “We are so grateful that he is our guardian, and we are extremely proud of him!”

The awards will be bestowed monthly and come with a “Great People Great Deeds” shirt, as well as the parking spot of the awardees’ choice at their school, designated by a sign recognizing their impact to VCS and the community.

February’s Great People Great Deeds recognitions were sponsored

Poseidon, a 7-year-old Chinese SharPei mix. His adoption fee is $75.

To adopt these pets, or see others, visit the Halifax Humane Society at 2364 LPGA Blvd. or call 274-4703.

by Leonard’s.

REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR TEMPLE BETH SHALOM’S ART CAMP

Registration is open for Temple Beth Shalom’s innovative Judaica through the Arts summer art camp for children ages 6-12.

The program will focus on Jewish traditions and values through art, crafts and preparation of holiday treats.

There will be two different 4-day sessions with separate programs, so campers can do one or both without repetition.

The first session is planned for June 19-22, and the second is scheduled for July 10-13. Both will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Each session is $50 per child, including craft materials and snacks.

To register, contact Temple Beth Shalom Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 9 a.m. and noon. Space is limited, and registration will close May 15.

Temple Beth Shalom is located at 40 Wellington Drive in Palm Coast.