Letters: Firefighters responded quickly

Fire departments responded quickly

As the owner of the apartment house at 215 W. Rice St. in Landis, which experienced a kitchen fire this past Sunday, May 18, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to several parties.

I commend the Landis, Kannapolis, China Grove and Atwell fire departments for their quick and efficient response in containing the blaze. They brought it under control in an astonishing 30 minutes but stayed on the job for two more hours to make sure it did not spread. Their dedication surely kept the fire from inflicting more structural damage and personal injury than it did.

The staff of Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast paid prompt attention to the medical needs of my three injured tenants. And the American Red Cross provided them immediate assistance during their temporary displacement.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You may just be doing your jobs, but so many of us are the lucky and grateful recipients of your hard work and devotion to duty.

— Joan Frye

China Grove

Honoring veterans

We are extending a huge thank you and welcome home to all Vietnam veterans and to those who served during the Vietnam era. Sometimes we take freedom and independence for granted, but we need to remember and thank those who served in our military at any time.

My daddy, Bill Gill, was considered a "lifer," and we grew up as military brats. He retired after a tour of duty in Vietnam, when the family relocated to his hometown of Statesville in the late '60s. Daddy retired as a command sergeant major, and we are all very proud of him. My two older brothers served in the Army and Navy, and the younger twins served in the Army and Air Force. We are very proud of them as well!

At 11 a.m. June 28, a Saturday, Troutman will host a parade sponsored by the Marine Corps League No. 1097 that will begin at the Iredell County Agricultural Fairgrounds. Vietnam era veterans who served "in country" or stateside will ride on floats as our grand marshals. (They don't have to reside in Iredell County; we already have entries from five states.) We welcome home these soldiers who were never properly welcomed home during this trying time for the United States, and we thank them sincerely.

Any Vietnam era veterans wanting to ride on the grand marshal float should contact the town of Troutman at 704-528 7600 or send an e-mail to troutmanparade@yahoo.com to get an entry form prior to June 13.

We are still looking for entries from churches, businesses, civic organizations, Scout troops, youth groups and marching bands. Deadline is June 13. We already have a lot of veterans registered, and we even have a submarine that will be in the parade.

We say "thank you" to all military personnel and to all those who supported them.

— Linda Larkin

Statesville

Food drive was a hit

Letter carriers and volunteers collected 16,542 pounds of donated food from postal customers in Salisbury, Spencer and Rowan County during the 16th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. This is 1,662 more pounds than last year's total. Thank you to all who donated food this year and to all letter carriers, rural carriers and volunteers who collected the food.

Thank you to Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church for donating 359 pounds, Rock Grove Methodist Women's Morning Circle for donating 125 pounds and Jeff Virts for your donation of 207 pounds.

The Salisbury, North Rowan and West Rowan high school ROTC groups volunteered their Saturday to help us collect and sort food. Volunteers also came from Food Lion, Duke Power Retirees Stanley Restitution Home, Girl Scout Troop 1109 of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and South Rowan Interact Club.

In all, there were 51 volunteers who helped throughout the day. Thanks to all of you for your service.

Thank you to David Oakley of Krispy Kreme for the dozens of doughnuts and to Bo Hawkins of East Innes Street Chick-Fil-A for the sandwiches and tea you generously donated. Thanks to GK Sports for printing T-shirts again this year.

Thank you to Cam Campbell and Walt Ryerson of Rowan Helping Ministries for the help you gave before and after the food drive.

There are so many people who worked hard to make this food drive a succuss. Everyone's help is greatly appreciated.

— Ronnie D. Bailey

Salisbury

Bailey is food drive coordinator for NALC Branch 934.