Soldiers’ photos are powerful
The “Through A Soldier’s Eyes” exhibit now on display at Waterworks Visual Art Center is a tribute to the 12,000 Rowan County veterans and should be enjoyed by all.
If you are a veteran, bring your family to stress how important your service has been and will continue to be to America.
If you are a parent, please plan to bring your children to help understand the sacrifices soldiers have given so they may be free from communism or dictatorship.
I was moved by the emotional speech given by library director Jeff Hall as he explained how this exhibit touched his heart. I was equally impressed with the long hours Betty Dan Spencer took to convert 40-year-old photographs into digital artwork while highlighting the details to add realism as though you were there.
The directors and all those involved from the Rowan Library and Waterworks should be commended on their timeless effort to make sure we never forget how important freedom is. Through exhibits like these, we are able to give thanks to the soldiers who left their families and fought in horrible conditions, so we may remain free.
The exhibit will be on display through Veterans Day. Come pay your respects.
— Rodney Cress
Salisbury
Knox matters
Regarding Pastor Bill Godair’s “Open Letter”:
I agree with most of what Pastor Godair stated relative to conditions at Knox Middle School.
As a member of the West End Community Organization, we tried some five years ago to adopt Knox and we were met with much resistance. We responded by saying that we were willing to help in any way the school needed to make sure students had a good experience in getting an education.
The conditions at Knox are part and parcel of the school system’s attitude toward Knox and its students. Yes, I am fully aware of the number of minority students at Knox, and parents should be involved. However, you must be skilled in dealing with “excuses and rhetoric,” and many parents do not have the patience to handle people talking out of both sides of their mouth.
Relative to Mr. Emerson’s statement about conditions at Knox, he is just being rhetorically refined when you know you are not doing what should and needs to be done — that is, holding the superintendent accountable for not making sure that Knox Middle School is getting the same dollars as other schools.
Looking for a central office for Rowan Salisbury School staff appears to be more important than making sure those students have an environment conducive to learning.
With the all space that the school system says it needs, perhaps they can reduce that number by getting rid of the staff who allowed Knox to get into disrepair.
Concerning the NAACP, I must ask the same question, since I am also a member. The wife of the president of the local NAACP branch is a member of the school board and also serves as chair of the NAACP education committee, yet never has there been a presentation to the NAACP concerning Knox.
Finally, Pastor Godair, thank you for speaking the truth, and it is hoped others will join your church in doing what is right and righteous for Knox students.
— Deedee Wright
Salisbury