LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor,

The Aggie Moms would like to give a heartfelt "thank you" to Brother Ron Moore and Gateway Baptist Church for allowing us to use their family life center for our annual scholarship fundraising garage sale on Saturday, Dec. 1. We are so appreciative to have been able to have our sale inside for the first time and not have to worry about the weather.

We had a great turnout. Hopefully, a member of your church will go to A&M and benefit by receiving a scholarship from us.

Sincerely,

Jan Carter and the other Aggie Moms

+++

Editor,

A friend told me about the construction going on at the Hollytree Countr y Club in Tyler, Texas, so, I decided to see what all the fuss is about.

I drove around HCC looking at the houses and such. It's the nicest place I've ever been, that I didn't have to have a security clearance. There is construction, but it's all part of expanding. There was one thing I didn't like, and every few days I went back to check on the problem area.

I decided to do some research. According to the HCC web site, the club was established in 1983 and has a rich history and tradition in East Texas. I don't know how much can be established in 24 years. I joined the Navy in 1977, and it has been drenched in history and tradition a lot longer than HCC.

I discovered there were actually similarities between HCC and myself. We are both award winners. The club won the BScene Magazine of 2006 Peoples Choice Awards for Best Private Golf Course and Best Subdivision. I won awards for directing in 2003 and 2004, two awards for writing in both 2005 and 2006, and I just found out I am up for four journalism awards for 2007. My awards stretch across a playing field that is a little larger than East Texas. But, I digress.

Also, HCC has people who cut the grass and make it presentable. I have my dad, who cuts mine when it's looking trashy. HCC has access to maintenance people who take care of plumbing needs, electrical work, cleaning floors, and wash linens, all the while paying attention to the smallest of details. At my house, I have to do all that myself, but technically it's the same principle.

I noticed one really big difference though. You see, Dec. 7, was the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor tragedy. On a day that is so important to those who have endured so much so that Hollytree Country Club can exist, let alone "provide an environment in which our Members can grow and flourish personally, professionally and socially," one would think that a staff that can "understand the dynamics of the East Texas family" and offer them "a haven; a place to work, play and celebrate the important moments" in their lives would understand the rich histor y and tradition of the American flag.

In all my "history," I have never seen an American flag so faded and mangled unless it was from battle. The "tradition" of respectfully retiring a flag or just plain taking one down that looks so bad, must have escaped the management of HCC…heck, the entire subdivision, its employees, members and residents. That, my friends, is sad.

In my opinion, Hollytree Country Club's commitment to membership does not even extend to the end of the club house parking lot. In my opinion, the term "maintenance-free style of living" has a different meaning when applied to the American Flag, because it appears to me that NO maintenance to that flag has been accomplished for quite some time.

That tattered American Flag flew as proudly as it could over HCC grounds just before 8AM on 7 December, the anniversary of The Pearl Harbor tragedy. I for one am ashamed to think how many people must have passed it everyday, yet it was never replaced. I am ashamed to think of how many veterans must live there, yet it was never replaced. I am ashamed to think of how many Americans live there, yet it was never replaced.

In this veteran's opinion, the Hollytree Country Club's display of the American Flag in that condition is a disgrace. I would think with the millions of dollars worth of construction underway in a place that is described as "one of Tyler's Finest Resort Communities," it could afford a simple American Flag. If they cannot, I will be more than happy to allow them the use of the flag my parents displayed at my house while I was deployed until they can raised the 50 to a 100 dollars for their own. Why would I do that? I would do it because my beliefs are drenched in American history, tradition and respect. That respect is for the United States of America and the American Flag, which I consider being one.

Jeff Walston Whitehouse