We’ve had a nice exchange of letters in The Daily News print versions during the past few weeks.

It started when 16-year-old Skyler Lear from Belding wrote about a negative experience she encountered while trying to gather signatures for “thank you” cards for veterans. This struck a chord with local veteran Ike Dyer, who wrote a letter of thanks and encouragement to Skyler. That letter, in turn, led to a nice reply from Skyler’s mother, Billo Jo Thrasher. Also, “in the hopper” but not yet printed, is a letter of thanks to Skyler from self-described veterans mom, Lorna Merrifield.

Dyer asked me if I could pass along his wish to thank Skyler in person and I sent the request to her mom. Hopefully, they can make that happen.

Each of these letters were obviously well thought out and written with care.

The exchange is a nice representation of the resonance an old-fashioned and impassioned “letter to the editor” can have. I often wonder if Facebook comments, Twitter feeds and story comments have this kind of resonance or if they’re quickly forgotten once you scroll past. What do you think?

All four letters appear below:

Veterans deserve appreciation

Dear Editor,
As an involved citizen, I have come to learn that a lot of people don’t give back to veterans or soldiers that fought for our freedom.

Freedom is one thing that we can proudly call our own. People don’t realize that freedom is not free. In the past few weeks I have learned that there are many organizations out there that are designed to give back to the veterans and active military members. A group of us made handmade cards and delivered them to the veterans at the local veterans homes. We had them out and say a simple “thank you”, it’s the least we can do. They are the people that had given up their freedom to protect ours.

Our group had made more than 750 handmade cards and instead of us signing them, we had others in the community sign the cards them at local craft shows. We attended three different craft shows to help us get the word out that some of us are still thankful. We had around 500 cards signed, the other 250 we had to sign ourselves. I’m not saying that we didn’t want to do them, but we had a lot of people at craft shows tell us “they didn’t believe in it” or “they wouldn’t even appreciate it,” or “not today” It’s absolutely horrible to even think that they wouldn’t appreciate it.

The nasty looks that we received and the rudeness was unbelievable. Veterans and soldiers are the reason we can walk down the street or celebrate a holiday or even be free to do our daily routine. All it would have taken was just five seconds out of your day to write a simple thank you on a card. When my team and I went to the veterans home, they said “thank you” more than we did. They were very proud and happy to receive them. It’s just a simple thank you that can make a person’s day.

Also we would like to thank all past, present and future members of the United States military. So when you see us next year, please take the time to stop to write a simple thank you.

Skyler Lear
Belding

Skyler Lear: Thanks from a veteran

Dear Editor,

“For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.”

Skyler Lear, your letter in the Jan. 5 Daily News hit home. Most specifically, the homes of my little sister and me. Both of our sons have served in Afghanistan; I served 26 years Army and National Guard with 2 tours in war. All total on our Mother’s “trophy shelf” there are 8 pictures of family men in uniform. Your words, and bittersweet lesson of life and people, brought my sister to tears. Your letter didn’t reveal what group you are with; understandably so — you might have offended a few with the truth. In the business of soldiering, there are sacrifices and freedoms we give up so others can live like you know so well. One of those freedoms, is the right to voice their opinion. Ironically enough, they often voice their distaste for military and what we do.

If you take a look at the January issue of VFW magazine, Page 16, you will read some cold hard facts reflecting the nationwide trend and opinions just as you met here in Central Michigan. A research center report shows 74 percent of the American public felt it perfectly fair and acceptable for armed forces to make the sacrifices defending freed:

• “It’s just part of being in the military.”
• “As long as folks close to them don’t have to do it.”

One of the honors I have as a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War, is to carry the flag in front of parades. As I proudly carry the colors through the streets of Greenville at the beginning of the Danish Festival, I see all of the same reactions you witnessed in your quest for signatures and support. Some in wheelchairs stand if they can, some proudly salute, some have the hand on the heart with hat in hand; then others have a hat on sideways with a cigarette hanging and pants dragging. Apparently “they don’t believe in it.”

During my tour in Iraq with the 1073rd of Greenville the year of 2005, we received hundreds of letters and cards just like the ones you describe. We papered the walls of our work bunkers and living areas with these. We read them every day. They brought a piece of home to us, and reinforced why we do what we do.

So, Skyler Lear, and all of your friends, thanks for what you do.

Lawrence ‘Ike’ Dyer
sergeant first class (retired)
Greenville

Letter was appreciated

Dear Editor,

I would like to take the time to thank Mr. Dyer for his letter.

Skyler Lear is my 16 year old, she herself plans on becoming an Airman in the Air Force as soon as she is out of high school. This whole giving the cards to the veterans at the hospital was all her, she wants to give back. She isn’t on a committee, not a group of people, just her and she asked others to help hand them out at the hospital.

Let me tell you, Skyler is a very quiet mild mannered child, she has always fought for the rights of others and always gives back to whomever she can.

When we did our first craft show to have people sign cards, I watched my child turn many shades of red because people wouldn’t stop for five seconds and sign their names. She didn’t ask for money, all she asked for was time. So many of the people that would stop to say things or “would complain about how the government should give back more, or its not like the veterans will appreciate what she was doing.” She however stood her ground and kept going to the craft shows and met veterans that thanked her for taking time to give back, but the others were just down right rude.

I personally stopped to think about the people that are at the age of the Vietnam era. But I did a tally while I was at one of the craft shows, most of those who wouldn’t stop to do it was the ones that came from that time period. Those people have to stop to realize that that time period is over, never forgotten, just over. Now there are are their children’s children that are over seas or on home soil working for freedom.

Freedom is taken for granted, but not by my daughter, Skyler (or the rest of my family).

So thank you again for the letter.

Billi Jo Lear-Thrasher
Belding

Skyler: Thanks from a veteran’s mom

Dear Editor,

Skyler Lear, let me introduce myself. I am the little sister mentioned in the letter to you in the Jan. 12 issue of The Daily News. I am also mom, aunt, sister, niece, cousin, daughter and friend to some very wonderful soldiers and veterans. A fact of which and a group of which I am very proud of.

The reason for this letter is to thank you for supporting our soldiers and veterans. Thank you to you and your group for taking the time to put together the handmade cards, for setting up at the craft shows and most of all for following through on your quest to bring a bit of happiness to those who deserve it most: Our soldiers and veterans. I commend you for not giving up after let’s say, “coming under fire,” from those people who certainly appreciate the freedom, but not the sacrifices made to keep that freedom.

Big brother mentioned in his letter the hundreds of cards and letters they received and how much they were appreciated. I also know that each and every care package our soldiers get are also appreciated. To this day my son (retired Army) keeps a small token of thanks from someone just like you.

Our soldiers cannot always sit right down and write out thank you notes, but their sacrifices are thank-you enough.

Skyler, do not ever be discouraged for supporting our troops no matter what people may say or do. What you and your group have done and continue to do is truly a wonderful act of kindness.
May God always bless you!

Lorna Merrifield
Sidney