Editor, Times-Union: Poland has given us two heroes, similar in many ways.
The first is General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, 18th century champion of liberty. The second is Karol Wojtyla, the late Pope John Paul II, 20th century hero of freedom.
They stood for liberation of their native Poland. Both saw their nation oppressed by tyranny. Kosciuszko fought against the Russians but never saw independence. Pope John Paul II saw the scourge of German Nazism and then Communism grip his native land. He was able to see the freedom of Poland that Kosciuszko could only dream of.
Lech Walesa, leader of Poland's Solidarity movement that won power after a decade of struggle and hastened the collapse of the Soviet bloc, said Polish-born John Paul II inspired the drive to end communism in Eastern Europe. "(Without him) there would be no end of communism, or at least much later, and the end would have been bloody," Walesa said.
They both almost died for their cause. Kosciuszko on the field of battle in October 1794, wounded and captured by the Russians. Pope John Paul II in 1981 at the hand of an assassin. He later met personally with the man to forgive him. One carried the sword. The other carried the gospel of peace. Both sought God for their strength and direction and put their lives on the line.
They now belong to the ages. Kosciuszko was called the "purest Son of Liberty" by Thomas Jefferson. President George W. Bush honored Pope John Paul II by saying that he was "a person who stood for freedom and human dignity." Many are calling him a "Pope for the Ages."
I recently came across something that could have been written about both men, "A Polish Blessing":
"May your heart be as patient as the Earth,
Your love as warm as harvest gold.
May your days be full, as the city is full,
Your nights as joyful as dancers.
May your arms be as welcoming as home.
May your faith be as enduring as God's love,
Your spirit as valiant as your heritage.
May your hand be as sure as a friend,
Your dreams as hopeful as a child.
May your soul be as brave as your people,
And may you be blessed. When John Paul II was welcomed into heaven I believe that Thaddeus was there to greet him. More importantly, Jesus was there to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
Both great Poles have received the ultimate emancipation, eternal life. Honor is due to them for their hearts that beat for liberation, not only in Poland, but around the world.
Ken Locke Warsaw Portions of a speech given at the laying of the wreath ceremony April 8 at Kosciusko County Courthouse, Kosciuszko Monument.
Cable Woes
Editor, Times-Union: I may as well add as my 2 cents. I'm just too disgusted with that cable carrier. So I have already switched to a satellite dish. Now, if a few more hundred in Kosciusko County will switch over, maybe Comcast will really get the message.
Ken Stenstrom Warsaw via e-mail
Polling Accuracy
Editor, Times-Union: It's now been shown that the polls that were widely reported in the mainstream media leading up to Terri Schiavo's death were biased polls with "leading" questions. Why aren't we hearing about that?
The latest unbiased polling from Zogby show the nation clearly supporting Terri and her parents and wanting to protect the lives of other disabled patients. By a whopping 79 percent-9 percent, Americans responding to the poll said that disabled patients like Terri Schiavo should not have food and water taken away.
In addition, the new polling also shows support to members of Congress who passed legislation seeking to prevent Terri's starvation to death and help her parents take their lawsuit to federal courts. By a 42 percent-18 percent margin, respondents believe that elected officials should order that a feeding tube remain in place in cases like Terri's.
It's the media's job to report the news in an unbiased way. Please, do your job, and report the facts - most Americans supported saving Terri Schiavos life, and they supported Congress taking action to help save her.
Tim Morbitzer North Manchester via e-mail
Papal Exhibit
Editor, Times-Union: With the blessed funeral and honor of Pope John Paul II late last week the memory remains forever of a man committed to respect for life, justice and peace. My own observation tells me the reason the following was so enormous was related to what all of us witnessed, a man of true conviction and kindness. In our own corner of the world we strive as pilgrims from every level to seek what he exhibited to us: God's unconditional love for all mankind. This is so difficult but he did leave us with many examples to consider. As a Catholic, we have our sacraments and if we practice the faith we are given in baptism we can find the love and peace of God in our own lives. This pope did not limit his message of God's love just to Catholics. He was instrumental in his travels and represented the meaning of Catholic, "universal," he lived during his entire life, not just during his papacy.
In that regard I noted a copy of the Winter Issue of Xavier College a picture of the pope last October with Xavier staff. The inside story describes a wonderful opportunity for anyone who is interested in learning more. A landmark exhibition that was blessed by the pope will be opened on May 18, this spring, at the Campus of Xavier in Cincinnati, Ohio, "until July 15, when it will be transferred to the John Paul Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., where a replica of a portion will become a permanent fixture." It will tour across the United States to Catholic and Jewish colleges and universities before heading to Europe. The local people here will be the first to see this art display that documents John Paul's long-standing relationship with the Jewish people.
I can think of no better opportunity to teach our children about a great spiritual leader and it is only four hours from here! This is the first showing before it travels all over the world.
I hope my students at Sacred Heart in ninth Grade CCD are cherishing "the pope's rosary" that some were given as a memory of his great example. I know I am. If anyone would like one of these beautiful replicas with the Pope's crucifix he carried at all major events, you can look for them at: www.familyrosary.org, mission@familyrosary.org or call 800-299-7729. The Family: the first domestic church. This was God's idea. May it live on and on in Christ's love despite the evil we see in the world, love never fails.
The memory lives on of this great leader of humanity. I thank God for the freedom of speech here in the USA to give this message to anyone who wants it hear it. Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45207 can be reached at 800-344-4698 or www.xavier.edu Get the school buses with the children ready. I will volunteer for that field trip!
Anne Keller Warsaw via e-mail
Keeping Busy
Editor, Times-Union: The recent death of the Pope has brought forth praise and acclaim for his earthly life story. Its review has brought the remark and prediction, "he will certainly one day be declared a saint."
There is another who achieved such praise and acclaim, St. Augustine. Although never a pope, he was one of the greatest theologians of all time. His brilliant mind produced writings that persist from his years, 354-430 A.D. Two of these are: The City of God and Confessions. This latter tells of his wild, intemperate and immoral youth. His mother pleaded and prayed, and one day he surrendered his life amidst a journey on the road throught a storm. His wildness and sinful life ended. He became a saint.
Most of us will never arrive to such heights, but being 80-plus years myself, I was challenged to do a better job for my Lord, when I read of an 80-plus lady tell her story. "I'm on the evangelism team for Billy Graham. I usually go to a city a few days before we hold a big event there." Her job was to help counsel people who were making a new profession of faith in Christ.
She gave me something to think about, even pray about. No matter how old I get, there is work to be done, like writing an opinion for the Times-Union newspaper. I for one will keep busy. Will you join me man, woman, youth of God? Revelation 2:10a. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
C.L. Hendrix Winona Lake via e-mail
Adult Or Not?
Editor, Times-Union: I am what you could call your average 13-year-old girl, so naturally I like going to the movies. At the local cinema you have to be 17 to be admitted into a rated-R film, because at 17 you are considered an adult. If I am not yet an adult and cannot be admitted into a certain film because of it, then why do I, and anyone over the age of 11, pay the adult ticket price of $7.50?
