July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Adoption information is available
Letters to the Editor
November is National Adoption Awareness Month, with Nov. 21 being National Adoption Day. There are many ways to celebrate and show your support. You can volunteer at a local pregnancy shelter, volunteer to mentor teens close to "aging out" of foster care, be a respite provider for a weekend or donate to an adoption foundation. If you were an adopted child, you can take pictures of all your adoption-related activities and start a scrapbook. A calendar of events is listed at www.adoption.com/national-adoption-awareness-month-2009.
A couple of months ago, I began my search for my biological parents. It started with sending a request to the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics along with $20 and two forms of identification. Within three weeks, I received my original birth certificate with my biological mother's name on it, a copy of the adoption record, and a copy of a petition to have my birth certificate legally changed to have my adoptive parents' names on it. I wasn't sure where to turn next. Through the encouragement of a co-worker, I visited the Indiana Room at the Jay County Public Library. Through there and the Internet, I found my birth mother. It took some determination and digging, but within a day, I was successful.
In September, we got to have the reunion that we both wanted for so long. What I didn't expect was to meet my biological father. I learned they had been together since they were teenagers and are still married and very much in love today. I also got to meet my two sisters and learn lots of family history. It was so natural being around all of them and they accepted me into their family with open arms. We continue to keep in contact several times per week.
If you know of someone who was born in Ohio and their adoption was finalized before Jan. 1, 1964, they can follow the steps I did to receive information regarding their adoption. Birth parents and birth siblings can receive this information, too. There are other steps one has to take if adopted between 1964 and Sept. 18, 1996. If the adoption was finalized after Sept. 18, 1996, the adopted adult (21-or-older) can receive information if the consent of the birth parents is on file. At this time I don't know the steps to take in Indiana, but I encourage anyone to visit the Internet to get more information.
Hopefully more people are as lucky as I have been. I would also like to thank my family and my co-workers for their support and encouragement in my journey.
Lisa Manor
Portland
Thanks
To the editor:
As a caregiver to a rambunctious, sometimes ornery, little boy, he sometimes gets hurt and comes crying to us. The response is to give love, and ask him where it hurts.
This past Sunday (Nov. 8), a whole community of fine folks came together at a ceremony to honor the family of the late Andrew Whitacre, and Hubert "Cap" Arbuckle. The Redkey Nazarene Church held this event. Many thanks to the fine folks at the Church for holding this event, and to the Honor Guard which performed the ceremonial duties. As is customary in such events, when one of their own is involved, two active duty Marines were there, and they performed in an exemplary manner, as always. Thanks to our state legislator who also spoke at this event.
I was asked to read a poem I had written to honor Gold Star Mothers, and it was an honor to be asked to do so. The family of our own local hero, Andrew, was there. I oft times wonder if folks ever get over the grief they bear after such events I speak at. I doubt if they do, but I hope they understand that many in the community share the burden with them.
The rambunctious little boy comes running, crying. We ask where does it hurt? In this case I have an answer to the family and for the whole community. It hurts in the HEART! Thanks to all veterans for your sacrifices given for all of us!
Sincerely,
James D. Fulks III
Past Post Commander
Redkey American Legion
Post 401[[In-content Ad]]
A couple of months ago, I began my search for my biological parents. It started with sending a request to the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics along with $20 and two forms of identification. Within three weeks, I received my original birth certificate with my biological mother's name on it, a copy of the adoption record, and a copy of a petition to have my birth certificate legally changed to have my adoptive parents' names on it. I wasn't sure where to turn next. Through the encouragement of a co-worker, I visited the Indiana Room at the Jay County Public Library. Through there and the Internet, I found my birth mother. It took some determination and digging, but within a day, I was successful.
In September, we got to have the reunion that we both wanted for so long. What I didn't expect was to meet my biological father. I learned they had been together since they were teenagers and are still married and very much in love today. I also got to meet my two sisters and learn lots of family history. It was so natural being around all of them and they accepted me into their family with open arms. We continue to keep in contact several times per week.
If you know of someone who was born in Ohio and their adoption was finalized before Jan. 1, 1964, they can follow the steps I did to receive information regarding their adoption. Birth parents and birth siblings can receive this information, too. There are other steps one has to take if adopted between 1964 and Sept. 18, 1996. If the adoption was finalized after Sept. 18, 1996, the adopted adult (21-or-older) can receive information if the consent of the birth parents is on file. At this time I don't know the steps to take in Indiana, but I encourage anyone to visit the Internet to get more information.
Hopefully more people are as lucky as I have been. I would also like to thank my family and my co-workers for their support and encouragement in my journey.
Lisa Manor
Portland
Thanks
To the editor:
As a caregiver to a rambunctious, sometimes ornery, little boy, he sometimes gets hurt and comes crying to us. The response is to give love, and ask him where it hurts.
This past Sunday (Nov. 8), a whole community of fine folks came together at a ceremony to honor the family of the late Andrew Whitacre, and Hubert "Cap" Arbuckle. The Redkey Nazarene Church held this event. Many thanks to the fine folks at the Church for holding this event, and to the Honor Guard which performed the ceremonial duties. As is customary in such events, when one of their own is involved, two active duty Marines were there, and they performed in an exemplary manner, as always. Thanks to our state legislator who also spoke at this event.
I was asked to read a poem I had written to honor Gold Star Mothers, and it was an honor to be asked to do so. The family of our own local hero, Andrew, was there. I oft times wonder if folks ever get over the grief they bear after such events I speak at. I doubt if they do, but I hope they understand that many in the community share the burden with them.
The rambunctious little boy comes running, crying. We ask where does it hurt? In this case I have an answer to the family and for the whole community. It hurts in the HEART! Thanks to all veterans for your sacrifices given for all of us!
Sincerely,
James D. Fulks III
Past Post Commander
Redkey American Legion
Post 401[[In-content Ad]]
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