Thanks for memories from Post

To the editor:
October 29, 2010, was the End of the Watch for the Indiana State Police Post at Redkey, Indiana, after 55 years of service to the citizens of Indiana.
As I watched the flags being retired from the post standard for the last time, as the officers in blue saluted in respect and servitude, I was reminded of the many things for which I have to thank these heroes.
I know that the ceremony brought sadness for both the active post officers and for those in the crowd who had served there in years before, because it meant a disruption in the “family” as the officers and supporting staff would now fulfill their duties as they were separated among three different posts.
I personally have witnessed the servitude of that “family” over the course of my life, and I want to say thank you to every Indiana State Police Officer and staff.
For leaving your family every day and laying your life on the line to ensure the safety of each of us, I thank you.
For being there and responding quickly when we are in need, I thank you. For protecting Hoosier citizens from those who would steal their property, livelihood and lives thank you. For responding to an accident with life giving care, thank you.
For enforcing traffic laws and vehicle safety, I thank you. For your presence at school and public events that increases our confidence in safety, I thank you. For your constant dedication to training and commitment for putting the greater good above your personal good, I thank you.
Many of you have meant a lot to me personally, and I know you to be among Indiana’s finest.
To the small group of troopers that visited my house on a cold night in December, to bring our family the news that I know you most dread to deliver, I thank you. For the comfort you sought to provide us in the devastation of the message that a husband and father had lost his life in the line of duty and would not be coming home, I thank you.
My father Robert Jack Garrison was one of your number, and the hero of my life.
I lost him that night as he came to the End of his Watch. He was proud of his uniform and proud of his service, and always willing to help all, even the unappreciative.
For your visits to my family over the years. For stopping the young boy on the street and “checking on him,” I thank you.
For allowing me to come in to the post and see my dad’s picture over the years I thank you.
For making sure that my family was invited and able to attend memorial services and ISP events over the years I thank you. For your diligence in making sure that that young man knew that his father belonged to their elect family and by extension he did too. I thank you.
Each of you are heroes indeed.
Your dedication makes me proud to be a citizen of Indiana.
You represent us well.
Paul Garrison
Daleville

Opposing
To the editor:
I recently read an article citing Senator Lugar’s foreign policy expertise as a good reason for not having term limits.
Many Indiana conservatives who have actually looked at his voting record would argue just the opposite.
During the 34 years he has been living in Washington, DC he has become totally out of touch with his conservative base.
On October 21, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported that Lugar only votes with the Republican Party about 73 percent of the time. He favors amnesty for illegal immigrants, embryonic stem-cell research, and Cap and Tax.
He voted to implement the Kyoto Treaty, for most of the Republican overspending under Bush and he voted to confirm the three worst left wing Justices on the Supreme Court.
He also voted to censor political speech during an election with the McCain-Feingold incumbent protection act. What part of “Congress shall make no law” doesn’t he understand?
As far back as 1993 he voted to ban semi-automatic rifles and handguns, and he voted to ban them again in 2004.  He voted to maintain the Washington, DC total handgun ban and last year he was the deciding vote that blocked a bill requiring other states to recognize an Indiana concealed carry gun license.
Senators like Lugar are the reason Republicans lost control of Congress in 2006.
I applaud the Indiana Tea Parties for seeking a primary challenger for 2012.
Stephen Erwin
Portland[[In-content Ad]]