Letters to the Editor
Zoo is an important part of education

Thanks so much for hosting the "Save the Zoo" open forum at Pensacola Junior College last night (Oct. 10.) The panel discussion was very informative and well prepared. The zoo has been a great asset to the educational community in Santa Rosa County. Many of our underprivileged and special needs children would never have the chance to experience these rare and exotic animals without its outreach programs.

Education has been and will continue to be the most important industry in Santa Rosa County. Research shows that hands-on activities are the most meaningful and successful methods of teaching. The success of our schools can be directly attributed to our teacher's abilities to motivate students in their preparation for successful careers. The use of the zoo and the employees' expertise are educational tools that provide peek experiences that are meaningful and significant to every exposed student.

Our children and grandchildren are our future. We should all be concerned about our children receiving the most comprehensive education possible as we prepare them to face the challenges of globalization.

On behalf of the Santa Rosa County School Administrators, we support all of the efforts to save the zoo.

Grady H. Cannon SRCASA President

Pace Good people don't always make headlines

Overall, a good article about the USO picnic for the families of our deployed personnel. When our cadets heard about it, they jumped at the chance to participate! We even had more volunteers than the picnic committee needed to help with the day. Our color guard gladly donned their uniforms and presented the colors for the pledge of allegiance led by their instructor, SMSgt Armitage. Many of the "volunteers" you mentioned were our AFJROTC Cadets helping to supervise the children's games: water bounce house, horseshoes, fishing, etc.

These motivated cadets don't usually get headlines, because they aren't doing drugs and breaking laws. They are not paid for this community service that is a part of our AFJROTC curriculum. But please, do give them some recognition!

On Saturday, Oct. 27, our AFJROTC Unit is hosting our 9th Annual Dolphin Invitational Drill Meet here at Dolphin Stadium. Twelve schools from North Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi have signed up to compete so far. This meet is entirely planned, coordinated, and conducted by the cadets of this unit.

The events begin about 8 a.m., with the awards ceremony and trophy presentations about 2 p.m. Thanks for your help.

Lt. Col. Keith Wise USAF,

(Ret) Senior Aerospace Science

Instructor

Gulf Breeze High School,

Gulf Breeze

USO picnic a great success

What an amazing day! The City of Gulf Breeze decided they wanted to have a positive impact on our families of the deployed. So, they partnered with the USO to hold a picnic for them. They gathered an amazing group of volunteers and soon had the wheels in motion for an amazing picnic that took place at Shoreline Park on September 29. The impact of this picnic was huge! Here are just two of the stories.

While handing out USO Welcome Home packages at Hurlburt Field shortly after the picnic I had a woman come rushing up to me. She had spotted my USO shirt and was nearly in tears because of how touched she was by the fact a community cared enough to put on a picnic for her. Her husband was one of those returning from the war zone that night and she let me know that having the picnic to look forward to made the time pass more quickly. She asked me to thank each of you for her. You made a difference in her life she will not forget.

Another family reached out to thank the planning committee via e-mail. Her husband was able to attend with her because his departure date was delayed. She said "I think the thought of the community backing him and his family gave him a sense of peace about going to do his job."

While the gift was supposed to be for the families, it was the volunteers and community who were given the presents. Each smile, each giggle, and each hug was worth every moment of work on this project.

On behalf of the USO I want to thank each of you for helping us provide that touch of home to our military and their families. An additional thank you to the City of Gulf Breeze, the many volunteers and sponsors who made this picnic possible. It means the world to them to know you care.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

Heidi Blair Pensacola USO Center

Director Pensacola