To the editor:

I usually don't write Letters to the Editor, but felt compelled to do so after an encounter last week in the city of Owen. I feel the need to release.

It all started as I and another local veteran were returning to work after having lunch downtown. Four individuals were at the work site with hands on hips. After a friendly joke to them as we approached, I was told in a friendly voice that we had an issue/problem. Two of the four basically said nothing and just listened. The third mentioned what he was told was going to be done so was confused by the work that was being done (understandable). Now the fourth person there claimed that the city hall got a call from a concerned citizen, that she was walking through the work area, (why, I can't imagine) and a branch fell and almost hit her. First of all, if that is so, who in their right mind would be walking under a tree that is being trimmed and has a couple branches hanging from it. It even would have been hard to walk under that tree since there were branches littering the ground under and around it. My guess is, and it's only a guess that they walked near the flag poles to go around it and those are at least 25-30 feet away from the tree, if not more. But, as Drama Queens go, got all worked up and decided to call and whine to city hall.

After hearing out person number 3, I made a comment that I couldn't even believe we were having this conversation, as I and my fellow veteran were donating our time to improve the visibility of the Vets Park new flag display and other displays. That is when person Number 4 tore into me. Read me the riot act and commenced to talk at me with total disrespect and angry voice. Yelling at me like a principal to a misbehaving school child. In less than 10 minutes I lost total respect for this person, whom I have know for a few years ever since he started working in our town. I was even his boss for about three or so years and they are suppose to be respected by the citizens they serve for. Apparently what goes around, doesn't come around in this situation. At this point of the verbal abuse, I said that I was done and would get the two branches out of the tree still hanging and clean up. So, if you are wondering why two trees were not finished, that is why.

Absolutely no appreciation for veterans trying to make their own memorial park look better and more presentable for people to see and enjoy as they drive by on Hwy X. How quickly we forget those who served (and still serving), or at least trying to. All this because of a phone call from a local Drama Queen.

Sincerely,

Charlie Milliren

Owen