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.2 50 Years Later, Love Has Come Along Sr A performance at Peach County High School’s USO show a few months ago wasn’t historic in itself, but it was the result of historic events. A highlight of that program was —— Sunerintendent * Susan .. Clark singing the Etta James torch song “At Last My Love Has Come Along.” For effect, Dr. Clark recruited Principal Bruce Mackey as the pretend object of the affections expressed in the song. The audience shrieked with delight as she placed her boa around Principal Mackey’s shoulders and leaned close to him while singing the song’s romantic lyrics. The audience saw this per¬ formance as great entertain¬ ment and nothing more - and that’s where history comes in. Right now, the news is full of stories of young people retrac¬ ing the routes the Freedom Riders took 50 years ago. Those of us who make a point of studying history can never forget the images from those times: the burning bus. the angry mobs, the bloody and dazed Freedom Riders. The Oprah Show recently had a moving episode featuring a large group of Freedom Rider Peach Publishing Bob Tribble Mitch Tribble President Vice President Frances Tribble Secretary • Judy Robinson General Manager/ Publisher jrobinson@theleadertribune.net • Renee Goggins.........Office Manager rgoggins@theleadertribune.net • Donna Trussell.........Business Manager dtrussel@theleadertribune.net • Victor Kulkosky.....News Editor victork@theleadertribune.net • Emily Griffin......Advertising Manager egriff@theleadertribune.net • A.W. Dorsey.......Sports Correspondent aw@theleadertribune.net • Billy Powell........Columnist • Claire Houser Dodd......Columnist Tara Mercer........Circulation Manager HOW TO SUBMIT LETTERS We encourage readers to submit tetters to the editor. Letters should not exceed 350 words and must include the writer's name, address and telephone number. 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We cannot beresponsible for return of pictures or material unless stamped, return addressed envelope is included. The Leader-Tribune, a periodical. Postage paid at Fort Valley, USPS (307740) mailed at Fort Valley. Ga. is published weekly for $21.60 per year by Evans Newspapers. Inc. 109 Anderson Avenue, Fort Valley. Ga. (478) 825-2432 Fax (478) 825-4130. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: 109 Anderson Avenue. Fort Valley. Ga. 31030 Member of The Georgia Press Association The Natio nal Newspaper Association Our Goal The Leader-Tribune is published proudly for the citizens of Peach and adjoining counties by Peach Publishing Company, Inc. Our goal is to produce quality, profitiWe, community oriented newspapers that you, our readers, are proud of. We will reach that goal through hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and a strong dedication towards printing the truth. MAY 18, 2011 OPINION Opinions expressed by writers on this page are their own and not necessarily those of The LeaTribune veterans: fresh, young and ide¬ alistic back then, now gray but still idealistic, and able to recall every detail of those trying times in vivid detail A striking moment in that show was U.S. Rep. John Lewis taking the hand of the former Klansman who had beaten him senseless half a century earlier. Elwin Wilson had already sought out Lewis and received forgiveness about two years ago, but the Oprah Show was as public an acknowledgement as anybody could make of past sins and current reconciliation. On the show, Wilson recalled Lewis telling a police officer that he didn’t want to make trouble. I just want people to love each other,” he remem¬ bers Lewis saying, and Elwin Wilson never forgot those words, which eventually led him to seek out Lewis. That sentiment was really at the bottom of the Civil Rights movement; the intent of all those protestors, black and white, was not revenge or power over others, but to build what Martin Luther King called “The Beloved Community.” Many whites of that era, by no means only in the South, could not see the Civil Rights movement in such benevolent terms. The mere act of whites and blacks entering the same waiting rooms drove some people to assault and arson. In Georgia 50 years ago, angry mobs tried to prevent Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes from integrating the University of Georgia. Even sitting at the same lunch counters was too much for some whites, let alone full political, social and economic equality. Yet the tide turned, and today, some of the grandchil¬ dren of that generation acknowl¬ edge the significance of events such as the Freedom Rides but don’t quite get the big deal their parents and grandparents make of it. Our own son could hardly look up from his smart phone during the Oprah episode we insisted he watch. His own parents’ marriage was illegal in Georgia until 1967, he under¬ stands, but really, Mom and Dad, that’s so last year. We could regard the current generation’s reduced interest in the Civil Rights story as a sign that John Lewis and his fellow travelers were victorious on at least some fronts. Blacks and whites now eat in the same restaurants, serve on the same elected and appointed bodies, attend the same schools and live in the same neighborhoods (more so in some areas than in others). As far as I can tell, nobody blinks to see white and black kids hanging out together, hugging each other, dancing together and so on. So we come back to the Peach County High School Auditorium and a white woman playfully singing a love song to a black man. Everybody who witnessed the performance thought it great fun, which indeed it was. Half a century ago, it would not even have been conceivable, and even if somebody had somehow tried it, the reaction would not have been applause. A lot has hap-, pened since James Meredith endured violent resistance to him entering Ole Miss and inspired the 13-year-old who would become Peach County’s School Superintendent. I have no confirmation, but I suspect thoughts of all that history were at least in the back¬ ground of Dr. Clark’s mind as she sang that song. The scene was itself proof that, in some form at least, love has indeed come along. in hi ui in J 111 LLi .UI -J U U U UJ Ui oC UI UI y- yj UJ UJ rY» n-'mre w/ 'UUr u H cC & a: Ben Baker In the course of my career in journalism, I have covered a number of flag presentations. The kind where a flag flew over the Capitol in Washington and it’s given to someone, a school, a group, etc. The idea is the flag is flown for a bit, hauled down and boxed up and passed over to the Congressman who’s requested the flag. Washington actu¬ ally has a crew who does this every day. Still, pretty cool, not only ‘cause there is a waiting list for the flags, but it did fly over the Capitol. It’s one of those things that not anyone can get. I took the pictures, ran the story and promptly forgot about it. Just another story of the thousands and thousands I’ve covered in my career. Sgt. David Bass came home for a visit recently. Every time he comes home, be makes it a point to stop by and see me. I My Message To Our Graduates Someone once said that we should expect to succeed even before we start. All winners, no matter what their game, start with the expectation that they are going to succeed. Winners say, “1 want to do this and 1 can do this,” not, "I would like to do this, but I don’t think I can.” Let’s look at success in some detail today. Though ufiitarily considered as such, success does not consist of fame, which may vanish, nor of riches which may dissipate. Life is a cycle of service. He who serves best attains suc¬ cess whether that service be humble, or of great endeavor. Success is that priceless wealth which the heart, the mind and the soul possess. When high ideals are fulfilled; when adversity is vanished; when a difficult task is accomplished; when achievement triumphs over circumstances. A desire for success is that power with which the Creator has given every human. It is a vital, restless force which overcomes handicaps, men¬ tal, physical or environmental regardless of age, sex. creed or color. Recognition of this « The of Truth » Columnist As I scanned the morn¬ ing press; and listened to the countless proclamations on the tube this date, it dawned on me that only a portion of what stuck with my brain, was close to being factu¬ al! We are bombarded daily with word and phrase that is guess work, approximation, or outright deceit! Much of what is said, is exaggerated. Additional verbiage delivered (orally or in print) is manipu¬ lated! Still other elements are victims of prevarication; or deliberately misstated termi¬ nology! Unless we are omni¬ scient of values; we are left at the mercy of those who con¬ tinuously expound on “what went down”; what is presently Not Worthy wrote a column a few years ago about one of these visits. The column has received awards. Not me, you understand, the column about David. “I brought you something,” he says as he opens and hands me a box. Inside is a folded flag. Under the flag is a signed certificate. The flag was flown at David’s division's headquarters in Afghanistan. Included in the box is a signed certificate, a picture of HQ with flags flying. It’s signed by David and the local commander. The certificate says it was flown in my honor. “You can have this framed. Folded or open. It will cost more open.” he said. Like I care about the expense. 1 sit here typing trying to hold back tears that came when he handed me the flag. There is no question, none whatsoever in my mind -1 am WE WANT YOUR OPINION! Send in Your Letters to the Editor - Good or Bad! Let us know what YOU think! Jitzbtx (Ertinme 109 Anderson Avenue Fort Valiev, GA 31030 * FAX; 478-82 5-* * power and its development and use is one factor which makes for success. Success for different people has different meanings. The baby who completes its first steps feels successful. The engineer who harnesses a mighty water¬ fall and bends it to his will feels successful. Success iGF you may nol repre sent success for your friend, who might have a better education, or more opportunities to achieve things. I like this little verse: To each is given a bag of tools; A shapeless mass and a book of rules; And each must make ere life has flown; A stumbling block or a stepping stone. Success might be defined as honest labor well done, a wor¬ thy task faithfully accomplished. Success might be a reputable profession honorably practiced. Success might be holding stead¬ fast to high ideals, morally, socially or artistically. Success might be loyalty to one’s self, to one’s work, to friends. It might be the courage to carry on. It might be a contest fairly won on life’s field of honor. It is hard to believe but gradu¬ ation time has arrived once again for our high school and college graduates. You are to be com¬ mended for the fact that you will be receiving your diplomas soon and remember that there are many decisions about your future that you will have to make. After you graduate and leave your school, you will be sepa¬ rated from your schoolmates. As you make new friends in life always remember the old adage; a person is known by the com- in the hopper; (and more than that); what tomorrow will bring! It is little wonder that we are a confused generation! Think of it! Historical accounts of wars, feats, deeds, discoveries, and statistics are crammed full of error-many that are minor, yet others which hold great significance! Innumerable scholars have made a living of examining documents, school books. Congressional records, Court proceedings, and peri¬ odicals for mistake, misprint, or blatant conspiracy! It is bad enough to have a slanted version of what persons of renown were quoted as saying—or evidence that is tainted in a court of law -of caloric figures in a slice of pizza—of academic records that have been tampered with— or miles travelled—or monies spent erroneously—or years on planet earth (sic); but even more damaging is that “ton of mate¬ rial” explaining what will visit our abode tomorrow! Pseudo prophets (for profit) of progression —or digression —-fill our tanks with astounding figures that are vastly differ¬ ent from yesterdays “maidens of marvel”; and prognosticators of the stock market, climate condi- not worthy of this. David took time out of his schedule, made the arrange¬ ments to have the flag flown and the certificate made. Then he had to keep up with it while he was over there and all the way home. He did this in the middle of Afghanistan, surrounded by people who want to kill him. He did this knowing he had a family back in the United States. He did this. He did this having been over there before and seen brothers in arms KIA - that means Killed in Action - and wounded. No. I am not worthy. “You are,” he insisted. He’s that kinda guy. No. I am not worthy. “You are always running stuff about the military and the people in service. You put the paper on the internet so I can read it when I’m over there,” he said. THE LEADER TRIBUNE pany they keep. Choose friends with good character, integrity and Christian principles. May 1 give you three daily suggestions to help you succeed in your years after high school or college. Never allow a day to pass without taking time to pray. Be friendly to everyone you meet because you can never have too tuaiiy iiidiua. Never itilSS ail opportunity to serve as service ranks high with your superiors. Graduation does bring with it some privileges, but with privileges comes responsibility. Responsibility brings loyalty and courage. To earn the privileges of being on your own, you must have sincerity, perseverance and determination. Some people don’t have these qualities so they drift from one position to another wondering why many of their friends are accomplishing much more in life than they are. One of the greatest lessons you graduates hopefully learned during your school years is to look at others needs as well as yours, and to live to make this a better world rather than living for self alone. Yes, graduation time has arrived once again so as you prepare to step out into a new phase of your life let God guide your life. He will walk with you everywhere you go. May I suggest that you do not face the future with fear, rather face it boldly, courageously and joyously. Have faith in what the future holds for you, set your goals high and strive to exceed them all. This is my message to all graduates. tions, economic standards, and spiritual woes vie for our ear, with a million different settings! Countless personalities in gov¬ ernment (and church), pontifi¬ cate surrounding unemploy¬ ment, mechanics of birth con¬ trol, global warming, the price of oil. the worth of liberalism (or socialism), the virtue of extend¬ ing national debt limits, the sen¬ sibility of liberation theology, the possibility of universal sal¬ vation, or the wisdom of abor¬ tion! One thing we know! They cannot all be right-oreven close! For the differing voices are eons removed from each other! This startling revelation is disconcert¬ ing to say the least; but occa¬ sionally we need to be remind¬ ed of what we already know! So what shall we do? We will eat, drink, and be merry-vote what “floats our boat”-and give minimal allegiance to Biblical phrase which states, “Study to' show yourselves approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed; RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH”! Reasonable??? No. I am not worthy. David has appeared in the paper several times. Other retired and active members of the military have also been in the paper. Any of them who want to be in the paper, all they have to do is call. I’ll make room for their stories. They have far and away earned the right to have their story recorded in the official history book of my com¬ munity. That I’m the guy putting it together is just an accident of circumstance. I’m not worthy. I am not worthy of the sacri¬ fice my cousin and all the other people in the military make on my behalf and on your behalf. 1 have no idea why they think 1 am worthy. But, I have a flag flown in Afghanistan over a US base, done in my honor. Regardless of whether or not 1 feel like l deserve it, David Bass does. I’m gonna spend the rest of my life trying to live up to this honor. And from now on when someone gets a flag, it won’t just be another story and a picture, it will be something personal to me.