Editor’s note: Every day there are rays of light that shine into the lives of people through their neighbors, their co-workers, their families and even through complete strangers. This column is devoted to exposing these sunbeams to the light and offering readers an opportunity to share good news. We plan to occasionally offer up our own sunbeams, too.
Salute for soldiers

I would like to thank some very deserving young men who not only keep our country safe, but also help with the everyday things some of us aren’t able to do.

On Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving, I was parked at Kmart trying to figure out how to get into the store on my own. I am disabled and get around on a scooter (motorized wheelchair). I was looking around for someone to help me.

Just then, two of our country’s finest came along, and I asked if they could help me out. They were so kind. They didn’t have to be asked twice, they moved my scooter out of my van and into the parking lot in no time.

So on this Thanksgiving, I am thankful to our troops wherever they serve, whether it be in Iraq or the parking lot of Kmart in Auburn.

Again, I say: Thanks, guys!

Cindy Henson, Mechanic Falls
Thanks for GRAMPS

During this Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I want to point out a greater Rumford area volunteer program whose effectiveness has provided an outstanding community service over the years. The GRAMPS volunteers from Rumford, Mexico and surrounding towns come together every Wednesday to prepare a sitdown or takeout meal for our local senior citizens and others who wish to join. The attendees and volunteers share stories and opinions with openness while attendees enjoy the time together over a healthy meal. The luncheon, held in Mexico, is a happy place for senior friends to come together.

Recently, the wife of one of my good friends died. At that time, I observed the sensitivity and caring of the GRAMPS staff when they added my friend’s name to the takeout list during his most difficult time. I have invited my friend to the GRAMPS luncheon so that we can both say “THANKS.”

Len Greaney, Rumford Center
A great Veterans Day

This is to thank and honor the veterans and those in the area who honored them.

My thanks to the cadets, ROTC, Green Ladle students and Lewiston High School staff who served a wonderful breakfast to honor the veterans. My thanks to all the entertainers and the high school bands who shared a musical tribute to the veterans at the Lewiston Armory.

My thanks to each and every speaker, state and local leaders, who honored veterans on Nov. 11.

And my thanks to all who attended the unveiling of the 14th veterans monument. There, as the sun shone down on us and with a brisk cool breeze off the river, we could witness the emblem honoring Franco-American veterans. God bless our veterans.

Willie Danforth, Auburn
A real dream

The Paris Veterans Monument Committee would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support of a monument in Moore Park. We truly appreciate the response we have received for this project.

A book will be compiled which will contain information provided on each veteran, including branch of service, years of service, etc. It will also tell exactly where the name may be found on the monument. We plan to have copies available for public viewing at the Paris town office, libraries, historical societies and the Foster-Carroll American Legion Post 72.

We extend our sincere thanks for the public’s support and look forward to making the dream a reality.

Barbara Payne, South Paris

Secretary, Paris Veterans Monument Committee
Gratitude for life-givers

Androscoggin Grange #8 members would like to thank everyone who donated blood at our co-sponsored blood drive with the Greene Fire Department Auxiliary. The blood drive was held Sept. 29 and was dedicated to Randall Hanson, a young man from Greene who believes the blood donations he received when he became ill most certainly saved his life. The goal was to reach 50 pints of blood, but actually 52 pints were collected in all.

Many thanks also go out to everyone who volunteered their time with baked goods, tending to the donors and helping with the registration process.

Karen Flagg, Turner
Happy Robinsons

We offer our thanks to friends, family and everyone else who helped make the Robinson Family Field Day such a success. It was a great day, with spectacular food and unbelievable donated raffle gifts. And a huge thank-you to the NewPage employees for their generous donations. This is truly the best community for caring. Because of everyone’s generosity, enough money was raised for Rick’s voice computer.

Thank you to everyone.

Rick and Carlene Robinson, Mexico

The Sun Journal encourages its readers to offer their own sunbeams in writing. Please limit letters to 200 words. Letters must be signed and must include the author’s full name, address and telephone number, for verification purposes only. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters may be edited.

Address letters to: Letters to the Editor, Sunbeams, Sun Journal, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Fax: 207-777-3436. E-mail: letters@sunjournal.com, and note that the letter is for Sunbeams. For more information, call Anthony Ronzio, editorial page editor, at 800-482-0759, ext. 2285.

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