A Note of Thanks

Today, June 6, 2019, is the 75th anniversary of D-Day when Allied troops stormed the beaches at Normandy, turning the tide of World War II.

I did a little research and discovered that the actual name of the exercise was Operation Overlord, code name D-Day. Tens of thousands of soldiers from several countries, including from the United States, were part of the D-Day operation and thousands died in the battles. Much history has been recorded regarding the invasion including what went right and what went wrong, both in the planning and execution by Allied forces and the response by the Nazis.

Movies like “Saving Private Ryan” tell the story of D-Day from the perspective of the men fighting it and “The Longest Day” gives the history of the days leading up to the epic battles. I remember the first time I saw “Saving Private Ryan.” While it shook me to my core, I thought it was an important film to see if, for no other reason, to learn what our soldiers faced on those sandy shores. Now, with my own son enlisted in the Air Force with a possible deployment to Afghanistan in the new year, I feel even more indebted to those who fought and to the loved ones who were left behind.

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I want to offer a note of thanks to the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church Cruisers who hosted me on Tuesday night as their guest speaker. Not only did they embrace me with a fine meal but gave me their undivided attention as I recounted the story of the birth of the Crescenta Valley Weekly – one of my favorite subjects.

Mary O’Keefe and I had the chance to speak to the Cruisers soon after the paper was started – probably around nine years ago – and I remember being so nervous. Whether due to the passage of time or experience gained over the years, I felt completely comfortable talking to the Cruisers on Tuesday. I just hope I didn’t overstay my welcome; I’d like to come back again!

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I know many of our readers have been appalled to read about the situation over at the Honolulu Manor Senior Apartments. It is shocking to learn that many of the seniors, who have transitioned out of their own homes (a difficult challenge in itself) to move into a complex that is supposed to make their lives easier, have been without access to the outside world because of non-working elevators.

Mary O’Keefe has been making phone calls to everyone – from the state level to the local level – involved in overseeing senior housing. Her attention to this story, in addition to that of CBS’ “Two on Your Side,” has raised awareness regarding these conditions and the actions of the building’s owner. I know you, like I, will anxiously read the story as it unfolds.

  robin goldsworthy