RECORD TURNOUT WILL HONOR SOLDIER'S SACRIFICES

This is a story about Jonas Parker, Anthony Seig and what the two men have in common. It’s also about the rest of us.

Jonas Parker was a “minuteman”, in Massachusetts. He gathered with his fellow citizen soldiers on April 19, 1775 on the Lexington village green to stand before a threatening force of British Regulars. Jonas Parker was mortally struck in the first deadly volley of British fire and subsequently bayoneted to death where he knelt. Jonas Parker was one of the first Americans to fall in battle to protect what would become The United States of America

Anthony Seig, a Sunman native, was a Pfc. in the United States Army. The 19 year old 2005 ECHS grad was killed on September 9, 2006 in Iraq in an enemy rocket attack. Pfc. Anthony Seig was a recent and local American to fall in battle to protect the United States of America.

The supreme sacrifice made to protect this country is obviously what these two young men have in common. In the 231 years spanning the two men’s deaths, over 1.3 million additional Americans made identical sacrifices. The casualties continue as you read this.

Which brings us to ….. us. It’s often said, there’s no way to fully repay the sacrifices made by these American patriots. While that is certainly true, it doesn’t excuse us from trying.

On Tuesday, November 4th, we will all be given yet another opportunity to engage in one of the sacred privileges these patriots died to protect, the opportunity to choose our own form of government at the polling booth.

If you’re eligible, please honor the memory of all these American patriots by voting November 4th . Respect the privilege by giving serious thought to each vote you cast. Vote only for candidates you respect and trust. It’s not important how many candidates or issues we vote for. The important thing is that we seriously embrace the privilege guaranteed us by Jonas, Anthony and well over a million other Americans.

Please, let’s have a record turnout of eligible voters in Dearborn County on November 4th. I guarantee you’ll feel better after voting and, in addition, it gives you the right to gripe about the results until the next election.

Chet Wolgamot
Manchester Township