Dear Editor: The bilingual poems by Los Alamitos students are wonderful! During my years teaching English at UNM Gallup, the Alternative High school there, and Tohatchi High, I realized how vital it is to honor each student’s “language of the heart” before launching an English program. I would ask Dinè students how to say things, like ‘thank you’ and ‘hello’ before imposing my words on them. The best compliment of many I received was when one told me “At least you try.” With the bilingual poetry project, these students have the magic secret key to future success. If people brought up in the English culture have the chance to be in a situation where only Keres, Dinè, Español, or any other language is spoken, they can understand a little of the frustration ‘otra Englès’ children feel in school. Bilingual practices enhance brain development, and the fine work of these students exemplifies their awareness and intelligence. I suggest that the Cibola Citizen launch a column from students that mixes our languages together in conversations, stories, or more poems. Because here we are, all together, all valuable to each other. I shouldn’t leave out a shout for those GHS students’ poems in The Angry Jack Journal - especially the odes to coffee! Thanks to you all!!
Joan Sheski
The Flame of Patriotism
Dear Editor, The Memorial Day Services for the City of Grants were nothing less than amazing! It is such a pleasure to live in a community that respects the men and women that served our country and gave their all. Thank you all that participated in the placement of the memorial crosses in Fire & Ice Park and the reading of the names of those being memorialized. A big thank you to Matt Fletcher for his drone pictures of the park. We are grateful for the Color Guard, led by Eddy Ross. They are always so professional and each of these veterans continue to serve at these functions and funerals throughout the years. Thank you!
The most touching part of the Monday Memorial Day Service was when a nine-year-old boy from San Rafael stepped up to the microphone and thanked the veterans for their service to our country. This young man is Aurelio Apodaca. You could tell that he had the flame of patriotism burning in his young heart.
And I want to take a moment to thank the City Employees that work for Maintenance and the Street's Department. They are constantly working to beautify the City of Grants and make it a place where people will want to come and live. And thank you to the residents that cut weeds, pick up trash and junk. You love of community is apparent and we appreciate your efforts.
Robert S. Windhorst Code Enforcement Officer, City of Grants
Gun Laws in Action
Dear Editor, The recent killing of two young people from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, is another example of what gun control looks like in. It would have been impossible for either victim to qualify to carry a firearm or get a permit.
In Israel, they would have had a much better chance that someone was nearby with a firearm that may have stopped the gunman or been able to get one for themselves. The deranged gunman couldn't care less about gun laws, and the only people who suffer are the citizens who obey the laws. Immediately, authorities promised to increase police presence in DC at sites where more violence could occur, reassured the country that DC is safe, and that the gunman would face the full weight of the law. You can't put an armed police officer on every citizen; only the elite have armed security 24/7 by law or have lots of money to pay for it. Unarmed citizens in gun-free safe zones encourage criminals to make the 6 o'clock news or make their political point.
Recent online headlines, four people, including two teenagers, were killed in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday as the city faces a rise in homicides. DC Police Union condemns city leadership as MPD faces 'dire' conditions amid recent crime. Every new gun law or restriction makes us all potential victims for the next criminal, regardless of their purpose, fame, or politics; it does not matter to them.
Mr. Harry L. Hall USAF Law Enforcement Veteran Retired Police/ Sheriff Lt. 38.7 years A Sad and Cruel Situation
Dear Editor, The names undersigned in this letter represent all of the residents within two miles of where Forest Road 49 meets Forest Road 50. We hope to address a very sad and, in our eyes, quite cruel situation.
In the past six weeks as we drive back and forth to Grants we have found SIX abandoned dogs left to die in Zuni Canyon. We have adopted two of them, drove one to the animal shelter, and sadly watched four vultures consume the remains of three deceased puppies. Between us we now have six dogs and eight cats! And NONE were purchased, have papers, or came with collars or chips.
We very much admire the incredible dedication shown every day by staff and volunteers at the overcrowded animal shelter and wish to make it clear that this note in no way criticizes them nor the folks who carefully pick up the various stray animals in the area. We also want to commend the local paper which, every week, features an animal seeking a loving home.
But obviously there are individuals in our community who, for whatever reason, think it proper to simply abandon domestic pets to die many miles from homes. Who reading this would not say that such actions are cruel? It certainly is breaking the law! We are hoping to appeal to a basic human sense of decency and asking pet owners who no longer wish or perhaps are able to provide a home and food and shelter to not ABANDON domestic animals in the National Forest.
Please respect the law and please don’t put others (such as us) in a very sad situation watching your unwanted pets die.
The local shelter is overworked and overcrowded, but anyone and everyone with a heart would much rather see unwanted domestic animals placed there instead of five miles from food and water abandoned in the canyon or anywhere to suffer, freeze, starve, and die.
Greg and Amy Adshead Landon Stan and Shirley Giser Mary Lebus Jackie Walters Kent Ferguson Jillian Harriman