The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Thank you for 56 years of blessed, rural living where neighbors are truly friends, people say “Hello” to each other on the street, community events offer an opportunity to share support for local businesses, clubs, 4-H, etc., and a baseball game involves one’s children or grandchildren-I could go on and on, for what is honestly unique about this county is that we all still care about our communities, the state or the nation.
Recently, on Memorial Day at the Veteran’s Memorial in Stronghurst Taps Across America was played and three generations of one family stood reverently with hands across their hearts honoring our war dead. We are rural America and we like it.
I came as an outlander from Missouri and became an inlander having the privilege of teaching in the local school, sharing Henderson County stories, family research, and working with various church groups and charities. You made me welcome and will always be held close to my heart.
Where else would friends gather to tell me “Goodbye” with such a memorable reception where I was able hug each of you, It won’t be forever as I plan to come back to visit.
I will hold all the memories close to my heart: tying quilts with church ladies, ending up on the 500 club in dominoes (I think my name is there at least four times; you don’t want to be there), attending the village board meeting to represent the senior citizens, listing all the cemetery stones in the county with Jane Evans (we only saw one really long black snake and we did do some “woodies),” delving into probate files for a client who was tracing family history, serving with the library board and employees to construct a new library, sending boxes to deployed soldiers, placing crosses and flags on graves in Olena and Watson (truly an honor bequeath to me by Mr. Charles Fort), and so many more.
You all were a part of these memories and they reside close to my heart. I will miss you. However, the time is right to become a true pioneer and move West to be near family. I am going to North Platte, Nebraska and will be living in what is called “The Cottages” where I’ll make new friends and attend my grandson’s senior year events.
The Quill will keep me updated about happenings so be sure to let Dessa know about your events.
Thank you Henderson County for such a good life.
Virginia Ross
3708 Linden Dr
North Platte, NE 69101
In American cemeteries across France, Belgium, and the Netherlands something significant happens on our Memorial Day.
They are filled with local people who come to pay tribute to the thousands of Americans who were killed during World War I and World War II.
The locals are of all ages, even small children.
There are speeches, music and prayers all honoring our service men.
Some towns even adopt graves of the soldiers to make sure they are decorated throughout the year and never forgotten.
There are even waiting lists of families that want to do this.
How different it is in our town.
On Sunday afternoon, of the 28th, the American Legion held their annual Memorial Day service at the Stronghurst Cemetery.
You could count on two hands the people who came to honor our dead.
In Europe they pay tribute to complete strangers who died over 78 years ago and we don’t take thirty minutes of our lives to honor our own.
Jane Miller
STRONGHURST