LETTERS IN THE EDITOR'S MAILBAG.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Courage comes in all sizes

In response to the letter from Darcee Anderson (letters, Nov. 19):

Who raised that little girl, anyway? What parents in their right mind would teach a child to express her opinion - an opinion in contrast with the state majority, no less? Whoever they are, I'd like to shake their hands, and hers.

Perhaps many important people and other regular people will read Darcee's letter and find the courage to stand against discrimination in all its forms as she did. Darcee needs look no further than her own mirror to find an important person. She is my hero.

ROBYN L. McKENZIE

Springfield

Program helps keep kids safe

Let's try something new, getting away from all of the negativity and divisiveness following the recent election.

I was surprised and pleased at my daughter's parent-teacher conferences, because once again the Bethel School District has made all parents proud. The district issued each parent a card with their child's picture on it, so that if our child is abducted, we have a current photo, identification number and grade that they are currently attending.

The program is called "Smile Safe Kids." The cards are wallet-sized, so both my husband and I can keep them at all times.

God forbid anything happens to our precious children, but with the help of an underfunded school district, they are making progress in keeping our kids safe. So in the scope of things, let's try to look to the positive and be giving, just like the staff at Shasta Middle School.

This is what America is about - coming together to help each other, and not fighting over things that are already said and done. I appreciate the Bethel district for offering such a great program.

NANCY PETERSEN

Eugene

Autzen art offers inspiration

A Thanksgiving thank you to the University of Oregon for the new art display at Autzen Stadium.

Remembering that art is "beauty in the eye of the beholder," our neighbor sees love - O's for hugs and X's for kisses. Another sees a new game plan for next year's Rose Bowl bid.

We see an astonishing Merry Christmas in the O's as symbols of God, who has no beginning or end, and in the X's, a Greek cross symbol through the centuries for Jesus Christ.

And a Merry Christmas and peace to all.

MAUREEN GIEBER

Springfield

Emergency crews appreciated

The McKinley Street Neighborhood Watch would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional professionalism of Eugene's police officers and firefighters at the scene of a recent house fire that took the life of our friend and neighbor, Sandy, and injured her husband, Marv.

The emergency personnel responded quickly to the crisis and performed their duties with an impressive display of training and teamwork that quelled the fire and ensured the safety of nearby residents. Their sensitive handling of media and onlookers and their gracious courtesy towards distraught neighbors did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

In addition, we would like to recognize the Eugene Water & Electric Board employee who came out that night to disconnect the electricity to the house and reassure concerned neighbors of its safety.

In the wake of this devastating neighborhood tragedy, we are grateful to live in a neighborhood that comes together in a crisis and in a community so well served by our dedicated public safety professionals.

ANITA ROBINSON, captain

McKinley Street

Neighborhood Watch

and three co-signers

Eugene