Editor:

I hope the people of Baldwin County realize how well served they are by current members of the Baldwin County Commission. Time after time they show themselves to be vitally concerned with and for the citizens of the county, making wise and careful decisions in behalf of the county.

I want to be more specific and make some comments about how they represent us in dealing with our soldiers and veterans. They didn’t just start yesterday; they have a long record of support of a variety of patriotic activities and programs in Baldwin County. Let’s start with the William F. Green Veterans Home. After the project had moldered in Mobile County, having trouble finding a location, Baldwin County stepped in, gave it an urgently needed location; and now look, a wonderful and proud facility.

The next major move they made was on the veterans cemetery, recognizing the valient efforts of the veterans themselves, over 18 years, with the catalytic efforts of Dr. Barry Booth, Col. Bill Calendar and other veterans, the county stepped in to nail down the Saluda Hill (Spanish Fort) location and that visionary and courageous effort was turned into what will be the first available veterans graveyard in south Alabama in decades.

Not through yet, they became a major supporter of the historic “Honor Flight,” the local effort in a nationwide program to transport World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. for a tour of the war memorials in the nation’s capital. That effort in south Alabama turned out to be a rousing success with hundreds of people contributing. Reacting to that, the Baldwin County Commission invited the whole 100 WWII veterans to a county commission meeting to recognize and honor them.

I can tell you there are many hard-working veteran activists in Baldwin County who count our commission among our greatest patriotic assets in this county.

They have set new standards in support of our military and veterans and I have the feeling they are out looking for something else to do.

I hope everyone is as proud of them as I am.

Capt. Hal Pierce (Ret.)

Daphne