While on leave

I would like to thank the entire community of Whitefish for the red carpet treatment my family and I received while I was home on leave in early June.

From the time I got off the plane until I had to get back on, I ran into nothing but support and friendship.

Everywhere I went I was greeted with smiling faces. You made my short visit one that I shall never forget.

It means a lot to me to have this much support from such a wonderful place. I hope that all service men and women are greeted with the same treatment in their communities that I receive from my hometown.

All of you make me proud to say that I am from Whitefish, Montana. Thank you again.

SSG Peter Akey

Iraq

Specialty plates

I wish to correct the misinformation that was presented in Rick Hanners' column of June 23 regarding specialty license plates.

Yes, I sponsored Senate Bill 118 during the 2003 legislative session. The bill did pass, not fail as he stated. The following changes did take place:

The fee to an approved organization to establish a specialty plate was raised from $400 to $4000. If on the third year of issuance of the plate, it fails to sell at least 400 sets, the plate is terminated. The plates that have been sold can still be displayed.

If I had the opportunity to do this over, I would attempt to raise the minimum number of plates sold to 1,000 to hold down the number of different plates that are issued.

The minimum time between redesign of a specialty plate is four years.

Hanners may not like the looks of the Glacier Fund plate; however, it is the best selling plate of all specialty plates issued. The funds generated by the sale of the Glacier Fund plate have been put to very good use on projects benefiting Glacier National Park.

It is very important that consumers are aware that when they buy a specialty plate, they are contributing a specific dollar amount to the organization that sponsors the plate. When they display that plate on their vehicle, they are stating to the public they support that specific organization.

The freedom to express ourselves and to support our favorite causes is a wonderful privilege that we enjoy in the good old U.S.A.

Bob DePratu

Whitefish

Deepest apologies

I'd like to extend my deepest apologies for my foolish thinking and lack of respect for the U.S. and its current administration.

I am a foolish young man who has been caught up in idealism. I know that this is not an ideal world, and that every American administration governs this country's policies with the welfare of America in mind. This task is so difficult and complicated that I cannot begin to comprehend its intricacies. I cannot even manage to keep my apartment or vehicle clean much less understand the American economy or world politics and religion.

I'd like to thank the brave men and women who have fought and are fighting for this country. I'd also like to thank the men and women who dedicate their lives to public service. All these people are willing to take on the difficult task of defending and governing our great country, while hypocrites like myself sit around and make hollow criticisms while reaping the benefits of their hard work.

I and many others like me often take for granted their efforts and the fruits that those efforts provide because we have always had such an easy time of things. Its time for me and many others like me to have some respect and to give thanks for the job these people have done and are doing.

I am proud to be an American, and I am most thankful for the time I've had in the wonderful state of Montana. I've always had everything I needed and then some, from a good job to plenty of food and clean water to ski passes and kayaks, as well as the freedom to enjoy it all.

I say thank you to all the people whose dedication, sacrifice and foresight have made this country great and my life so easy and fun; and I'd like to ask for their forgiveness though I know that I do not deserve it.

I've made hundreds of mistakes throughout my life, and one of them is allowing myself to make judgments when I don't know all the facts or aspects of the situation. I've done this in my work environment as well as in my political and philosophical thinking.

The only thing thinking like this has done for me is give me an ulcer. I'm trying to learn from this mistake and to not make it in the future. I'd just like to grow old in this wonderful country, to live with respect and gratitude, to raise a family and contribute to our society in any positive or beneficial way that I can.

Cody Olszyk

Whitefish