Norquist's complaining unacceptable today
I am disappointed in Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist, who believes Wisconsin's communities are victims of the times rather than examples of the strength and resolve that is evident in so many communities throughout our great nation.
Two weeks ago while visiting friends in New York, I came face to face with the destruction of Ground Zero. A few days later while visiting my brother in Washington, I witnessed the Pentagon's reconstruction. In neither of these cities hardest hit by Sept. 11 was a selfish, whining word uttered. Both cities are worthy of our emulation.
Yet back home, Mayor Norquist believes our communities cannot sustain Gov. Scott McCallum's requested 3 percent reduction of funding in response to the ongoing turbulence of our state's economy.
We must rise above this shallow mediocrity. U.S. General George Patton once said, \Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."" Let's hope Mayor Norquist has the ingenuity and vision to join us in confronting this worthy challenge.
After witnessing the truly extraordinary challenges confronting New York and Washington, D.C., I refuse to call Gov. McCallum's challenge ""extraordinary.""
Memorial quilt under construction in Herbster
I would like to introduce news in your fine state of a memorial now under construction. Sept. 12, 2001, I formed a humble organization here in Southwest Florida, America's 9-11 Memorial Quilts Organization. We are constructing a total of five memorial quilts to honor and pay tribute to those who perished Sept. 11. Our intent for each quilt is to place a photo of each victim on the quilts with their names embroidered underneath. Each quilt will contain photos and names of individuals who perished in the New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania tragedies.
The largest quilt is now under construction in Herbster, Wis. Connie Daniel is the team leader for this quilt, which will be the largest quilt and is intended to be dedicated to the President of the United States and then donated to the Smithsonian Institute of American History. The approximate size of the White House/Victims quilt is 12 feet wide by 60 feet long. The quilt will be constructed in three 20 foot sections to allow easy hanging, transport and cleaning. All 3,000-plus photos will be directly printed on 100 percent cotton fabric using Canon 8200 color printers. Names of all victims will be embroidered under each photo. Connie Daniel is a very talented quilter and is currently using hundreds of different fabrics and colors and patterns to replicate the World Trade Center buildings, the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania crash site, along with emergency vehicles at Ground Zero. The Statue of Liberty, U.S. flag and American eagle will also be constructed in this manner. Connie is an exceptional artist at this technique, called freehand quilting
We ask that you visit our Web site for additional information about the quilts. We are seeking business and individual supporters, donations of supplies, monetary donations to cover costs and aid in providing news across the country to inform the families that we would like to honor their lost loved ones upon our quilts and ask them to submit a photo of their choice to be printed on the quilt.
