A rose on this Memorial Day weekend to all those who died in military service to our nation. Of the three days set aside to honor our military (Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day), Memorial Day is the most poignant and solemn because it recognizes the greatest sacrifice a citizen can make for our nation. For more than a quarter of a millennium, brave men and women have laid down their lives in defense of our nation, its liberties and values. This weekend, we honor that sacrifice. May the holiday also be a time we commit ourselves to the same ideals that so many over so many years gave, as Lincoln observed, “the last full measure of devotion.”
A rose to the city of Columbus, which held a grand-opening ceremony for its new Sim Scott Community Center on Thursday. The beautiful new facility features a large common area, a separate senior citizens center (named for long-time resident Sallie Gray), two kitchen areas, restroom facilities and a classroom for children. The 9,000 square foot facility combines the community center and senior citizens center, both of which were destroyed in the EF3 tornado on Jan. 23, 2019. The old facilities were a combined 6,500 square feet, which means the new facilities are a third larger than the previous facilities. Even better, the upgrades come at no cost to the city. Insurance and FEMA funds covered the entire $850,000 cost.
A rose to International Paper Columbus which will again accept grant applications form local nonprofits involved in meeting critical community needs. Last year, IP awarded $70,000 in grant funding to 23 area educational and non-profit organizations. The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work, including education, hunger, health and wellness, disaster relief and other community needs. We applaud IP and our other local industries for their continuing commitment to being good corporate neighbors.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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