Dear Editor,

On March 6 I’ll be traveling to Israel for seven weeks doing volunteer work with Volunteers for Israel and Sar-El (headquartered in Tel-Aviv). This is a great program (done in three week cycles) for those in reasonably good health to help God’s Chosen People. I’ll be working at an army base doing maintenance work so that some soldier can be relieved to do “soldiering.” Sar-El also has a volunteer program at a nursing home in Israel.

There’s always the possibility I will not return alive, so I’ve been getting my “affairs” in order. One of these “affairs” is to thank the Daily Journal for publishing my many editorials I’ve written over the years. With few exceptions, these editorials have been controversial.

In some cases, probably 99 percent of Richmond County residents disagreed with me. However, The Journal still allows freedom of speech and I’m very appreciative.

I moved here in 1995 from the Detroit area. I have lived near Chicago, Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Many of my editorials would not have been published in the newspapers in these areas.

Not only in the North, but in most other areas of our country, there is a “coolness” toward the Christian religion if not an antagonism, especially in the name of Jesus.

Here in Richmond County, I’ve met some of the best Christian and non-Christian people in the world. In many ways, this county is like a big family (not without its family feuds!). And I’ve been allowed to be an “adopted” part of your family. It’s great!

Most people who do not agree with my views at least tolerate me and agreeably disagree. In short, I feel blessed to have moved here, and I just pray in God’s richest blessings for Richmond County.

Jay W. Shutt

Hamlet