Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/73197
6A Daily News – Thursday, July 5, 2012 Opinion Tribute to a DAILYNEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer's home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. 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How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 er's hands were trained for battle and his fingers were trained for war. He was ordered to go into battle during Vietnam and war by his President and by his Commandant. He responded as a volunteer to help after 9/11. He also took on the most important mission as a human being for our Supreme Commandant and we were fortunate because we were privileged to have known him. Many things have been said by a lot of very caring people about our Marine Dan Overmey- er. All of those things said about him are, of course, true. But let's think about a few more things that we may want to consider in describing this American. Dan was and still is the real thing. It's people like Dan that gives us all hope to live another day. Churchill said, "Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others." We are blessed to have had Dan in our lives every day and our days will last longer because he is still On May 13, Vietnam Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Lee Overmeyer lost his valiant bat- tle with cancer. His courageous fight against cancer, caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and also from various cancerous agents at Ground Zero (Twin Towers, as an employee of U.S. O.S.H.A.), will never be forgotten by his friends and fellow Marines in the Marine Corps League, Detachment 1140, Tehama/Red Bluff and veterans at Am Vets Post 2002 Corning.a As a Marine Dan Overmey- fellow Marine Editor: here, in heart and mind, leading us. He's leading us through good times and bad; he's leading the charge to a more positive and productive life. Dan gave his whole self to others, including this genera- tion, which will help ensure that all future generations will remember people like Dan. He not only made us better Marines, he led us to be better people. Yet, he is not gone because he gives us back to ourselves by being here with us everyday. Many of us got to know that he was dependable; he was witty, easygoing and goal orient- ed. He desired peace above all. He enjoyed peace and quiet, he had his own feeling of worth and seemed to have a lack of stress. He respected us all and we respect him now, more than ever. He seemed to procrastinate in the area of criticism. He was thoughtful before he spoke. His critique was right on the mark. His aim was expert and his delivery hit center mass every time. And it was never negative. To say that Dan was a good guy because he was a good Marine isn't truly accurate. We pride ourselves in being Marines but Marines like Dan truly hum- ble us. Dan was better than a good Marine. He was a good friend. He was an experienced leader of Marines, past, present and the future. He was a great human being. He was positive about life and serving our (own) God, our family, our country and our Corps. Dan was the Executive Offi- cer of Detachment 1140 Honor Guard. The Honor Guard pro- vides the three volleys fired for the deceased veterans of all branches of the military. Dan was also the Senior Vice Com- mandant of Detachment 1140 and he never missed a funeral service at the Northern Califor- nia Veterans Cemetery at Igo. Dan was and still is with us on the Honor Guard, guiding us to perform our duties to the best of our abilities, no matter what era we served in as Marines, both in war and in peace time. He still sets the positive example for all veterans no matter when or where we served because we are all still serving now. We will not forget Dan Over- Your Turn isn't he? Somehow I thought Robert felt a certain respect for the man, but I can't see how that could be. Perhaps Larimer is suffering from one of the aging diseases. From his com- ment that the "worst product I put out ... was better than the meyer. We will serve with him once again, not only "in another clime and place . . . (and) guard- ing the streets of Heaven's Gates," but also in the Supreme Marine Corps League Detach- ment and Am Vets Post. We will take our places along side Marines and all veterans like Dan. But we must follow his lead by following the positive example he set for us all. He never gave up or gave in and we will not either. We enjoyed Dan's company, friendship and comradeship. He will always be in our hearts, our prayers and our thoughts. But we can't deny that he has gone home. Oh behalf of the members of the Marine Corps League, Detachment 1140 and Am Vets, Post 2002, Corning, Semper Fidelis. John Minton, Red Bluff I am surprised that you printed that rant from Larimer. He is the fellow that has been mentioned by Robert Minch a few times recently Cliff's note Editor: best of what I've seen you pro- duce"? The man certainly has an ego. No manners, no respect for a fellow journalist, just an ego. Of course his opinion is based on journal- ism, at least some 50 years old. Mr. Larimer expect from a small daily? Even with the truncated format you manage to cover the local organiza- tions, clubs, TV and sports schedules, along with local news of interest. And some state and national headline stories, as well as the opinion page and of course the comics and astrological forecasts. On top of all that you do cover those legal notices that have to be posted and the classifieds, too. You know I personally have had some complaints about the paper recently. I think it silly to call it the Daily News. It definitely is no longer a daily. Certain times of the year I would expect some "Extra" editions, particularly during the Bull Sale, the Rodeo and the Fair. Those are all major parts of our brand. That aside, just what does I believe you stated last week that you have two reporters, plus the sports desk and yourself. I think overall you're doing a very good job. Fred Boest, Red Bluff Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3070 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2595 Cean- othus Ave., Ste. 182, Chico, CA 95973; 893-8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224- 0454. What did I do? Commentary I've always gotten a kick out of ABC News' "What would you do?" specials. In the show, the producers set up a scenario carried out by actors in a public place to gauge how ordinary people would respond to the situation. Some of the episodes I've seen have had scenarios where an attractive woman obviously shoplifts in front of other cus- tomers to a man threatening to beat his wife in a restaurant. While watching the show I saw no one else with him. Eventually the toddler ran We both looked around and out of eye sight and I quickly sprang into action and followed him. To my surprise he ran straight up to another toddler, this one in a diaper and climb- ing all over a motorcycle parked in front of the restaurant At this point, I thought for like to imagine I would do the right thing and intervene when necessary, but there's never any way to know for sure whether I would spring into Good Samar- itan mode. That is until a couple of weeks ago — and to tell you the truth if things played out a little different I'm not sure if I would have still acted the way I did. My wife and I had gone out to a restaurant for dinner. When we were walking through the parking lot to the entrance, my wife pointed to a little toddler running around. sure I was on a television show and the producer had just yelled, "cue the second baby," through his headset. We tried to reason with the child who could talk and asked him where his mommy was. He said he didn't have one, but his pop was walking with him. one. ple was inside the restaurant We saw every table seated next to a window staring out at us and what was going on. However, no one ever came out to ask if they could help. Just stares. Eventually we convinced the kids to sit on a bench, while we We looked around. Still no Where there were some peo- called the police. As my wife was on the phone, the kids took off running again and we noticed a man try- ing his best to keep up. I told my wife to tell the police to come anyway as the man looked in no shape to take care of the kids. While we waited for the cops the older boy kept grabbing his younger brother by the hand and taking him in a different place to hide. building following him, trying to keep them away from the street. I ran around the explained to me that the boys' mother and father had been arrested earlier in the day. Their dis- abled grandfather was trying to take care of them and the stress had gotten to him. After a few minutes the cops Rich Greene Just before the cops showed up the boys finally gave up and followed the man back to a SUV in the parking lot after he threatened to leave them behind. eventually arrived and I point- ed out to a van, where the man at this point seemed to be passed out in the front seat. Three or four police cars walking up to the restaurant I don't know what I would have done. Had I not been was a television show? It would have been less stressful to be on the other side of the looking glass that's for sure, but in this instance I feel better for having stumbled into a problem in this crazy wonder- land of ours. eating would have I just watched the inci- dent unfold like it Had I already been Reporter Rich Greene can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 109 or by email at rgreene@redbluffdailynews.c om.