To the editor:

I would like to add a personal response to Chuck Woodling’s Dec. 6 article regarding the life lessons taught by Kenny Page. As stated in the article, I did have the privilege to play on three of Mr. Page’s American Legion teams in the late ’60s.

My most vivid memory of Mr. Page has nothing to do with how to hit or throw a curveball. I recall that before a game several of us were not paying complete attention during the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner.” At the song’s conclusion, Mr. Page reminded us of the “error in our ways!” He told us of serving in the Pacific theater during World War II and related that he had never seen a “sight so beautiful as an American flag flying over an upcoming island, across the bow of a ship, while in hostile territory.” He assured us that while we didn’t fully understand at that time, someday we surely would.

This is a lesson that Mr. Page learned in the early ’40s, that I learned in the late ’60s and that cannot be overstated today. To this day, I could not imagine not standing straight, with hat removed, during the anthem’s playing. “Patriotism is not something you do while you’re waiting for the game to start,” as Mr. Page sternly reminded us.

As often seems to be the case, the real lessons learned from teachers and coaches is seldom the subject at hand. There are many selfless volunteers today teaching today’s youths lessons similar to what Kenny Page taught me 35 years ago. Next time you see one, please remember to tell them thank you before you read their obituary in the paper.

Tom Jennings,

Lawrence