What A Community

To the Editor:

 I recently had the mixed blessing of visiting your town yesterday for the wake of one of your most prized citizens, Gregory Chion. What a wonderful view I got of your town. I now know why Gregory was the type of boy he was.

I had the pleasure of caring for Greg as did many of us at Westchester Medical Center. I was always astounded at his depth as a boy of 16, when I met him. But as I looked around yesterday I saw why. What a community... almost as American as you could get. A display of warmth and empathy missing in many communities today. Your young people were there to lend this grieving family their support in such a way that only could be described as a great testament to both Gregory and the families that have raised them.

Again thank you for letting me share in your community, even if it was under the most saddest of circumstances, and of course thank all of you for lending us Gregory , for however short a time.

Pat Lightfoot, RN

155 Coolidge Street, Haverstraw, NY October 30, 2000