To the Editor:

Kipling has been my home for all my life except for the three years in the Royal Canadian Navy.

I have seen the streets blowing with dust, I have seen poverty in our town. I have witnessed the struggles to put water and sewers as part of our infrastructure. Paving was a contentious issue. I also have seen a lot of fun times like carnivals, bonspiels, sports days and homecomings.

I have been proud of the community that volunteered hundreds of men and women to offer their lives in wartime, some of whom never came home!

I was proud to serve on the town council, and six others, namely Pat, Darren, Kevin, Maurice, Mark, Duane, who after much soul searching and wondering, decided to go for the “paper clip trade.” It was a mind blowing concept.

In hind sight it is easy to relate to the huge success it turned out to be.

Never in our wildest dreams could we have anticipated the world wide attention such a scheme could generate.

Much of the success is due to the effort of hundreds of volunteers; the participation of the business people, the whole hearted acceptance (in most part) of the community.

It makes me proud!
I love this country!
I love this province!
And I will love Kipling forever!