Letters to the Editor

HEART Of Gold

I enjoyed the winter 2008 issue of the Montanan very much, especially the articles on Eric Braeden and art at The University of Montana. Reading about the art collection reminded me that several years ago you did an entire article about Fra Dana. I found her art just wonderful and her life fascinating.

Carol Hausauer ’84
Beaverton, OR

Description off base

I just thought I would let you know on page twenty-eight of the (winter 2008) Montanan in the caption of the picture of Dan DeCoite, you say he is in Fort Sill, Colorado. Fort Sill is the home of field artillery and in Lawton, Oklahoma. I went to basic training there in 1987. Fort Carson, which has special forces groups, is in Colorado at Colorado Springs. As a retired soldier and UM graduate, I enjoyed the article. I too, along with many Montana guardsmen, spent 2005 in Iraq.

Bill Patterson ’95
Broomfield, CO

Up With Memories

Thanks for the information on getting the “Up With Montana” ringtone. When my phone rings, it reminds me of the times we took the train from Missoula to Butte to watch the Grizzlies play the Bobcats. We ran up and down the length of the train singing our Montanan songs at the top of our lungs for the whole trip. Ah, the spirit and energy of those days!

Bob Duval ’51
Bristol, CT

Help, I’m Stumped!

First of all, great winter issue! I always enjoy your magazine. Being a graduate of the School of Forestry, I read with interest the article on “Memorial Row.” It left me wondering though, in both the first paragraph and the picture caption, it mentions the “original” pine trees. Are not the ones standing today the original trees, or did something happen to the original trees, and the ones we currently see are replacements?

Chuck Harris, ’74
Chief, Bigfork Fire Department

[Editor’s note: The original Memorial Row pine trees still stand today. However, many trees are stressed because of campus construction, disease, weather, and bicycle and pedestrian traffic.]

Major Salute

Thanks for our Montanan. You are surely in the top percentage of excellence in college magazine publications. Keep up the good work!

Lt. Col. Sidney R. Howard,
U.S.A.F., Ret. ’62, B.S. ’67
via e-mail

Blast From The Past

I want to relay to the Alumni Association how impressed I was as a “grad” with the 2007 fiftieth graduation celebration last May. It was more of a thrill than the Commencement week during early June of 1957, when my proud parents drove over from Laurel to watch their youngest walk off the platform with a B.A. in his hand! From the opening reception at the North Hall welcome desk to the final hug and photo opportunity with President Dennison, it was a grand experience. And, the formal dedication of the new J-School was a treasured part of the festivities for me! I do not know how the reunion could have been improved upon. Every 1958 graduate should become a part of your upcoming 2008 reunion. My personal “thanks” to the UM Alumni Association.

Jim Graff ’57
via e-mail

Correction:

The winter 2008 issue of the Montanan incorrectly identified Fort Sill as being located in Colorado (From Campus to Combat). Fort Sill is located in Oklahoma. In the same article, Rich Magera was identified as UM’s ROTC Grizzly Batallion commander during 1981-84. He actually served as instructor during that time. We apologize for the errors.

WANTED: YOUR OPINIONS

The Montanan welcomes letters to the editor. Please sign and include your graduating year or years of attendance, home address, and phone number or e-mail address.

Send them to:
Montanan Editor
325 Brantly Hall
Missoula, MT 59812 or
themontanan@umontana.edu.

Because of space limitations, we are not able to include all letters sent to us. Letters may be edited for length or clarity. While universities are places of discussion where good people do not always agree, letters deemed potentially libelous or that malign a person or group will not be published. Opinions expressed in the Montanan do not necessarily reflect those of The University of Montana.