Bomber Mascot Crisis
Issue # 7 ~ 07/31/01
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Today's comments submitted by:

Greg Larson (69), Bobbie Gilstrap (72)
Kim Edgar (79), Jil Lytle (82)
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>>From: Greg Larson (69)

Pam [Pyle (69)], you said it all.  In the end, if they
change the name -- and I don't see a reason to change it
-- it won't erase or change the memories.

-Greg Larson (69)
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>>From: Bobbie Gilstrap (72)

Hi,

I am late in this subject.  What and why is the school
board wanting to change?

Thanks,
-Bobbie Gilstrap Garrick (72)
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>>From: Kim Edgar (79)

Copy of letter sent to the Superintendent and School
Board Members
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July 30, 2001

Superintendent Semler
Richland School District
615 Snow Avenue
Richland, Washington 99352

Dear Superintendent Semler:

I graduated from Col-High/Richland High School in 1979,
and I am proud to be called a Bomber.  This letter is in
regard to the Bombshell, which was donated, placed at the
school, and then removed.

We alumni are very proud of our heritage and our
association as Bombers. This is demonstrated by the
number of classmates who joined the alumni's website and
the sandstorm (daily newsletter), of which 3,513 have
registered with Classmates.com.  Our school spirit has
enabled many to rekindle old friendships as well form new
ones.

By changing the name ("Bombers"), removing the bombshell,
and changing the mascot, ("The Bomb") to appease a few
people who feel offended, is wrong. You might as well
tell the Air and Space Museums not to display the Enola
Gay because it is too controversial.

This school district has an opportunity through the
bombshell to display a piece of history, preserve the
memories of the past, and honor the veterans of WWII as
well as the families of those who served in that war.

Agree with it or not, the atomic bomb is not only our
nation's history, but our town's history as well.  Please
return the bombshell where it belongs and allow the
school to display its mascot.

Please accept the bombshell gift with the same pride and
enthusiasm that the students and alumni's share. The
Bomber name and its mascot are known not only statewide,
but nationwide; let's keep that way!

Sincerely,

	
Kim Edgar Leeming
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-Kim Edgar (79)
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>>From: Jil Lytle (82)

I just have a couple questions.  If this is all just
about "district policy", why did two of the school
district employees give the "OK" to install the bomb in
the gym and another order its removal?   I don't think
one hand knows what the other is doing.  A refresher
course about policies in the district is in order.  A
summer course perhaps?

Nuke 'Em -- Always a Bomber
J. Lytle-Smith 

-Jil Lytle (82)
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That's it for today.  Keep the faith!  Nuke 'em!
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Send RHS Nickname/Mascot entries to:
<rhsnickname@richlandbombers.com>
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