Bethpage-Tribune_2007-05-25

              BETHPAGE PUBLIC UBI
Bethpage, Are You Ready to Relay?
In just a little over a week the track at Bethpage High School will literal­ly
be turned into a campground and Bethpage will be turning a bit purple, as
Bethpage hosts its first ever Relay for Life on June 2, 2007. This fantastic
program which is sponsored by the American Cancer Society is an overnight
event that invites everyone from the community to register and take part in a
night to remember. More importantly, it is a night that we as a community
can get together and make a difference in the lives of those struggling with
cancer. We can have an impact on finding cures to different forms of this
dreaded disease as well as designing treatment plans for those fighting for
their lives. We can make a difference and we should!
Let me explain. For those reading this, who have never been involved in
a Relay before, it may seem a bit confusing. Basically Relay for Life is a
two day event that invites residents to form teams and take turns walking the
track for the entire evening. You are able to bring tents, canopies and even
cots along with food and refreshments for your team. Registering is simple
and can be done on line by visiting www.cancer.org and looking for the
Relay link. It costs a mere $10 for each team members and then each team
can raise funds however they would like. They can get sponsors per lap,
straight out donations or any other creative means to raise money. So far
folks in Bethpage have been pretty crafty and have already hosted car wash­es,
garage sales and even a Hawaiian Luau to raise money for Relay.
And rest assured that monies raised are put to work fighting the disease
and not wasted on anything else. Over 90 cents of every dollar raised goes
directly towards research, treatment and finding a cure. So far the communi­ty
of Bethpage has already raised $54,970 with donations coming in every
day!
The event begins with a special dinner for survivors at 5:00pm in the
High School Cafeteria. Cancer survivors are invited to partake in a wonder­ful
meal as a tribute to each of them and their success in fighting cancer (If
you are a survivor and would like to attend or know of a survivor please
contact Anna Israelton 935-2917, Pattie Lyons 933-7889 or Ann Simon at
433-2094) It is during this Survivors Dinner that the Relay Committee
"toasts" the true heroes of this event and makes sure that they realize how
special and important they are to everyone.
Opening ceremonies begin at approximately 7:00 and will feature several
guest speakers as well as inspirational words from our chairpersons. And
then the first lap around the Bethpage High School track will be for our sur­vivors.
This lap is a true inspiration and will surely reinforce why you took
part in this event in the first place. It is incredible. Everyone then is asked to
join our survivors and take a lap around the track
After the various laps and official start the Bethpage Fire Department
will be grilling up hot dogs which will be served from approximately
10:00pm - midnight and your team will be taking laps, chatting with friends
and partaking in a wonderful evening which will include specialty laps such
as a PAJAMA LAP, HAWAIIAN LAP, 3-LEGGED LAP, BACKWARDS
LAP, CRAZY HAT LAP and PATRIOTIC LAP. There will also be entertain­ment
throughout the evening which will include various High School Bands,
a DJ, special activities and even a back massage or two compliments of
Doctor Scott Berg!
From 9pm- 10:00pm a Luminaria Ceremony will be held. What is a
luminaria? A luminaria is a luminary bag filled with votive candles which
will be placed around the entire perimeter of the track. These luminary bags
are sold for $10 each or 3 for $25 and are adorned with messages for those
who are fighting the disease or for those who have sadly lost the battle. This
luminary ceremony is something that you will never, ever forget and is
something so important to be a part of.
After that we all walk, talk and take part in the many activities and some
may even take a nap. In the morning we clean up our area and head home.
Except when we head home one thing will be a little different. We all will be
taking home the knowledge that we did something and helped the lives of so
many. We will be different because we will know that we have made a differ­ence.
That my friends, is the gift that Relay gives to everyone who participates
in it. Sadly cancer has effected so many lives right here in our community. By
participating in Relay for Life we all are having an effect on cancer and that
effect is stopping it and curing it!
And if you can't make it on June 2 then my advice is find someone or a
team who is and donate! Look for a garage sale being hosted for Relay or kids
collecting change in a can for Relay and give with your heart because it mat­ters...
it really matters.
The community of Bethpage has a great deal to be proud of. Wonderful resi­dents,
, top notch schools and a community that truly cares. Bethpage has yet
another thing to be proud of and that is that we are now a RELAY COMMU­NITY
and we all wear our PURPLE PROUDLY.
For further information please contact Judy Wichter, chairperson at 932-
9558. Special thanks to the Wichter family as they are responsible for bringing
Relay to Bethpage and for making sure that Bethpage joins the fight against
cancer.
Memorial Day, May 28
Today we gather, young and old, to honor heroes ever bold.
In love of country, shedding blood, off dying in some climb of mud.
We come to watch a mother's tear, for someone special she holds dear,
Roll down its path on a grief stained face, where pain and pride con­tend
with grace.
In Flander's Fields still poppies blow, between crosses, row on row.
Where gallant men, beneath the sod, await the bugle call of God.
Your quarrel with the foe is done, you ran the race, your crown is won.
We caught your torch; we hold it high. We'll do so 'till the day we die.
Like Moses with his mighty staff, you fought
the wrongs on right's behalf
You showed by deed to all the world,
our FLAG'S true strength when once unfurled.
This day our country sets aside, to honor you with prayer and pride.
The memories of life's young spring,
are roses now that makes hearts sing!
Now go to sleep and slumber on; your troubles here below are gone.
Your rifle has been put to rest; you marched to heaven with the best.
With patron saints to welcome you,
all spangled in red, white and blue!
You lived a patriotic role, and set for us an awesome goal!
And so today, we gather here, to honor those we hold quite dear.
To conjure up the joyful past, and strain to make each mem'ry last.
We march our p'rade a country mile, and call to mind a parting smile.
This solemn gathering each year,
consoles old hearts with warming cheer.
Dear Father of the good and brave, give us the strength that we behave
The way our honored dead have done,
and run the race that we have won!
To love our country, neighbor, too, and recognizes our debt to You.
And Father, at Your final call, may we join heroes in their Hall!
by Walter G. O'Connell
In memory of those men and women of Bethpage and all across
our country who gave their lives for their country so that we all
may live in freedom.