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Educator Retires After 46 Years
Veterans Opinions Vary On President’s Visit To Vietnam
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
In 1970, segregated schools were a thing of the past, and a signal that the concept of edu- cation based on race was un- constitutional.
It was during that same year that Ms. Mary Hobley began teaching.
Because it was the first year of desegregation, some all- white schools hadn’t enrolled any African American stu- dents. Ms. Hobley, an in- structor at Forest Hills Elementary School, said she recalls not having any African Americans in her classroom.
After spending 46 years at one school, Ms. Hobley an- nounced her retirement this year.
The journey for Ms. Hob- ley began as a first grader at- tending Meacham Elementary School.
“That’s when I knew I was going to be an educator. After graduating from Middleton High School, I attended Tal- ladega College, graduating with a B.S. in Education. I at- tained my Master’s Degree after I started teaching.
“I’m proud to have spent my entire teaching career at For- est Hills. I love what I do, and I get so much joy in seeing kids happy and eager to learn.”
Ms. Hobley said she really hadn’t planned on retiring but
Joining Ms. Hobley (far right) as retiring educators from Forest Hill Elementary are: Gloria Mayers, Linda Scoville, and Debbie Seeders.
after Governor Rick Scott changed their retirement sys- tem, she decided to retire.
“Retiring doesn’t mean I’ll stop teaching. I plan to con- tinue educating as a tutor at New Hope M. B. Church.
“Looking back, I can’t point at any particular instructor who had the biggest impact on my future. I think they all did.”
Ms. Hobley, who never married and has no children, said she’s enjoyed her 46-year career, and now she’s going to relax and keep busy.
“I’ve gone through so many changes in the school system, some good and some not so good.
“My joy comes when I run into adults who remember when I taught them. It makes me proud to know they are successful.”
JOHNNIE D. HISMITH, JR.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
World War II veterans enjoy talking about their experiences and sharing them with family members and friends. The same can’t be said for Vietnam Conflict veterans.
Fighting a war that had no real agenda, and then ending it without any success left a bad taste in the mouths of Vietnam veterans, and they feel the loss of life didn’t warrant the expe- rience.
In May, President Barack Obama became the third U. S. President (Bill Clinton and George Bush preceded him) in visiting post-war Vietnam.
The President made the visit for the purpose of restoring re- lations between the U. S., and the communist-led country.
Vietnam veterans were asked how they felt about the Presi- dent’s visit to Vietnam, and these are their responses.
Carl Harris: “I don’t think he should have gone to Viet- nam. Whatever mission he was on is not the point. We really don’t know what his mission was, and we’d like to get some clarification.
“As a veteran, none of us have shown any interest in returning to Vietnam. The South Viet- namese requested our pres- ence, and that’s why we were there. I just don’t see what his visit is supposed to accom- plish.”
Johnnie B. HiSmith, Jr.
said, “I think the visit was heroic. I’m proud he did go. As far as I’m concerned, it’s very dangerous still, and I think there are POWs (prisoners of war) still there. I commend him for that.
“I know things have changed since my tour, and I hope his visit accomplished whatever his mission was. I think Presi- dent Obama is trying to es- tablish peace and open better lines of communication. It took amanwithalotofhearttodo what he did, and he’s an out- standing president.”
Melvin Collins said at
CARL HARRIS
Forest Hills Assistant Principal, Otis Kitchen, and Ms. Mary Hobley.
Ms. Hobley said she also plans to spend time with her sister, nephew, niece, and other family members.
MELVIN COLLINS
some point, the United States had to become friendly with the country again.
“As a veteran, I don’t know why we were there in the first place. I lost two relatives in Vietnam, and I just want to know why?”
Dave Harris said, he thinks it was a great trip that should have been done a long time ago.
“Agent Orange destroyed so many veterans, and it’s great to see someone still cares about what happened in Vietnam.
“I was in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 and my experience is one I’ll never forget. I was with the 17th Aircav.
“We have more than 2,000 missing veterans, and this will help in recovering them and bring them home.”
Calvin Strange said, the memory of Vietnam is some- thing he has to live with the rest of his life, and he would rather not be reminded of anything that happened there.
“That skirmish has been over for more than 40 years, and we’re still trying to put it be- hind us and move on. It hasn’t been easy, because a lot of vet- erans are still homeless, or have mental health issues. Some have committed suicide.
“If this country really wants to make a statement, they should care more about the Vietnam veterans, and get them the help they desperately need."
Tampa Housing Authority Awarded Funds To Help Homeless Veterans
The Tampa Housing Au- thority has been awarded more than $5 million to pro- vide additional housing for homeless veterans over the past 10 years. The grant was provided by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Recently, Tampa Housing Au- thority was given another $248,508 to provide 39 new vouchers. To date, the number of vets assisted here in Hills- borough County with the Tampa Housing Authority taking the lead has surpassed
660 persons.
“For those brave and coura-
geous men and women who served unselfishly,” said Ben Wacksman, Chairperson for the Tampa Housing Board of Commissioners. “I’m thrilled that THA was provided the opportunity to become a part- ner in assisting to those who gave so much and now find themselves homeless”
This funding to local hous- ing agencies is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to end long-term
chronic homelessness for Vet- erans. Homeless veterans are referred to the public housing agencies for these HUD-VASH vouchers, based upon a vari- ety of factors, most impor- tantly the need for and willingness to participate in case management.
“We have an obligation to look out for those who put themselves in harm’s way,” said Jerome Ryans, Presi- dent and CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL-BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016