Patriots stand tall

Thank you for running the article on the World Champions New England Patriots. My special thanks go out to Skip Chappelle and former coach Dick McPherson.

I have been a diehard fan for many years and a season-ticket holder. It gives me great pleasure to celebrate this year. It is great to a Patriot fan, being an underdog, and winning the pot of gold. Besides the pros picked us to finish 8-8 this year.

In closing I would like to ask a simple reminder to all Pats fans and all Americans across the country. We are all Patriots, even before the 9/11 tragedy. Let’s all stand tall and support each other and all that were and still are effected by the 9/11 tragedy. Let’s support our troops and remember the three most important words: God bless America!

Rene P. Morneault

Eddington

Hockey tourney excellent

There was a tournament in town recently. Not basketball, but the Maine Amateur Hockey Association (MeAHA) Tier II State Hockey Tournament. Between Sawyer Arena in Bangor and the T.J. Ryan Center in Brewer, there were 40 hockey games played and state champions crowned in Squirts, Peewees and Bantams. Twenty-one Maine teams were in town from Biddeford to Brewer. All three championships games were decided by one goal.

There was some great hockey games played! Congratulations to state champions Lewiston Squirts, Lewiston Peewees and Auburn Bantams and all the teams who participated in the tournament. The local teams of Brewer, Bangor and PVHC represented themselves well and were in it to the end.

My hat goes off to the volunteers and officials at both rinks for a job well done. A special thanks goes out to the fans who cheered and supported their teams, with respect to the other teams and facilities. The fans and parents filled our local hotels, stores and restaurants, as well as our rinks. And a very special thanks goes to the Brewer Youth Hockey members, sponsors and the staff at the T.J. Ryan Center, who assisted in running the tournament schedule in Brewer.

And lastly, congratulations to the Brewer Squirt Team, Tier II runners-up. Excellent job.

Jeff Thompson

Brewer Youth Hockey Board

Manning says thanks

Over the past few weeks, I’ve received a number of calls, cards, and letters, wishing me well for my knee surgery on Jan. 4. You might remember that I injured my knee right after the UMaine women’s basketball first exhibition game in Augusta. The arthroscopic surgery was scheduled during Christmas break, so I’d have several weeks to rehab. What a shock to discover that I hadn’t just injured my knee, or stretched a ligament, I had torn my ACL. So I had a second ACL replacement surgery, and it’s been tough all around. My doctor has recommended that I not play basketball, not only this year but also next, and he has encouraged me to give up this level of competition in basketball.

I’m writing to thank you for your support this first semester at the University of Maine, and to let you know why you won’t be seeing me in the lineup. This spring, I’ve enrolled in Colorado College, a small liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, close to my doctor, physical therapy, and my family.

One of my first days this fall, someone asked me why I came to Maine to play basketball. My response was brief: the team, the coach, the fans, and the promise. Two years ago when I was recruited to play for the Black Bears, I fell in love with the team.

During my first year all hopes were realized: these girls are terrific. Coach Sharon Versyp is dynamite. People say that no one in the country knows her X’s and O’s as well as she does, and I expect that’s true. Her research strategy and on floor coaching are outstanding.

The fans are great! No team in the country enjoys the support we have from our fans. When we are on the road, University of Maine alumni come out to cheer, in big numbers.

It breaks my heart to leave the University and to give up Division I basketball. I am thankful to have been part of the Black Bears’ basketball program, even briefly. It was an awesome experience. Thank you.

Kelly Manning

Nashville, Tenn.

Mondays with Wes

They came from Jackman, Calais, Caribou and Rockland. They came to see Wes. After Wes Jordan retired from the University he and I ran a free clinic for middle school, high school and college Athletes on Mondays. I would explain the technical stuff and Wes would put it into real life language. Coaches, parents and players trusted him. We miss him.

Gary Parker, M.D.

Bangor