Portland Observer Thursday, December 22, 1977 Page 3
From behind the wall
To the Breidenback and Miles Families
My thoughts will be of you on Christ
mas, give Darlynn my love too.
God Bless You,
Love Frank and Dad
by Larry Baker «95021
O.8.P. Corres.ioadent
1.
What is Christina« all about?
What doe« a Prayer .»rovide?
What are such thing« aa Kiadneaa, Con
cern, Love and Ho;»e?
If these are answers found inside a
t hristmas package sent to a prisoner,
then this Prison Correspondent has been
receiving a Christmas package each and
every week since he first became asso
ciated with the Portland Observer (since
the second week of March 1977.
On this very night as he sat inside his
cell, with pen in hand, preparing the next
issue of "Behind the Walls." he feels
grateful to the Portland Observer for
opening this most valuable avenue of
communication and information from a
prisoner to readers of weekly publica
tions all over the U.S.
The material gathered each week for
this column has been written and pro
duced within the cells of this institution.
Many of these cells are no longer the
most loneliest places in the world for
some of these men and women who
occupy them night after night. It was
from many of these cells that gave birth
to the “Behind The Walls” column. It
could not have been born anywhere else
without the thoughts of these incar
cerated men and women in the loneliness
and the stillness of their own little worlds
behind bars - some in fear, others in
happiness, many in silence, trying to
express in writing their pains, sorrows
and joys to the whole wide world.
It has been a Christmas present week
after week throughout the past nine
months - to watch a face light-up while
watching a prisoner read and re read
something he may have written and is
now for the first time seeing it in print.
But one of the most constructive and
beautiful achievements being accomplish
ed in the area right now is the priviledge
of the Oregon public to obtain a closer
insight of persons who for years have
been labeled "social outcasts" and “hu
man rejects”; who have been tucked
away behind bars somewhere in one of
Salem, Oregon's cuckoo nests. Many of
these same citizens have read what a
prisoner may have spent many weeks in
preparing and many have responded
with their points of view. Some have
even changed their opinions through cor-
responding directly with the writer of the
article printed in “Behind the Walls", and
found out that many of the prisoners in
these cells are only people too, as strange
as it may sound.
And yet. stranger, during the develop
ment of this column the primary purpose
and goals for "Behind The Walls"
column was to open the avenues for
communication, PEOPLE MEETING
PEOPLE, and expressing on subjects of
the writer's choosing - proving once
again, that freedom of press and freedom
of speech are a Constitutional Right, that
just too many Americans have given
their lives to protect. May no bars, nor
walls or guntowers ever bottleu.i such a
valuable tool.
Sure enough, some of us, who are
prisoners of the Oregon State Peniten
tiary, may actually belong here and will
remain here until that last breath, but
may j t be acknowledged that even the
prisoner can leave something of value and
everlasting to the world...be it a life
story or something as simple as a
Christmas ;ioem written for the first
time.
As a letter received last week which
was written by an interested citizen of
Oregon. "I am amazed at the intelligence
displayed by many of the prisoners who
have submitted articles to “Behind the
Walls,” column each week."
This Correspondent replied in writing,
“Don't feel lonesome lady, many of the
prisoners, themselves, are just as amazed
at what they have written - MERRY
CHRISTMAS.
At this time, this Correspondent would
like to express his ;tersonal gratitude to
the many incarcerated prisoners through
out the State of Oregon, in jails and in
prisons - without them this column could
not have been possible.
And may the many “THANKS" go
beyond these walls to the Oregon public
for the many letters received by this
Correspondent and his staff in support of
"Behind the Walls,” and proving those
things called Kindness, Concern, Love
and Ho;ie in answer to .»rayer» that
through publication a better understand
ing and respect be known about “Thy
Fellow Mon!”
Merry Christmas Everybody!
To the Portland Metroplant Committee:
To all the old gang who hung out at the
Elk's Club:
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year. To my best
friend, a pretty and very considerate
lady, Martha Kelley.
Thomas Adair «39801
Merry Christmas - everybody! Happy
New Year, hope you have many, many
more.
W.D. Norris «36049
To my Mom and Dad.
To Mrs. Laudermilk:
If you have the joy of Jesus in your
heart to stay you can say with smiles and
gladness Merry Christmas day.
From,
Vernell Laudermilk «39320
To Mosa:
With all my love on Christmas.
From Daddy,
Edmond Davis Kizer «39422
To my Mother and Father:
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and
may God protect you through my pray
ers.
Alfred Alexander «35385
To my Wonderful Mother:
To Gloria Franklin:
Merry Christmas to you and the
children, Micky, Doe-Doe, and Tasha.
Love and Good Wishes for you all during
the coming year....
George Thomas «39719
I would like to toast this Christmas to
my family - my wife, mother, son and
father, and all other supporters of me.
Without you there could be no me. you
brighten up my day. Merry Christmas
and happier New Years to come.
John L. Smith «34923
To my Sharon:
Of all the gifts I have ever received
during the Christmas season the gift of
your love this year has been and always
will be the one most important to me,
always, through each and every year.
Merry Christmas Darling,
Bihy Whitmire «39007
To Wife and Kids, Sue and Kelly:
Love and happiness all through the
year.
William Farmer «37825
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
Steven J. Cole «39629
To my Wife Betty and Jimmy Dexter
and everyone. I am very sorry that I will
not be home with all my family, but I wish
you all a Happy Christmas and I hope to
be home soon.
Francis Pilgrim «39804
To Judge Pat Dooley:
To my Family:
Thanks for caring. Merry Christmas.
Richard D. Reinhart «36755
Thanks for making my stay here as
pleasant as possible.
A
Barry A. Walker «39633
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year!
Johnny L. Polite «38555
Hope all of you a Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year. To all - Laverne,
Kay, Karyn, Jan, Ricky, Jay, Lee, Kip,
Dee, Stephen, Nicolia Johnson.
J.J. Johnson, Jr. «39808
Merry Christmas. Keep up the good
work. May peace be with you always.
Fred B. Good «39723
Even though circumstances keep us
apart, have a very Merry Christmas and
a Joyous New Year. The love in our
hearts is stronger than time.
Stephen K. Miller «39313
To Everybody:
Although I don't have anybody at all to
write to or even a family, I just want to
wish everybody a Merry Christmas.
Walter JoHanson «35627
To my: Mother, sister, family, Pastor
Oliver Baker, many friends, Andy, Polly,
Dan. Wayne and Judy, Don and Helen,
and many more -- who stood by me, with
love, in a most turbulent time of my life.
Together we'll see that Romans 8:28
really works - Merry Christinas with
Love.
Jim McHone «39399
Merry Christmas: To my Wife and Boys.
How I love you with all my heart and
love my two boys. too.
Frank G. Wilson «38853
To Bev:
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a lot
of joy in the coming New Year.
Gary Phillips «39792
through.
Calvin Hamrick «37095
Mom and Dad:
To Katy Hanson:
To the Williams’ family:
I wish you all a very Merry Christinas,
sorry I can’t be there.
Michele:
Yes my pretty the Lord has brought us
together and our future is in his hands. I
wish you a Merry Christmas.
James E. Gray «37764
To Gloria Chine and Jess, also Fritz and
Albert:
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year. I love you all!!
Ray Charles Maple,
President of UHURU
«37156
To Mrs. Caroline Baker and Tamaka
Baker:
May this Christmas be the last one we
spend without each other.
Guy Leonard Baker «39600
To my Jamil on Christmas, who I long
to be with on this day. With all the love
for them.
Love,
Vincent L. Jones «38665
To my family on Christmas, may all of
you keep the faith. Not only on Christ
mas, but every day, while true know
ledge, true understanding, true wisdom,
for I surely love you all, for our happiness
will grow even more when we are all
together.
Love,
Reginald I. Cox «38332
To Mary Galloway:
Even though you are in California, here
is wishing you a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year, may you enjoy the
same joyful moments you did last year
and years to come.
Joe Kilpatrick «39644
To Velma Smith:*
I know you will have a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year
through Jesus, our Lord. Praise the Lord
always. With all my Love.
Ron Smith «39758
Though a prisoner in body only, my
free spirit wishes all Oregon a Merry
Christmas and Peace on earth to all
fellow beings.
Herman R. Wood «38929
To the Brown and Ellis Families:
May God bless and be with you through
the Christmas Holidays. Sorry I can’t be
there.
Love,
Sam Jr. «36033
To Mazell, or should I say Mom? Merry
Christmas and God bless.
Love,
John Elmore «37712
Bless you and your family.
To the People of the Ark of Safety
Church of God Pentecostal:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year, Honey ~ I wish you all the
happiness in the world. Be a good little
girl, and keep studying in school. Tell
your mother, I wish same.
Victor Hanna «38814
I wish all a very warm and cheerful
Christinas and New Year, and that you
are receiving all the good things that God
has to offer. Also Mary Golden and Betty
Odom, I say you are two sweet ladies.
Spencer LaRue Peterson «39288
To Frances Howard:
I wish you the best during these
holidays and may the sun shine for you
always!
One Who Loves You,
Henry George «34751
My Pesi:
I am sending this wish for Christmas
and my love knowing we cannot write or
visit. I hope this note reaches you so
you’ll still know I love you, my wife of life.
Verne Ray Boley «39310
To the Wesson Family of Portland,
Oregon:
I, Claude S. Wesson, have taken the
time out to wish you all a very Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. May
peace abound in your small company.
With True Brotherly Love,
Claude S. Wesson
To all my Christian Brothers and
Sisters, and especially to Judy, my love;
let’s remember this season the words of
Jesus - “If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his
cross daily and follow me.”
Much Love to You,
Johnny Schrock «36337
To Tina Morrow:
Merry Christmas to you and the family,
wish you happiness throughout the year.
Gary Nebergall #39779
To James Rhoades:
Still awaiting your response!
Merry Christmas,
Skillful Davis «36651
To my Family:
A Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year.
Love,
Harold Gauetty «39694
May we enter from the essence of this
world into the next. Merry Christmas.
Love Dad,
Arlo Jones «38988
American State Bank
2737 N.E. Union
282-2216
. . . UNION OR COMPANY
DENTAL INSURANCE
is a valuable a s s e t. . .
Use it to protect
your health
and
appearance
To all the People of the State of Oregon:
I would like to wish you all a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please
write me anytime.
Thank You,
Robert Mouqueda «38645
COMPLETE COOPERATION
ON ALL
DENTAL INSURANCE CLAIMS
To Opal and Family:
May you have a nice Christmas and let
us all look forward to the coming year.
Love,
Floyd 0 . Thomas «39813
WE HANDLE ALL THE DETAILS OF
COMPLETING YOUR CLAIM FORMS
Open Saturday Morning
_
MUSIÓ M ILLENNIUM
V
NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED
Como in at your convenience
“Portland^ Flnaat”
*> Jazz and SoulLpal
Eddie L. Williams
To Vickie Lynn Hanna:
May this Christmas bring you all the
joy and happiness possible.
Michael Nugent «32543
From,
L. Dart «39807
To the People of Oregon:
My nearest friends and relatives live
far away, but I would like to take this
opportunity to wish all the people of this
State of Oregon a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year.
Julian Joseph Bekesz «37390
To Linda White:
To all the Black Sisters in Portland:
To Sharon, Sunday "Mike”:
I know this is the time for love and
happiness, so at this time I'm wishing the
whole family a lot of togetherness and
many more Christmas’s to come and a
Happy New Year!! I love you and miss
From your friend,
you.
Alan D. Cannon «39031
Jerome Ivory «38978
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year to you and the family. And may God
give you and the family many great
benediction in the near future. “Behold
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph
in a dream saying, arise and take the
young child and his mother, and flee into
E gyp t”
Ricky L. Brothers «39277
I wish you the best of season's greet
ings, and the best for the coming year.
Larry Nelson «38051
To Portland Observer:
This is the “Nation” from whence I
came. My family, enjoy this joy for
illusion, and may it allow you clearer
I’m still with you honey, with heart and
understanding of your universal being.
soul, always forever. Merry Christmas.
Recognize that all things possess beauty,
Anthony Stone «39796
even illusions. With these thoughts in
mind I will you to enjoy this Holiday
To my Dearest Wife Joyce:
known and called Christmas, and may the
New Year bring you universal Peace
It's fun now to remember the “falling- within!
in love” feelings, the will-she-call won't-
Larry R. Westbrook «36854
she-nights, the “love-me, love-me-not"
days; the kind that prove to be so filled Nancy:
with joy, it turns into a precious memory!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Christmas time is wishing time, so
From your loving husband, here’s my wish for you. Peace and health
Fred Willoughby «38889 and happiness, today and all year
To my Family:
To Ms. Judi Wysingle:
To my Wife and Family:
May a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year, for all and may God bless you.
To my sweet loving wife and my four
kids. Oh how I wish I could be there with
Burt N. Hall «39671
you. God bless you with my lonely love,
our day will come. Merry Christmas to
Marie:
you my darling. Merry Christmas to
everybody.
The Christmas spirit is but a dream to
Ralph A. Stevenson «39289
me now here in prison. But that doesn't
change the wish to be with you this year
To Julie;
and wish you a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year. Kiss the kids for me.
I'm thinking about you always and wish
Kenneth R. Bethune «38845
you a Merry Christmas and stay high and
keep on jammin’.
Ollie and Helen:
Gary Finn «39274
I remember well the beautiful mo
ments that we spent together, we’re
apart now Chris, but maybe if I'm
fortunate I'll get to see you again. If not
the precious memory of you will forever
be in my mind. Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year.
To Venus and J.J.:
To Alice, my brother Willie, and my
daughter MyJon:
To my Loving Wife, Carole and son Keys:
From those of us that cannot bring
Seasons Greetings in person, may we
send best wishes for health, love and hap
piness to all, forever more. Happy Holi
days.
0
Clayton L. Keene «38441
May you have sixty more Merry
Christmas' and sixty more Happy New
Year’s!
Jack Sullivan «35542
Yes love, the ole boys here again
(smile). Merry Christmas to you and
Mario, and my best wishes; always!
Stevie Hoggans «38921
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year.
Henry Elizer «39478
Merry Christmas,
To my Sweet Friend Christiane:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year. From your loving son.
James Todd «39784
To Janie:
To Thelma:
To my Family:
To my Mother and Father:
A lonely prisoner writes a letter heme.
To Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Groover
Sullivan, the Vance's, Jerry J. Dyal and
family. Best of greetings and Happy
Holidays.
Kenneth H. Vance «39802
I have no one in the state, but I wish
everyone a Merry Christinas.
Leon L. Phillips «39627
To Those Who Have No One;
M n it* 1
,
’
I have no one either this Christinas
to send good wishes to. So I’m wishing
you a Merry Christinas, and write any
time, so we will have someone next
Christmas to say Merry Christinas to.
Elbert Wright «36415
Hoping for you to have a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year for at
least 20 more years.
Love You Always,
Charles Ptarch «39777
.
PARK FREE-Any Park n Shop Lot
HOURS:
W e ^ d a y s8 :3 0 a .» .t.5 p .n ,
Saturday 8:30 a.ns. to I p .» .
Dr. Jeffrey BRADY, D entist
S.W. SRD A YAMHILL ST., PORTLAND, OREGON
TAKE ELEVATORTO 2ND FLOOR 3RD ST. ENTRANCE