[KYHAM] Christmas Message from Ky Section Emerg. Coord.

[Ron Dodson]

Another year has almost come to its close with only 14 days
remaining.  At this time, I wish to extend a wish to all for
a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.  Many of you will be on the
roads going shopping and visiting with family and friends. 
Let's all be careful out there and watch out for whatever
the others on the road may do or fail to do that might put
us in harm's way. 

This Christmas season will mark my 23rd year in amateur
radio as I received my Novice ticket (with this call) in the
mail on Dec. 26, 1979.  An unknown number of QSO's have come
and gone since that day using many different modes and rigs.
One thing that I have learned is that we all form a type of
an extended family.  Regardless of how well we each may get
along or what our opinions may be on diverse matters. Being
a licensed amateur is special and we are all in this
extended family and share a great heritage.  

Those of us who use our radios in public service have an
even stronger bond and a rich sense of having done something
useful to assist our fellow man.  Amateur radio, this month,
has been used to bring a little holiday joy to many children
who lie in hospitals facing many scary challenges while most
of the world moves about in a festive mood. For those who
participated, I am sure, the feeling they received for their
efforts was far above that from any Christmas party they
might have attended instead. This year and in years past,
amateur radio has worked in the interest of the public at
large helping to warn of dangerous weather, bringing aid to
those in need and improving coordination of response efforts
for fires and other disasters.  In the words of Jacob
Marley's ghost, we have truly, "...gone forth among our
fellow men."  Amateur radio can be merely a hobby or one of
the greatest life experiences we can have while on this
earth.  The choice is ours to make.  
Peace and blessing of the season to you all.

73, 
Ron, KA4MAP
SEC Ky