THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608090161
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 72 lines
Good Samaritans can be found all over Beach
I have been a part of the Virginia Beach community for 38 years and have seen many ``Good Samaritans'' during that time. I hope that even I have been a Good Samaritan to a few people. I believe that Virginia Beach is a Good Samaritan type city. This is a super place to live and raise a family.
A few weeks ago, my son and I were stranded in our boat off Sandbridge. We had gone out to do some fishing and had had no luck fishing, and now when we tried to start the engine to return to Rudee Inlet, our misfortunes continued. While the sea was calm and we were in no immediate danger of drowning, our efforts to row ashore were slow.
We could see people on the shore, but there were no boats in the vicinity. Eventually, we saw a boater. We blew the horn, waved our towel and shortly the boat turned our way. The crew threw us a line and towed us back to Owls Creek where we had put in. We offered them money but they were not interested.
I'd like to thank these two people for their help. My son and I had quickly said our prayers when we understood our situation and God sent these Good Samaritans to us in a short time. To them we say ``Thanks.'' The help you gave to us we'll try to give to others.
Charles H. Atkinson
July 17
Merchant left bad taste
On a recent Thursday, I took four young children to the Oceanfront to watch the waves and eat. I took advantage of the free customer parking at the Dairy Queen on Atlantic Avenue between 16th and 17th streets and ate at that establishment.
I waited for 15 minutes after placing my order for our five hot dogs to be served. After finishing the dogs, we bought ice cream, the whole time enjoying the view of the beach and the breaking waves from in front of the DQ. When we finished our meal, I found my van had been towed from the ``free customer parking.''
It turns out that DQ wants you to come in and eat there, but you have to do it in less than 20 minutes. Granted, they have a sign stating this fact, but it is at the exit from the parking area, faces the street and the lettering is much smaller than that on all the other signs. Yes, it can be read as you drive out of the lot (provided you still have a car) if you look back and have binoculars with you.
If you want to experience pure stress, try retrieving a towed vehicle at the oceanfront, with four children. If you want to have more enjoyment, don't take the $60 cash with you so you can search for a bank along with searching for the lot where your car is parked.
I was at Dairy Queen for a total of 49 minutes. Anyone with children will realize that this is not an unreasonable amount of time, especially when over 20 minutes of that was waiting in line and waiting for the food. I heard that this Dairy Queen is one of the largest grossing ones in the United States. I wonder if towing is part of these figures.
Marilynn Smiley
July 15
Not all Americans equal
My mom and I came from Germany in 1956. Times were very hard in the U.S.A. We both thought it would be better when we became U.S. citizens. We were told you are an American. No sir, you're not.
First they will tell you, ``You have an accent.'' Second you have a sponsor, this is even worse. You are treated worse than the slaves and even though I was 3 years old when the war ended, they still throw that in your face.
In reality, it is not good to give up your native country's citizenship, for you lose their benefits.
In reality, I would think it over carefully.
Hans Gottbert
July 4 by CNB