DATE: Friday, October 24, 1997              TAG: 9710230292

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 09   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 

                                            LENGTH:   74 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - VIRGINIA BEACH

Goodbye Jason! Your love for life and family will live on in us forever.

Jason Creef, was Jimmy's younger brother. They worked together side by side each day, surfed, skateboarded, golfed, fished and shared their thoughts and dreams for the bright future that lay ahead.

All of these dreams came to an abrupt end on Aug. 24 when Jason was involved in an automobile accident in Pungo. As Jason lay in a coma his family kept vigil knowing that his recovery was imminent. They talked about all their happy days together and spoke of the happier ones yet to come. But unlike the fairy tales we believed as children, Jason never regained consciousness; he never had a chance to say goodbye. Nor did they.

There will never be another Jason. His grandparents will never again see their beloved grandson come bounding through the door, ravenous, as only the young can be; his parents will never again hear the phone ring to hear Jason share one of his adventures with them; and Jimmy and his wife, Laura, have forever lost the young man who could, with a bright smile and positive attitude make everything seem OK.

Jason, I've often wondered in the days since you left, were you aware of the joy and happiness, strength and comfort, pride and love you evoked from all that knew you? Although you were here a brief 20 years, you brightened the lives of all who knew you. You left behind a void that no one can fill.

Jimmy, his family and friends joined together in one last tribute to Jason in what is known to surfers as a paddle out. This was an extremely difficult and emotional thing for them to do and touched everyone left behind on shore. Jason's surfboard was covered with flowers and taken out to sea one last time. This seemed the most appropriate tribute in that Jason's love of the sea knew no bounds. We can but imagine the strength it took for Jimmy to ride out knowing this was the final goodbye. What a beautiful tribute to a brother he held so dear! That day, Aug. 28, took not just a brother but also a best friend and confidant.

Goodbye Jason! Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Jason resided briefly in Hampton Beach, N.H., with his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. James Castner. His real love was Virginia Beach to be near his brother, Jimmy Castner, and Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Creef his grandparents and, of course, the ocean.

Teresa Lyons-Koontz

Oct. 10 Financial problems sure do add up

The other day it was the hotel and its $12 million boondoggie. Then came the school, which has to be relocated at a $12 million dollar cost. Not so long ago it was a $12 million dollar oversight in school spending. What is there about 12 million? Twelve million here, 12 million there and pretty soon you start talking about real money. I'm beginning to think that people who can't balance their own checking account have control over the public coffers.

Warren E. Boisselle

Sept. 12 Young program thankful for help

I am writing on the behalf of the staff at Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Child and Youth Day Treatment Program.

The program is designed to offer therapeutic support services to children and adolescents with emotional disturbances. During the summer months, the program is greatly supported by individual volunteers and local businesses. We wish to thank all those who contributed to the success of the program and helped to make the children's summers more enjoyable. We offer our gratitude to Norfolk Zoological Park, Thousand Oaks Pool, Kemps River Crossing IHOP, College Park Skating, Indian River Lanes, Virginia Beach Public Library, Southeastern Virginia Food Bank, Putt-Putt Golf and Games, Mariner's Museum, James Gang Paint Farm.

Sandy Reichenbacher, Kay Byerly,

Kelly Doolan and Nina Moskowitz

Child and Youth Day

Treatment Program

City of Virginia Beach

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