By Michael Glenn
Newspapers, as I’ve always believed, should be their communities’ biggest advocates and harshest critics.
As a newspaper in Hutchinson, every writer you may see and I have meaningful conversations and meetings with everyone from the mayor to regular citizens and everyone in between.
When Richard Shank, one of our contractors who help make our publication special, mentioned featuring the World War II veterans making a trip to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I was very interested to read it. I’ve always been a history nerd and I knew Hutchinson would be interested in hearing how some of our own residents protected our freedom for all people from Nazi cruelty.
Mitchell was able to see and meet world leaders, visit cemeteries of fellow soldiers who had fallen in the war and wished that we as people would learn to live peacefully.
“War does not settle anything for a long period of time,” Mitchell said in a July story Richard wrote.
From how Richard spoke of Olen, someone who he looked at with sincere respect and honor, I knew it was an honor to hear and publish his story.
While Mitchell and many other heroic, honorable Hutchonians have passed away, each of us have the ability to create our own stories and impact the people around us.
While the Christmas season may be on the tail end and many of us are contemplating what to do for a New Year’s resolution, I encourage you to look at Mitchell’s story and think of how we can all be better to each other and make Hutchinson special.
From my year and a half writing in this publication, I’ve spoken with hundreds of different people who have completely different backgrounds, beliefs and stories.
When we work together and put our differences aside, we can truly better our community and make our lives better.
Rest in peace, Mr. Mitchell. You had an impact on so many people, fought for our freedom and made Hutchinson special.
