Great school assembly

How very proud I was Thursday morning as I attended Alma Schrader's Missouri flag centennial assembly. Ruth Ann Orr, Julia Unnerstall, Rebecca Gentry and the entire staff at Alma Schrader are to be congratulated and recognized for their visible and measurable efforts in educating our young children, instilling them with love of country at this "once in a lifetime event."

Young lives are being shaped, changed, altered and influenced by the positive leadership I witnessed Thursday morning at this wonderful school. What a positive influence [they are] to these young lives as they prepare them to become the leaders of our city, state and nation. [I am] proud to see our Mayor Harry Rediger, Rep. Kathy Swan and Sen. Wayne Wallingford take such a visible and supportive role at Alma Schrader and to be leading by example.

DOUG AUSTIN, Cape Girardeau