My hat is off to Mr. Gary M. Warden of Coupeville. I found his letter in the Whidbey News-Times edition of June 30 refreshing and inspiring.

Having worked and lived in 10 war-ravaged, poverty-stricken countries over the past eight years, I heartily concur with his notion that we should be ever so thankful for living in this wonderful country.

In America we have so many things we take for granted, such as utilities that work, organized transportation, maintained roads, city streets and highways … and for the most part, people who drive with courtesy and in compliance with the law. We have organizations that volunteer their time to pick up litter and trash from our roadways and beaches, we have garbage pickup and street sweepers, and access to shopping for anything a person could desire.

We also have the freedom to improve our lives and the opportunity to become everything we are capable of as individuals, providing we are willing to establish goals and work to attain them. In many parts of the world, people live without that opportunity and their lives are a daily struggle for existence on the most basic level. They endure poverty and despair, with no hope of improving their lot.

Be thankful you live in America, and God bless the military and others who are willing to put their lives on hold, and at risk, to preserve the USA.

Clarke George

Oak Harbor