THE EDITOR, Sir:
I THOUGHT long and hard about this one. However, since the writer's letter received the prominence of 'Letter of the Day', I decided on at the least a short response.
This is not meant to be a defence of either the party and/or the friends of Most Hon. P.J. Patterson in their decision to celebrate his 70 years.
Just a thought would it be better for all of us to gather in church with a sober look when his time on earth is over? To then speak glowingly of all the great things he had done and what he had achieved?
No. I prefer to let Comrade Patterson, our party leader know now, at this time that we celebrate his 70 years and, in particular, his 40 years of service to our party and to our nation.
I think it works best to acknowledge his contribution in worship (which he insisted was a must), song, dance, fellowship, and, yes, good food now and not later.
The celebration, by the way, continues well beyond the past week-end as those of us both within the party and without by our work honour his contribution to a process of transformation, healing and development by giving of our time, energies and creativity to the continued growth of our nation.
For my part, I was honoured to be one of the team leaders in the planning of both the church
service and the party at Vale Royal for our Comrade Leader, Most Hon. P.J. Patterson.
Let us all celebrate, at whatever level we can, the lives of those who are dear to us, those who have touched us now and not later.
I am, etc.,
MAUREEN F. WEBBER
Deputy General Secretary
Organising and Political Education
People's National Party
