The foundation was laid, but nothing else was done to finish construction.

When building a house, the foundation is the first part, but there’s a lot more to finishing it. We let someone else finish our house. How quickly we get tired and just stop.

With WILA’s outstanding contribution to this community, a permanent tribute should be on display at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. This will enable all people to see the civil rights, human rights and social impact that was made by WILA.

I found your dog. I noticed her along Route 41 as I drove home one morning. She was such a pretty old Golden Retriever, and I imagine she brought you years of joy and happiness during her time with you. She seemed very sweet, though she did snap at me several times as I tried to pick her up for you. I wanted to make sure you got her back, as she was such a beautiful girl.

We need to be concerned and keep ourselves up to date on what is happening in America. We are losing our rights and freedoms, bit by bit, each day. Political correctness and attacks on Christian beliefs and freedom of speech are bringing this nation down.

The Fashion Show Benefit for Breast Cancer was a wonderful success because of our community of caring and concerned citizens — 99 people participated in this year’s event and many individual donors also contributed. More than $12,000 was raised for our local breast cancer patients in need of assistance. All funds are held at the Danville Cancer Association to provide local patients with the assistance.

When I heard on the radio recently that Rep. Tom Perriello had changed his position on the health care bill from “no” to “undecided” because the newest bill does not increase the deficit, that was enough to get me out of bed and begin writing the second letter to an editor I have written in the past 51 years. (The first letter followed the federal government forcing the Citadel to admit women.) I was only angry then; the attack was only against tradition.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 325 would to thank the community for their generosity on Poppy Day (Nov. 7).

On Nov. 7, Congressman Tom Perriello voted in favor of the largest single piece of legislation this country has ever seen. This is old news, albeit it exemplary of Mr. Perriello’s utopian thinking. This is the Fifth District of Virginia, not California.

I am writing concerning the front-page story, “‘Book club’ discusses McDonnell thesis,” (Oct. 27). Was this serious, or was it meant to be a tongue-in-cheek report about Danville Democrats? The Mickey Mouse Club would certainly have been a much more appropriate club name!

The article, “Many residents angry about vote on health care bill,” (Nov. 10, page A1) was most interesting.

Once again, the fine people of Danville and Pittsylvania County have come forward to help another deserving person in their time of need.

I would like to thank Rep. Tom Perriello for standing up for his constituents by helping pass H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This legislation is not only a historic accomplishment, but a signal to insurance lobbyists and others that Americans will no longer accept the fact that millions of people in the world’s wealthiest nation should be ignored as outcasts when it comes to one of our most basic rights.

Just one year ago, Americans voted for change and the promise that our broken health care system would be fixed. This great country of ours cannot afford to let the broken system get worse. Families can’t afford to wait any longer for real health care reform that holds insurance companies accountable.

When state Sen. Robert Hurt announced his candidacy for the Fifth District, you asked in your editorial, “What would Robert Hurt bring to the Fifth District?” I can answer that question.

A big thank you goes to Rep. Tom Perriello, whose recent vote in favor of health care reform could lead to improved lives for millions of Americans.

Why did it take so long for someone to notice what happened with Coleman MarketPlace?

A recent article in the Danville Register & Bee should be an awakening for those who think giveaway programs really work. The article “Study: Half of kids will get food stamps,” states nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood. The average monthly benefit per household totaled $222.

Trust me, it is well worth your while to travel the 45-minute trip to Person Memorial, where you are waited on promptly and receive great care.

In Afghanistan, the French got bogged down and left, and the Soviets really felt they had met another “Waterloo” and, after many years, also pulled out.

So why do we ask our brave men and women to do the seemingly impossible?

I would like to comment on, “Teen waives right to jury trial,” (Nov. 10, page A1). I do not mean this to be critical of the reporter, because most people are not aware of Virginia’s procedure concerning jury trials.

To the citizens of Danville, thank you for allowing me to continue to serve as your city treasurer. Your vote of confidence Nov. 3 is greatly appreciated.

The recent vote on the health care bill by the House of Represenatitives is not health care reform. My vision of reform is improving the utilization of the resources, providing a plan to improve the available resources and putting into place a system to improve the cost effectiveness of health care.

Fraudulent claims paid by Medicare have topped $60 billion, according to the CBS program “60 Minutes.”

On Sept. 11, 2001, we suffered one of the most vicious attacks on American soil in the history of this nation. In the aftermath, we mourned and came together as a nation. It was a reminder that there are people in this world who despise freedom. It was a testament to the fact that freedom bears not a “one time” cost, but an ongoing cost.

With great sadness, I read your editorial, “How many more will die today?” (Nov. 4, page A4) about the death of 14-year-old Lamonte “CoCo” Stone.

I would like to thank T.L. Childress for inspiring us to spread the word about his campaign for Danville sheriff.

Though he didn’t win the election, his work as a role model to the urban community is still greatly needed.

I’m so sick of mud-slinging politics and so sick of these phone calls with the prerecorded messages coming to my home — and now even to my cell phone. You can’t stop them or block them and they are legal! When will they start spamming my e-mail box? Fortunately, I can block them there.

I am the proud parent of one of the young ladies who accomplished an extraordinary task this year. I would like to give the Tunstall varsity volleyball team the accolades it deserves. I think I speak for all the families when I say good job! THS is 21-0 this season — and still playing.

Many thanks to all who helped make our second Danville Area CROP Hunger Walk a big success! We are thrilled that $10,6674 was raised to benefit hungry people in Danville and around the world. More than 15 churches and community organizations participated, and we had more than 100 more walkers than last year; 25 percent of the proceeds will go to God’s Storehouse, and the remainder will benefit hunger projects in developing countries.

President Barack Obama has said that he wants to cover an additional 30 million people without increasing the federal deficit by one dime and with no decrease in quality of care. Add to that the fact that the number of medical professionals will not change. Does that seem possible?