By The Carter’s / L’Observateur / August 12, 1998

DEAR EDITOR: The week of July 31 through Aug. 6 was truly a once in a lifetime experience for our family that we would like to share with you. It was the week of the 13-year-old Dixie Boys World Series hosted in our hometown of Troy, Ala.

We were asked by our local recreation department director several months ago to be a host family for one of the teams participating in the Series. Asfate would later enlighten us as to why, we did not hesitate to agree, and requested to host the team from Louisiana, not having any idea what part of the state this team would be traveling from.

Over the course of the week, we came to know your outstanding group of boys as well as their coaches, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters.

This team is definitely a “class act” on, as well as off the playing field.

We are involved in a good deal of sporting and other community youth events in our area and have never seen more family support than was displayed with this outstanding group of people. All members of the teamwere very polite, well-mannered and always seemed to have a positive attitude. We firmly believe this to be a direct reflection of the love andpride in their children shown by the family members that made the trip to Troy, Ala. The team members never hung their heads; they worked togetheras a team, and they did what had to be done to accomplish their mission.

Even drained of energy after more than seven straight hours on the baseball field, this amazing team accomplished their mission.

During these few short days, we formed many new and precious friendships and, as the card on the cherished “Circle of Friends” gift they presented us states: “Legend will endure forever,” we feel blessed to have made this newfound friendship with the people of St. Charles Parish, La.To the coaches and team members, we saw first hand why you walked away as the national champions, and we will treasure forever this experience for a lifetime.

Your community should feel honored to be home to such a wonderful group of people. And, to all those who made the trip to Troy, you can be assuredthat when we hear phrases such as “who ya rooting for” and “R.I.P,” we’llbe thinking of our friends from St. Charles Parish. Thanks for sharing yournational championship victory with us.

Kenneth, Deedie, Andrea and Kasee Carter

Troy, Ala.

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

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