My father, Clyde J. Kitchen, age 43, was a member of your union for 14 years (Lodge 580, Norfolk & Western System Federation). Now he is disabled and could use some help in passing the word that he is on a liver transplant list at Ohio State University. Maybe through your newsletter or on a bulletin board this message can be passed on. This is a very costly procedure. A transplant is $350,000, not including $1000 a month for medication and transportation to and from the hospital.

Any donations and help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Bobbi Phillips (daughter of C. J. Kitchen)
2931 Hultz Road
Catlettsburg, KY 41129

I am responding to an article regarding the wife of one of the gang workers. I, too, am a wife of a gang worker for three-and-a-half years. I know it's hard, we all have it hard, the men as do the women. We have two kids and live in an apartment. We have one car which he uses to travel and we pray it makes it every week. My oldest son had to get stitches in his head and my husband wasn't there. He travels all over the East and this year he went to Florida, the furthest he has ever been. My husband doesn't eat most of the time cause the food is so bad at camp, yet he can't afford anything else. The list goes on and on.

You know the thing is that there are probably stories worse than mine or hers. It's hard for them and us, and yes, some of them have to miss seeing their kids grow and sometimes marriages suffer but that could happen with any job. It's a wonderful career if you can overcome these setbacks. There are plenty of us wives having it hard but that's just the way it is in the railroad. You know what you're giving up before you get in. If you can't deal with it, get out and see which is better. I want my husband near me but I am thankful for what we do have and even when we aren't together, I know what we are doing is right.

Evon Ragland
Roanoke, Virginia