To the editor:

In February 1957, nine women met in Oak Harbor with a mission: to bring a hospital to Whidbey Island. Some 500 women and three commissioners worked to make that mission a reality.

On March 8, 1970, the dedication was held for the new Whidbey General Hospital.

Forty years is a long time. Gone are the days of bell-bottom pants and platform shoes (I hope). Not many Gremlins are on the highway anymore. Computers no longer take up rooms or even desktops; there is a space station on the moon.

I try, but I cannot think of anything I use on a regular basis that is 40 years old. I would think you old and profoundly out of touch if you popped ABBA into your eight-track player or a floppy disk into your computer.

Why then would I want myself or a member of my family to receive care in an antiquated inpatient-nursing wing? When it comes to receiving healthcare, I want the best care possible in a private, safe, state-of-the-art environment.

As a Whidbey Island resident and taxpayer, I have firsthand knowledge that times are tough economically. The 1970s was the worst decade of economic depression since the Great Depression, and the Whidbey Island community made it work.

I too plan to make it work. I’ll brown-bag my lunch, ride the bus when I can and vote yes for the upcoming hospital bond. I am happy to cut corners to save money, but not when it comes to healthcare.

I think those original nine women would agree.

Lajolla Thiel

Freeland