The Pearl of Checkers

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Pal:

Your postings appreciated. Mr. Albert Tucker sent me a link and a message in my today's emails received. I had the honor last year of being referee for the GAYP King Vs. Morrison Match at the Hall of Fame and a few years before that Mr. Alex and myself played in a tournament there and were house guests of the Walkers.

This is a tremendous loss for the game of Checkers. I was most pleased to read that there were no injuries from the fire. I will keep the Walkers in my prayers.

I noted from the paper article how important it was for them to include that Mr. Walker was in jail for money laundering. The media never misses a 'beat' in taking their 'jabs' at a person while they are down . While this is true, there was no reason for the paper to include it as the family is suffering enough with the loss of their home and the ICHF.

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[Patrick Parker]

a few hundred miles away from ichf.....I've ran across people who
told me when they were little they visited the hall of fame ....I was really surprised to hear this.....i wish i had also gotten a chance to visit

also glad to hear no one was physically hurt

[Palomino]

Alan millhone wrote:

I was most pleased to read that there were no injuries from the fire.

Alan, I totally understand your feelings about that, while a building can be rebuilt a life can never be replaced, it's sad to think about, but sometimes the long term effects of injury can be more difficult for a family to deal with than the loss of a love one. Certainly the fact that no one was hurt is the silver lining in the tragic event.

This is a tremendous loss for the game of Checkers.

I've been thinking, the ICHF building was just a shell and can be replaced but it was the home, I'm certain, for a great deal of one-of-a-kind items of memorabilia and historic records of our game that can not be replaced.

Regards, "Pal"

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I've been thinking, the ICHF building was just a shell and can be replaced

Pal, building can be replaced, but there were alot of unique and rare books here, pics, sculptures and other memorables and collectable items. Many people send to ICHF their libraries when they passed away.

Unfortunately, this cannot be replaced !

I played in 3 events here: GAYP WCM 2000 with R. King, 3-move WCM with E. Lowder in 2002, and Mississippi State in 2003. It was a great time and I never forget this. They didn't allow to smoke inside building and I always left out. I am very sorry to hear this happened.

I wish Charles and Dolores fast and easy "psychological recovery" from this lost.

Alex

[Palomino]

Alex wrote:

there were alot of unique and rare books here, pics, sculptures and other memorables and collectable items. Many people send to ICHF their libraries when they passed away.

I totally agree Alex, that was the exactly the point I was trying to make, may be I didn't say it as well as you did. The building housed many things that can never be replaced. I'm sure you have many fond memories of your visits there, the fire can't take that away from you.

[Palomino]

Check out what some of the locals from Petal have said about the fire:
http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/sho ... p?p=349371