My usual walk with my dog takes me through Hathaway Park. Early in the morning it’s a peaceful place with birds singing and the sound of the Washougal River faintly in the background. There is a shelter in the park where children play and people can sit and just enjoy the peacefulness.
On May 9, that peace was shattered by some person or persons who have hate in their hearts. I found a large swastika drawn in the middle of the shelter floor with some words that I would not care to repeat. Perhaps the person who drew it does not really understand, having never experienced a profound loss as I have because of that symbol. Because of the words I suspect that he/she does know exactly what it means.
Washougal is a wonderful little community with good family values; symbols and words like those on that floor have no place here. It is against everything that America and Washougal stand for.
Gabby Sprenger
Washougal
