August 14, 2007
Tuesday AM

I retired from the Ketchikan Police Department in January of 2003 and moved back to Alabama, where I was born. I am of the Cherokee blood and this is where my family lives. I recently returned to Ketchikan for a short visit. I can not tell you how wonderful it was to visit my friends there in Ketchikan. I was not able to see but a few of my friends due to the length of the visit. My wife, Carmella and I lived in Ketchikan for around 28 years. My wife retired from the Ketchikan General Hospital shortly before my retirement.

While there I was able to visit with many of the officers of the department and they welcomed my with open arms. Deputy Chief Josh Dosset, Sgt. Joe White, Lt. Bengaard, Lt. Bruening made my visits with them unbelievable. I met some of the new officers and was really impressed with the attitude of one officer by the name of Joey, I hope I spelled that right. He is the kind of officer Ketchikan needs.

I would like to thank so many people and would like to name them all but space with not allow it. There are some that I just have to mention, these are true Alaskan friends, Von Kessler, Bobbie Kessler, thier son Shannon Kessler, his wonderful wife Christy and thier wonderful family. Mr. Thomas that owns Cedar Lodge is one special person as well as his wonderful staff. I want to thank you for you wonderful hospitality. God has a special place for people like you. Mae and Keith Crabiel of Klawock, special Alaska friends. Kay and Glenn Keller of Bear Valley Lodge of El Capitan, unbelievable Alaska friends. To all the other people that I saw on the streets and at the breakfast places I was able to go to, thank you, I will never forget how you welcomed me back to my real home town. As I told many there, if I could just take all the people there and move them to the climate here in Alabama, I would be happy for the rest of my life.

To the Alaska Natives of Ketchikan, thank all of you for all you did for me during my career there. I learned so much from you and I will always hold a special place in my heart for all of you. Lorraine Young, AKA Chum, you will always be special to me and I am so proud of you.

Bev Crum of the Ketchikan General Hospital, the Bama girls, Doctor Meloche, and the staff there, thank you so much for enriching our lives. Bev I hope you know there is a very special place in my wife's heart for you.
Kathy Hill, what a wonderful friend. As luck would have it I was able to see her and spend some time talking about family and friends. I really miss stopping by her place of work and having coffee.

Dave Ruben and his wonderful daughter. What two very special and wonderful people you are. You two will never know how much you have touched me. A very special thanks to you.

Tom Miller of the Ketchikan Daily News and his wonderful wife. Enough just can not be said about these two wonderful people. Also Richard Burton, Tom Friesen, the list could go on forever.

There were many that I was able to go to thier homes and thank them. You all know who you are and again a very special thank you.

I just want to let the people of Ketchikan know just how wonderful you are. My wife and I were so blessed to have lived in Ketchikan and learned so much love and friendship from the people there.

Keep looking around folks, we might return next summer.

Phillip L. Alderson
Attalla, Alabama

Received August 10, 2007 - Published August 14, 2007

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