Editor, Gazette-Journal:

While I was at North Star Market recently, a gentleman vising the county read my license plate, “Ray48,” he stated, “My name is Raymond, and I was born in 1948, too.” I asked, “which month?” He indicated Feb. 1. Feb. 1 is my birthday as well. He stated that he was born at the local hospital. I indicated that I was born at home.

My name is Raymond Willis Sr., a lifelong resident of Mathews County. I graduated from Thomas Hunter during segregation, while both of my children graduated from Mathews High School. I included these personal anecdotes to show that there have been changes, progress and improvements in Mathews County and the United States; we are getting closer to realizing the foundational principles of this county enshrined in the Constitution—life, liberty, justice, equality.

There is more work to be done, however, which is why I became a board member of Mathews Citizens for the Common Good. As an active member of many civic organizations wit...