Dear Mrs. Ware:

I would like to take this opportunity to formally write a letter of recognition and appreciation to one of the fantastic and astute employees who works for your award-winning and prestigious newspaper company in Azle. More specifically, the employee is identified as Mr. Zach Freeman, Reporter. As a former Lodge officer, myself, and 43-year member with the Masonic Lodge # 601 in Azle, I think can speak for the lodge membership about Mr. Freeman’s excellent news reporting and media coverage of Azle Masonic events such as officer installations in July, and most recently, the cornerstone-laying at the new Hilltop Elementary School on August 5. I can certainly speak with authority of the news article Mr. Freeman wrote in the Aug. 3 edition of the paper, about a ceremony at the VCA Animal Hospital in Lakeside for three ladies receiving the very prestigious Yellow Rose Award from Governor Abbott.

My observation is that Mr. Freeman is extremely well organized, has gained a strong local readership, reports accurate facts and writes in meaningful context, and genuinely has a love of words that qualifies him as a "wordsmith." Mr. Freeman possesses the touchstone qualities that set the high bar in standards for employment. He is emblematic of a picture post card in the images of Walter Cronkite and Ernie Pyle, and that other reporters should strive to emulate.

Mrs. Ware, to use a baseball metaphor, with young Zach on your team, he should be called upon to be your clean-up hitter, and will ultimately bring you a World Series Ring. Please pass on my enthusiastic remarks to Mr. Freeman and keep up the terrific journalism.

- TSGT. Joseph L Bryan, U.S.A.F. Ret.