Our Viewpoint Editorials
Holmes had vision for area's youth

Ernie Holmes cared about the young people in Southeast Texas.

He was troubled by the fact that the drug culture had taken over the lives of many of the young in this area. He wanted to show the young that there was more to life than just drugs.

Holmes, who starred on the football field for the Pittsburgh Steelers, wanted to bring to the young's lives a dream that there was more to it than just turning to drugs. He wanted them to understand that their whole future was ahead of them and that drugs were just a one-way street to nowhere.

Holmes was in the process of organizing a group of pastors that would take part in a street ministry to deal with a drug problem at "The Hill" in Newton. This area is widely known for its drug usage and drug dealing.

Unfortuately, Holmes never lived to see that street ministry come to fruition.

Holmes lost his life last week in a singlevehicle accident near Lumberton.

As we remember the life of Martin Luther King Jr., let us take time to keep Ernie Holmes' dream alive as well. In a time when our youth are challenged by so many obstacles, we can take the time to remind them there are other roads that can be taken.

Ernie Holmes had a vision to help the youth of Jasper and Newton counties. Let's keep that vision alive.