To the editor:

I miss my town. And surely there are many like me who have experienced this same feeling after moving away from such a wonderful place.

After graduating from BHS in 1987, I went directly into the United Staes Air Force. This adventure brought me away from Bristol and allowed opportunities to understand unfamiliar people and cultures.

This past week I traveled from Texas to visit family and friends in Bristol, and re-experienced the beautiful sights, smells, tastes, and friendly people. The best part of the trip was seeing it through the eyes of my partner (she is from Germany and has traveled to many places around the world), who quickly fell in love with how well the downtown area has protected itself from franchises, obtrusive signs, and continued to keep a slow paced family feel.

There is no other place like Bristol. The core essence of my town has remained the same while simultaneously changing in ways which have only added to the already authentic vibe I recall as a kid.

A huge thank you to the people of Bristol. Thank you for the concerts, parade, restaurants, carnival, bike path, parks, gardens, shops, and welcoming atmosphere. These all help to make it a place like no other.

I do miss my town. And now so does my partner.

Ed Francis
Texas