It is a sad day indeed with the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the other seven in a helicopter accident in Southern California. Former Laker Kobe Bryant, an 18-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion an all-around wonderful human being. Kobe was a great athlete, father and family man. But he was more than that, he was a role model for our youth who want to be just like him and to achieve all they can be like Kobe did. At 41, he died too young and had much more to accomplish, as well as his daughter who could have done great things. The world and I are shedding tears today for the loss of Kobe Bryant. As such my heartfelt prayers go out for all nine who died in that crash and to those families who have lost so much.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Mineola, N.Y.
