SundayMay3,2020at6:52AM

Although I have produced pages through Monday, Friday was my last day at The Providence Journal. It has been my tremendous honor to have served the people of Rhode Island on these Commentary pages for nearly 21 years, fighting political corruption, advancing reform and defending our hard-won freedoms, particularly the First Amendment. Along the way, I was privileged to be named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Commentary and to win the Yankee Quill Award for lifetime achievement in New England journalism and many other prizes.

Expressing ideas is often a difficult task, subjecting one to personal attacks or worse. But I can never forget the extraordinary kindnesses I received. I feel wonderfully blessed to have won the friendship and support of readers as well as leaders in business, government, and religion here, and to have edited the work of superb journalists and writers, including our intrepid corps of letter writers. I hope you will stay in touch with me via Twitter @Ed_Achorn and facebook.com/ed.achorn. I am eager to write more books and hope you will check out my new one (see Froma Harrops marvelous column today).

I wish all of you and the brave little state that welcomed me more than two decades ago a healthy and vibrant future. Thank you for everything.

Edward Achorn

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Edward Achorn: A personal note to readers - Opinion - The Providence Journal