4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, December 4, 1991 - Te SPDALLASCPoST ‘Pearl Harbor must | be remembered so that it's not repeated As the 50th anniversary of the “day that will live in infamy” draws near, recollections of that momentous event and the years of war that followed have returned vividly to millions of people around the world. December 7, 1941 is a date that is seared into the memory ‘of Americans of the generation that fought in World War II and in their children’s minds as well. The attack on Pearl Harbor ‘ that fateful day stunned a United States population that had + been insulated from the great conflicts in Europe and the Far East. But the American reaction was perhaps an even greater surprise to the Japanese and Germans who became our mortal enemies; they had expected the strike to demoralize a languid population that would be reluctant to send more men and women into deadly combat. Instead, the attack awoke the most - fearsome fighting force in world history, one that went on to conquest on opposite sides of the earth. . It is difficult for anyone younger than 30 or so to understand the significance of Pearl Harbor and other pivotal military events. Since the end of the Vietnam War — and with the ex- ception of the relatively quick and painless conflict with Iraq — the United States has not committed large numbers of troops to armed conflict and that means fewer people who have been touched by the horrors of war. But millions of Americans were directly affected by the death or permanent injury of a loved one who gave his or her all during the 1940’s while keeping the world safe for democracy. That loss modified our outlook on life and liberty, and even today gives us the ability to understand the immense cost that sometimes must be paid to maintain a free society. Make no mistake about it — without the sacrifices of that remarkably brave generation, we would today live in a much different and less humane world. War is hell, and no more so than for those who must fight it. It is to our nation’s and the world’s credit that we have avoided large scale destruction for nearly half a century. But if we are to avert another world war, we must remember those that came before, and the men and women who fought and died in order that despots and madmen didn't advance their power. The best way to do this is to encourage and support open, democratic societies, because where citizens are free to express their thoughts, dictators cannot rise to power. - Forall the pain of recalling it, December 7, 1941 is a date that should be remembered and commemorated, not as an excuse for national breast-beating or racist hate, but because it brings us face-to-face with our most fundamental beliefs, hopes and fears. Like the Holocaust and other horrible acts of mankind, Pearl Harbor Day should be remembered because to allow its memory to be dimmed is the most certain way to assure its repetition. Here's hoping teacher talks move forward Two recent developments bode well for students and parents in the Dallas School District. As reported in The Post last week, representatives of the school board and teachers’ union have resumed talks on reaching a new contract. But the negotiations can move forward only if the union takes-a more realistic view of taxpay- ers’ ability to support their demands. That may be the case given that the new talks appear to have begun because the ‘board asked a fact-finder to step in. His job would have been ‘to review the union's demands in relation to the economic conditions in the immediate area. There seems little doubt that ‘he would have found the reported 10+%, 5-year contract de- mands excessive, Also last week, a bill that would rule out so-called selective strikes by teachers was unanimously voted out of committee in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Eliminating these incredibly disruptive actions would go a long way toward restoring some semblance of equity to the school board's bargaining position. Many would argue that by their very nature, selective strikes also ultimately have contributed to loss of respect for teachers. Dallas teachers should be given credit for thus far working under their old contract and choosing not to strike. At the same time, they must understand the anger that their union's excessive demands have aroused in the larger community. Calls for sharply higher salaries and more benefits seem out of step at a time when many people wonder if next year they will have a job at all. 4 I a eA OL, BL eh er Do you agree? Disagree? Editorials are the opinion of the management of The Dallas Post. We welcome your opinion on contemporary issues in the form of letters to the editor. If you don't write, the community may never -hear a contrasting point of view. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. Please include your name, address and a daytime phone number so that we may verify authenticity. We reserve the right to edit for length and grammar. Tie PDALLASCPosT Published Weekly by Bartsen Media,” Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek Charlotte E. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Associate Publisher Peggy Y.oung Eric Foster Advertising Acct. Exec. . Reporter Paul Rismiller Olga Kostrobala Production Manager Classified/typesetting Jean Hillard Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Fresh rains gave these ducks a place to swim Photo by Grace R. Dove Letters Remembering heroes of World War II Editor's Note: The following is from a letter written to Stars and Stripes magazine in September. The author is the brother of Kingston Township resident Ben Franklin. A recent article by columnist Joan Beck of the Chicago Tribune questioned: “How should we re- member Pearl Harbor? She de- tailed the Japanese sneak attack on what President Franklin De- lano Roosevelt called a day that will live in infamy for the surprise destruction of much of the Ameri- can Pacific fleet that was intended to start a major war with a decisive victory. “Pearl Harbor”, she declared, “was the defining event in the coming of age of the most remark- able generations of people - most of them now over 65 - that this country has ever produced. And she spoke of how we an- swered our country's call following that awful day, December 7, 1941, of how we fought from one Pacific island to another, from one naval battle to the next, thru North Af- rica, Italy, the beaches of Nor- mandy to the Elbe. And many who fought in Eu- rope were sent out to the Pacific to fight against the suicidal attacks of the Japanese Kamikazi on the ships and beaches of Okinawa. And she chronicled our losses, “over 407,000 killed and 670,000 wounded, while declaring that some want to soft-pedal the Pearl Harbor commemoration lest the Japanese take offense. “That would be an insult to the 16 million Americans who served in the mili- tary during W.W. II, to our dead and wounded and all those who loved them and love them still.” And it would be shameful to those who manned the guns on ship and shore that fateful sunny Sunday morning - and to the 2,300 Americans who perished there, most of them entombed in the sunken hull of the battleship Ari- zona. When the war against the Axis and Japan was finally over, many of us who served came home to sweetheart wives we married while on a weekend pass, to a child perhaps a year or so old we had never seen. Remarkably, most of those hasty marriages still endure, to celebrate Golden Anniversaries. Sadly, over thousands of our gen- eration lost sweetheart spouses by death taking literally the wedding vow “ ‘till death do us part.” God has truly blessed America with this declining generation of heroes, who were, and are, a real bunch of sweethearts. As columnist Beck noted in closing: “It is already too late to say thank you to millions of these remarkable people. Time is run- ning out for the rest. Remember Pearl Harbor? How dare we not?” Richard E. Franklin Dallas board should stand up to teachers Editor: Have you ever attended a school board meeting? It is an experience in unbelievable frustration. [attended my first Dallas School District meeting, November 11, 1991. The meeting was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. I arrived at 6:45 p.m., 49 of the 50 seats were al- ready occupied-no problem. As other older persons began to ar- rive, we crowded around the outer perimeter, in the doorway and down the hall. The fact that all but a few of the center seats were occupied by teachers, who after a hard day at school did not feel the need to be courteous to older persons, really did not bother me ‘till later! At 7:20 p.m., the president of School Board asked if anyone had any questions or remarks. A gen- tleman got up, identified himself and advised he had a list of 10 questions. I remember a few: - Why are Dallas school teach- ers asking foran 11.2% increasein salary each year for the next 5 years? And a 5 yr. guaranteed contract? - Is it true that Dallas teachers current average salary is $39,000 per 180 days (1/2 yr.) work? - Is it true that teachers benefit package cost $7,200 now and they want it increased to $9,200 over and above salary? Not one of these or seven other questions were answered. This gentleman was advised, “Answers could not be provided to any of his questions due to a con- fidentiality agreement between the school teachers union and school board members”. They did however confirm later that, $5,500,000 of the budget did go for the 142 teachers salaries (so thus did at least confirms the $39,000 average salary). A lady submitted petitions with over 1,000 signatures recommend- ing a freeze in teachers salaries. I decided to raise one simple question. “On what basis were the teach- ers asking for whatever they were demanding? What and why in view of the current economic situation, a guaranteed 5 year contract-pos- sible we could all be privy to their crystal ball.” The school board member Mr. Cleary, passed the question to the school superinten- dent, Mr. Wycallis, who passed it to the teachers union representa- tive, Mr. Wagner, who responded from a written statement. Briefly, “The teachers union, fact finder and school board agreed to a complete pact of secrecy-silence, (confidential). While this may be legal, I do not believe it's the kind of message teachers should be sending to the children they teach, or their parents. No respect for older persons and negotiate in secrecy. Consider this: -An 11.2% increase would proj- ect an average Dallas teacher's salary to $72,000 plus benefits of $9,200 or $81,000 total. For one half a normal work year (teachers work 180 days) - The average salary in Luzerne County for a 360 day work year is $18,600 (this includes engineers, computer programmers, all types of professions and occupations) Teachers’ current salaries are double the Luzerne County aver- age now. I strongly urge all residents of Dallas School District to attend the next school board meeting December 9. Owners or renters; you are going to pay one way or another - higher taxes or higher rent. If you do not respond now, you will pay later. Enough is enough; the solution is very simple. The school board negotiating team, Mr. James Richardson, Mr. John Cleary and Mr. Ernest Ashbridge should chal- lenge the teachers’ union, freeze salaries and benefits. Hear the Voice of the People - do not bend - do not sell us out. Robert A Frey Dallas Only yesterday — 60 Years Ago - Dec. 4, 1931 DALLAS BOROUGH PLANS TO PUT OIL ON | CENTER HILL ROAD Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Co. will meet every Friday night from now until Christmas to gather toys, clothing and food stuffs for needy families in Dallas Borough and Dallas Township. : At its meeting Tuesday night, Dallas Borough Council contin- ued its plan for road improvement in the borough by ordering an- other truck load of oil to be applied on Center Hill Road immediately. “Sidewalks of New York” now playing at the Himmler Theatre. Dallas Rotary Club played host last night to the Freeland Club at their dinner meeting in the Colo- nial Tea Room. ! Proceeds of $124.55 from the successful Entre Nous Card Party were turned over to the Parent- Teacher Association to be used for the purchase of milk for under- nourished children of the first three grades of Dallas Borough schools. 50 Years Ago - Dec. 5, 1941 COUNTRY DOCTOR, CLARENCE BOSTON @& NOXEN, DIES bi Dr. Clarence L. Boston of Noxen, country doctor for more than a half century died Monday night of a heart attack shortly after he had treated his last patient and retired saying goodnight to his family. Retail milk prices throughout the Back Mountain area were raised 1¢ a quart on all grades of milk making the price of regular milk 14¢ a quart. The price of cream was not raised. 3 Responding to a barn fire in the vicinity of Orange, Dr. Henry M. Laing Fire Co. pumper was badly damaged when the truck left the road and jumped a ditch in the fog. Engaged - Mary Agnes Martin to Warren F. Hicks. By Wed - Therese Thomas to Daniel McCue. © 40 Years Ago - Dec. 6, 1951 COMMITTEE MEETS TO DISCUSS JOINTURE OF AREA SCHOOLS Rewiring of more than 3,000 homes and public telephone in- stallations are being made through- out the Dallas area in preparation for dial conversion which will be- gin this week. 2 About 50 members of the Zi- zens Committee for Better scifi met in the Library Annex with Or. L.E. Jordan and Supervising Prin- cipals Raymond Kuhnert and Lester Squier to report progress the Dallas-Franklin Townsi# Jointure and that of Lehman- Jackson. 4 Mrs. Ralph Brown, Parrish St., was badly burned when the gas oven of her kitchen range exploded and set her hair on fire. Wed - Sylvia Jones to George Schooley. Back Mountain Church Com- munity Basketball League an- nounces three games to be played tomorrow night in the Westmore- land gymnasium. " 30 Years Ago - Dec. 7, 1961 ** NOXEN SEARCHES FOR INDUSTRY TO REPLACE THE TANNERY Noxen residents formed a com- mittee to seek a new industry to take place of the Tannery which is now in the final mopping up opera- tion before closing for good. Area schools were dismissed for the first day of deer season and many students were successful. Back Mountain basketball teams opened the season Tuesday night on the losing side. Dallas lost to Wyoming 55-52. Lake Lents lost 75-29 to West Pittston. Wed - Marian Louise Cooney't Louis Gerald Wagner. v Dallas Woman's Club Chorale will present a taped recording of its 14th annual presentation of Christ mas songs, Dec. 12 over WBAX., 20 Years Ago - Dec. 2, 1971 ~ 30 INCHES OF SNOW . - BLANKETS THE AREA. Winter hasn't even officially begun and already 30 inches of snow in various areas throughout the Back Mountain were recorded. Gas main leak was detected on Route 415 near Davis Markel, causing several families to lose service. EW Frank C. Johnston superinten- dent of State Correctional Instijtu- tion, Chase, has been appointed director of Oklahoma State Cor- rections Department. He will as- sume his new position January 1. Handel's “Messiah” will be per- formed December 5, at the Irem Temple Wilkes-Barre by the Wyo- ming Valley Oratorio Society with |. Clifford Balshaw conducting. Wed - Jacqueline Stanley to Joseph Clement Falchek; Karen Culver to Arvin B. Roen; Lynn Alexander Hughes to Joseph Mi- chael Kernag. On December 15, Rural Health {{ Corporation will initiate delivery of | dental services to rural, low-in- come families residing in the Har- {| veys Lake-Noxen Service Area. ? | on Sa RT Ea Leo MRC a —_——— [oN = LO 0 ar
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers