4 = The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, December 10, 1997 Publisher's notebook We must never forget Pearl Harbor, or WWII For Americans of a certain age - old enough to have served in the military during World War II or to have an adult relative who did - no armed conflict has the power of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. It wasn’t a conflict, actually, but a surprise attack that woke a sleeping giant by its sheer audacity and success. When the hundreds of Japanese airplanes turned back to their ships they left eight sunken battleships, 10 other vessels, 200 destroyed U.S. aircraft and more than 3,000 fatalities behind. But they also triggered the formal entry of the U.S. into the war, on both the Pacific and European fronts, and that was the beginning of the end for the Axis powers that only a few years earlier had seemed to be on their way to worldwide domination. It's probably good that - more than 50 years later - many young people feel no direct connection to war, suffering and death. Nearly two generations have grown up in a world free of major armed conflicts. The casualties in the Persian Gulf and other hotspots are surely tragic for the families involved, but nothing on the scale of Korea or Vietnam, themselves dwarfed by the scope of WWII. But I hope we aren't letting the incredible story of those dark days fade from our children’s memories, because its very horror may be our best defense against a recurrence. I wasn't around for Pearl Harbor, but like so many members of the Baby Boom generation, secondary connections to the great war are strong. My father served in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of captain, but his service alone isn’t what makes the war so personal for me. It's what the war did to him. A talented athlete in his youth, he lost most of his right leg in action in the Phillipines, at a time when prosthetics were relatively new and crude. He spent the rest of his life dealing with wooden legs and phantom pains, doing his best not to let his disability interfere with his roles as husband, father and breadwinner. He suc- ceeded on all counts, but not without more effort than I can ever fully understand or appreciate. I don’t remember ever hearing a complaint about having served his country in its greatest time of need. Nor was I ever treated to tales of war's glories, which even if they existed had been erased by suffering. As one of millions who donned uniforms, he felt a special bond with fellow servicemen, and helped establish a Legion Post in his home town. We watched war shows like Victory at Sea and never do I recall words of regret - or recrimination. Perhaps he was glad that he wasn’t one of the more than 400,000 who didn’t return at all. ori War Il was different from just about any other modern conflict. It involved nations’ entire human and economic resources, not just the service of soldiers and arms makers. Civilians, especially women, were recruited to work in factories that had converted their output from consumer goods to muni- tions and supplies, and everyone pitched in by conserving and recycling materials that were rationed for the war effort. Men and women who were children during the war often recall how they gathered tin cans and squashed them before they were collected for their metal. As memorable as they are, these sacrifices were minor com- pared to the bestiality that pervaded Europe, where tens of millions of people died in battle or in the death camps of the Nazi empire. But all those stories are fading now, perhaps along with their lessons, and it will be tragic if they are lost. The Daddow-Isaacs American Legion Post 672 in Dallas did their part to remind us of this momentous event when they held a special breakfast Sunday to mark the attack on Pearl Harbor. About 100 people attended, nearly all of them from the WWII generation, but the shock and sadness that pervaded the U.S. that day 56 years ago had long ago been washed away by the more mundane activities of family life and postwar prosperity. I hope the rest of us, the ones who don’t remember where we “were on Dec. 7, 1941, can keep alive the memory of this worst of all wars, both for its lesson in tragedy# and in the ultimate triumph brought about when we pulled together to defeat the greatest threat mankind has ever presented to himself. LETTERS Candle ceremony will commemorate children who have died Editor: Once again the Christmas sea- son is “upon us”. It’s a time for families, togetherness, sharing, and joy. As the first Christmas celebrated the birth of a baby, His father and mother, whose son was a gift toall, portrayed areal simple message: “Love and Peace.” How wonderful a gift! How meaningful a family! As you gather and celebs with your family this Christmas season, remember, if only for a moment, the families whose child or children have died. Remember the child who is profoundly missed ONLY YESTERDAY 60 Years Ago - Dec. 17, 1937 KINGSTON TWP. DISCUSSES NEW SCHOOLS Assured that allpupils have been accommodated under a schedule which can if necessary continue for the remainder of the term, Kingston Township School Directors considered plans for building a new school to replace the Trucksville buildings which were destroyed by fire early Mon- day morning. Although plans are still vague there is a strong possi- bility that a new site will be se- lected. Separate surveys are being made of the Kingston Township Courtdale line in the vicinity of the main highway in an effort to re- establish boundaries which arein question as the result of changes in old landmarks. Established many years ago, the old boundary lines are especially important as a result of a recent development of property along the highway and a considerable amount in tax rev- enue is at stake. Library news ~ Nancy Kozemchak The Dallas Post Published Weekly By Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 717-675-5211 Charlotte E. Bartizek ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Ronald A. Bartizek PUBLISHER Jessica Appolo ADVERTISING ACCT. EXEC Kylie Shafferkoetter REPORTER Ruth Proietto PRODUCTION MANAGER Olga Kostrobala CLASSIFIED/TYPESETTING Jill Gruver OFFICE MANAGER MEMOER rd PRINTED WITH : NINE PENNSYLVANIA SOY INK] ASSOCIATION = PER NEWSPAPER The “Friends” of the Back Moun- tain Memorial Library are con- cluding their ‘Sixth Annual Fresh Citrus Sale’. To date, 470 boxes of fruit have been ordered, 295 or- anges and 175 grapefruit. This is one of many projects that the “Friends” sponsor for the benefit of the library. The orders of fruit will be ready as the rest of the world is caught up in the merriment. None of us want to take from your joy. We just want our chil- dren toberemembered, especially at this time when all children are, or should be, gifted and more im- portantly, a reason to be thankful. The Compassionate Friends is asking bereaved families around the world to join in a special me- morial candle lighting in honor of all children who have died, on Sunday, Dec. 14, and annually thereafter on the second Sunday in December. 50 Years Ago - Dec. 19, 1947 NEW TEXTILE INDUSTRY MIGHT COME TO BMT A new textile industry employ- ing between 450 and 500 persons is definitely slated for the Back Mountain Region if negotiations for Fernbrook Park now pending between Wilkes-Barre Railway Corporation and Bloomsburg Mills Inc. are completed. The Bloomsburg firm, established in 1885 is engaged in throwing and weaving rayon cloth and dress goods and is a leader in the indus- try with an excellent reputation for quality. A bronze 3-grade altar cross depicting, faith, hope and love will be presented to Dallas Methodist Church a week from this Sunday in memory of the late Mrs. Ralph Brickel. The cross is a gift of Jessie Austin Brickel Sunday School Class which presented the church chimes and more recently presented a beautiful pulpit Bible in Mrs. Brickel's memory. 40 Years Ago - Dec. 20, 1957 HUNDREDS TO ATTEND NATONA MILLS PARTY Three hundred persons among them representatives, from the New York Office of Native Lace & Textiles are expected to attend Natona Mills annual Christmas party tomorrow night in the Crys- tal Ballroom at Hotel Sterling. The Citrus pickup to pick up on December 12 and 13. They have ordered a few extra boxes of fruit, which will be avail- able for sale at S11 per box for grapefruit or oranges. Orders may be phoned in or brought to the library. The Book Club of the library will hold their Christmas Party on Monday, Dec. 15at 1:30 at Picketts Charge Restaurant in Dallas. A short business meeting will be followed by Christmas poems or stories by the members present. The Book Club membership for 1997 has reached 194. The mem- bers have decided to have a $5 gift exchange at the meeting; a wrapped gift to be exchanged by a number drawing. Audrey Farr will be in charge of the gift ex- Light your candle(s) at 7 p.m. in your time zone. As they burn down in one zone, they will be lit in the next, so that candles will be burning in memory of the chil- dren for the entire day. We are asking bereaved fami- lies, organizations which offer support to us, and all individuals who have web sites to help us spread the word of this event. On behalf of our local chapter, I am asking all people in our area to join us in this movement by plac- ing a banner or ananouncement on your site (work, school, busi- affair will begin at 6:30 and con- tinue until late evening with en- tertainment and dancing follow- ing dinner. Lake Noxen School District was selected for a State-wide study of the role of the teacher in the com- munity, one of 66 school districts in the state of Pennsylvania. Prin- cipal Robert Z. Belles, was asked to cooperate in placing students and teachers at the disposal of interviewers.+ Each teacher and student were asked to give their honest opinion of what a teacher should stand for in the communtiy and what qualities made for dy- namic teaching and participation in community life. Now playing at Forty Fort The- atre, “The Tin Star” starring Henry Fonda and Anthony Perkins. 30 Years Ago - Dec. 21, 1967 LAKE-LEHMAN WINS OLD SHOE GAME The old shoe trophy for the first time in eight years has the hon- ored place in the Lake-Lehman High School athletic case. It was installed with great ceremony af- ter its presentation last Thursday night at the annual Dallas Rotary Club Old Shoe Trophy Banquet. Walter Oslo, councilman elect of newly created Harveys Lake Borough requested an early meet- ing between Lake Township Superivsors and the council mem- bers Friday evening to determine change. Reservations for the party may be made by calling the library. New books at the library: “Marvin's Best Christmas Present Ever” by Katherine Paterson is a new children’s book. Marvin wants to make the best present ever for his parents, and one that will last forever. He is worried about it. “A Small Miracle” by Peter Collington, a children’s book, has the author painting rich narrative tales without using one single word, and uses 96 exquisite min- iatures to create this contempo- rary parable. Awondrous miracle! “The Winner” by David Baldacci is a story with an astounding premise and heroine unlike any other: a tough, dirt-poor young ness). With your help, we can make this international event of great. importance and comfort to be- reaved families everywhere. In memory of our children, who will be deeply missed this Christ-* mas, please light your candles, = and let their light replace some of | the darkness and spread as far as the good news of the Savior’s birth * on that first Christmas night. : May you be blessed with peace ; and love. Dd @ Lois Linginbigler . Hatvge Lake | the distribution of equipment be- tween the two bodies. The new borough which 'goes into ‘effect Jan. 1, finds itself with no prop-: erty or means of clearing: roads during the expected winter storms. Robert Besecker was elected do president of the Dallas Ambulance | Assoc. succeeding James Davies. | 20 Years Ago - Dec. 15; 1977 MECHANICAL SANTA CLAUS STOLEN FROM STORE ~~ A resolution to appoint Vern »Prichard to collect taxes for the Dallas School District was defeated * at Monday's school board meeting | when five of the directors ¢laimed | * they were unable to vote in favor of | it. Atty. Basil Russin in his first ! meeting as a director, touched off . a lengthy discussion when he asked the amount of the collec- tors bond. He stated that he: thought the board should be satisifed with the answer “an amount comparable to other tax : collectors”. | A mechanical “Santa Claus” valued by its owner at approxi- : mately $1,000 was stolen from the front of Ye Olde Clock Shoppe | in the Dallas Shopping Center: Saturday. Al Lipko, owner of the store, reported to Dallas Borough ! Police that Santa was located out- side the shop, is five feet tall and bends at the waist and extends its | . hand to greet customers. | Dec. 12-13, extras available El 4 SAN - woman about to become ‘the EAE ner’. She is a 20 year old unsed’, mother in Georgia, a woman wh: can use her fists as well as’ Hel wits, striving to escape an abusive,’ relationship and a life of endleds’ poverty. She receives an offer thats : no one can refuse. Yn “A Certain Justice” by P. Di James is an Adam Dalgliesh my$=; tery. It begins with a trial fof; murder. a0 The distinguished criminal: lawyer Venetia Aldridge is defénd=" “ ing Garry Ashe on charges of hav" ing brutally killed his aunt. The: trial is mainly a test of her court room skills for her, one mor¢ op’ portunity to succeed—and * she: does. But now murder is in the air: with more horrors. : ie ~ a Better to Give. Even better to receive. | The Dallas Post aw ov Uw Uw
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers