Topton can be proud of rich military history

Claims about education based on misconceptions

Editor:

I am compelled to write in response to “Voters must seize chance to choose local officials”

Oct. 13).

The letter expresses disapproval of “the modern philosophy to turn our children into wimps.” Name-calling seems to be fitting for the coalition of candidates the letter writer supports. That coalition is campaigning based on mistaken ideas about the modern classroom.

Exactly what modern philosophy does the letter refer to? Exactly what about equity is so objectionable? Exactly where is critical race theory being taught in Gov. Mifflin schools?

The letter is correct that people’s school taxes “pay teachers to teach math, science, English and history correctly.” Gov. Mifflin has increased the number of students taking Advanced Placement classes steadily in the last six years. In 2020-2021 our AP Capstone Research students earned a 90% pass rate (global average is 81.5%). Our AP Human Geography students scored 10% higher than state average and over 30% higher than global average. Our chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 136 students. Our middle school students won the national Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. Our Brecknock students won the county and state Elementary STEM Competition. Our high school students placed in the Reading-Berks Science & Engineering Fair.

These numbers and achievements are indisputable and should be celebrated. These are hardworking students taught by intelligent, caring teachers. There are no wimps here. I proudly support Jim Ulrich, Caryn Friedlander and Michele O’Brien for Gov. Mifflin School Board.

Editor:

We’ve had many men and women with Topton connections serve in America’s military.

Charles A.K. Grim Jr. enlisted in 1899 and was a member of the 18th Regiment. He died in 1900 at Manila. The funeral was held in Washington. Trinity Church has a window section dedicated in his memory.

The Topton American Legion post is named after Ray A. Master. I have a unique picture of Ray, who was engaged to marry my mother’s Aunt Maude. He was killed in World War I, and when the war ended my father’s uncle Ray Werst Sr., who also served in the war, visited Maude. He married her. They lived on Smith Street near Trinity Church.

I have memorabilia from World War II veterans as well, including a uniform belonging to Carl A. Fritch, longtime sergeant at arms at our Legion post. He received the Bronze Star and served in the Battle of the Bulge. Carl R. Fegely was a prisoner of war, and I have a book about him and his POW blazer with medals on it.

I have articles about Lt. Marjorie Mohler and my neighbor and music teacher Eleanor Bieber, who also flew over Topton

in a dirigible.

Mae Gallmoyer of Farmington, Conn., contacted me regarding a picture of her brother in his military uniform. She had never seen him in uniform, as she enlisted in the WAVES after he was killed.

Please visit the Topton Museum and learn more about our community and its heroes.

It’s time to focus on Biden rather than predecessor

Editor:

It baffles me as to why letter writers want to constantly bring up President Donald Trump. In some ways it seems to make them feel better about the total lousy job President Joe Biden has done.

At least Trump had real press conferences, not these softball comedy affairs because Biden couldn’t answer a question without stumbling over his words. Can you imagine reelecting Biden in 2024? He’ll probably be on the verge of senility.

When Trump was president, columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. bashed him mercilessly for four years. But he doesn’t seem to have anything to say about Biden.

I’m not a Trump bootlicker. I want Biden to do well. As he goes, our country goes.

This bickering really should stop. I told a very good friend of mine recently that we shouldn’t talk about this anymore because all we do is argue. I intend this to be my last letter on anything political.

Kurt E. Matthes West Reading