Tom Hanks supports military, deserved West Point honor
Recently, I watched a gripping movie called “Greyhound” that was about World War II and the North Atlantic convoys that were heavily preyed upon by German U-boats until Navy destroyers started escorting them. Tom Hanks directed and starred in this 2020 production that was action packed from beginning to end, as it portrayed the heroics of America’s Navy during the war. Several times, it also referenced the Londonderry Naval Base, where my father served in 1944. Like most veterans of the era, my father didn’t talk much about the war, but he did speak fondly of Londonderry.
Hanks has starred in numerous films about our military and produced others. He’s famously known for “Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers.” He was also a spokesperson and fundraiser for the National World War II Memorial in Washington and the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
Few civilians have done more for the military and its veterans than Hanks. So why did the Military Academy at West Point abruptly cancel last month’s prestigious award ceremony that was scheduled to honor him? It said it was to focus on its core mission, but was it really because President Trump brands Hanks as “woke”? What a travesty!
Bob Fried
Allentown
Peischl and Hodges earned another term
As I consider who to vote for in the upcoming South Whitehall Township commissioners election, I researched our current commissioners’ record. Here’s what Chris Peischl and Monica Hodges accomplished during their first term:
They prioritized long-overdue upgrades to firefighting equipment, helping protect our volunteer firefighters and the community.
They invested in vehicles, radios and other equipment requested by the police department, ensuring our officers are well-equipped to protect residents.
They improved access to township information through a revamped, easy-to-use website, launched the NIXLE emergency alert system, and introduced a citizen portal for direct communication with township management.
They maintained a steady tax rate while balancing the budget and cutting costs where possible.
They initiated a Hometown Heroes program to recognize and celebrate our local veterans.
They created the township’s first land preservation plan and adopted a comprehensive plan to guide future development responsibly.
They enacted a traffic-calming policy and a transportation plan to address congestion and guide future road improvements.
In just one term, these accomplishments demonstrate effective, responsible leadership. Based on this track record, I believe Peischl and Hodges have earned our votes to continue leading South Whitehall in a positive direction.
Ellen Navitsky
South Whitehall Township
Two reasons to be against abortion
I’m a pro-life supporter. My personal thoughts on this whole thing are two reasons:
1. Babies are being killed before they even take their first breath. They aren’t even given a chance to grow up to enjoy life. Abortion should not be an option instead of protection, because there are resources such as adoption, pregnancy centers, etc. The baby doesn’t have an option.
2. Adults that commit murder should be held accountable for their crime. They knew what they were doing, and had the option to commit the murder or not. I’m not saying self-defense is committing murder, but am instead referring to those who go out and kill someone because they made them angry for whatever reason. The young people see the adults killing someone, because they got mad, and think that is the way to handle anger, so they do it. And that is the same way with women getting pregnant and having an abortion: They think a way to fix things is to kill.
Thank you for listening to my reason for being pro-life.
Sharon Shaver
Allentown
Vote yes to retain justices, protect rights
If we want to lower our high property taxes, our public schools must be well funded by the state. When state funding falls short, property owners have to make up the shortfall: hence our very high school taxes. The Lehigh Valley has some of the highest school property taxes in the state, thanks to us being the worst funded schools (according to the state Independent Fiscal Office, ifo.state.pa.us). It’s easy to see the correlation.
In 2023, courts ruled that our legislators, under Republican leadership, have been underfunding our schools for two decades. Funds were finally budgeted in an amount that greatly helped our schools to begin to “catch up.” Our schools used to be funded about 50%, but over time it was steadily reduced to roughly 20%-30%. Someone had to make up the shortfall in our school budgets, and the burden fell on homeowners.
So, why did Pennsylvania legislators suddenly agree to fair funding of public schools? You can thank the Democratic majority on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, because they rid our state of the extreme gerrymandering of voting districts, which had for years effectively voided the votes of tens of thousands of Democratic voters.
Vote yes to retain all our judges. They will protect fair funding for public schools, mail-in ballots, women’s autonomy and our voting rights.
Linda Zak
Ross Township
Liberty soccer champions mark 50th anniversary
On Oct. 4, Liberty High School celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1975 boys soccer team’s winning the first state championship in the school’s long and glorious sports history. This soccer championship is the only soccer championship won by a “big school” in the history of District 11. Highlighting the ceremony was an introduction of the 16 players on the team and a presentation of a citation issued by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and state Rep. Steve Samuelson acknowledging this feat. Players and coaches would like to thank Samuelson for his support.
Coach Jim Kennedy
Upper Saucon Township
Clean energy cuts lead to price hikes
Just a bit of more good news to take your mind off the shutdown and the Jeffrey Epstein list: PPL is seeking a 7% rate increase in July after a 16% rate increase this June.
President Trump has allowed the Chinese to eat our lunch, with it producing cutting-edge, free, green energy. Plus clean energy would have produced lots of new jobs in the U.S.
Tom Sedor Sr.
Northampton
ELECTION LETTERS
Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the Nov. 4 general election must be received by 10 a.m. Oct. 27. Election-related letters will not be published after Oct. 30.
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.
