Free Press –
Bill Moyer Part Two, Paul McAleer, Cat Meredith, Maynard Cressman, Letters from Readers
Dear Friends,
Good morning. Last week, I wrote a tribute to William (Bill) Moyer, who almost reached 90. Because I was unable to reach one of his closest friends for his thoughts until a few days ago, you’ll want to read what Paul (“Moose”) Barndt had to say today. Moose is one of Quakertown’s stalwarts. A retired assistant superintendent of schools and much-loved coach, a conversation with Moose always has value.
But first, I have a few comments.
Last week, Patricia Booth wrote a letter to the editor about my national service column. At age 92, she’s sharp as a tack. Pat believes in mandatory military service. Unfortunately, congress won’t take that step. But I believe that we can convince representatives and senators about the value of national…not military…service. This country would be in better shape if every young adult…no exception…had to give two years of service…either military or non military. By the way, Congressman Patrick Murphy agrees.
Second, Don Neumann wrote an excellent letter last week disagreeing with my notion about term limits. He believes that while mayors and governors are limited to two terms, very little gets accomplished. I’m not so sure about that. But I’d bet that congress would have solved America’s most pressing problems (public education’s failure, immigration, the tax code, health care, mass transportation, etc.) if congressmen and senators were limited to a total of 12 years of service. Don and I just disagree.
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Dennis McAleer owns an excellent printing company in Quakertown. He used to be the Free Press pressman when it was printed here in Quakertown. Anyway, Dennis told me about Paul McAleer, his 80-year-old father who’s in great mental and physical shape. What’s the key to Paul McAleer’s success? “He plays golf three days each week and drinks two beers daily,” Dennis replied. I’ll try to remember that.
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Mighty Betsy, daughter Catherine, and I had an entertaining lunch at Sunday’s Delicatessen last week. We frequent Sunday’s because it’s fun and the food’s good. You’re surrounded by community conversation. Employees chat with the passengers…passengers interface with each other. You’re never bored at Sunday’s. Anyway, we were talking about people complaining.
“We didn’t whine when we were kids,” MB began.
“Yes, Mom, but you weren’t born in the 1960’s,” Catherine laughed. “Our generation is full of whiners.” Hmmm!
And now to Moose Barndt and his observations about Bill Moyer.
“When God made Bill Moyer, he threw away the mold,” Moose began. “I could write a book about him…every page would be full of pleasant memories.
Bill and Moose played tennis as doubles partners. And they were formidable. “We were called the BM boys,” Moose laughed after pausing, “BM means Bill and Moose.
“I’ve known Bill for 50 years,” Moose continued. “Pound for pound, inch for inch, he was one of the best athletes I’ve ever known. Bill was so competitive. But he left his battles on the playing fields. He never carried a grudge.
“He had such great balance, such quick feet,” Moose added. “In high school, Bill was only 5’ 8” and 140 pounds…but he was so quick! He was known as the rabbit…“Rabbit” Moyer. Decades later, when we played touch football against the college kids, Bill would fake them out of their sneakers.
“Bill was great on ice skates and skis too,” Moose said. “There was never a hill too high or too challenging for him. And he competed in Pennsylvania and national Senior Games, winning medals left and right.
“He had a great sense of humor and loved to dress up,” Moose said. “He wore costumes for Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, and New Year’s. Once during trick or treat night, Bill came to our front door, disguised as a woman. For New Year’s Eve, Bill arrived wearing a banner across his chest. He was never without a smile.
“What a great friend,” Moose said. “But he didn’t stick his chest out. Bill was most comfortable being the man behind the scenes. We’d take bike rides and talk [as we rode]. And the next thing you knew, we’d be at the Delaware River.
“We walked together, biked together, laughed, cried together,” Moose said. “I’ll miss the man.”
Moose, you’re absolutely right. We’ll all miss him.
And finally,
Quakertown Band President Maynard Cressman sent me this email. “A kid in Arizona wrote this new school prayer,” Maynard said.
Now I sit me down in school,
Where praying is against the rule.
For this great nation under God,
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow,
Becomes a federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That’s no offense, it’s a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God’s name is prohibited by the state.
And speaking about the public schools, next week, I’ll share my thoughts about what’s really wrong with education in America. It’s not about class size, or bad teachers…it’s about bad parents and education via zip code. Stay tuned.
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith