Sacrifice

After a 45-year career in the private sector, first with Bethlehem Steel, then with Harley Davidson Motor Company and ending with General Motors, I lost wages, medical benefits and pensions when these companies were not making profits. Federal workers have not made any sacrifices that compare to losses in the private sector jobs ("Federal workers rally, underscore their sacrifices," Dec. 6). Most of them retire with 85 percent of their salary and medical benefits that they never paid into.

Federal employees in Maryland and elsewhere stepped up pressure on Congress Wednesday to avert the looming fiscal crisis without making significant cuts to government pay and benefits. In rallies across the country and in a new ad campaign running in Washington, federal employee unions noted concessions that members have made toward deficit reduction and sought to counter a growing sense of inevitability that they will nevertheless be asked to do more. The latest public relations blitz by federal employees - who make up about 10 percent of Maryland's civilian workforce - came as the Obama administration and Republicans in the House of Representatives continued to talk past one another over how to avoid the year-end combination of tax increases and deep, automatic spending cuts known as the "fiscal cliff.

Richard Seymour cannot understand why more than 50 percent of the electorate voted for President Obama ("Difficult to find an explanation for why voters chose president," Catonsville Times, Nov. 14). He cannot understand why people would vote to increase taxes on themselves. I'll try to explain and I'll use small words so he can follow along. During the last 11 years, we have been fighting three wars (Iraq, Afghanistan and the "Global War on Terror") and we didn't pay a dime for any of them.

I wish to respond to Kenneth Weeden's letter to the editor ("Who bears the burden?" Oct. 31). During World War II, people understood the need for sacrifice because if they didn't, there was a good chance we would all be speaking German today. Today's economic crisis requires sacrifice, but only from politicians - they need to stop spending other people's money as if there was no downside in order to get re-elected. Mr. Weeden's wishful thinking about taxing the "rich" shows that he has not done his research.

Before WWII, a large number of people were against America's involvement in the wars in Europe and Asia. After Pearl Harbor, however, that argument disappeared, and virtually everyone got involved. Sons of rich families enlisted. The Kennedys, for example, lost a son and a daughter and of course, Jack Kennedy was seriously injured. Movie stars like Jimmy Stewart and sports figures all joined ordinary people in the fight. Those at home sacrificed by needing coupons to buy meat, sugar, flour and many other things.

I am outraged to read the article in The Sun ("City schools officials play loose with credit," Aug. 26) regarding credit card charges in the amount of $500,000 incurred by Baltimore City school officials. Thousands of dollars were spent on very questionable purchases, including gourmet catering, outrageously expensive hotels, extremely high-end restaurants, gifts, office showers, etc. This is a profligate waste of taxpayer money and is especially disturbing in light of the actual situation of classroom teachers.

Jamie Moyer pitched well in his second start for Triple-A Norfolk, but the 49-year-old lefty was outdueled by Toledo's Jacob Turner in a 3-2 loss. Moyer (1-1) surrendered three runs (two earned) on seven hits in seven innings. He also struck out seven. The Tides' official twitter feed posted that Moyer had yet to throw a pitch over 82 mph at the time of his seventh strikeout in the fifth inning. He threw 103 pitches (66 for strikes) and has a 1.50 ERA through two starts for the Tides.

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who gave their all for their country. We wax eloquent about the ultimate sacrifice, but most who died were not concerned with grand visions, they were just doing their duty. They wanted to live another day, to get the job done, and to go home. But living another day required more guts than all the faux patriots today who talk patriotism but are more interested in money and power. This is a country that achieved great things through mutual sacrifice.

Memorial Day services were conducted by the VFW Post 8185 at two locations Sunday, May 27. The first wreath-laying ceremony took place at Harmony Chapel cemetery on Dr. Jack Road, Conowingo and included honor guards from Snow's Battery and the Rising Sun American Legion. Then, post commander D. Harvey Cunningham and his officers, VFW members and men's and ladies' auxiliary officers moved on to Memorial Plaza at the north end of Marina Park in Port. Following the wreath-laying ceremony there and 21-gun salute by the American Legion Post 194's honor guard, everyone gathered at the VFW Post 8185 at noon for a luncheon prepared by Pat Job. Ladies Auxiliary officers Janet Mortus, Ruth Turner and Stephanie Gibson assisted Pat with the luncheon and ladies auxiliary chaplain Linda Cotton said a prayer for the assembly, which included the honor guards, members and several guests.

Kevin Gregg has had a resurgence of sorts after a slow start this season and a rough year in 2012. He had strung together seven scoreless outings totaling 9 1/3 innings pitched. That all came to a halt in the seventh inning Monday. Entering in relief of Tommy Hunter (6 IP, 9 hits, 5 earned runs), Gregg allowed a one-out single, double and then intentionally walked David Ortiz. Adrian Gonzalez broke the 5-5 tie with a sacrifice fly and Will Middlebrooks added a RBI single to give the Red Sox a two-run lead.