Look for the helpers

(7/2022) I began writing this column over the days between Memorial Day and the anniversary of the D-Day Landing in Normandy. Respect for our past meeting hope for our future as we hold our Primary Election in Maryland.

Brigadier General Norman Cota and Brigadier General Willard Wyman landed with the second wave of infantry on Omaha Beach June 6, 1944. They were the first American commanding officers organizing the action on the beach in person. As part of the US military forces standing up to the international threat of fascism—the rule of one man over everything and everyone—they were part of greater collaboration of neighboring countries working together for the greater good of all their citizens

Margaret Chase Smith, was a republican US Senator who in 1950 was the first, and for a long time the only voice to stand up Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s relentless accusations against his fellow Americans. She stood up for the greater good of all Americans.

Fred Rogers, everyone’s Mr. Rogers, was unflinchingly kind and fair to everyone and in every situation he came upon. When he met a child in distress his kindness was not a hollow "there, there have some thoughts and prayers." He would look them straight in the eye and tell them he learned that when he was in a bad situation to look for the helpers. Look for the people who are calm and taking time to find a solution, to ease the problem, to find a path away from the danger. Mr. Rogers stood up for the greater good within each of us.

Many of the famous people of the 20th century, especially during the 2nd WW, we call the Greatest Generation. I also call them grown ups. They reached the heights of their profession of service, and when challenged with impossible decisions they unfailingly chose the hard path for the greater good.

The people who raised us middle aged and older folks, didn’t always agree, or like the choices their children made, but they didn’t whine about it or go to Board of Education meetings to talk over the speakers and threaten to throw furniture. They did not, as a group make up accusations about their neighbors. They worked for the greater good of all Americans.

In our upcoming elections we have positions to vote on, from local officials on up the political food chain to Governor. The Frederick County Board of Education is one of the most important, and is under attack by candidates who claim schools "indoctrinate" students, stealing childhood innocence and parental rights from under our noses. Not one but two gangs-of-four, an official "Slate" and a sort of slate, want to save everyone from the things they don’t want their kids to experience. With their super slate capes they will sweep in and take away all those annoying books about everyone and everything but them and their interests, and then deliver all sorts of rights parents have been missing out on since the dawn of our Republic.

We parents already have rights, and we don’t get to use each and every one of them for many reasons, most of which end in "not enough hours in the day". Parents and teachers are overwhelmed with responsibilities, the details of life which, while important, are time consuming. What I find helpful are policies, programs, events which bring teachers and parent together, rather than emphasize separate sets of rules for each group to follow.

Our schools from the Board of Education through teachers and support staff—the Bus Drivers, classroom assistants and volunteers, professionals working in sanitation and food service—all work for the greater good of our students. Anyone claiming that our dedicated school staff is "indoctrinating" is simply looking for an opportunity to perform their own indoctrination.

Look for the helpers, look for the grown ups. The people who work for acceptance of all people, own their mistakes and look for solutions, people who work for the greater good, not what looks good, are the ones I look to for investing in the future for my family. Teachers need help from each of us and from their administration. Teacher endorsed helpers: Karen Yoho, Ysela Bravo, Rae Gallagher and Dean Rose.

Our great education system and dedicated teachers inspire us to read books, and heed messages from our forebears.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

— Martin Niemöller

I am adding:

Then they came for women’s self-determination, and I did not speak out —
Because my independence was safe.

Then they came for the LGBTQ, and I did not speak out—
Because I was heterosexual.

Then they came for the teachers, and I did nothing—
Because I believed in teachers, surely everyone does.

Then they came for the books, and I did not speak out—
Because I could go buy books.

Then they came for my vote—and no one showed up and then it was gone.

Brigadier General Willard Wyman was my grandmother’s baby brother, uncle Bill to us. The others I learned about in school, popular culture, and by reading. Their lessons were available to all of us, inspiring curiosity about everyone in our world.

This column began with respect for people who met the challenges that came before our time. It ends with a plea to respect the people around us who are meeting the challenges we all face now.

Look for the helpers, then get out and vote for them.

Read other Good Day Good Neighbor's by Dorothea Mordan