Editorials

As a former school superintendent, one of my most important, difficult, and frustrating responsibilities was trying to stay abreast of state and federal laws governing education. It was during this time that I had my eyes opened to how politics at the state and federal level really works. Suffice it to say that what I learned was disturbing.

I’m the type of airplane traveler who will make some polite chit chat, and that’s about it.

Seventy-five years ago this week, the longest battle in the history of the United States Army ground to a close. It was preceded by the afterglow of the Normandy operations; it was followed by the climactic struggle of the Battle of the Bulge. Lost in the middle was this awful fight, in which at least six Wood Countians died.

Eleanor Boyle was born days after the First Battle of the Marne, and she died the day the Cold War shuddered to a halt, 30 years ago this week. Her lifetime personally encompassed the entire geopolitical arc of the 20th Century.

The story’s pretty well known. Frederic Bartholdi designed the Statue of Liberty as a gift from the French people to the United States right around the time of the American centennial.

I’ve shaken hands with admirals, governors, a vice president of the United States, professional athletes. Once, I shook Captain America’s hand. But far and away the single most impressive handshake I ever was part of was with a retired letter carrier.

I’ve been mourning the end of summer for the past couple of weeks as I’ve prepared for the school year that started this week — a mix of melancholy for the good times that have come to an end, and excitement for this new school year.