Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 47

Asbury Park PressSunday, February 21, ivvj Commentary Sacrifice in America, then and no At other times in our history, it meant more than giving up $100 sneakers or greens fees Ml By MIKE BARNICLE jecause we live in a nation history is often forgot-'ten and memory has been sto- case. Banks were closing and family after family lost homes as well as hope. Fifty years ago, millions of Americans were in uniform as we fought a two-front war against the Japanese and Germans. Without missing a beat, we drew the shades at night, rationed food and gas by day and endured years of hardship. Why, you don't even have to qualify for Medicare to recall what America once was: The Russians shocked us and die when they saw and heard Hitler on the movie newsreels.

They didn't surrender when a satellite proved we had a lot to learn. But times are different. We're different. It's 1993 so you hear, "Eeek. Another tax.

1 quit. Count me out." Sacrifice. It's a fairly common word that is being severely abused by a whole host of politicians, media types and, sadly, even ordinary citizens. And as long as we're talking about it while peeking into the time capsule, let's recall what occurred 25 len by TV, the word "sacrifice" has lost its meaning. Now it's used to de-' scribe the "pain" we must endure in order to balance the books by paying more taxes.

However, a lot of people today simply have no idea what real sacrifice actually means. Is it an extra two cents a gallon for fuel? Is it going without $100 sneakers with a pump? Does it mean some of us have to give up years ago this very moment. It was something called the Tet Offensive in a George Gottwald crawled about 250 yards, through withering machine gun fire, to get to Heissenbuttel. He put him on his back and began crawling toward his own line when a rocket hit both men. They live together today on a wall in Washington, one name right above the other.

the health club or won't be able to pay our greens fees because of Clinton's new taxes? No taking the kids skiing or country called Vietnam involving thousands of men now called dead. George Gottwald Jr. was among the victims. He was 20 years old when he was killed in February 1963. He grew up in Roslindale, son of a firefighter, one of eight kids.

He was in the Army, drafted there by his country. He died trying to rescue his platoon's wounded medic, another young guy named Peter Heissenbuttel from New York. George Gottwald crawled about 250 yards, through withering machine gun fire, to get to Heissenbuttel. He put him on his back and began crawling toward his own line when a rocket hit both men. They live together today on a wall in Washington, one name right above the other.

even the movies this Saturday? There is no denying that we do not get the best bang for our buck out of government. And you'd have to be a complete moron not to realize that the growth of foolish and expensive programs staffed by even more foolish nitwits has been allowed to explode in the past 20 years. But you'd also have to have a few shingles missing from your roof if you think a tax increase will ruin the Republic. We're already headed in that direction; not because of the economy but because of a collective case of amnesia and a spine that resembles Silly-Putty. Sixty years ago this week, the United States was an economic basket awake when they flung Sputnik into the heavens.

That was 1957; even the yupsters can recall that moment in time. It's clear that our parents and grandparents built more than lives. They built the whole country, with blood, pain, callouses and the determination that their children's lives would be a bit better than theirs. Imagine if they had been like so many seem to be today: frightened, bitter and cynical about something taxes none of us like but all of us have to put up with if the wheel is going to keep moving forward. They didn't quit during a depression.

They didn't stay in bed after Pearl Harbor. They didn't roll over KEVIN KRENECKFart Worth Star-Tdegran. these new taxes that have a lot of peo pie swooning in anger and disbelief Naturally, they can't because they symbolize the single reason why all ot us the survivors are around to moan and complain. Sacrifice. It means that so many gave the ultimate for a country filled this day with chronic malcontents.

Mike Barnicle is a columnist for the Boston Globe. great friend, wonderful fellow and terrific husband and father. Five years ago last week, he was killed while chasing a couple of kids who had stolen some guns. He was struck by a train. After his death, a scholarship was started in his name.

In five years, 17 Boston-area students have received more than $24,000 in aid, the money contributed by people with memories. I bet George Gottwald Jr. and Tommy Gill would love to be able to pay a piece any piece at all of Tommy Gill was also in Vietnam 25 years ago, briefly. He was from South Boston, joined the Marine Corps with several of his pals. A few good men involved in a long, sad time.

Tommy was in-country only a few weeks when he was badly wounded at a violent little village named Dong Ha. He spent months in a veterans' hospital and lived with pain. He got out, joined the Boston Police Department, served with pride, was a Readers' Forum To our readers Why let them run up the basketball scores? Impressive offensive displays, to be sure, and memory material for the victors, certainly. The Asbury Park Press publishes letters of general interest daily in Readers' Forum and letters of local interest in the Community section on Wednesday. All letters must carry signature, full name, full home address and telephone number for verification during business hours.

Generally, letters should not exceed 300 words, although the published length is at the discretion of the editors. Writers are limited to one letter per month. All letters are subject to condensation or rejection. Address letters to Readers' Forum, Asbury Park Press, 3601 Highway 66, P.O. Box 1550, A' 07754-1551.

Let me begin by congratulating those basketball teams having successful years, as well as those perpetuating successful programs. You are to be commended for your abilities and skills. The players have learned well what the coaches have taught. May your victories mount. But now, let us (and the NJSIAA) consider what is not being instituted at some of these basketball Meccas class andor sportsmanship.

Consider these specific, though not isolated, examples. Recently, a local highly ranked girls basketball team scored victories over its opponents by the scores of 102-19 and 84-15. Why Integrating the faculty matters I agree that the Neptune Township Board of Education should hire more black teachers, not just because the makeup of the schools are over 50 percent of that race, but because it is right to have a distribution of all races in the lives of all Americans. Racism is the biggest problem we face today. Unfortunately, the schools have to deal with problems that cannot be solved in the larger society.

That's why we had to have Brown vs. Board of Education. Left to solve the problems of racial hatred on its own, society fails. The issue is not whether Neptune schools should have more black teachers, but more to the point, that all schools districts should. It is just as important for white students to see black teachers as it is for black students, maybe more important.

If we follow the logic of hiring black teachers especially in places that only have a majority of black students, then we tend to separate the races and we all lose. The only way people will ever learn to appreciate each other as brothers and sisters is through personal contact, something we can't seem to achieve in the larger society, and that is not achieved by the separation of children or teachers by race. Despite currently popular disdain for affirmative action, 1 am for hiring more black teachers in all school districts as a way of dealing with the need to bring people together and develop tolerance in both directions. ROBERT G. HERBERT, Neptune And for the vanquished? Humiliation? Embarrassment? Anger? Perhaps the time has come for the NJSIAA to implement a "mercy rule" along the lines of those currently enforced in softball, and with those considered for soccer.

Granted, terminating the game is excessive, unfair to the players as well as to the paying fans. However, is it necessary to employ a pressing or a man-to-man defense when the score at halftime is 63-9, or 46 to Are taking three-point shots imperative in such lopsided contests? There are other game skills which may be emphasized beyond shot blocking when leading by 20 or 30 points. I don't wish to stunt the goals of individuals, but I question the validity of some highly touted personal records. Quality points? It's doubtful at best. If the coaches have no notion of sportsmanship, then it is time a governing body takes steps to encourage it.

While paybacks are "unpleasant," sadly, some programs may never progress so far as to "enjoy" them. STEVE MERRITT, Matawan Help the poor meet medical costs If you have not been hospitalized lately, be prepared for a second shock when you receive your hospital and doctor bills, especially if you are a senior citizen on a limited income. We are subjected to outrageous fees, which are double the amount Medicare allows. We should all appeal to President Clinton to hurry up on putting a lid on the profitability of pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospitals and doctors. We have 12 years of aristocratic benevolence.

It is time to help the poor. WALTER B. KURZAWA, Toms River The real double standard I am tired of hearing these feminists talk about double standards between men and women. Is the double standard between rich and poor less important? The middle class and the poor are told, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." Doesn't this apply to all lawyers? It seems those who can afford American help prefer to exploit illegal imnugrants. Shame, shame, shame.

ANNA ENRIGHT, Manchester Township 7T7 -i irt r-nnffiTiii mi ir tm it mi mmm mmm mm i mm iik Audrey Hepburn's greatest role By JIMMY CARTER kn a day when most of the coun- Itry was riveted on the mau- 1 'gural celebration in Washing -if kets for the winter. She also traveled to Somalia, where she visited the most devastated areas and helped renew public outrage over the situation there. Audrey Hepburn helped shape some of the momentous events of our time, including the World Summit for Children in 1990 and the achievement of the world's immunization goal in 1991. She was remarkably persuasive in her wholehearted belief that we would one day end the twin scourges of preventable disease and malnutrition. Now it is up to us to fulfill her vision, to give children who suffer from neglect a collective voice as resonant and powerful as Audrey's.

In countries like Somalia and the former Yugoslavia, Liberia and Cambodia, El Salvador and Mozambique, we must continue pressing for progress. We know how Audrey Hepburn would have wanted us to honor her memory not with endless good-byes, but with greater determination than ever. Our leading lady has made her exit, but the show must go on. Former President Jimmy Carter is chief executive officer of the Carter Center in Atlanta, where he is actively involved in The Task Force for Child Survival. CEF, she had been enjoying a restful retirement.

Her first foray into the world of war and famine, in a visit to Ethiopia in 1988, was emotionally wrenching. It also met with some skepticism: in a book about the famine, a Washington Post reporter later referred to her as UNICEF's "designated weeper." But Audrey Hepburn soon proved hojv- misleading a characterization that was. There was nothing self-seeking or fraudulent about her work with UNICEF she simply loved childr en and believed in her responsibility to help them. She had grown up in war-torn Europe, surrounded by conditions similar to those of children in developing countries. Audrey Hepburn was not simply another celebrity humanitarian she set the standard.

Last year, she gave the keynote address at Brown University's World Hunger Awards, an honor reserved for leaders in international development and nutrition. Shortly before she died, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Not long before she died, Audrey taped a television message in several languages urging factions in the former Yugoslavia to respect a cease-fire. Thanks in part to her effort; 200,000 children received medicine and blan ton, the news ot her death was sobering to me and millions of others. Decades after she made the movies that immortalized her, the elegant Audrey Hepburn still claimed the affection of a nation.

But there was another Audrey Hepburn, one who received only fleeting mention in most of the news accounts of her death. This Audrey, every bit as charming and ingenuous as the young woman who once captivated Hollywood, was a powerful symbol of hope for children in every part of the world. This was the Audrey Hepburn whom I knew, an eloquent commander in the war against poverty and deprivation. She is mourned not only by movie buffs and entertainers, but by the thousands of people from all walks of life who answered her call to action. It was not easy for Audrey Hepburn to assume the very public role of goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund.

Despite her acting talent, she was nervous about speaking in public. She was a very private person who never liked to discuss her personal life, and nearing 60 at the time she became involved with UNI- -v 'V (Press HkrttrsttonTOM KERR I.