April 29, 2004

ValleyViewpoints

Memories of Pat Tillman from his fourth grade teacher

Editor,

I couldn’t sleep last night because I was thinking about my former student, Pat Tillman.

I first met Pat when he entered my classroom in 1985 at Graystone Elementary School. Pat was not sure that he was so happy that summer had ended. Pat told me on the very first day of school that he didn’t have to do any schoolwork because his Dad was an attorney and he would sue me if I made him do any homework. I replied that if he sued me I would countersue him since my brother was also an attorney. I didn’t sleep that night either.

The next morning I expected a note from the attorney. Instead, Pat asked to speak with me in private. He said, “Mrs. Wright, you are really cool and, by the way, I did my homework last night just for you.” You can imagine my relief of not being subpoenaed and my pride in knowing that Pat and I would be good friends from that day forward.

The year was half over when our class was interrupted by the Challenger exploding. On that day we discussed what a celebrity was versus a hero. I combined social studies with a language arts lesson and they were to write about their hero. Most of the students, including Pat, chose an athlete, a movie star or a rock singer. After much discussion I remember that Pat then said he would change his mind and choose his dad as his hero. The second part of the lesson was written with the new “hero” as their subject.

As I thought of Pat bringing me a photo of himself in his NFL football uniform with a private message just for me, I thought how he would have been a perfect person to come to my classroom. He was a celebrity, but he is a hero to us today. What a perfect lesson. What a perfect hero to us all. We will all miss him very much.

Marilyn Wright
Almaden Valley

Reader rediscovers ‘old friend’ Murry Frymer in the Almaden Times Weekly

Editor,

I was happily surprised to see that Murry Frymer is writing for the Almaden Times Weekly.

For many years, I looked forward to reading his articles in the Mercury News. They were the highlight of the paper. I felt like I was in his presence, and we were discussing matters that we cared about. They were matters that were not obviously earth shattering, but they were momentous to our every day lives, like Hershey, the cat, his mother as she journeyed through her last days, and his efforts to understand his wife and children.

When you retired from the Mercury News, I felt like an old friend was moving away. I lamented not having your articles to read anymore, so my colleague bought me a copy of your book. I’m sorry to say that I have had little time to read the book. I teach full time at San Jose City College.

I have been a full time ESL teacher here for 23 years, so Murry’s Times article on retirement was especially relevant to me because I plan to continue working until I can no longer improve my teaching. As I think about that, I wonder if I will recognize that moment. His first article for the Almaden Times Weekly also struck a cord since I am also a resident of Almaden Valley and, like Murry, woke up one day surprised to find that I have been living by default in the Almaden Valley for over 40 years.

I look forward to reading Murry’s articles for years to come.

Virginia Scales
Olive Branch Lane

Manny Diaz applauds choice of Paul Yu as President of SJSU

Editor,

Congratulations to Chancellor Charles Reed and the Board of Trustees on their choice of Paul Yu as President of San Jose State University. He is a man of intellectual depth and demonstratedleadership who will be a good fit for our community.

Last year, several community leaders and I embarked on the challenging task of urging that the CSU presidential advisory committee consider changing its process to include a diverse pool of candidates for the SJSU presidency. We believed that the position of president of SJSU should be reflective of its campus and the community in which it lies.

During this time, we received a few comments from persons who questioned the need for diversity. I am pleased that the CSU was able to go beyond the realm of “politics” by selecting a person such as Paul Yu. Diversity brings inclusiveness and different ideas to the table, and this is of benefit to us all.

On behalf of our community, I welcome Dr. Yu to San Jose and wish him the best of luck. We look forward to working with him and will gladly provide him the community support he needs.

Manny Diaz
Assemblymember, 23rd District

Conservatives blatantly ignore California Constitution

Editor,

I am writing in response to the article in the Almaden Times Weekly written about Mayor Gonzales’ recognition of same-sex unions and the conservative’s opposition to his stance.

I recently wrote to House Representative Anna Eshoo regarding President Bush’s desire to change this country’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage. In her response, Rep. Eshoo addressed California’s Prop 22 and same-sex marriages, confirming that Proposition 22 is a statute and statutes do not trump the California Constitution (which repudiates discrimination based on sexual orientation).

If the conservatives wish to ignore and turn their noses up at the higher law, this state’s constitution, in order to promote their own religious tenets as law, let them waste their energy, time and money. Mayor Gonzales will be re-elected if they attempt to recall him. Because the churches threaten an “attempted recall” doesn’t mean they will succeed. Their religious tenets are not the guiding light of San Jose. They show the severity of their delusional state by threatening to recall any government official who opposes their religious beliefs.

Renee Durante
East Maude, Sunnyvale

Our soldier will never be forgotten

Editor,

Pat Tillman was more than an NFL star. He was a son, brother, husband, and friend. We will miss our brave, courageous and gentle soul. Our soldier will never be forgotten. God bless Pat Tillman and his family.

Denelle Fedor
Glen Eyrie Ave., San Jose