Moore faces questions about integrity

The governor is wrong, period (Gov. Wes Moore acknowledges incorrectly claiming he received Bronze Star on 2006 application, Aug. 29). The Bronze Star is our fourth-highest military award, and it does not just show up in your record. There is a ceremony, and your commanding officer, or an even higher-ranking officer, pins it on your chest and congratulates you. Then, you get a certificate signed by that officer, acknowledging the circumstances. You are not likely to forget that those things did not happen. The governor embellished his record to improve his application. Doing so or being called out for it does not denigrate his record; it denigrates his integrity.

— Doug Magill, Pikesville

Tribute to Jochmans makes me proud to be a teacher

I am a proud 1959 graduate of Towson High School, and a retired Hereford High School health and English teacher. My students were my life for 20 years, and I still miss them after 15 years of retirement. I was so inspired by the article Aisling Murphy wrote in the Sun on Friday morning (Remembering Towson teacher Matthew Jochmans, who changed my life, Aug. 30). Just knowing there are such devoted and creative teachers who have mattered to their students makes me honored to have been in the same profession. Many of my colleagues at Hereford have had the same life-changing effect on their students, as Mr. Jochmans had on his. They were an inspiration to me. Students have told me that when they first entered a classroom they knew if the teachers loved their job, and more importantly, if they loved their students. Ms. Murphy was enthusiastically clear when she described her first day with Mr. Jochmans and how he shared the “magic of physics” with his “anxious and terrified ” class. I wish I had been his student.

Thank you, Ms. Murphy, for reminding us of our potentially positive effect on our students. Sometimes, we forget. One of my favorite quotes is: “If some students are unresponsive, maybe you can’t teach them yet, but you can love them. And, if you love them today, maybe you can teach them tomorrow.”

— Susan Cunningham Euker, Bel Air

Trump should be banned from Arlington National Cemetery

Donald Trump has once again disrespected our military (Trump team clashed with official at Arlington National Cemetery, Aug. 29). It’s worth remembering that Trump needs these photo opportunities to look patriotic because he has no service record of his own. Only Trump would stoop so low to use Gold Star families’ tragedies to make a campaign commercial in Arlington National Cemetery. This was no innocent mistake. It’s part of a pattern. Trump has ridiculed Sen. John McCain for being a POW, claimed that a medal he awards to his donors is equal to the Medal of Honor and called our fallen heroes “suckers” and “losers.” He tears down those who serve to distract people from noticing that he never served at all.

My grandfather is buried in Arlington. In World War I, he was shot by German soldiers and marched 20 miles with his unit to avoid capture before receiving medical care. His leg had to be amputated to save his life. I also have an uncle buried in Arlington. He served 30 years in the Navy. Trump is not fit to walk among their graves.

Personally, I think Trump should be permanently banned from entering Arlington National Cemetery. Maybe that can be his sacrifice for the nation.

— Laura Siegel, Timonium

Moore diminished his honor

My husband was a proud recipient of the Bronze Star, although he never spoke of his deeds. Being part of the Army and defending his country in World War II and Korea were seminal events in his life.

I find it very distressing that Gov. Wes Moore would diminish this honor to enhance his resume (Gov. Wes Moore acknowledges incorrectly claiming he received Bronze Star on 2006 application, Aug. 29). Although he has done little since being elected, the governor has placed himself on a trajectory to run for president. He has been so transparent in this goal. When can we see some statesmen with principles and not just glitz?

— Dovey Kahn, Towson