Mailbag: Give students more reasons to learn history

I agree with Patricia Massie, (“Country is lacking of patriotism,” June 30) in that some people know nothing about U.S. history. The U.S. government should provide better budgets for schools in order to offer more history classes at different levels of education.

Schools should also inspire students to attend theaters that offer American history plays and provide a special student discount on the theater tickets.

In addition, students should be encouraged to participate and be awarded for their performance.

When our society becomes more knowledgeable about its history, they will know the value of being an American and should be more thankful about the opportunities here.

Melani Dirghazarianmalhami

Glendale

Police help was outstanding

I do not think that Mary Hanson was writing about the Glendale Police Department (“Police need more resources to really fight crime,” July 1). As someone who was assaulted during a home invasion burglary and robbery, I found the Glendale Police to be outstanding.

From the moment my 911 call was answered, to the final resolution of the case, everything the Glendale Police did was professional, responsive and thorough to the highest degree.

To give just one example, a detective spent several hours to help my neighbors and me form a neighborhood watch and learn how to prevent home invasions.

Good police work of this sort is labor intensive, as the example shows. A good police is essential to protect the peace and safety of a city’s residents. Accordingly, a city and its taxpayers must be willing to spend the money necessary to maintain a good police force.

If a city doesn’t spend the money, the result is the type of police force Hanson complains about — a police force that doesn’t have the resources to adequately respond to crime.

Many people in Glendale wonder what they get for their tax dollars. They should think about what they don’t get — more crime because of an inefficient police force.

Stanton J. Price

Glendale

Celebrate Old Glory this Sunday

On Sunday, we will celebrate a birthday and an anniversary. The Fourth of July 2010 is the 234th birthday of the United States of America and the 50th anniversary of our 50-star flag.

The 50-star flag made its debut on July 4, 1960, when the 50th star was added to its constellation to represent Hawaii. This flag has flown over government buildings, schools and national cemeteries. It has been carried into battle by our military forces, defending our freedoms. And it has graced the meeting rooms of hundreds of civic and youth organizations.

Nearly 41 years ago, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planted this flag on the moon. Millions of Americans pledge their allegiance to the flag every day.

I invite everyone in the area to celebrate America and “Old Glory” on Sunday and fly a flag.

Lynn McGinnis

Glendale