Letters: The aching void that Harry Kalas left behind

IWAS JUST 9 when Harry Kalas broadcast his first game for the Phils, and since I am a huge Phillies fan, he was a big part of my life. Players, managers and even owners come and go, but Harry has always been there. He's all I've ever known.

It was a tragedy when we lost Whitey Ashburn, but Harry was there to help us. He'd lost his best friend, but his strength kept us going and let us continue to enjoy baseball in the depths of our grief.

Today, I don't know. It's never going to be the same. As a fan, I don't know if I'll ever fully recover. But I do know one thing, there must be a God, and he let Harry broadcast the Phillies World Series championship before he took him from us.

I've listened to that final call a hundred times and choke up every time. Now I hear it and just bawl my eyes out, but I thank God we were able to hear it because it will live with us forever, as will Harry. You will be missed dearly, my friend, but never forgotten. Just say hi to Whitey for us.

Robert R. Bross III, Philadelphia

To keep the memory of Harry Kalas alive for generations to come, the Phillies should designate an area of Citizens Bank Park as the Kalas Corner (or Korner). With Ashburn Alley and other other ex-Phils being honored in the park, it would make sense that the voice of the Phillies for 38 years be part of the structure as well.

Jerry Poluka, Hazleton, Pa.

So my son calls from Southern California saying, "I just heard on the news that Harry Kalas is going to be calling our games from now on."

"Wrong team," I tell him. "Heaven's Angels, not L.A.'s."

Jim Acton

Collegeville

Teacher's race irrelevant

I was flabbergasted when I saw the article in which some people said that only students of the same ethnicity as their teacher can be educated best.

I've had honors every year, and my teachers were of a different race from me. That proves the background of a teacher won't change a student's grades. I respect teachers for what they are inside, not outside. What was said about teachers' and students' similarities affecting their grades is nonsense.

Kenneth Lac, Carnell Elementary

Philadelphia School District

Wrong culprits

Five young adults jumped a fence, took a seat and a sign and were put in jail. Their mug shots were plastered in the paper to look like hardened criminals. Meanwhile, we have a team owner who owes millions to a cash-strapped city. Who is the villain here?

Michael Reiser, Philadelphia

It is Islam, Mr. President

I had to laugh when I read that President Obama said "the U.S. isn't at war with Islam." Who is it we've been at war with? Orthodox Jews? Southern Baptists? The Amish? I'm sorry to tell you, Mr. President, it's Islam. You can't deny what's been going on in Islamic countries for centuries. Murder, rape and terror if you don't believe the same things they do.

Nicky Giorno

Hunlock Creek (Pa.) State Prison