Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Viewpoints Norris thanks those who made service possible Dear Editor: This great nation observed its first Memorial Day 124 years ago, and on May 30, 1994, the American Legion Post 24 of Perry had the opportunity to honor our deceased veterans. The Memorial Service was to remember the more than one million men and women who sacrificed their lives in wars since the nation began. This must always be a great nation and we should never forget those who have given in its behalf, those who have died or those who have sacrificed their health in serving this great country. American Legion Post 24 of Perry would like to take this opportunity to give special thanks to those who made this outstanding program possible. Perry High School ROTC Color Guard, Lona Stone for singing The Star Spangled Banner, Tommy Wood, Mayor Jim Worral, Walter Rembisz, our guest speaker Retired Col. Leon Huffman, Rev. Jim Shipley, Ben Parker, Chris Murrell for singing "God Bless the USA", along with a Rifle Squad from the Ft. Valley Gun Club, the Perry High School Band for giving us the Bugler to play taps, and Watson-Hunt for the chairs, the tent, and preparing the cemetery for this Memorial Service, but most of all we want to thank all of those who came to help us salute our Veterans and recall the ultimate sacrifice they made to preserve safety and freedom for all. Sincerely, Commander Don Norris American Legion Post 24 Perry The Clinton price tag on health care too expensive Dear Editor: I've just read that President and Hillary Clinton's new health care proposal will cost $3.6 trillion between 1996 and 2004, when the plan will fully implemented. It seems to me quite an irony that the Clinton Administration claims to have undertaken health reform largely because the nation could not afford increasing health care spending! Where exactly is the big savings in this new plan? Add this huge cost to the problems of more government bureaucracy and the possibility of losing more than 900,000 American jobs (sourie: DRI/McGraw-Hill), and I'm not sure we need health care reform as much as the Clintons think. It's true there is no such thing as a free lunch. But the Clinton price tag seems well out of the range of most American taxpayers. I'd rather see various market reforms (like capping malpractice suit amounts and allowing people to start medical savings accounts) tried before risking our entire economy on this radical plan of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Sincerely, Lawrence S. Jordan rfdcOiete, *7&em: Editor Houston Times-Journal P.O. Drawer M Perry, GA, 31069 Houston Times-Journal P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Phone: (912) 987-1823 Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association rruxJL*. ruo. uv * wwiaM (vu oJ&skA tw I fv*/ cw tSus* til^ Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Our Goal The Houston Times-Journal is published proudly for the citizens of Houston and adjoining counties by Houston Publications Inc., Perry Ga. Our goal is to produce quality, profitable, community-oriented newspapers that you, our readers, are proud of. We will reach that goal through hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and a strong dedication towards printing the truth. Bob Tribble Daniel F. Evans Julie B. Evans Mitch Tribble President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Our Staff Brigette Loudermilk Editor and General Manager Eddie Byrd Advertising Director Newt: Brenda Thompson, Pauline Lewis Sport*: Veto Roley Advertising: Jimmy Simpson Composition: Stacey Shy Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington Bookkeeping: Judy Hubert Circulation: Donnie Forehand Our Policies •Signed Letters to the editor welcomed. Please limit to 300 words and include address and phone number. •Liability for an error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. •We cannot be responsible for return of pictures or material unless stamped return addressed envelope is included. The Houston Times-Journal (USPS 000471) is published semi-weekly for SIB.OO per year by Houston Publications, Inc., 807 Carroll Street, Perry, Ga. 31069. Second Class Postage paid at Perry, Ga.,POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Houston Times-Journal, P.O. Drawer M.PerryGa. 31069. ISSN:IO7S-1874 T Remembering the world 50 years ago on D-Day WITHIN a few days the entire world will focus on observance of the 5-th anniversary of D-Day...the day Allied armed fences stormed the beaches of Normandy in France and began the end of World War 11. More than 4,000 Allied soldiers died in the assault on Normandy's beaches in what has been called "die longest day" and thousands more were injured. Few, if any, of the Allied troops landing at Normandy expected to live through the first day. When I attended law school after the war I had a friend who could tell a remarkable story. He was part of the initial assault troops at Normandy on D-Day and he fought all the way to Berlin before the war ended. Yet, remarkable, he came through the whole war unscathed...unbelievable good luck. Next Monday there will be a special observance of D-Day in Normandy. A few of the soldiers who survived that day will be there. Others who could not go to France will participate in observances around the world. They, like all of us who were in the armed forces during World War 11, are old now. We look back and know what we did 50 years ago was necessary for the survival of freedom around the world...but you THE FEAtfUT GALLERY ' " To graduates--get ready for the next step Some 300 or more teenagers are graduating from high schools locally and will be moving on the next step towards independence and adulthood. For these young people, an im portant part of their lives is ending and new experiences are on the horizon. What happens in the next few years to these young people will form them into adults who will help form the next generation of world, business and community leaders. Although I am not the wisest per son and probably not the most ex perienced person in the world, it was not so long ago that I was in their shoes. I was full of hope, ex cited about my future and eager to make the transition from high school to college. I know that not every high school graduate goes to college-some will immediately enter the work force full-time, some will join a branch of the military and some will attend vocational school. Still, there are some of life's lessons they will all learn no matter what path they decide to take after graduation. In an effort to help prepare these young people, I would like to share Voice Your Opinion ... Write a Letter to the Editor! All opinions published are not necessarily those of this newspaper, therefore all letters must be signed. Houston Times-Journal look around today and wonder if what our country has become is worth the sacrifices that were made then. * * • MOST of the people in this country and world were not alive then. Those who are old enough to remember our country 50 years ago have to feel disappointment that our finest hour has deteriorated into a country where political correctness takes the place of freedom of speech, where a handout is seeking something for nothing instead of offering help to someone in need, where it no longer is safe for people to walk the streets of our towns and cities at night, where killing has become a pastime for many, where race and culture divisiveness dominate the news. Half a century ago our country was admired around the globe...and feared. There is little admiration anymore. And thugs swinging sticks can stand on a beach and scare off the United States troops. We loved our flag. Now many beneficiaries of those sacrifices of 50 years ago burn it with court approval. We're no longer unified people with a purpose...rather, we're divided by race, religion, sex, morals...you name it. I look back and long for the kind of country we had then. Except for just a few of the lessons I learned that helped me become a responsi ble (?) adult. •First of all: just because you grow older in years, you still need to stay young. It's not terrible for a working adult to enjoy a night out with friends, take an occasional day off to enjoy doing absolutely noth ing or spend your spare time enjoy ing a hobby. With responsibility comes stress —and we all need a break from responsibilities to keep our sanity. •Also —if you choose college, make the most of it. Don't wait two years to declare a major or you'll end up with hard classes and a rigid schedule your last two years. Get the core classes over with first, then you're major classes will be more enjoyable. And, for the aver age college student, you should have time to get a part-time job. Do it! Not only will it help prepare you for the working world, but you will also make some good friends since most college towns hire sev eral college students. Be sure to attend class on a regular basis. Just because Mom and Dad aren't around to make you get up in the morning (or afternoon if you don’t want morning classes) doesn't mean you should shirk the respon Wednesday, June 1,1994 "Houston Times-Journal Page 4A superficial things like air conditioning, television and numerous luxuries that have been invented during the past 50 years there is little to recommend the United States today when compared with the country that sent her bravest and best to fight and die on foreign shores to "save the world for democracy”. It was a better country then. And those of us who have survived the intervening 50 years since the storming of the beaches of Normandy should be ashamed of what we let happen to our country. I believe those who died during that "longest day" would be disappointed in us and what has happened. ♦ * * STRUGGLE? As the subject of seeking more tax money for the county was discussed, it was pointed out that each year the commissioners must "struggle" to come up with a budget they can afford. I like the use of the word "struggle" because, in my opinion, that is what elected officials at all levels of government should have to do when spending taxpayers' money. Anytime a governmental body has enough money to buy everything it wants it just has too much money. * * * WHY ANNEX? Many people sibility. There are many people who would love to attend college but can't and it just doesn't seem right to take advantage of such a good situation. •I don't know if this would exactly apply to the enlisted although it seems appropriate, but the biggest life lesson I learned in college that doing what you are told from supe riors (professors) is the only way to make it. Even though an assignment may seem useless or you think you know a better way to do it than the instructor says-do it their way or you'll probably fail or have to do it over again. I've found out that the same is true here in the real world too. •Be true to yourself. We talk about peer pressure and high school students often, but college students and other young adults also run into pressure as do those of us in the work force. But each time you resist the pres sure to do something you feel is not right for you, the easier it gets to say "no" the next time. Don't let the illusion that popular ity will make you happy convince you to do something you're not comfortable with-you'll only end up hating yourself which will not fjgjl FoyS. j Evans I wonder why homeowners living in the county do not jump at the chance to annex into the city. One tiny example is recreation. In Warner Robins 40 percent of the participants in the city-funded recreation program live outside the city limits. Why should they elect to live in the city when people living there and paying city taxes will pay for their recreation? As more and more city services become available to county residents the attraction of living inside a city diminishes. The threat to the cities is real. * * * I WONDER WHY! Doesn't it make you wonder why our elected officials in Washington take it upon themselves to tell other countries around the world how they should deal with their people? Especially since we have a country that leads the world in killings and owes more money than any other nation. It isn't hard to imagine what they really think of our "better than thou" bureaucrats. ml Brigette P m Loudermilk make you happy. •Just because you decide to take a certain career direction, leave your options open. A professor once told me that only a low percentage of college graduates work in the field they were specifically trained for. Take some electives in areas that don't pertain to your major because they will come in handy in the fu ture. If you are an arts major, a busi ness class or two won’t hurt. If you're a business major take some thing fun like astronomy or psy chology. Well, I've run out of space and have much more to say, but 111 end by saying congratulations and good luck. PS -For those entering college get used to physical exercise because you'll have to take a lot of P.E.