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Page 4A Wednesday, November 9,1994, Houston Times-Journal Viewpoints Houston Times-Journal P. O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Ph0ne:(912)987-1823 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, Perry, Ga. 31069. ISSN: 1075-1874 Bob Tribble, President Jim Kerce, Editor and General Manager Sherri Wengler, Advertising Manager News: Vetoßoley, Pauline Lewis. Sports: Phil C\ark Compcsition: Tammy Floyd. Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington. Circulation: Eric Zellers Bookkeep ing: Judy Morrow. Opinion Why we celebrate Veterans Day By: WILLIAM M. DETWEILER Why do we celebrate Veterans Day? A citizen telephoned The American Legion's National Headquarters in Indianapolis recently to say that he didn't think veterans deserve any special recognition, honor or benefits. It was the caller's opinion that America's wartime veterans have given no more or no less to our country than any other citizen who goes to work each day and otherwise does his or her part. It's a fair question: Why do we celebrate Veterans Day ? First, the U.S. Constitution grants citizens the right to assemble peaceably anti die freedom to spe;ik our minds. Many Americans in 1994 Like such rights for granted. But, we have only to look at the many trouble spots around the world, some very close to home, to know how fragile and rare-;ire the freedoms that we enjoy Second, because ol the tremendous contribution America's veterans have made to die tie tense ot our nation, it's important to honor these individuals November 11th. the date on which World War 1 was officially concluded, has been designated for this purpose Third, veterans do recognize the contributions ot all Americans who pitched in and did their part on the home front during warrant 1 But. what ol the men and women who drained ditir country's uniform, left job. home and family, and placed themselves m harm's way for the s;tke of their nation ? General Douglas MacArthur described America's citizen-soldier as "one of the world's noblest figures." Recalling two world wars, MacArthur s;ud: "In memory's eye I could see those staggering columns of the First World War, bending under soggy packs on many a weary march, from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle-deep through the mire of shell-pocked roads; to form grimly for the attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home to their objective, and, for many, to the judgment seat of God. "And 20 years alter, on the other side of the globe, again the filth of murky foxholes, the stench of ghostly trenches, the slime of dripping dugouts, those boiling suns of relentless heat, those torrential rains of devastating storms...the bitterness of long separation from those they loved Your view Don't take freedom for granted Editor: Some years ago Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day. For our younger members, Armistice means a suspension of hostilities, in other words, a truce. At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 World War I came to an end and was known as Armistice Day. In later years, Veterans Day as we know it became the official observance for honoring all Veterans. While history tells us the dates of when these wars started and ended, you rarely hear about the personal accounts of the men and women who fought to preserve the Freedom and Liberty that sustain us today. You cannot understand the meaning of sacrifice without a knowledge of history, and you clearly have no concept of freedom and liberty until you are willing to fight to the death so another person may live in Freedom, the Freedom that all of us so dearly love, which sadly, is more often than not, taken for granted. Many hundreds of thousands of Americans have fought and died so we may be here honoring all of the Veterans on Veterans Day November 11, 1994 at our Vetenuis Day Program in the Perry National Guard Armory at 11 a.in., everyone is invited to attend. Sincerely, Don Norris, American Legion 6th District Share your opinions... write a letter to the editor and cherished, the deadly pestilence of tropical disease, the horror of stricken areas of war." Author James Brady, a Marine during the Korean War, has written this about his experiences; "We stayed on the line once through January and February for 46 days. Never washed, never changed clothes, and we ate from tin cans. No fresh fruit, no milk, no bread. Our faces were pitted with pustules and black heads in the cold, (mucus) froze...solid on our nostrils and upper lips and our eyes were bloodshot...and twitched from nerves and fatigue. "And you try to keep it hanging together when a friend of yours is killed or loses an eye or his hands and try to forget what dead men look like hanging on barbed wire in the morning after you have fought again through the night." Here’s how Marsha Young, a Desert Storm veteran, described her experiences in a recent letter to The American Legion Magazine: "The monsoon rains flooded us, the Scuds attacked us and the locals harassed the American w omen" "Water made our chemical suits ineffective against any agents in the Scud warheads. We had no showers tor 11 days. With water and toilet paper rationing, constant sand storms. 100-plus degree weather, no tampons, no laundry. Scud attacks and sniper lire, I too. became the animal within..." "I live today with what is called the Saudi Syndrome. My utmost respect goes to the combat veterans whatever the war. whatever the gender.." Indeed In war after war. America's veterans have returned home in need of medical help, an education, and a job Yet, time and time again, veterans have had to fight for these things, too-for benefits that a grateful nation should bestow upon its defenders like a crown of laurel As national commander of The American Legion, I'm proud to say that throughout our organization's 75 years, we've been in the thick of that fight. And we'll keep on fighting. With their blood, their sweat, and their (ears, America’s veterans have earned their place at the table. Why do we celebrate Veterans Day? Because veterans have given us the freedom to do so. William M. Detweiler is national commander of the 3.1 million-member American Legion. ■THE PEANUT GALLERY | ■-■ fsT I REALI Z-£&> '"'X 'N'T H-A/4 TO 1 ALL TUB- PEOPLE !M PLE. © M4AMA '9¥. Study: Smaller schools are better Shortly after Gov. Zell Miller took office, he appointed a special committee to study the public school system in the stale. At that time the State Department of Education was operating under QBE which offered local school systems large incentives for consolidating their smaller schools into larger schools The committee, chaired by Rep Charles Thomas of Carroll County, took almost a year to complete their work, which included, in part, visits to schools throughout the state, interviews with school administrators, teachers, parents and students, and reviews of studies done in other states When their work was done, their findings were presented to the Governor The bottom line that sUxkl out like a sore thumb was that in almost every area of the study, smaller schixils were advantageous to larger schixils. For eight years, prior to this God demands faith from all His children By: PASTOR WILLIE KING "But without faith it is impossible to please Him. for he who comes to God must believe diat He is. and that He is a rewardcr of those who diligently seek him. I have learned in my Christian walk with God, that God demand his children to have faith. God does give us the means whereby to produce this faith we have and the right to challenge his justice. But Remember when: a look back at the past 5 Years Ago Nov. 4, 1989 Counties to ensure "90 cen sus.... A. C. Daniel, 3d District Board representative of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), said the property assess ment system in Georgia needs to be changed so that timberland owners won't be taxed so heavily because of the separate values of the trees and the land.... State Rep. Larry Walker says he is displeased with the state’s prison and seeks an end to prison short age... Westfield's 12-member one-act team performs "Sin in the South" for their parents.... Coach Gordon Powers’ Westfield Hornets clinched his third region ti tle in four years.... Houston Home Journal spon sors Big Buck Contest.... Board of Education to decide on controversial new job - a language - arts coordinator position - recom mended by Dr. Harold Chapman, Houston County School Superin tendent.... The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a win dow/door decorating contest. Mer chants aie invited to decorate fronts for holidays as part of the Christ mas-al-lhe-Crossroads celebration. 10 Years Ago Nov. 1, 1984 "■^p^Yibblej study, the State Department of Education had been pushing for larger consolidated schixils across the state on the theory that huger was belter and more economical to operate. The study proved what many people in this county had known fra a long time and that was that bigger was not necessarily better In fact, the study clearly showed that everything considered, smaller community schools reflected the best chance for quality education Smaller schixils received more support from the community and parents Smaller schixils provided a better identity tor the students Smaller schixils provided if God placed within our means, whereby, we can get faith, then it is left up to us to get and attain it from the word of God. Ihe way we please God is to walk in faith. What ever your desire when you pray, believe that you will receive it and you will have it. So what is faith? The bible gives us the meaning of the word faith. Hebrews 11:1- "Now (present tense) faith is die substance Houston County Hospital Au thority hired Wemmer's Communi cations Corp. of Atlanta to conduct a random telephone survey of the county residents and those within the survey area of die Perry-Hous ton County Medical Center in Warner Robins as a part of a SI6,(XX) study.... United Way Perry Division went over this year's g0a1.... Tal Irvall, director of the Univer sity of Georgia Cooperative Ex tension Service, furnished the fol lowing Houston County figures to the Kiwanis Club: Taxable sales last year - $35 million; average family income - $18,598; number of families on food stamps, 1,746.... Hayneville firefighters to have new headquarters in 2-3 weeks.... Balvaunuca Club announces sec ond annual Art in Autumn a huge success.... Thousands enjoy Mossy Creek Festival.... Tennis Association holds first tournament at the Eric P. Staples Tennis Center. Gayla Andrew and Joan Davis won the ladies' doubles event; Allen and Riley Hunt won the men's doubles. Bert Bozeman won the A Division. 25 Years Ago Oct. 30, 1969 Connie L. Jones, first Negro in Perry's history to seek office (Cjty 4A —Houston Times-Journal a safer and more pleasant environment in which to learn Smaller schools provided a closer relationship between teacher and student. And smaller schools located within the communities were not more expensive to operate, everything considered. Rep. Thomas carried this new information before the State legislature last session and a new law was passed changing die sizes that schools must be bef ore they are eligible for state funding. Under QBE high schixils were required to have 970 students before the state would fund them, middle schixils 6.14 students and elementary schixils 450 siudenLs. The new law that Gov. Miller signed that went into effect on July 1 of this year says the state will fund high schixils with 500 students, middle schools with 400 students and elementary schools with 200 students. Indeed, the legislature felt that bigger was not better either! of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Now faith is believing God right now for what you want. This is the reason why you must have faith to please God. In Romans 4:17-21, these verses teaches that Abraham believed God and didn't consider his body being old but kept the faith in what God had said. We as believers can please God by believing die word of God. Council)... Progress on City's new well moves ahead. The well is located behind Woodlawn Cemetery on the Fort Valley Road and will be the site of the City's new water plant with a capacity of 1,000 gallons of water per minute. The well will be completed in about three weeks.... Allen P. Whipple was installed as president at an Emory University Alumnae Banquet at the Macon Sheraton Inn, Oct. 24.... 50 Years Ago Nov. 2, 1944 Cattle industry in Houston County expands.... Houston Lodge No. 35 Free Will and Accepted Masons will ob serve its 100th anniversary on Nov. 6 with a gala celebration. L. C. Walker is Worshipful Master of Houston Lodge and Charles F. Gray is chairman of the centennial cele bration which will be held in the Perry High School Gym next Mon day night. Supper will be served at 7 p.in. to be followed by a program and a dance. A military band from Robins Field will furnish music for the dance. Masons and their guests are expected to number 300 on this occasion... PUS Basketball Spotlight by G. Francis Nunn showed PUS winning the third victory of the season, de feating Fort Valley. T ' Significant days on the U.S. calender It is perhaps fitting that election day and Veteran's Day are so close together. Without election day, there would be no need fra Veteran's Day. The United States is truly a citi zen's nation. Perhaps in other lands, ruled by kings and dictato-s, the populace has little reason to cele brate the fact that they are citizens of a country. In those lands, other than just die general benefiLs or woes that ac crue for good or bad government, the people have little claim on the land. After all, it is the rulers of these lands that make all the deci sions. If the ruler is benevolent, he might consider the wants and the needs of his subjects. If the ruler is not benevolent, those wants and needs are meet only when the coin cide with his wants and needs. Ei ther way, the citizens have little voice in the way the nation, and their lives, are governed. It’s hard for me to imagine someone being really patriotic over such a governmental system. One of the things that 1 like about the United States is that I have some ownership of the government of the nation. Even with all the socialistic tendencies in today's government, this is still a democracy, still a government that listens, no matter how reluctantly, to the voices of the people. We demonstrate that ownership of the nation when we go to the polls on election day. If we arc pleased w ith die way our country is operating, than we voice dial plea sure through our vote, or lack of it. The same is true if we are dis pleased. Without election day. without our ownership of the government, what real reason do we have to cel ebrate Veteran's Day. If we did not own the government, than we would be paying homage to a force that had the primary responsibility to keep us out of power and do that by force if necessary. Our ownership of the govern ment is backed by the veterans that have served in our armed forces. Not only is that ownership backed through their fighting our wars; but, it is also backed through atti tude of submission to civilian rule. We have to look no further than Central America to see that last point. Today, nation after nation is dismantling their armed forces be cause diose units fight the citizen's right to have a voice in his coun try’s affairs, even if that voice seems wrong. Yet, in the United States, we have seen our armed services serve under a President, Bill Clinton, who is the complete antithesis of the armed forces. Our military has went willingly into Haiti, Somalia and the Persian Gulf under the ironic command of a man who re fused to serve in the Vietnam War. Clinton has shown is complete ignorance of the military by trying to conduct widespread social exper iments. Yet, the military supports him, and implements his orders. Perhaps on this Veteran's Day, we need to fully realize this contribu tion the military has made through out the country's history, because it is a unique contribution. And, the other tangible contribu tion made by our veterans is, of course, their sacrifice on the battle fields in war, and on the parade grounds in peace. And, I understand that in total war every citizen, sol dier and civilian, bears the cost of war equally. But, I also realize that this nation has fought only three total wars in its history—the Civil War, World War I and World War 11, with World War I lasting a short period of time. Most of the wars fought by the United States have been limited, with the cosLs bourne almost en tirely by the soldiers. Our military has done their job, keeping what wars we have had to fight small and far from home. It is good that election day and Veteran's Day are so close together. Without Veteran's Day, there would be no election day. And, without election day, there would be no Veteran's Day. „