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Show 1 Wednesday, November 19, 2003 Vernal Express All Great American Smokeout to be held Nov. 20 About 500 people in Utah will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and another 400 will die. Since the first Great American Smokeout 27 years ago, the percentage of Americans who smoke has dropped dramatically due to tobacco cessation efforts, clean air laws and increased excise taxes. However, one statistic remains unchanged. A diagnosis of lung cancer is as deadly today as it was in 1977 when the first Great American Smokeout was launched. No one could have guessed it would help spark a movement that laws would lead to smoke-fre- e from California to New York City. Now for the 2003 Smokeout, the American Cancer Society is calling on smokers throughout Utah to go smoke-fre- e for the day, Nov. 20, and to consider giving it up for Sgt. James Wheeler helped distribute Beanie Babies to school children in Iraq. Vernal soldier shares Beanie Babies with Iraqi children Iraq currently is a hotbed for conflict and war, but one local soldier found a pocket of happiness. Sgt. James N. Wheeler, USMC, son of Stan and Sheila Wheeler of Vernal, in an email to his parents, Sgt. Wheeler writes, ...today we went on a convoy to a school where we would gave the kids Beanie Babies and just mingled around a bit. I've told you all that this place is tom up, but I never saw how bad it was in the back alleys until today. We got to this school and the teachers showed me to the first room, 1 was to bring these Beanie Babies to. Nuttall delivered the babies to the boys, and I brought them to the girls. Well, I walked into this room and there were all these little eyes staring at me. There were flies everywhere, and they were packed into this little room. The smell of the area was horrible and the walk through the alley wa; terrifying. It was Nuttz (Nuttall) a soldier, a translator and myself, so Nuttz and I were doing security to the roofs of the buildings .and side allies. All the while the children were tugging at our shirt tails and people were whispering into their houses that troops were in the area. "Our adrenaline was flowing pretty good. Mom, these kids ... I looked at them and my heart fell. The future of this country was in these rooms and I hope that they turn out better than their parents, and they can learn to be free. I think of all the things in my life and this was one of the best experiences yet. Just to see their eyes light up w hen I handed them each a Beanie Baby, like they had never before been given such a gift. They are very polite and I think they were a little scared of me. I took my helmet and glasses off so they could see me and maybe ease their fears. They slowly began to let loose and good. Some interesting facts: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is the most preventable form of cancer Smoking causes many other kinds of cancer besides lung cancer. It is a major cause of cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, bladder, pan- - say thank you in Arabic and smile and bow at me. There was one teacher, who would not let us into her classroom, which the Iraqi translator said is to be expected now and then. I could see the children inside the classroom and my heart felt for them, because they knew all the other kids were getting the toys and they didnt get them. When we had handed out all the babies that were left over, we began handing out to the kids on the streets, who werent in school. Nuttz or I would do security for the oilier, while one handed them out and the soldiers took pictures of us. The pictures of me bent over a little girl is a sad story. The girl had dried watery eyes that ran half way down her cheeks, while there were flies landing on her eyelids and she wore filthy clothes. The little doll she was holding a doll that was half burnt, tom up and had the eyes painted black. 1 handed the girl the toy, and she really didnt know what to do. She didnt know if she should take it or not I asked her mother if it was okay and she said yes. Finally, the girl took the toy, and I gave another toy to the mother for the baby she was holding in her arms. After that, we got rushed by all the people in the streets wanting Beanie Babies. I felt bad we didnt have enough for everyone. We checked our vehicles to make sure they were safe to drive back and headed home ! was a experience, and really I'm glad I was able to see it. The reason it was so special, is because it was a sweeter part of the war, a part that we hadnt seen yet A part that most dont think exists. But its there and the children were beautiful. Another thing about the girl 1 gave the toy on the street When she finally took it, her little watery eyes lit up like you wouldnt think g We heard you call Go West. . . and we listened! creas, and cervix and has more recently been associated with colorectal cancer, myeloid leukemia, as well as cancers of the liver, stomach, and nasal sinuses. Tobacco is as addicting as opiates, amphetamines and cocaine Smokers who quit by age 35 can avoid 90 percent of the risk from tobacco. Each 10 percent rise in the cost of a pack of cigarettes reduces overall cigarette consumption by about 4 percent. Some interesting national statistics: Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 440,000 deaths each year, or one in every 5 people There will be an estimated 171,900 new cases of lung cancer in 2003 and 157,200 people will die. 87 percent of lung cancers result from smoking. 46.5 million Americans are addicted to tobacco. 44.4 million American adults are former smokers. $157 billion in health related economic losses are attributed to smoking. Some interesting Utah statistics: It is estimated in 2003, that 500 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and another 400 w ill die. It is estimated that $273 million dollars is spent in indirect healthcare costs linked to tobacco usage. 2.8 million packs of cigarettes are bought or smoked by kids in Utah each year. Utah's excise tax is 69.5 cents per pack with the National average tax per pack at 70.5 cents; Utah ranks 23rd out of the 50 states. Although there has been great progress, there is much, more to accomplish in order to significantly cancer diagreduce tobacco-relate-d noses and deaths. Through the Great American d Smokeout and other tobacco cessation programs and services, the American Cancer Society continues to inform people about the dangers of smoking and tobacco use and to save lives by providing the tools to help users quit. The American Cancer Society offers support and information for smokers who want to quit during Smokeout and every other day, 24 hours a day, by calling or logging on to www.can-cer.or- Community Wheres the fluff? hike to be held Hikes on Join Community e round trip Saturday for a hike to the Sound of Silence Trail in Dinosaur National Monument. Participants should meet at the Basin Sports parking lot, 511 W. Main, at 10 am. Participants will drive 21 miles to the monument trail head. The hike is easy to moderately strenuous. Bring water, warm clothes and hiking shoes. For more information, call two-mil- year-roun- g. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913, the Society has 15 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime call toll free or visit www.can-cer.org. Naked chickens, broilers without feathers, have less body fat and so are being promoted as more healthful by advocates, according to the 2004 Old Farmers Almanac. Critics are squawking about animal integrity, standing up for traditionally feathered fowl, saying that" a hen in the farmyard should not look identical to a plucked chicken in the fridge. WHY DO YOU WANT TO RE- ESTABLISH YOUR CREDIT? an unexpected problem damage their credit. And getting overwhelmed can force you into bankruptcy. Dont worry, part of getting your life back to normal is repairing your credit. Some people think that time can repair your credit. This is not true. Many banks and lenders will not with an approve someone that has not auto loan. The sooner you start showing a good payment history the sooner you will get back to normal. ;; everyone at sometime can they could. I think this really affected me on some level. Just for the fact that this is not what Im trained to do. Im usually on the other side of the spectrum and this side of the war is not what Im used to seeing. Sgt James Wheeler is stationed out of MCAs Miramar in San Diego. Calif, with Military Police Special Reaction Team. The Beanies for Baghdad (B4B) program was started by Major Jim Barker while he was serving with Headquarters V Corps in Iraq. His sister, Theresa Bradford and her son Quintin sent him a Beanie Baby named "courage prior to the ground war while he was in to Kuwait After deploying Baghdad in Apnl, MAJ Barker gave courage to a young Iraqi giri named Sara, who influenced him to ask for more beanies through www.beaniemom.com It is a non --monetary program. They accept any Beanie Babies, small stuffed animals, dolls, and any type of school supplies. The toys and school supplies are all hand delivered by soldiers, who volunteer their time and assistance. These soldiers help in their free time and many will go without sleep for 24 hours, willingly, to be a part of this. There is no greater gift than the joy of giving. There are no middlemen nor will there be at any time during my watch, said Staff Sergeant Kirk E. Wallace, manager, program Baghdad, Iraq. We have started to branch out from the schools and have started to include other efforts such as. Patrol Teams, Neighborhood (Children's Wards). 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