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Show "Voting" and defend against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. I took United States history from Jack Hill. This young energetic coach left no doubt about the wonderful rights AND responsibilities we had come to enjoy as Americans. The right to vote was a hard fought struggle for many, including women. I learned that over the years millions had sacrificed much to secure this right for all Americans. It was Duke Giles who put that American experience in the context of world history. I grew up in a split family. Half voted regularly for democrats and the other half regularly voted for republicans but all voted. Our neighbors, the Klemms, hosted vigorous neighborhood debates around the kitchen table about political issues. The topics ranged from road maintenance to global Communists openly marched down Fifth Avenue. College students were taking over college campuses in protest. Black Panthers were threatening to burn the America I loved to the ground. One day iron workers came down off the Twin Towers that were being built to meet protesters head on. Shortly after returning from New York City, I decided that I was not going to sit idly by so I attended my first political meeting and got a baptism of fire in civic affairs. That night Frank Mills and I were nominated to run for the city council. He was on one party and I was on the other. Both of us were elected. I thought often of my Grandfather Adamson and my Great Grandfather Bezzant who had also served on the city l-v. Ml 1 '" Y to visit with those running for office. There are some very good people seeking office and the citizens of this area have some very good people to pick from as they enter the voting booth. One thing I have never understood is voter apathy. I hope to never forget standing by my Grandfather Milton Adamson and other members of the American Legion at Memorial Day and on other special occasions. Grandpa Adamson was a veteran of World War I. They stood at attention and fired their guns in honor of their fellow soldiers who had given their last full measure of devotion that this nation might live. On those special occasions stories were told about various family members and others in the community who had served in the military. Some remained silent about their service. Others spoke openly about the horrors they had faced. It was a bitter struggle to lower the voting age to 18. Prior to this, young men and women entered the military service without even the right to vote but still they were asked to sacrifice their very lives for the country they loved and swore to protect by Mark Bezzant Beautiful Fall colors are gracing our lovely communities. The Fall colors in the mountains have been spectacular. Most everyone has their apples picked and the last cutting of hay is all bailed and in the barn. Already there has been "frost on the pumpkins" in the valley. Much cooler temperatures are signaling that winter is just around the corner. Already snow has graced the top of Mt. Timpanogos during recent storms. The other night there was a meet the candidate night in the Manila area and outside of official political party officers just a handful of residents came affairs. Mr. Klemm's family came from Germany and they were never casual about voting each November. Being on the high school and college debate team intensified my interest in local, national and global issues. It didn't matter if it was sunny, raining or snowing. I grew up understanding that being an informed voter and voting was a RESPONSIBILITY not to be taken lightly. While living in New York City during part of the Vietnam War, I gained a new appreciation for the values I had been taught as a youth. council. My Great Grandfather Mark Bezzant traveled across stormy seas and had walked all the way to Utah as a boy because he wanted to live in America and grow up in Zion. How dare I mock his sacrifice by only talking about rights and not assuming responsibilities? How dare I mock my Grandfather Adamson 's service by simply focusing on pleasure and not duty? The list could go on and on. In my view, every American who is 18 should register to vote and honor the sacrifices of people in their own family who came to this blessed land and dreamed of the days we are sooooo blessed to enjoy! |