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Show ID Vernal Express YVechesoay, January 3, 1996 m (1(3 1H BDue star sigims show support itu Vernal An old symbol of patriotism still warms the hearts of the families who receive it as Veterans of Foreign War commander revives World War II tradition. 'Duane Hall, commander of the VFW Post 5560, was searching to find a suitable topic to present at the Veteran's Day Memorial last year. There were old Norman Rockwell paintings of the WWII home front with small banners with a single star, and an old song which played over in his mind called "The Gold Star Mothers" which led him in his search. He began to investigate the significance of the blue, silver, and gold stars which were displayed upon up-on small banners during WWII. He found the Gold Star Mothers actually began in 1917 when President Woodrow Wilson felt the families of American soldiers should be recognized as part of our country's support for our military efforts. Small banners made of cloth with an appropriate colored star was usually usu-ally hung in a front room window. A blue star symbolized a family member who was in active military duty. A silver star represented a family member who was wounded in active duty. The gold star meant that a family member had been killed in the line of duty. How the Gold Star banners were organized and distributed is still unclear, and not everyone who had a family member in the military received one. Hall and Air Force veteran Irvin Haws recall seeing several banners around the Basin during WWII. There were approximately 2,211 men, and 35 women from the Basin who served in WWII. "People displayed dis-played the banners proudly," says Irvin. "The tragedy is when the star changed. Even if you didn't know the people, when they had a gold star, you knew that they had lost a son in the war." Along with the cloth banners were blue stars printed print-ed on cards which were displayed in picture frames. The framed stars are more common than the cloth banner, and some may be found today to-day in antique shops and estate sales. These patriotic symbols of time gone by are rare, as the practice prac-tice of the Gold Star banner became obscure during the Korean war. Hall began working to re-establish this patriotic practice the country coun-try displayed so prominently during WWII. "What we have is a combination combi-nation of style and durability," says Hall. "The sign itself is made in the same style as the original WWII banner that belongs to Betty Zcllcr." Hall then placed the branch of the military of the family mem Deads and crystal prisms unique Christmas Ires. are ber below the blue star, and flying above the sign, he has placed a small American flag. As the VFW commander, Hall has been trying to gather the names and addresses of military personnel from the Basin who are stationed overseas. The intentions of the VFW members have been to write letters of support to these young men and women who are serving our country. Hall also feels strongly about extending the same show of support to the families of these young soldiers. He made up some signs with each branch of the military, mili-tary, just to see how people would respond. He has presented six families fami-lies who have sons overseas or stationed sta-tioned far away from home within the United States, with a blue star sign. First to be presented with the new blue star sign was Irvin and Patricia S. Haws. Their son, Randall Haws, is a Company Commander of an attack at-tack helicopter company who is assigned as-signed to protect ground forces in Bosnia. Haws is a 1982 graduate of Uintah High School, BYU and USU ROTC. He won the Bob Marshall award and went to Virginia to attend special schooling. He became a paratrooper early on, and now flies Apache helicopters. Haws and his wife, Jana, along with their children, live in Hanau, Germany. She keeps busy while he is in Bosnia by taking classes to learn how to help take care of the families who are left behind. Haws comes from a long line of military personnel. His father, Irvin, served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955. Haws' grandfather was a ."Dough Boy" who served in France. "It is tradition tradi-tion in our family," says Patricia, who is proud to display the blue star sign in their front yard. "We are grateful for the blessings that a free country provides us," says Patricia. Irvin's brother, Hollis, and his wife,, Rosemary Haws, also received re-ceived a blue star sign. "We'd like to get these signs all over the country," coun-try," says Hollis Haws. "They are a very nice symbol of patriotism and support." Their son, Sgt. Terry Haws, is in the 31st combat logistics logis-tics support group. He teaches battle bat-tle maintenance and repair on F16s. Haws was bom in Japan and is familiar fa-miliar with a military lifestyle. His father, Hollis Haws, served in the United States Air Force from 1954-1974. 1954-1974. Sgt. Haws knew he wanted to join the Air Force early in his young life. He had earned his pilots license before he was eligible to illuminated by floor lights on this drive a car. He is a 1985 graduate of Uintah High School, and he served in Desert Storm. Sgt. Haws is currently cur-rently stationed in Aviano, Italy. His wife and three of his four boys are living with him there. His parents par-ents report that he calls home every week. Duane Hall and his wife, Merlene, also have a sign in their yard. Their son, Mitchell Hall, is a 1st Lt. in the United States Air Force. He is currently cur-rently serving in Panama as a photo intelligence officer. He is a graduate gradu-ate of Uintah High School and ROTC training here in Vernal, and he later went to the University of Utah. He is married and enjoys raising rais-ing bulldogs. He and his wife were home over the Christmas holidays, ' and will be returning to Panama on Jan. 3. He is also familiar with military life as his father, Duane, served in the United States Air Force from 1948-1952. Alden and Marjorie Maxfield display dis-play a blue star sign in their front yard for their son, Sgt. Ted Maxfield. Maxfield is a graduate of Uintah High School and has lived in Vernal since he was 2 years old. He is married with three children. He served in Desert Storm and is currently stationed in Japan for three years. "We had yellow ribbons rib-bons during Saudi," states Marjorie Maxfield. "This sign is really nice." Steve and Tamra Ames have recently re-cently posted one of Hall's blue star signs, for their son, Dustin, who is currently stationed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Donald and Dorothy Martinsen have also posted a blue star sign to show support for their son, Senior Master Sgt. Raymond R. Martinsen. Martinsen is a graduate of Uintah High School and has served in the United States Air Force for almost 25 years. He is married with seven children, and one grandchild. ' "I think these signs are really nice," states Dorothy. "So many people have gotten away from patriotism; ifs time we bring it back." Capt. Randall I. Haws B CO 2-227th Avn Regt 4th Avn Brigade, 1-AD Operation Joint Endeavor APO AE 09789 S. Sgt. Terry Haws 31 LSSLGLT PSC103 Box 3649 APO AE 09603 Couple make tree with prisms and light Every year people have a tough time deciding where to hang the ornaments or-naments on the Christmas tree. Did the rocking horse hang toward the back of the tree and was the bear in the stocking cap prominently placed in front? Or was it the other way around? Well, Bill and Uvon Workman found a unique way to display their Christmas ornaments, so they would all be seen. No more lopsided lopsid-ed tree, bunched up groupings, or left out ornaments. The Workman's just put their ornaments on a shelf. Ten years ago, while visiting in Salt Lake City, the couple chanced upon a rather unique idea for a Christmas tree. There were rings made of wood which were suspended suspend-ed with wire. The "tree" was decorated deco-rated with strings of beads and ornaments or-naments which were hung from the rings. The couple liked the new idea, and began to design their own. Mr. Workman began with cutting the rings from ply board. He positioned posi-tioned the larger rings at the bottom, bot-tom, and worked up to the smallest ring at the top. He carefully drilled holes every Inch on both the inside and outside edges of the rings. The rings were then suspended with wire to make the tiered effect. Mrs. Workman began collecting strings of beads and crystal prisms over the last several years, and now has enough to fill the "tree." "Beads weren't always popular like they are now," says Workman. She Setting the blue star sign is I. to Duane Hall. If your son or daughter is stationed sta-tioned overseas the VFW would like to have their address. Please send to: Duane Hall, 241 N. 850 W Vernal, UT 84078. Company Commander Randall Haws is currently serving in Bosnia. and her daughter Boncta Brown, worked for 14 hours hanging the beads. The beading usually takes a week if Mrs. Workman hangs them herself. With the assistance this year, it still took a week to decorate the rest of the "tree." The ball shaped ornaments hang from the rings, while the ornaments (hut are self standing, are placed on the rings. "I have to start early in December because it takes so long to decorate it," says Workman. "I will keep pretty busy after the holidays holi-days just taking the tree down." Mr. Workman designed a train and small village which are nestled under the tree. The big house in the center has a motor that rotates the swivel chain which runs through the center of the "tree" to the ceiling. The floor lighting illuminates illumi-nates each bead and prism as the "tree" rotates slowly, exposing every ev-ery bead and ornament for all to see. r n a4l Engine rides on a tree ring. M.rtV n inn tt I r., Patricia S. Haws, Inin Haws, Rosemary Haws, Hollis Haws, and Sergeant Terry Haws is current- ly stationed in Aviano. Italy. Community Calendar January 3 . 1 The Uintah Basin Public Health Department recently mailed out the 1996 Uintah Basin Health Survey asking consumers about health care In the Basin. If you get a survey, please take a few minutes to completely fill it out and mail it back in the self-addressed, self-addressed, stamped envelope. All Information Is kept anonymous anony-mous and confidential. Your prompt response and help with this project is appreciated. Questions? Call 761-5475. January 4 Centennial Flag raising ceremony at 1 2 noon at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers museum, at 200 S. and 500 W. January 6 Utah Centennial Uintah County Grand Ball at Uintah High School Commons area at 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. January 7 A series of non-denominational Bible talks are every Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. at the State and County Building, Commission Chamber In Vernal. Also every Sunday at 4 p.m. in room 1 at the Western Park. All are welcome. For more Information, call 789-6720. January 9 Vernal Toastmaster's meetings will bo at 7 a.m. in the lunchroom lunch-room In County building. Regular meetings will resume In Februaty January 10 Uintah High School will have Parent-Teacher conferences . January 11 There will be a Land Patent Seminar with guest speaker Nick Repac of Sitverton, Colo., at 7 pm. at the American Legion Hal In Jensen. For mora Information, call 789-2304. To place Items of public Interest on the community calendar, mail to, or call the Vernal Express at 789-351 1 . Materials subject to edit Deadline Is Monday at S p.m. ' y i jpl First Lieutenant Mitchell Hall is currently stationed in Panama. |