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Show Page 6 HILL TOP TIMES February 13, 1976 For Your Family's Sake Document Safeguards Avoid Future Anguish should be filed with family documents are government and commercial life insurance policies, VA correspondence with identifying claim number, social security numbers and, where applicable, naturalization papers. "A few minutes in simple organization can do much in The importance of safekeeping for personal documents such as military discharge licenses, papers, marriage divorce decrees or child custody evidence is emphasized by the Veterans Administration in daily counseling sessions with former military members. that information Other AF Dear Abbot, Last Sunday in church the Boy Scouts carried in the American and Christian Hags, we.sang a patriotic hymn and prayed for the President and other leaders, and the chaplain used part of his sermon to tell us how lucky we are to be Americans. In the afternoon, I watched the national anthem sung at the beginning of the football game. For most people it was just a delay of the game. On the news that night I saw whites opposed to busing waving American flags and shouting racist slogans. I felt the same about all of that baloney. Patriotism-w- ho needs it? Fed Up With Flag-Wave- rs Dear Fed Up, Didn't you miss a few like the Klu Klux Klan with its It or fluttering flags and burning crosses; "America-Lo- ve behind Leave it" bumper stickers; crooked politicans hiding nationalistic rhetoric? If patriotism is just shouted slogans and and meaningless ceremonies, then you're right. Who needs it! Maybe it's time we tried to redefine patriotism. Allow me a few openers: Patriotism is informed public spirit. It is genuine concern for the conditions within our society that degrade and dehumanize and demean persons. It is concern that expresses itself in positive action-n- ot words, but deeds. Patriotism in 1975, as in 1776, fights oppression and demands equal justice and equal opportunity for all. The lack of opportunity to participate in the decisions that affected the lives of the colonies was one factor that led to the American Revolution. A patriot is a participant in democracy and does everything humanly possible to encourage the participation of others. A patriot is able to see and admit the mistakes we have made and are making as a nation. He insists, often to the point of angering others, that the Nation continually examine its collective conscience so that the problems discovered can be corrected. Patriotism is solving our national problems, not denying their existence. Patriotism respects all persons in our society but is especially concerned about the least powerful and the most helpless. Patriotism places the dignity of man above the use of power. Patriotism is genuine concern for what our society does for all its members. has--a lot of growing to do. There's not We much perfection around, in people or nations. If we turn our back on our patriotic duties, we're far worse than those we criticize. After all, we know better! flag-wavin- g have-Amer- ica Budget service-connecte- death. Complete information on all benefits available to veterans and their families is available at VA regional offices or of through representatives veterans' service organizations. (Continued from Page 1) its combat readiness and to demonstrate the capabilities that constitute its deterrent strength." Secretary Reed concluded his presentation to the committee by stating that "the Air Force continues to tighten its belt, but the resources requested in this budget statement are needed so that we can maintain the ability to meet our assigned responsibilities." General Jones Delivers Posture Statement Air Force Chief of Staff, General David C. Jones testified on the fiscal year 1977 posture statement on Jan. 29. Appearing before the House Armed Services Committee, General Jones outlined his approach for dealing with the many challenges of managing the force. When discussing weapons systems, he assured Congress that the Air Force was fully in support of an equitable agreement to limit strategic armaments. He emphasized the Air Force's interest in SALT and explained the Air Force has the responsibility for managing two legs of the strategic triad of bombers, missiles and nuclear submarines. modernization of general purpose forces. This included the F 15, cargo aircraft, ATCA, stretching 5 the and modifications. fuselage, In summarizing general purpose forces, General Jones said, "We are pursuing the development, support, and control of forces, the ability to acquire and destroy targets and the . ability to survive in a hostile environment." He said these actions give high confidence of the Air Force's capability to counter the conventional threat given a force structure of reasonable size. Looking toward the future, General Jones said, "We must find ways to reverse the downward trend in RDT&E funding." He stressed the need to develop capabilities that give a proper balance between sophistication and force numbers. The FY77 procurement request for 239 aircraft reverses the past trend and represents a gradual movement in the right direction. General Jones said, "We must continue to exploit the qualitative advantages we have by improving our readiness F-1- 6, A-1- 0, C-1-41 wide-bodi- ed C-- still further." He assured Congress that the highest level of readiness will be maintained with the available resources. methods of Other areas he addressed acquiring new weapons systems, lower life cycle costs of systems, improved efficiency and continued high standards for the force. General Jones said the Air Force will seek new ways to meet the challenges ahead. There have been many and will be more changes for effective management and reduced costs. He said, "A prime source of savings must be personnel costs." Along with these savings, General Jones stated the need for not eroding the legitimate compensations a professional military force has the right to count on. The Air Force is committed to greater efficiency in the use of its people, explained the general. However, he cautioned against exceeding the limit in personnel costs. "In particular, we should insure that our dedicated men and women can continue to count on a just and adequate remuneration for the service they render to their country." General Jones spoke with pride about today's Air Force men and women by saying,' "We have the smallest, leanest Air Force in terms of people, airbases, and aircraft since the beginning of the Korean War. include-improve- He said the SAC is "... not only the most flexible instrument of U.S. strategic power, but is the only leg of the triad that forces the Soviets to spend substantial amounts of money on active defenses that pose no direct threat to the United States. In military manpower alone, the size of the Soviet air defense establishment is nearly twice as large as the entire active U.S. Air Force." General Jones said it is vital that the Air Force continue modernizing its strategic forces in the face of Soviet momemtum. He explained "since the inception of detente and the opening of SALT negotiations, the Soviets have fielded four new ICBMs, which at full deployment, will give them an ICBM throw weight advantage of more than four times the U.S. ICBM capability." The Soviets are also conducting extensive testing to close the technology gap that has helped the U.S. compensate for the Soviet numerical and throw weight advantage. General Jones said, "maintaining the nuclear equilibrium with the Soviets is the most critical U.S. strategic requirement He asked for funds for advance ICBM technology needed to develop the M X missiles. The chief of staff pointed out there is no U.S. strategic program that has a more profound potential impact on the He elaborated by giving strategic balance than the B-which on he based the l some key points Congress statement. Citing AWACS as the most important program in the general multipurpose forces due to its ability to meet service needs, General Jones also talked at length on l. B-- wide-rangin- The Abbot benefits such as VA pensions or dependency and indemnity d for compensation avoiding undue anguish during times of great emotional stress," a VA spokesman said. "These vital papers should be kept safe from fire and theft, yet readily accessible, and their location known to family members," he added. The veteran's family should be aware of possible survivor EverytMng advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase use or patronage without regard to the race, creed, color, national origin or sex of the purchaser, user, or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunities Vr an advertiser will d "Yet paradoxically, I believe the U.S. Air Force is the best that it has ever been and the best in the world today. The most important factor in our superiority is our emphasis on quality and nowhere is this more evident than in the caliber of our people - the highest in our history. We have a motivated, group of men and women serving our counf ry and our quality standards have never been higher or more well-disciplin- critical." result in the refusalto print advertising from that source, Mor Media Sales, Inc., Telephone Ogden Layton, 3M-963- 3; 376-506- 3; Sorry classifieds by mall only: P.O. Box IM, Kaysville, Utah 84037. or Salt Lake City, 277 ed |