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Show HILL TOP TIMES Friday, May 17, 1985 ciretair ppses Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinbererer strong ly opposes a proposed cut of $4 billion to military retirement funding, insisting it would have a "devastating effect" on recruiting and retention and would "impair combat readiness." g Reiteration of the military position was made in an April 30 letter to Rep. Les Aspin chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, who introduced a bill in April to cut $4 billion from the military retirement accrual account. "We oppose this bill and continue to oppose other proposals for change which set cost reductions without concomitantly evaluating the impact on combat force readiness," the secretary's letter reads. According to Secretary Weinberger, such a cut would require a significant reduction in retirement annuities and a possible permanent reduction in cost of living adjustments. "While such reductions would affect only new en- "unless one is willing to accept an unspecified reduc tion in our national security posture, changes to the military retirement system of the magnitude required by this bill would be The secretary said the services would have to recruit 13,000 to 22,000 people to make up for the potential loss of 40 percent of the enlisted people who have served 20 years. For officers, a 10 percent increase in accessions would be required to offset the possible loss of up to 30 percent of the senior members, he added. (D-Wis- .), By Dr. Roger D. Launius an- niversary of V-- Day, May 8, 1945, the date of the official termination of World War II in Europe. In many locations, the anniversary was marked by parades and speeches, not unlike those held throughout the United States when the announcement of Germany's surrender reached the nation 40 years ago. Early the morning of May 7, 1945, German Gen. Alfred Jodl signed the instrument of unconditional surrender at the Allied headquarters in Reims, Germany, and ended World War II in Europe. A few hours later the Allied commanders ratified this E surrender and early the next day, President Harry S. Truman addressed the nation from the White House, announcing the end of the war with ' Germany. Hill Americans here at Field, one of the principle supply and repair points for the Army Air Force, .;. is Tennis Suits Jumpsuits Tops Pullovers Dresses (AFNS) Uneoird syinremidleir celebrated quietly. The "Hillfielder," predecessor of the "Hill Top Times," reported that thousands of civilian and military workers at the base heard President Truman's announcement of Germany's unconditional surrender while on their way to work. It was broadcast over a loudspeaker at the timeclock house during a change of shifts. When workers arrived at their duty stations, supervisors sent them to a mandatory formation at the maintenance hangars. At 7:45 a.m., the 708th Army Air Force Band began a march to the stand. Thousands of civilian employees gathered around the platform while all enlisted personnel marched into the arena and stood at formation. Col. Paul W., Wolf, commander of the installation, ascended the platform with several other officials for a short ceremony. 1st Lt. Ronald Gamble of the Public Affairs Office read the official announcement of the surrender of Germany and Chaplain Karl A. Tubesing offered a prayer of thanksgiving. Colonel Wolf then made a few statements about u v'm u u AT ALL FIVE LOCATIONS! bir(sidseis the meaning of the end of World War II in Europe and what this goal meant for those working at Hill Field. While overjoyed with Germany's surrender, he said, "This is not the day that we shall set aside in history as the day of victory. It is merely a turning point in the great struggle in which we are now' engaged. We are merely one step nearer to the final and complete victory for which we have prayed so long and so earnestly." Colonel Wolf reminded the employees at Hill Field that in the Pacific, the Japanese military had yet to be defeated and that it was incumbent upon each worker to continue supporting the Allied effort there. "I can state without any equivocation," he added, "that no one in this country holds the key to the exact length of the war with Japan." Bringing the war in the Pacific to a victorious conclusion would require the efforts of all workers, and therefore, Colonel Wolf urged everyone to continue to serve with enthusiasm and verve. Colonel Wolf concluded, "The military leaders of this command have no desire to deprive you of the joy that this day brings." He asked, however, "that you express it in a renewed energy on the job that you are doing. No matter how small and unimportant that job seems to be, it contributes to our total war support effort. Every job is vital. Every brain and every hand is needed for the task that lies ahead." Following Colonel Wolf's rousing speech, Capt. Jack Manch, a flight test pilot stationed at Hill Field who had flown on DooHttle's mission to bomb Tokyo in 1942, spoke briefly. He emphasized that a strong foe remained to be defeated and that the celebration of victory in Europe should be treated as a prelude to the celebration of final victory when conJapan surrendered. But unless the workers tinued their support of the forces fighting in the Pacific, that victory would never be realized. He urged continued dedication to duty. The program ended with the band playing the National Anthem. The "Hillfielder" reporter commented that when the base employees were released from the ceremony, "everyone returned to his job, jubilant over the glorious news, but with renewed energy and determination to do his or her part in carrying the war to its successful conclusion." . REBUILDING OR REPLACING A CI EHGIUE? BUY THE BEST MoreT,, & Secretary Burch pointed out that the military has been studying ways to restructure the retirement system, but said the studies are "still under way." "We continue to evaluate the total compensation package for people currently in the military and those we may want to recruit in the future," he said. ment system would be unstable. Office of History Just last week we commemorated the 40th retirement." Secretary Weinberger predicted that the "devastating effect" would build because of the loss of future income and a perception that the retire- here eylfs Although the bill passed the house subcommittee after Secretary Weinberger's letter was sent, his position has not changed, according to Michael Burch, assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. "We continue to worry about the effect this might have on future recruiting," he said at a press conference May 7. "We understand that the intent of Mr. Aspin is not to hurt or harm those people who are already in uniform or who are currently on trants," he wrote, "the negative impacts on recruiting and retention would be felt almost immediately." He cautioned the congressman that long-standin- useiifiidls mmDlDtary ireJoireimieiniJ 3C , Engine Rebuild Kits Crankshaft Kits Engines y SKI AND SPORTSWEAR MURRAY PARK CITY 0 OGDEN 645-757- 0 CROSSROADS PLAZA 4113 South Riverdale Road Riverdale Center 399-379- 1 Highest Quality Parts Premium Remanufactured Engines Satisfaction Guaranteed 608 Main Street 5130 South State 263-383- SOLID WHOLE - DIRECT FROM THE WAREHOUSE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH USA 3rd Level 363-57- 68 OREM I7DDGDGG 242 East 1300 South ' Parkway Center 224-030- 1 1736 So. Redwood Rd. 974-536- 2 479-6- 1 S.L.C. 30Ogden Mon.-Fr- l. Salt Lake 9 a.m.-- 6 Sat. 10 a.m.-- 2 p.m. p.m. |