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Show 6 HILL TOP TIMES Thursdoy, July 3, 1986 A patriot's poem OD'COITDailS From our One Nation Under God Our country's just a baby when we think of those abroad Whose pathways seem unending, where ancient sandals trod. Two hundred years is but a moment in the hourglass of time And yet we've reached maturity and now our beacons shine. Across the mighty oceans to lend a helping hand In times of pain and suffering to those of many lands. A great pride wells inside by breast and a tear comes to my eye When the colors of Old Glory pierce the vastness of the sky. While the music of our anthem bursts upon this favored land And we stand in recognition of the power of God's hand. As we contemplate our heritage, we look around and find The wonders of our nation are of every shape and kind. We see Washington and Lincoln, Valley Forge and Gettysburg, The faces of mount Rushmore, the battle of Vicksburg, The foggy swamps of Georgia, the teeming everglades, The endless miles of highway that human hands have made. From the cotton gin of Whitney to the song of Francis Key, The wonder of invention to the words that make us free. While standing at Cape Kennedy, the earth is bathed in light As the thunderous roar of engines starts another moonbound flight. So much of great America is mere simplicity, The smoke curling up from a moonshine still in the hills of Tennessee, The golden fields of Kansas, the ripened ears of corn, The gleaming white of hospitals where each day life is born. The power of Niagara, the mighty Mississipp, The tall and stately redwoods reaching through a cloudy grip. We see the thrill of tourists as they traverse Yellowstone, Or raft Whitewater rapids as the river journeys home. The temples in the valleys near the towering Wasatch lay As a tribute to the pioneers whose money lives today. The Colorado winds its way like a ribbon on the floor. Of a canyon so magnificent we scarce could ask for more. As we cross the high Sierras and view the Golden Gate Or photograph Mount Whitney we know our country's great. The newness of Alaska and the proud, pure Eskimo, Volcanoes long since sleeping on an island near Hilo. All this burns like a fire in the hearts of loyal men And we, as humble people, should be willing once again To bow our heads and close our eyes and kneel on fertile sod And thank Him now for giving us One Nation Under God. -- Roger C. Arnold Directorate of Plans and Programs Commander-in-Chie- f The Independence Day we celebrate this year is special. This July 4th, in New York harbor, we will rededicate a refurbished Statue of Liberty that grand and glorious symbol of liberty and hope which for the last hundred years has greeted millions of immigrants. She has welcomed them to a new land and a new life, where the darkness of privation and oppression gave way to the sunlight of opportunity and liberty the freedom to speak and write and worship and achieve. As we celebrate this two hundred and tenth anniversary of our founding fathers' Declaration of Independence, we are reminded once again that it is the gallant men and women of our armed forces who have maintained and sustained the liberty we prize -- a liberty that generations of patriots have won for us with their courage and sacrifices. Because of your dedication and commitment to defend America against all its enemies, we still enjoy those precious rights, and the Statue of Liberty remains a beacon of hope for people throughout the world who yearn for freedom. On this special Fourth of July, I am especially proud to serve our nation as Commander-in-Chie- f of such splendid I and forces. Nancy salute you and join all of our fellow Americans in wishing you and your families, here and abroad, a safe and happy Independence Day. RONALD REAGAN Commander-in-Chie- f From our Secretary of Defense Today our nation celebrates its two hundred and tenth birthday. Our founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in pursuit of liberty and justice. They put their signatures on the Declaration of Independence in defiance of a king. In a similar fashion, the men and women who today serve in our armed forces pledge to support the continuing pursuit of liberty and justice in defiance of despots who would, if given the chance, destroy the political, religious and individual freedoms Americans have enjoyed since the first Independence Day of 1776. As we celebrate across our nation, from our refurbished Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, to the Golden Gate in San Francisco, to Diamond Head in Hawaii, and to the snowy peaks of Alaska, we know that it is only through your courage and your commitment to the same spirit of independence that flourished within our founding fathers, that we have the opportunity to observe this great day in American history every year. I am confident that we will be able to continue to celebrate our nation's independence for untold years to come because of your service in the cause of liberty, freedom and justice for all. For that we are most grateful to all of you. . CASPAR WEINBERGER Secretary of Defense Admiral Crowe: Military members give 100 percent After watching them "unfailingly give 100 percent... day in and day out, in stress and in boredom, in good times and in bad," Adm. William J. Crowe Jr., USN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, feels proud of men and women in the United States Armed Forces. Here are some of the impressions of military people Admiral Crowe gave to a Military Appreciation Day audience recently: Young soldiers crouching in the freezing night air along the Demilitarized Zone in Korea. Their mission: to defend, if only for a few moments that might freedom of an industribe their last, the hard-wo- n ous Korean people. Less than a mile across the barland are the leading elements of ricaded and armor infantry forces whose leaders have sworn to subjugate the South, by force if necessary. Sailors and Marines of the Seventh Fleet, patrolling an area totalling 50 million square miles, from the no-ma- n's Bering sea to the Straits of Malacca, and on to the Indian Ocean. Their mission: to stand by our friends and allies whenever needed, and to protect our lively trade and close diplomatic relationships throughout the region. As they stand their watch, three fierce wars are raging over the horizon -i- n Southeast Asia, in Afghanistan, and between Iran and Iraq. And, of course, the Soviet Union's naval presence is there and growing all the time. The ll crews -- pilots and weapons officers responding instantly to their president's call, flashing 5,000 miles through the night to destroy key elements of the Libyan terrorist infrastructure that has claimed innocent and unsuspecting American lives. Said Admiral Crowe, "We don't often have such graphic displays of the real capabilities of our milmission provides.... Here, in this itary, as that ll all is that best in America came together: operation, F-l- F-l- are Celebrate the 4th 1' Safefeg -- At zKL-- L i the selfless dedication and courage of our people; the intelligent molding of technologies into quality equipment that could execute this difficult mission; and the firm determinaiton that this nation will remain civilized even as we fight back against the most uncivilized of international outlaws." Admiral Crowe observed that America's armed forces do a great deal more than shield the nation against direct attack. Military strength underwrites all this nation's dealing with the international community. It permits untrammeled use of the sea lanes, productive communication and commerce with friends overseas, and confident approaches to arms controls negotiations. He said our strength is "an indispensable pillar not only of American libery, but also the freedom and prosperity of many hopeful peoples around the world. (American Forces Press Service) going on picnics, fishing trips, camping or other activities. Normally there is twice as much traffic on the road, so leave earlier and take your time. Personnel at the Safety Office are orientated and although we sometimes feel our efforts on safety are not appreciated, you and your fellow workers are the most important resource and therefore we must all preserve our resources. By Clyde Myers Ogden ALC Sofety Office Prior to the 4th of July holiday, par ents should take a few minutes to brief their family about safety, whether you The majority of the people at Hill are very safety conscious, otherwise we would not have the talent, technical abilities or the fine record of so few serious mishaps. Swimming and boating safety is normally taken for granted by everyone; please do not take anything for granted. Lightning can strike anywhere at any time and we must all be prepared for the unexpected. Fireworks can be extremely dangerous, especially around small children. Fireworks not only injure you or your family, but can cause fires on nearby properties as well. Use extra caution when pointing or throwing fireworks. Celebrate the 4th, enjoy, love and pursue your interests, but do it with the intent of returning from your pursuits accident-fre- e. |