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Show 10 Hilltop Times Nov. 9, 1989 ihe vets Romnomntlboir by Maj. Gen. On this day of remembrance we also honor those soldiers, sailors and airmen who have fallen captive or who have been unaccounted for so long. To their families we pledge our resolve to determine the circumstances of their loss. This day also honors the men and women of today's armed forces, who continue to stand in the defense of our great nation and for the unparalleled freedom that each of us shares. It is a tribute to the spirit of American youth, that they have joined in the proud heritage of those who believe freedom is worth fighting for. I ask you to join me in saluting all American veterans on Nov. 11. It's their day and it's our day. James W. Hopp Commander, Ogden Air Logistics Center ach day all of us should celebrate the great fortune that has allowed us to live in relative peace while much of the world is mired in unending turmoil and strife. Veterans Day is a special day that gives us the opportunity to remember those who fought or have been prepared to fight to preserve the freedom that we hold so dear. Indeed, freedom is anything but free. From the birth of our great nation to the present, each generation of American men and women has discovered that freedom is very costly, as well as being a precious privilege. ft . .v Veterans Day an opportunity Americans to say "Well done" to you our men and women in uniform today, who continue to Ihis country was founded, and its ideals preserved, with the support of members of the armed forces who sacrificed to serve in the defense of our nation. On this Veterans Day, the nation takes time to remember those who protected America's freedom in the past. Just as important, Veterans Day also provides an opportunity for Duty, by Sgt. Linda M. preserve and protect those hard-wo-n freedoms. We salute you. Donald B. Rice Secretary of the Air Force Gen. Larry D. Welch U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff honn ' Co ncentrati on camp VJVJ by Chaplain (Maj.) Steven Titensor Hill AFB Chapel Rev. Martin Niemoeller, a CTphe 1 1 pastor in the German Confess-ing Church, spent seven years in a concentration camp. He wrote the following about his experience: "First, they came for the Communists and I did not speak I was not Communist . "Then they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out because I was not Socialist. "Then they came for the labor leaders and I did not speak I was not a labor leader. "Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. "Then they came for me and U out-beca- out-beca- clklhies woirlflh falls on a Saturday, we celebrate it the previous Ipser-Nelso- n DD Scott AFB, III. Friday; and if it takes place on Sunday, we honor it the following Monday: If Veterans Day happens Veterans when very November, Day nears, to land during a weekday, we'd celebrate it on three-da- y that day no convenient tailor-mad- e it's a struggle to come up with meaningful weekends. words that adequately express the occa- sion. The same cliches and Why? Therein lies a tale: A few years ago they phrases -were going to do just that, but various veterans come to mind "duty, honor, country... sacrifice... our debt to them:.." organizations raised such a howl of protest that Congress backed off and left Veterans Day to be On the other hand, sometimes it's appropriate to use old cliches. Phrases become cliches because celebrated on the actual Nov. 11 date. The armistice didn't mark the end of all wars as they express important truths that need repeating. people had hoped at the time, making others And while it's wonderful to come up with new wonder why there was such a storm about this ways to tell these truths, the most important thing date. is to keep them alive even if you have to use I suspect it wasn't the date itself that really matcliches. tered. What mattered was having a day that is. So the next time you hear an old veteran give a really for veterans and not just for campouts and speech or read a letter he wrote to the local expeditions to the local beach -- in other words, a about this means to what him, newspaper day day for long memories instead of short vacations. look carefully at the old phrases he uses. Examine As military members, we should understand every word and think about the meaning behind that. Don't we crave understanding and appreciathem. tion? Don't we yearn for someone to walk up to "Duty, honor and country... sacrifice... our debt us in an airport or on the street and just say, "Thanks! We're grateful for what you're doing for to them... let us carry on..." This year we observe Veterans Day on Nov. 10, us!" the day before the actual anniversary of the arOccasionally it happens. A few years ago a mistice that ended World War I. If the holiday group of American officers observing Soviet I - I oft-repeat- ed use use maneuvers under an international agreement walked into a Russian hotel restaurant. A group of American tourists obviously affected by their first-han- d experience with Soviet society burst into applause When they recognized the U.S. uniforms. How moving that must have been to the American service people, even from afar, because such expressions of gratitude are rare. And what about us? If we crave appreciation for our efforts this Veterans Day, how much more must the warriors of the past crave it especially those who suffered fear, privation, perhaps disease and wounds in the world wars, Korea, Vietnam or a dozen lesser "skirmishes" in freedom's defense. Do we thank them for what they have done for ' 1990 HAFB CFC n atural disasters, diseases or v J threatening sudden illnesses are nonlife-- 1 fN. 1 Project Coordinator I selective, and do not discriminate. They rin happen to anyone and have probably happened to all of us during some time in our life. Our inability to help is hard to cope with. "It always happens to the other person who is a long way away" is a most common perception. Yet in reality and on closer examination, , ;'' "... .us? It's not too late. Take the time this year to write a letter or make a phone call to a veteran you know, and just say thanks. Or the next time you attend a patriotic festival and see an aging man in a battered uniform from years gone by, don't be shy. Tell him you remember, you care and you are grateful. And give them my thanks,, too. -- Editor's note: "'-y.- Article courtesy of the Military Airlift Command News Service. Combined Federal Campaign by Gerald Yearsley . irepei11,Dini cures and conquer the problems. Through generous support of CFC, we show, we care. Disaster relief organizations are direct providers of services when we need them the most. Hurricane Hugo and the San Francisco earthyou find it much closer to home, a quake did not occur in some distant friend or a loved one. country but here in our own ' savlife and Operating important backyard. ing programs locally and throughout "Can it happen here in Utah?" is the world is an ongoing effort inthe question on most people's minds volving numerous relief agencies that and the answer, simply stated, is count on voluntary donations to conwe are prepared, we yes. Assuming tinue their efforts. will still need the services of relief Combined Federal Campaign funds organizations. When all is lost, CFC become extremely important when gives you something to hold on to. we see all of the agencies that are so ' If you really want to see what hapdonaEach on our help. dependent pens with the money you donate to tion counts, regardless of its size. CFC, you have to look beyond the Diseases kill millions of people brochure, the numbers and the cameach year. Your donations are critical paign slogan. A group of Hill's key workers had to the research necessary to find the isasScc can sDriEie anyone, anytJimo there was no one left to speak out for me." Veterans from every era have been the "speakers" who have preserved our freedoms and rights to be whatever our conscience dictates. Veterans Day can be our way of saying thanks to all the speakers for freedom. We can use this holiday to promote these thoughts and feelings as follows: Fly the flag. Review the origins of Veterans Day. Visit veterans' memorials and recognize the names listed as real people. Discuss with family and friends what it means to be patriotic, without prejudice, and humane. Give support and encouragement to all those who were and are in uniform. Speak out for them as highly valued individuals as they speak and have spoken out for all of us by their service. . that opportunity this year on a brief tour in the Ogden area. Those of us fad who took that tour saw cilities for battered women and their first-han- children who have a safe place to live. .J.. We learned the value of . life-savi- . . ng technology for premature newborn infants and the elderly who receive medical care and friendship -- all made, possible through contributions to CFC. d Giving keeps love working and CFC is our opportunity to show how much we care. A lot of people support CFC and, in turn, receive support in time of need. The CFC provides us the chance to help so many, to show our love and to care enough to share. Editor's note: Gerald Yearsley works m the. Directorate of Material ' Management. year-roun- . |