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Show THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Thursday, March NEIGHBORS Soak Up The Sun: continued from page 1 strung blue and yellow balloons along both sides of the street, while others wept openly and embraced one another to celebrate Elizabeth's safe return to their community. "Everyone is just so overcome with joy right now. This is just a miracle," said Smart family neighbor Becky Cannon. Like many in the Federal Heights community, Cannon tried not to think Jt ; about Elizabeth's fate over the past nine months. "I didn't really know what to think. Thinking about the options were just ' J-- z -- : -- : too horrible," she said. Friends of Elizabeth and her sister, Mary Katherine, formed groups in the middle of the street, shouting "Let's party!" and assisting residents in placing gifts and balloons in the Smarts' driveway. For Salt Lake Rape Recovery Center employee and Smart family neighbor Tricia Bennion, news of Elizabeth's safe return to her home and her family brought her to her knees. s. . 1 3, 2003 of war, an incredible miracle has been brought to our family," said her uncle, Dave Smart Elizabeth's Cynthia the across lawmakers aunt, urged a Amber to sysAlert, adopt country tem designed to immediately inform the public and media outlets when a: abduction occurs. "This is the most wonderful, unusual reunion wc could ever hoped t "I was shaking so hard when I heard the news that I couldn't move for 30 minutes." she said. Bennion addressed the numerous rumors and allegations lodged against Ed Smart, Elizabeth's father, by the media over the past nine months. "I personally believe that this won't be the end of the negative things that are said.. .but if any family in the world deserved a miracle, it was this one," Bennion said. For Elizabeth's classmate, Will Cannon, bringing her back into everyday life is something he and Elizabeth's friends have been waiting for. "The last two days of junior high school last June were depressing for everyone," he said. "I just held out hope until I knew what happened to her one way or the other." Wednesday night, a press conference was held at the Federal Heights Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints, at which two of Elizabeth's uncles and an aunt spoke to more than 200 people about Elizabeth's reunion with her family in Sandy earlier in the day. "We'd like to say that with the darkness that surrounds us in the shadow Smart-Owen- s, have had," she said. For uncle Tom Smart, Elizabeth' return into the hands of her fami!; came from their unwavering desire to see Elizabeth again. "We felt very strongly that this was about a missing little girl, and not about money or anything else. .We knelt as a family in gratefulness and we pray for the families of all missing children," he said. Madeline Dun-forBut for who, with her two younger sisters made a banner which read, "Our Prayers Are Answered," Elizabeth's return was much simpler. "I watch the news every day, and I just wanted to make this banner for Elizabeth Smart," she said. . d, abensonchronicle.utah.edu The Daily Utah Chronicle needs a photographer to work Mondays. Come see us at our offices in the Union Building, Room 240, to apply for the job. .1. A-.- - v Annalise Walker and Dan Knecht study outside Sage Point Monday. to "It's such a nice day, so I'm trying to take advantage of it. study outside to get away from distractions like my computer," Walker says. si Ii 4 1 I- - an engineer in the U.S. Air Force, there's no telling what you'll work on. As (Seriously, we can't ' 4 'niii V mil" i; i f S 4 1 tell .you.) 1! 5 United States Air ' Force applied technology is years ahead of what you'll touch in the private sector, and as a new engineer you'll likely be involved at the ground level of new and sometimes classified developments. m& mum i? pi?u mmn $m - You'll begin leading and managing within this highly respected group from day one. Find out what's waiting behind the scenes for you in the Air Force today. To request more information, call or log on to airforce.com. TIAA CREF ;,J i?."t- - J Hi .? If V I" t H f i U. 5. AIR CROSS FORCE INTO THE BLUE Hi 1 ' ' ' ' 'hl'i 7 iU' hIm J1? ! |