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Show 0 etim May 22, 2003 1 ,5 'On hallowed ground' Base NCO relives ancestors' Civil War battlefield experiences by Karl Tilton Hilltop Times assitant editor Thousands of battered and hungry soldiers form up in jagged rows at the end of a e field. Through the haze of sweltering summer heat, they can barely make out the vague images of the enemy aligned at the other end. Drenched in sweat, the sun beating down on their buttoned-uwool uniforms, the soldiers ready their bayonets as others struggle to roll canons into position. Riders settle in atop their horses, swords drawn. The men stand utterly exposed, protected only by the force of those around them. The order to charge breaks the anxious silence and the orderly lines erupt into waves 20-acr- p you come from and how your family sacrificed to get you where you are today." And today, the Civil War is still a family affair in the Slayback household as three of his four chilHis son, Taydren participate in the of the role often the lor, age 12, "boy around plays camp," doing errands or relaying messages and often carrying the U.S. flag into battle. His daughters, Brianna and Catelyn, ages 10 and 8, dress in period clothing and participate as young girls would have in the m i d 1800s. The girls -- organize the camp cooking " and cleaning and have also had the opportunity to take a few shots at the bayonet firing line. Slayback is saving all of his oldest son's uniforms, so that of gray and blue, clashing at the center of the his youngest, Sheldon, age 3, can get involved a During the Civi scenes like War, LJvriTS this played out thousands of times as fellow c It - , few years down the road. "They all like dressing up and doing some- 4 thing neat and Photo by Dave Camp enemies. different," During a Civil War reertactment at Kearney Park Calif., Union soldiers march onto batthese said. Today the battlefield. tles are recreated "Most importscenarios throughantly, though, I truly want them to get pride in who during authentic out the United States. For the past two years, Mas- they are and in what their family has done. I want ter Sgt. Scottie Slayback, of the 75th Security Forces them to understand the sacrifices the people who Squadron, has spent much of his free time fighting came before them made." Most recently, Slayback and his children particion the side of the Union. As a member of the Utah Civil War Association, pated in a local Saturday at Camp the security forces NCOIC of operations support Floyd, a state park about 25 miles southwest of Lehi. s when has had the opportunity to go back in time, reliving The camp was established in the the experiences of those he reads about in history U.S. Army troops came to suppress an assumed Mormon rebellion before heading East in 1861 to books. Previously stationed overseas, his assignment to Hill has provided his first chance to get fight in the Civil War. He and his children also plan to attend the largest involved in such events. A west at Kearney Park coast Civil War history buff, Slayback says he's fall. a near this for who soldiers the Calif., Fresno, fought gained profound respect on both sides of our nation's bloodiest conflict Slayback's days as a Union soldier will reach a and is awed by the dignified fighting techniques. peak on July 4 when he and his oldest son will travel "It was a nasty, gruesome war, but there was such to Pennsylvania to participate in the 140th annivera sense of honor and bravery," Slayback said. "Even sary of the Battle of Gettysburg. They will join an are fake, and you know estimated 18,000 additional participants who will though the the significant battle. they're fake, when you're on the battle line, movSlayback reverently looks forward to the moment ing forward, toe to toe, you really can imagine how they (the soldiers) felt as they approached each he will button up his blue uniform to join the ranks of those paying tribute to the 90,000 men who origother." in His native war the runs interest inally fought there. deep. Slayback's "It's like stepping on hallowed ground. I can't five be traced back roots can Kentucky generations to men on both sides of his family who fought on imagine what it's going to be like to walk on the field the Union side one as a Kentucky infantryman, with over 10,000 other men. It's going to be overthe other a member of Kentucky's cavalry. whelming." "I've been able to learn how they lived and sacriAnyone interested in getting involved in the Utah War chapter can contact Slayback at Ext. Civil ficed and about their daily trials and tribulations," "I said. to know think where it's Slayback important trymen became Slay-bac- k mid-1800- self-proclaim- re-ena- ct Wanted! Family heirloom provides glimpse into past tive Mexican government Hilltop Times staff During the early morning hours of March 9, 1916, a cattle rustler turned revolutionary named Doro-te- o Arango, better known as Francisco "Pancho" Villa, rode into Columbus, N.M. from Mexico. Angered at local merchants who had refused to deliver weapons he had paid for, Villa and his men killed 18 Americans and razed the town. President Woodrow Wil-so- n ordered a punitive expedition led by Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing to go into Mexico and capture Villa dead or alive. The American forces, which would eventually total 12,000 troops, crossed into Mexico on March 16 with the first use of aer- ial reconnaissance by American forces as a JN- 3 Jenny madea51-minutflight piloted by Capt. e Townsend Dodd with Capt. Benjamin Foulois as cam- paign in which Pershing was restricted in his move- - COPYh r' The first national celebration of Memorial Day (originally Decora Being a parent can be like a complicated juggling act balancing work, school, soccer, science projects and all the other activities that go along with raising a child. The juggling act is even more difficult when it is being done by just one parent. As a way to provide support, new friendships or maybe just someone to talk to who understands, the Family U a wanted poster for from a family friend. "My dad bought it at a swap meet from a friend of his when I was 5 or 7 years old and my mom, Rosa, put it in an envelope," said Mata of the browning wanted poster. "My sixth grade history 25-cen- ts "A mntmmmk m -- r: ... , - teacher authenticated it. He really wanted to keep it." Rosa let her son take the poster while he was vis- next time I visit," said Mata. "I wanted to do something special with it that would keep it in good shape and be a nice present for her." land. Hilltop Times staff make it to an airman's wall however, almost 90 years later when Staff Sgt Marco iting her in San Antonio and he had it framed. "She's made it pretty clear that she's only loaning it to me, so I'm going to bring it back to her the Army of the Republic issued what was called General Order Number 11, designating May 30 as a memorial day. He declared it to be for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the by Beth Young but disrupting his operations. Villa's head did Mata's dad bought Following the Civil War, Commander Chief John A. Logan of the grand in 8 1 ' 'S, J Photo by Staff Sgt. Marco Mata displays the reward bought for 25 cents. poster Support Center sponsors the Single Parents Group the first Wednesday of every month from 1 1:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. The group is open to both civilian and military single parents as a way to connect jx'ople in the same situation. "To me it is a networking opportunity where you meet other single parents," said Tech. Sgt. Lynn Hooker, who has been coming to the group for about a -- year. Rooker says that the group gives her support if she needs help with something such as a tail light going out, which another member helped her fix. She has also been the one to help out by picking up another member's son from daycare, mentioning that it is the little things that can make a big difference. "This is more of social gathering. You FRANCISCO irnm VILLA i.ooo. O, CNOIU,o .I""0 ' ,f"" tion Day) took place May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery. The national observance of Memorial Day still takes place there today, with the placing of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the decoration of each grave with a small American flag. In 1971, federal law changed the observance of the holiday to the last Monday in May and extended it to honor all those who died in American wars. (Information courtesy the Library of Congress, www.Americaslibrary.gov) single parents together f the American forces returned to New Mexico without capturing Villa Memorial Day first honored memory of Civil War soldiers Family Support brings ments by an uncoopera- by Gary Boyle observer. After an o Master Sgt. Scottie Slayback Gary Boyle his father make friendships, trade babysitting, whatever you need to do people are there for you," she said. The meetings ;u e casual events where parents laugh at potty training woes and discuss daycare issues. They also use the meetings to plan outings such as hikes and circus trips. The group welcomes parents of all ages and not only moms but dads too. "1 like that single dadscome and knowing there are guys out there going through the same thing as I am," Staff Sgt. Kathy Ford. "That is more or less why I come is to talk to people who I can relate to." I'oth Ford and Hooker find the meetings beneficial for the own lives for different reasons but would recommend Ihem to oil KT single parents to find su port in their own way. The advisor to the group, Barbara Ferguson, Family Life Program manager, says that il the parents need any other support from financial to child care that she can help them to find the resources they need. "If they need something and don't have it. we will find it. However, I have learned that single parents are very resourceful," said Ferguson. "They laugh and have fun, it isn't the end of the world when you are a single parent. For many it is just a start on a new way of life." she added. For more information contact the Family Sitpjx n t Center at Fxt. IUI11 . I.IIIHI |