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Show j? .; 'wv-y- ?s& r- w r r rot m 6 -- - I f,1 r PPP Cn - r-- ' " A 4 n i ! ) i I I r JT ...4 4 X V '' ' ''' t'jruZ&l v -, ,.- Juan l;V' .. econ HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH Volume 86 Number 21 50cents .yWN-.-. Iff yv:v SINCE 1915 February 19, 2003 '& V National Guard deployment brings possible war close to home by Terri Winder The Cuban Missile Crisis left an indelible imprint on my childhood; the Vietnam Conflict threw a shadow across my teenage years. Even in my youth, I was certain that I would marry and have sons, and that there would be a new war for a new generation. Still, I held in memory the line from a song I had once heard: didnt raise my son to be a soldier . The words made such an pression on me that I im- instantly swore a vow: neither would I ever raise a son to be a soldier. However, I did raise my sons to be patriots. And four of them have chosen to prove their pa- triotism by serving their country in the Armed Forces; throe in the Utah National Guard and Local soldiers said goodbye to their families and friends and headed off to a possible war on February 1 3. Courtesy photo one as a Special Forces Army Ranger. When I awoke on February 13, the rain seemed a Fitting presence, matching my mood. What does one wear , I wondered, on the day one sends a son off to ward I felt somber and my tears were as intermittent as the rain, coming at unexpected moments. Still, as I drove my son to the armory, I reflected on ld how cleansing the gentle rain Congress sends water project funds A number of projects that will directly impact San Juan County are included in a recent appropriation bill completed by the U.S. Congress. computer maps of federal wilderness lands for county land was. Despite the weather, flags had been left out to honor the soldiers. The thought occurred to me that the rain was washing away the dust that had accumulated on them since use planning. The mapping projects, using global positionSeptember 11. ing system satellite's, originated Exactly one week earlier, Benin San Juan Countv. The City of Monticello rejamin had graduated from AIT -- Advanced Individual ceives $2.25 million for the reTraining - at Fort Jackson. South Caroconstruction of the water collection system on the Abajo lina. His graduation present officials mountains. City was the news that his National may seek permission to use the funds Guard unit had been activated. to drill a deep well to alleviate He had planned on coming A wet winter storm hit San the severe drought. Juan County on February 13 homo and putting in papers for The City of Blanding receives and left a large amount, of moisa church mission. Suddenly, he had a more pressing mission. As $675,000 earmarked for water ture in its wake. improvement systems, includAlthough it resembled a he flew home, his seat mate ing work on the tunnel that spring storm, there was rain in pressed a book in his hands, brings water from the Indian communities and good snow to- Saddams Bombmaker. Those1 who doubt the validity of war Creek drainage to Blanding. tals in the mountains. Other projects that were Monticello received one inch with Iraq should read this book. It had been rumored, of funded in the bill include $5.6 of precipitation, putting a million to build a new visitors of the course, that the national guard damper on the send-of- f center at Arches National Park, local National Guard unit. unit would be called up. Conand $837,000 to finish the park's The wet weather was much nected to the rumors was the bill consolation of a deployment to entrance relocation. Tin welcomed, as t ho first signifiincludes $4.1 million to continue cant storm in several months. Germany, where they would work to move the Atlas UraThen was significant snowfall simply replace a regular Army nium Mill Tailings away from in the mountains. The Sno-te- l unit, as during the Gulf War. More often, the rumor had the Colorado River near Moab. measuring station at Camp The bill includes $220 million Jackson in the Abajo mountains Kuwait attached to it. Meansoldiers received anto the states Payment In Lieu registered 2.1 inches of water in while, the of Taxes fund, a $45 million inthe snow. The storm increased thrax shots, forms to guide them crease from last year. the snowpack from 38 percent in making out their last will and In addition, it includes of normal on February 10 to 54 testament, and long hugs from $350,000 to help coordinate percent on February 17. family members who agonize Wet storm hits Blanding Council re- See port page 4 over the possibilities. Over the course of the week, we attend family support meetings. A pep talk from a lieutenant colonel tells us that our unit is the best in the Utah National Of good report - See page Monticello Council - See report page Guard. Utah has a higher percentage of national guard troops serving, he says, because Utah produces the high caliber of soldier that the nation needs. He reiterated that our unit would be sent to Ft. Lewis, Washington, where they would train for an additional 30 days, perfecting necessary skills. Soldiers 4 5 Storytelling tales - See page 7 Raiders fourth at state tourney - See page 10 Ten place at wres- who train seriously, he says, survive. They return. As his words echo through my mind, I look around at the babies and toddlers in the room and pray his prophecy comes to pass. The orders the unit received indicate that they will be gone 365 days. It could be less than that, we were told, or - by presidential order the call could be extended. Not knowing is a greater part of the agony. My sister sits close by. Her husband is one of the old men in the unit. He and Five others were in the unit during Desert Storm. Twelve years ago, he left three young children. This time he leaves six. The roster of those deployed from Blanding lists 36 names. About half are Native American and three are women. tling tournament - See page girl Tracy Paisley Lynn Shane Lyman February 6 & boy Misty 1 1 & Jeter Chad Perkins Kylor Februay 6 boy Tywrin Quana Begay Marjorie Cornfield Derwin Begay Februay 7 Monticello & Blanding Security dictates their dress; their schedule; much of what they are told and, in return, what they can tell. On this Final day, they are dressed in true camouflage: civilian clothes. They will travel to the airport on a chartered tourist bus. confides My brother-in-lathat getting on the bus is the News Roundup.... Letters to Editor... hardest part. I believe it, w 2 6 8 10 14 17 18 18 1 quip, a bunch of grown men all fighting for a window seat... But my voice1 trails off, my at- tempt at humor falling flat. Twenty minutes before they are scheduled to leave, the soldiers present their wives and mothers with yellow roses, donated from The Flower Shop. Then the soldiers board the bus. is the First Mv brother-in-laone on. Some of the men cry openly as they climb the steps. Since their arrival at Fort Lewis, phone calls confirm their positive attitude. This despite the fact that rumors now include the words front lines. At least-onsoldier's orders indicate that he will help clear land mines. My son - the youngest one of the outfit - says he is a little scared and nervous, but he wants to be the best soldier he can be. I couldnt be more proud. Society Sports Community News Real Estate Legals Classified (2Z??fMk3D w e in 24" of snow at Camp Jackson on Feb. 17. 2003. 1 .0" is average on Feb. 7. 5.9" 1 2.5" on Feb. 17, 1996. 25.8" on Feb. 17, 1993 1 |