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Show EDITORIAL The DESERET SAMPLER, Fri., Oct. 9, 1970 Should you write your congressman? Parents should act now! by THOMAS DONNELLY, Information Officer Im going man! to write my congress- we shall most certainly deserve the kind of government we shall most certainly That phrase has got to be one of the favorite topics of conversation around a military barracks. It seems that at one time or other everyone feels he has been done an injustice. WHITING our congressman is, indeed, one of a soldiers greatest freedoms, but all too often it is one which troops neglect or abuse. Personal injustices and they do ocshould be brought to the attencur tion of our legislators but only after all other methods to resolve them have failed. Frequently, the person who writes his congressman does so prematurely. Think for a moment! Isnt writing our lawmakers only to air a personal grievance in effect an abuse of our freedom? GOT ANOTHER question for you! How often do we as write to our Senators, Representatives, Governors and yes, even the President to advise them of our feelings about pending legislation? A few years ago, CBS News commentator Harry Reasoner, in a special program discussing the pitfalls of conformity, said: This nation was established by men who. . . prized the necessary right of free, unlimited inquiry. They considered it the precondition of any government that would be responsible to the governed. He continued: When. . . we fail to Ire responsible to ourselves. . . then citizen-serviceme- The family is one of the strongest bonds of love and understanding that has ever tieen known to man. It is a unit that represents a closeness between individuals that can seldom lie duplicated in any other way. In the family organizational table it is known that the parents form the head and main facet of the imit. It is the parent's duty to mold and shape their children's minds and lives in such a way that they will lie prepared to face life and become independent individuals. It is the parents who mast provide the proper leadership and examples that will prepare their children for the journey through life. THIS LEADERSHIP takes numerous forms which include education, proper discipline, compassion and understanding of others, social graces in the home and in public, and courtesy to others. These are by no means all of the things that parents are responsible for teaching but they do represent a cross-sectiof appropriate values needed for a successful start in life. THE AMERICAN Forces Press Service recently published some suggestions on how we can take a more active, personal role in the government: Find out who the elected officials are who represent your interests at all levels of government local, state and national. Find out how those elected representatives stand on the issues that interest you. WHITE TO diem and describe your feelings on those issues. Finally, obtain an absentee ballot at election time and cast your vote to the officials you feel are successfully representing you, or to elect new ernes you believe will do a better job representing you. Complaining must be part of being a soldier. We grumble about the food, harrassment, our jobs you name it! ILL WRITE my congressman is the cry if our feelings are hurt. Lets stop feeling sorry for ourselves! Soldiers have a guaranteed right to participate actively in their government. Write to your congressman and let him know where you stand, but dont abuse that right. Cet your absentee ballot and cast your vote. Otherwise we will get, as Mr. Reasoner says, the kind of government we most certainly deserve. If that happens then well really have something to complain alxmt. . . wont we? re-ele- ct n cer-tain- MEL KYSER ly The Black Soldier In History - Part II The flag was a rallying point for all men to convince the lady of the house of her responsibilities in keeping her home safe. Housewives should learn that if the action of a firearm is open it cannot shoot. Therefore, the first thing to do when picking up a firearm is to open the action. This doesnt mean further safe handling can be ignored. It simply makes it possible to know whether the gun is loaded. All safe handling practices must still lie followed. The action should remain open until the gun is hunt. THINK ITS dangerous to be afield with that many hunters? Not so, says A Lee Robertson, Training Officer for the State Fish and Came Department. Youre actually more apt to be injured while taking a bath, continued Mr. Robertson. Mr. Robertson indicated further that most firearm accidents occur in the home not in the field! Our rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers spent about 90 of their time sitting in a closet or a bureau drawer in our homes. They are used at the firing range or in the hunting field only a few days erf the year. . Most sportsmen are trained and exin perienced handling guns safely. The state provides a training program for teaching youngsters or beginner hunters how to handle and care for firearms. I BUT, WHAT about the housewife who keeps those guns in her home while they aren't being used by the sportsman? Shes the one who cleans house around them and watches the children play near them. Who trains her in handling guns, and how to assure the rifle on the wall, the pistol in the drawer, or the shotgun in the closet is unloaded and safe? Most housewives don't understand how firearms work and many say they don't that guns are ugly want to know, and they dont want anything to do with them. So, it becomes die job gun-use- rs ! by PRIVATE JAMES TOMS Jacob Dodson was a black man a freed Negro slave. On April 21, 1861, he tried to enlist in the Union Army to fight against the rebellious South. THE date was just 11 days after batteries in control of South Carolina secessionists had fired on the U.S. flag at Ft. Sumter. The attack signaled the start of the bloodiest conflict in which Americans have ever been involved put away. IF THE LADY of the house would only learn how to open the action and how to extract the cartridges from a loaded weapon, it would be enough to assure her that her home is safer. Proper gun storage in the home should be a consideration of all hunters and gun collectors. In 1962 a survey revealed that Utah averaged four guns in EVERY home; most are not properly stored in a locked cabinet separate from ammunition. If you are a housewife and have firearms in your home, convince the sportsman in your family to help you leam to open the action on each kind of gun in your home (e.g. pump, autoloading, lever, bolt, revolver, and pistol). Learn to make your home safe by assuring all guns are unloaded. Last year in Utah, twenty persons were killed by supposedly unloaded" guns. Dont liecome one of the Civil War. Even though Jacob Dodson wanted to enlist and begin fighting that very day, he was told he could not do either. Officials told him the war was to be a white mans war. It is not surprising that the white only policy was Soon after Jacob Dodson and all his black brothers who wanted to for fight were doing so the North and South. But it decided at the same time that the Negro issue had both moral and military overtones. President Lincoln wrote on the moral question: Negroes, like other people, act upon motive. Why should they do anything for us, if we will do nothing for them? If they stake their lives for us, they must lie prompted by the strongest motive, even the promise of freedom; and the promise being made, must be kept. commanders UNION grappled with the problem for almost two years before they agreed to admit Negroes into their short-live- Utahs 1970 statistics. For information on how to obtain free group instruction on home gun safety for housewives call Mr. A. Lee Robertson, Utah State Fish and Game Department, 328-508- 1. Career Counselors Corner Accentuate the positive by SFC VINCENT MADORE Much time has been spent by Army Reenlistment Personnel studying the factors which influence the reenlistment rates. Hie purpose of this article is to analyze those factors with a view toward increasing reenlistments through a better understanding of what affects them. When discussing this subject, it must lie understood that those factors which affect the reenlistmcnt rates stem fcom three distinctive sources: Army directives and procedures, reenlistment personnel and the soldier's experience in the Jitrmy. Although there is some overlapping, these sources are, for the most part, separate and each exerts its own influence. REENLISTMENT rates are largely , 9 jjfected by Army policies and proced- ures. Such things as basic organizational structures and assignment and utilization of personnel can, at times, have a tletrimental affect on the reenlistment fates. However, these policies are inherit in the Armys mission and it would lint lie in the Army's liest interest to ' Junend these policies simply to lienefit jhe reenlistment program. Reenlistment personnel affect the program in two ways. First, Xy insuring that if standards outlined fy governing reenlistment directives are Jjet and maintained, better results can t achieved. For when the soldier receives all the required interviews at the required time, is interviewed by a qualified counselor, and can expect his il 1st incut to lie conducted in ail efficient manner, his reenlistment decision Jvill he more favorably affected. Second- re-(i- r ly, reenlistment personnel affect the rate through the interview itself. With as many words as have already been written on the importance of counseling, no further explanation is needed. By far the greatest effect on the rate stems from the soldier's experience in the Army, which implies that the effect that reenlistment personnel exert on the rate is only secondary. This theory is liascd on the assumption that the soldier's experience in the disArmy as affected by the leadership far his outweighs superiors, played by any effect of a reenlistment interview. AS MENTIONED earlier, there is some overlapping of influence among these three sources. Since we, as reenlistment personnel, and Im referring to ALL OFFICERS AND OFFICERS, are concerned with reenlistment, we must overlap into these other areas where possible. It is not fitting that we, who have a concern for the reenlistment rates, have only a secondary effect on them. All too often, though, when reenlistment personnel are confronted with the problem of trying to improve the level of leadership we tend to take a negative attitude as to what effects we might achieve. But the fact that sound leadership and acceptable reenlistment rates are interconnected to such a degree, make it imperative that we exert what influence we can in this area. Lets analyze our own situation and sec if I have touched home. V The major problem that seems to exist in the family today is the lack of concern of many parents for their children. This is a universal problem that even here at Dug-waexists everywhere y! Guns and the housewife fully-arme- movie like Ben Hur? And what alxiut the teenagers who should know lietter but still insist on laughing, whispering and talking out loud during the movie? Dont they know lietter? After all, who can completely blame the smaller youngsters when they see the examples set by the older children". Is it possible that the teenagers dont know any lietter or is it that they are just following the example set by their parents? Its true that the Post Theater employs attendants who take care of the theater, lmt is it fair for them to assume the role of the parent and have to discipline and quiet children who should know better? Surely a little parental attention and concern could help eliminate this unneessary problem. PARENTAL GUIDANCE for the child cannot lie limited only to disci- pline and proper training. Theres another vital part that too many parents frequently overlook, and that often a point of friction in later years. Every child, whether young or old, loves to have his parents take an interest in his work and ideas, whether it lie in school or cm the playground in the summer. There is always a certain unmistakable glow that beams from a youngsters face whenever his parents attend his classroom meeting, his Little League Baseball Game, his high school footliall or baseball game, or when Dad takes time to take them on a hunting, fishing or exploring trip. On expressing my opinions on two definite problems that I feel are plaguing many parents at Dugway, I am merely pointing out the views of a bystander and not a parent I realize that it is not easy to raise a family, but wouldn't it be easier to cope with the problems now instead of regretting them later? Family problems are not always simple to solve but, for the welfare of on Safely Zone by LAWRENCE SMITH, Safety Officer In just a few days the State of Utah will put into the mountains an estimated 163,000 d men. A Utah National Guard exercise? Regular Army troop training? No, just the opening day of Utahs annual deer their children decide on proper movies to attend instead of just pulling up to the theater, giving the child money for admission and refreshments, pushing him out of the car door, and saying, Either Dad or I will pick you up when the show is over. How many of the four, five, six, or seven year olds dumped" by their parents are able to fully comprehend and appreciate a d. ranks. It was in the late spring of 1862 when Union Major General Benjamin F. Butler enlisted Negroes to form the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Nation Guards in New Orleans. In September of that year he wrote to his command: I have succeeded wonderfully in my enlist- . ... . ment of volunteers here I shall have 1,000 National Guards strong (colored), the darkest of whom will lie about the complexion of the late Mr. Webster." ONCE information such as this spread, the North made its decision quickly. SERGEANT Major Christian A. Fleetwood, a handsome Baltimore free Negro, perhaps liest exemplified die Negroes motivation when he wrote in his diary that he had enlisted to save the country from ruin. After serving with Union forces at Yorktown, Pa., and at Ft. Fisher, N.C. Fleet-woo- d expressed the feelof ings many black soldiers as he further wrote: This year has brought about many changes that would have been thought impossible.' The dose, of the year finds me a soldier for the cause of my race. May God bless the cause and enable me in the coming year to forward it on. SOMEONE Up There heard Fleetwoods plea, liecause nine months later his courage under fire earned him a Medal of Honor. The flag was a great rallying point for soldiers of the Union and Confederacy. Many men sacrificied their lives to save their rein both spective colors. cases stars and stripes. SERGEANT William H. Carney, Co. C, 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, was (me of those who risked death for the sake of his flag. He was the first of 22 Negroes to eam the Medal of Honor in the . Civil Many Dugway parents are no exception to the rule in that they too are failing to provide the leadership and parental support that is so necessary for the proper growth and development of a younger child. THIS SHORTCOMING on the part of the parents is evident everywhere. One of the most recent and annoying examples that occurs to me is the behavior of many younger children and some teenagers at the Post Theater. Why is it that so many parents merely dump their children at the theater instead of accompanying them and teaching them the proper way to act during a movie and in public? How many of these parents could attend a dynamic movie such as Ben Hur and not get upset or infuriated when they miss the first ten or fifteen minutes of the film merely because they cant hear anything alxive the noise and bedlam of the unattended children who range in age from four to sixteen?, Why can't the parents exercise more judgment and try to help . the flag, he hid on an out- lying slope. Winding the colors around the staff, he made a hasty retreat into a water-fille- d ditch. He was alone . He continued his flight to the rear and was shot twice. The wounds did not deter him. Carney struggled on, clutching the flag as he stumbled. On the way, he met a member of the 100th New York Infantry. The soldier treated 081116 s wounds, and the two continued their retreat. As they dodged enemy fire, Carney was again wounded by a shot that grazed his head. He stumbled from the hit, and the New York es everyone concerned and for the innocent people who suffer because of why not make a personal ' to try' harder! vow.VM parent-at'lasfrfes- f s, i er offered to carry the flag. Carney refused assistance, saying: No one but a member of the 54 th should carry the colors. That the Negro soldiers fought bravely during the entire war was recognized by leaders of the Union and Confederacy alike. White officers sought to be assigned to the command of Negro troops and praised them at every juncture of the fighting. Proudly on their colors they bore the names of the battles where their blood was shed: Port Hudson, Honey Hill, Deveaux Neck, Pocatiglio, Coosa- - n watchie, James Island, Bluffs, and many more. WHEN the Army was reorganized in 1866, and put on a peacetime basis, six Negro regiments were established by law as part of the Regular Army. At that period in history this move was not looked upon as a device for segregation, but as a progressive step; as recognition and reward for valor in the Civil War. Important to Negroes was that from then on they would have an assured place in the American Army. Will-tow- (Reprinted courtesy ney found himself alone at the fort's entrance. Around him lay the dead and wounded. He dared not enter the fort alone, so still holding Westinghouse I CBSPGgP I IB l! Permanent Press Dryer Gas Dryer True capacity 16-pou- 2 cycle selections on timer Adjustable Press, Time Dry reminder signal temperature selec- tor including Regular, Low, Air Fluff, lint colPress ector Heavy duty construction Balanced air flow drying system Multiple exhausting PorSafety door switch celain enamel basket Easy-to-reac- h Prices Start At: dbraamnftl RADIO ELECTRIC AND HARDWARE 14 North Main 882-066- of ?,) War. pi m X Mf Bom in Norfolk, Va., in 1840, he ran away from his masters farm to liecome a seaman. He settled in New Bedford, Mass, until the call went out for Negro infantrymen. Carney, than 23 years old, enlisted on Feb. 17, 1863. It was about noon on July 18, 1863, when Union land batteries initiated fire on Ft. Wagner, S.C., a post vital to the capture of Charleston. THE 54th, charging from the south, stopped its advance about a thousand yards short of the fort and lay flat on the ground. At the command Attention," the men stood up and the bugle sounded their charge. Carney had advanced but a short distance when musketry fire and shells wounded or killed a dozen men on his right and left. One of those wounded was a colorliearer. Before the flag slipped from the nun's fingers, Sergeant Carney jumped forward and seized it. He then made his way to the head of the column. In a few minutes, Car- . 4 V |