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Show 6 a O) Hie Sampler, March 27, 1986 Iditarod reflects spirit Die by Ogden Kraut If a dog Making dogs pull a sled load- ed with a man and supplies seemed to me to be a cruel necessity, not to mention making them race. But watching them prepare for a race was an enlightening experience. Thirteen men with their sleds gathered at Delta Junction, to draw numbers for their ..starting : times, is man's best friend, then nowhere on earth is it more true than in Alaska. No one knows when the first team of dogs was hooked up to a sled, but this form of transportation has been the lifeblood of Alaska for centuries. Y Far back in Alaska's history, nearly every family had a team of dogs. In those cold nomadic lands of the north, the dog was te essential to man's existence, helping to carry him through temperatures and snows. Many supply heavy routes, mail stations, and gold hone-chilli- ng mining, fields were reached only because of these courageous and willing animals. In 1925, when diptheria threatened the population of Nome, the Husky dogs ran relays carrying lifesaving serum to the stricken town. That trail later became the commemorative route for dog racing. The competitive racing of these sled dogs originated nearly a century ago, during the extra long and cold nights, as men sat around the warm fire boasting about their faithful animals. From that simple beginning, dog racing has grown to become a national sport. . ; in- -. which were at three-minutervalsi The dogs were taken out of the pickups and trucks, and chained to the bumpers while the sleds were being readied. When the first sled was taken out to the center of the field and the lead dog hooked up to the sled, the other 65 dogs realized there was going to be a race. In-- . stantlyt their combined howls, - barking, and yelling could be heard for miles around. They pawed the snow, jumped in the air and strained at their chains. I saw one dog dig into the snow until his head was peering over the top. When he realized he wasn't getting any closer and that the chain was holding him back, he bit and chewed on the chain until his mouth was bleeding and the snow was splattered with red. It seemed that pulling a sled was the ultimate enjoyment for these (cont on page 9) 4 A husky watts for the race to begin. (U.S. Army photo by Ogden Kraut) Army 0 to O SATURDAY 9 to 6 SHOP VEEKDAYS us ri ... a has writing contest You don't have to be a journalist to win an army writing award. This year, a new competition, the chief of the army's annual writing awards, will recognize outstanding army writing in virtually any form. The main criterion is that the writing be direct, effective, and Rices Good Thru 32986 SPORT CENTERS Has Tat Ana's 1 clear. i The competition is part of the new army writing program,' and its purpose is to emphasize the importance of good writing and to reward excellence. Here are the contest rules:-- . Eligibility: soldiers (active and reserve components) and department of the army civilians. Categories : private through -- corporalspecialist four; sergeant through command sergeant major sergeant major; WO - 1 through CWO and 2 se- - cond lieutenant through captain; CWO 3 and CWO 4 and major through colonel; DA civilians (all grade levels, and pay plans; appropriated and non- V appropriated funds.) Subject: any professional or subject (person- military-relate- d telephone number, and unit of assignment, document your sources. All work must be fice, HQ TRADOC, Attn: ATCG- -. W, Fort MOnroe, VA 23651 . The deadline for submissions is June 15. The army writing office will acknowledge by post card all entries received by. this deadline. Judging will be done by the staffs of the U.S. Military Academy english department and the Army Writing Office. This fall, the chief of staff of the army will present plaques to winners in each cate"Second and third-plac- e gory. finishers will receive certificates. Winning entries will be published in appropriate army publications. nel, technical, historical, etc.) that would be of interest to the military community. Formats accepted: essay, letter, magazine articlesresearch paper, story, or biography. first-plac- 4oublespaced, on plain paper, one side only; 10 pages maxi- ' mum. Do not put your name on the entry itself; attach a separate cover sheet with full name, rank or grade, social security number, mailing address, duty For more information, tact a TRADOC schools D ENTIRE STOCK SKATE mmmw -- mm mm. W mm mrw a mmm. K3T SHOWX ELSEWHERE CI TKS AOJ8CV 680-384538- u Now Avatar Stow 3 3-1- 'SHD CHIPS' CANVAS DECK SHOES ... EVERY CCICR EVERY STYLE EVERY H85EL ROW SPECULLY PRICED 6SRS23 TIES SAID In Ruff Autograph Foil Tall 6. Mitch Hershey to E-- 5 Leondria Boatright to E-- 4 AAM: Darryl Durden , MIYEIFECI MW jf lftE.a5 n LI CcH: i Kent's Chimney Sweep "The August West meaning system" Vrrtatfttowtti D r ttwti 5 and 4 mM.T1 ii WyDeck 86A YWO Wheats-GermaPrecision Bearings Tal saver, Nose Done, Copers Main 8L The Heal Skateboard VALUABLE COUPON Shod Reg. $22.99 46 (804)727-3845384- PRO V SKATEBOARDS BIQy converse i APRIL Reg. $12999 I rig! 198S 12U CLGAHGQG The Flnast In Dry Cleaning ' NU CLEANERS Sweater asaned FSEI with this coupon and M 0.00 purchase This Coupon Good During April Only 1 THE C3LY CXR3 YCU'U KEEO AT SUXSETI Tm mi anNff far aiSTMT CMfBfl! ; con-- : com- municative skills office or the army writing office, HQ TRADOC, ATCGW, Fort Monroe, VA AUTO VON 23651; or commercial Higher ground . e . Entry requirements: typed, Promotions: Chun Jackson to E-- 6 ori- ginal, authors must submit their own entries. Manuscripts will not be returned. Evaluation criteria: how well does the paper communicate? Is it interesting? Is it thoughtful? Can it be readily understood? Is it effective? Since this is a writing contest, the writing must strike the reader's eye as well as mind. Neatness, grammar, and spelling count. The army writing program: promotes writing that is concise, clear, and easily read, so these factors will play a role in evaluation. Submit en-- : tries to: The Army Writing Of- NU v CLEANERS 53 East Vine e32-?S- S3 ; . |