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Opinion

Wednesday, May 14, 1997

ALL THINGS

CONSIDERED


By
Cara Alligood

End of school events
require caution, safety


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We are well into spring, and summer is just around the corner. Lawns are
turning green with a little help from the local garden hoses, and
another school year is drawing to a close.

It is time to be extra watchful when driving in our neighborhoods, as
children will soon be home for summer vacation and playing outside
during the day. It is time to remind children to observe safety rules
such as looking both ways before crossing the street, not talking to
strangers and wearing safety gear such as knee pads and helmets and
flotation vests when participating in outdoor activities.

High school graduation is coming up soon, too. Many seniors have made
their plans for the next stage of their lives, but probably not all of
them. I encourage everyone to get as much education as possible.

While it is true that not everyone wants or needs to go to college, most
professions require training beyond what is available in public high
schools, especially if one wants to advance beyond an entry-level
position. In addition to the traditional four year university bachelor's
degree, there are a lot of two year junior colleges which offer
associate's degrees, technical/trade schools, professional certification
programs, and apprenticeships which individuals may participate in to
gain the knowledge for the career they choose.

In today's world, many people don't think they can afford higher
education. There are actually a lot of scholarships, student loans and
various grant programs available, and not all require a candidate to be
a destitute person with perfect grades or a star athlete. More
information on these funding programs is available through high school
guidance counselors and publications available at the local library and
at any book store worth its salt.

Another source of money for higher education is military service. I am
an Army veteran, so I am speaking from experience when I urge people who
choose this option to get everything that is promised to them in
writing, with a signature, and to make several copies.

An important thing to remember when viewing the armed services as a
method of funding higher education is that you are signing a contract to
defend your country with your life for a number of years and you may be
asked to do just that. The military requires both physical and mental
exertion, and it really helps if you can deal well with stress and
criticism. It is not a walk in the park, but you will find skills as
well as muscles that you never knew you had. If you complete your first
term, you will most likely be very resourceful and responsible, even if
you weren't before, and you will probably develop more self confidence
than you ever had in the past.

In the Army, there are basically two ways to finance a civilian
education. You can either get an R.O.T.C. (Reserve Officer Training
Corps) scholarship or enlist in the Army under its tuition assistance
program. The main difference is that the R.O.T.C. program is more
difficult to get into, and requires one to serve several years as an
Army officer after completing a bachelor's degree while participating in
the R.O.T.C. program at their university. Enlisting for tuition
assistance requires military service first, with the tuition money being
paid after successful completion of a full term of enlistment.

If military service sounds like your best bet, call the recruiter for
your chosen branch of service. Most are listed in the white pages of the
Pecos phone book under "US Government." The Air Force isn't listed there
for some reason, and that is the branch of service that I would
personally recommend, based on my personal observations and experiences.

Editor's Note: Cara Alligood is an Enterprise writer and advertising
administrator.

YOUR VIEWS

Reader urges others to join prayer service


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Dear Editor:
This was the second time I went to the Community Prayer Service.

It's such a blessing to meet with fellow believers of every denomination
who care to participate and pray for our churches, our city, our
schools, and our government.

There's such a presence of unity. How good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity Ps. 13:1.

If you have the opportunity to meet together and pray and you're not
doing it, I'd like to encourage you to do so. You're missing out on a
blessing if you don't. Let's join our hearts together in one accord and
lift our petitions up to the Lord.

Betty Daniels

TODAY IN HISTORY


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By The Associated Press
Today is Wednesday, May 14, the 134th day of 1997. There are 231 days
left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On May 14, 1948, the independent state of Israel was proclaimed in Tel
Aviv as British rule in Palestine came to an end.

On this date:

In 1643, Louis XIV became King of France at age 4 upon the death of his
father, Louis XIII.

In 1787, delegates began gathering in Philadelphia for a convention to
draw up the U.S. Constitution.

In 1796, English physician Edward Jenner administered the first
vaccination against smallpox to an 8-year-old boy.

In 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the Louisiana
Territory left St. Louis.

In 1904, the first Olympic games to be held in the United States opened
in St. Louis.

In 1942, the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps was established.

In 1955, representatives from eight Communist bloc countries, including
the Soviet Union, signed the Warsaw Pact in Poland.

In 1973, the United States launched Skylab 1, its first manned space
station.

In 1975, U.S. forces raided the Cambodian island of Koh Tang and
recaptured the American merchant ship Mayaguez. All 40 crew members were
released safely by Cambodia, but some 40 U.S. servicemen were killed in
the military operation.

In 1980, President Carter inaugurated the Department of Health and Human
Services.

Ten years ago: Actress Rita Hayworth died in New York at age 68. The
Commerce Department reported that the U.S. trade deficit had narrowed in
March to $13.6 billion.

Five years ago: Former Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev addressed
members of the U.S. Congress, appealing to them to pass a bill aiding
the people of the former Soviet Union. Former football player Lyle
Alzado died in Portland, Ore., at age 43.

One year ago: A jury in Pontiac, Mich., acquitted Dr. Jack Kevorkian of
assisted-suicide charges, his third legal victory in two years.

Today's Birthdays: Opera singer Patrice Munsel is 72. Sen. Byron Dorgan,
D-N.D., is 55. Rock singer-musician Jack Bruce (Cream) is 54. Movie
producer George Lucas (``Star Wars'') is 53. Actress Season Hubley is
46. Rock singer David Byrne (Talking Heads) is 45. Movie director Robert
Zemeckis (``Back to the Future'') is 45. Actor Tim Roth is 36. Rock
singer Ian Astbury (The Cult) is 35. Rock musician C.C. DeVille (Poison)
is 35. Rock musician Mike Inez (Alice In Chains) is 31. Singer Danny
Wood (New Kids on the Block) is 28. Rapper Freaky Tah (Lost Boyz) is 26.
Singer Shanice is 24.

Thought for Today: ``It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure
man who is always dull.'' - H.L. Mencken, American author and journalist
(1880-1956).


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not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or
redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP
Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for
personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for
any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the
transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages
arising from any of the foregoing.
_


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324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
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