Page 6, Thursday, July 1, 2004 News for Southern Colorado County, Texas — The Eagle Lake Headlight

More than a BBQ By Senator Kay Hutchison Nada/Garwood WWII vets honored This Fourth of July weekend, thou-

sands of Texans will gather with fam- ily and friends, fire up the grill, ice down some drinks and sit back and enjoy one of our nation's favorite holi- days, Independence Day. In 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, there were 2.5 million people living in the 13 colonies.

Today, there are more than 293 mil- lion Americans inhabiting 50 states, who will celebrate the founding of our great nation. And the Declara- tion that secured our independence still stands as the foundation of our democracy.

This quintessentially American cel- ebration gives each of us an opportu- nity to commemorate the birth of our country and reflect on the day when dedicated patriots founded a nation based on freedom. Marquis De Lafay- ette, the Frenchman who was so moved by the American quest for indepen- dence, he crossed the Atlantic to join our battle said it this way, "Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country."

For 228 years now, America has been synonymous with liberty. It is rooted in our heart and soul. It is wo- ven into the fabric of our being. As a current television advertisement states, '"Don't fence us in', is practically our

national motto." We are the embodi- ment of freedom to people everywhere, which is why thousands of people still arrive from the far reaches of the globe on our shores each year. They come in search of a better life for their families and a greater hope for their future.

So, the Fourth of July is more than a birthday party - it is a celebration of our hard-fought freedom and our God- given right to life, liberty and the pur- suit of happiness. It is also a time to honor those who continue the battle against terror and oppression to keep our freedom secure.

Today we are engaged in a struggle as fierce and as vital as any our nation has faced in its short history. Today's war on terrorism is a fight for freedom.

American soldiers fighting in Af- ghanistan and Iraq face the modern threat of terrorism. But while the tac- tics are more violent, the motives more insidious and the means more destruc- tive, this enemy shares the common goal of all enemies throughout history: destroying freedom. We must not - and we will not - let them win.,

Last year, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld addressed our troops on the Fourth of July, saying:

"You are the men and women who are fighting this new war. Your gal- lantry and courage in the face of evil

has stirred the souls of all Americans. Day after day, week after week, they have seen your faces and read your sto- ries. They have shared your sorrows and celebrated your victories. And in each one of you they see reflected their deeply-felt honor, pride and patriotism. Through your valor and sacrifice, our Republic has been strengthened and renewed."

I could not agree more. Our troops, many of whom call Texas home, face a difficult and challenging task, yet they do it with bravery and with honor. I have visited them in the battlefields and I have seen their commitment first- hand. They know the gravity of their mission and the importance of their success. These proud patriots serve with distinction and deserve our grati- tude.

This year, remember that it's more than a backyard BBQ, red-white-and- blue streamers, downtown parade or fireworks display - the Fourth of July is a celebration of the freedoms af- forded to us as citizens of the United States of America.

This year, as you set out to enjoy your holiday take a moment to remem- ber those who are sacrificing their per- sonal safety, and even their lives, so that you may enjoy yours.

God Bless America and Happy Fourth of July.

By Catherine Berger, Gadabouts Secretary Leon Meismer, husband of Club

President Anita Meismer, suggested to her that the Nada/Garwood Gadabouts Extension Education Club honor the World War II veterans of the Nada/ Garwood area and celebrate the 60th year of "D-Day" in some way. The seed was planted, Anita brought the sugges- tion to the Gadabouts Club, a luncheon was suggested, and a date set, and things began to happen.

The area veterans were invited to attend a luncheon in their honor at the Garwood Volunteer Fire Department June 17 at noon. A red, white and blue patriotic theme was carried out on the table decorations. A table was also set up displaying World War II memora- bilia from the veterans' collections.

The following veterans attended: Alois Bittner, Joe Leopold, Joe Popp, Herbert Popp, Ludwig Zbranek, Lowell Miller, Rudy Till, Lawrence Stallmann, Joe Staff, N.J. Schneider, Ervin Stienke, Joe Skuca, Walter Schoellmann, Eldin Wied, M.G. Lan- ier, Frank Becak, Joe Seifert, Robert Schiurring, Alfred Prihoda, Troy Kre- nek, Norbert Meismer, Johnny Wishert, Booker T. Dabney and Bill Zboril.

Unable to attend were John Will- iams, Marvin Tyler, Harry Lobpries, Eddie Pikulski, Milton Minarcik, Wil- liam Manis and Ben Pavlu.

Honored by the GarwoodTNada Gadabouts recently were, seated, from left, Lawrence Stallman, Frank Becak, Alfred Prihoda, Booker T. Dabney, Nor- bert Meismer, Joe R Staff, Johnnie Wishert, Joe G. Skuca, Herbert Popp, William R. Zboril and Ervin H. Stienke. Standing, Commissioner Herbie Helmcamp, Commissioner Doug Wessels, Rudolph (Rudy) Till, Ludwig Zbranek, Robert Schuirring, Joe L. Popp, Walter Schoellmann, M.G. Lanier, Joe Seifert, Joe A. Leopold, Alois Bittner, Eldin L. Wied, N.J. (Tony) Schneider, Lowell S. Miller, Sally Garrett, Beverly Tuck, John Seifert, Garwood Volunteer Fireman and Anita Meismer.

Gadabouts Photos by Lajuan Braden

The members of the Gadabouts Club deeply regret not being able to contact each veteran, and we may have missed some, but it was purely an over- sight and not intentional.

Upon arrival, each veteran regis- tered and was given a '"goody bag". Assisting at the registry table were Pauline Solomon, Helen Noteboom and Catherine Berger.

Rev. David King gave the blessing, after which a delicious meal of fried chicken, roast, ham and all the trim- mings was enjoyed by a total of 75 persons, including veterans, their wives, others guests and club members. Club members furnished an array of side dishes and desserts. The men in charge of frying the chicken were Leon Meismer and Arthur Leopold.

After the meal, President Meismer thanked the veterans for coming and giving our club the opportunity to honor and express our appreciation to these heroes who fought for their valor and courage in defense of our country and preservation of our freedom. A proclamation from the Gadabouts was read to the veterans, proclaiming June 17,2004 as World War II Veterans Day in Nada/Garwood. The proclamation, along with the registry and other, memorabilia, will be placed in the Garwood Veterans Memorial Library for safekeeping and availability for everyone.

Anita acknowledged and thanked the spouses of the veterans, special guests-Commissioners Helmcamp and Wessels, Carol Aldridge and Patsy Smith from the Garwood Post Office, and Sandra Frnka and Betty Leopold from the Nada Post Office, Sgt. Rich- ard LaCourse of the Colorado County Sheriff's Department, Sally Garrett, County Agent, Beverly Tuck, Associa- tion Chairman, John Seifert and Iris Danklefs, Director of Veterans Memo- rial Library.

Anita also acknowledged that Alois Bittner would be celebrating his 90th birthday, June 19.

Sandra Frnka, Postmaster from ______

Janine Marks, a 12-year-old, was fairly normal.

Janine spent a lot of time online.

She.felt more comfortable there.

One day she met a new friend.

They liked the same bands.

They worried about the same subjects in school.

They promised to keep each other's secrets.

They decided to meet at the mall.

Janine showed up.

So did her new friend.

Only her friend wasn't in JuniorHigh.

Wasn't nice.

And wasn't 14.

1 in 5 children is sexually solicited online.

You don't know what your kids are saying online. Or who they are saying it to. A lot of times CEKST^KOT^M^

| neither do they. So get involved. To protect your kid's online life or report an incident, call t/nsSOiGKr

1-800-THE LOST or mil cybertipline.com. HDOP: help delete online predators EXPLOITED CHILDREN'

Pharmacy & Your Health

EAGLE LAKE DRUGSTORE Steve K. Balas, RPh

702 South McCarty • Eagle Lake • 234-2502 •Patient Counseling • We Accept Master Card, VISA, Discover &

American Express • Insurance Plans: Blue Cross, NPA, PCS, Pro-Serve, Sanus, PAID, Texas Medicaid

24 Hour Emergency Phone: 234-3834 Oral Cancer Treatment Options

Oral cancer (cancer of the mouth) is a growing public health issue in the United States because it can be attributed to excessive use of to- bacco and alcohol. Approximately 40% of all head and neck cancers oc- cur in the oral cavity, and more than 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. To further complicate matters, almost 6 out of 10 oral cancers are advanced by the time they are discovered. Oncologists who treat head and neck cancer patients use chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or all three.

After the oral cancer has been treated with chemotherapy or radiation, some drugs may still need to be used. Salivary substitutes can be pur- chased over the counter to help those with chronic dry mouth. Dry mouth may be lessened if the drug amifostine (Ethyol) is given before the radia- tion treatments. The prescription medicinepilocarpine (Salagen) is known to increase salivary secretions from the remaining healthy glands. After radiation, a daily prescription fluoride product daily like Previ-Dent may be prescribed. Because fungal infections of the mouth can be an issue after oral cancer treatment, doctors may prescribe an antifungal product such as clotrimazole troche for the person to suck on.

Nada, presented lapel pins depicting the World War II Memorial Wall to each of the veterans. Several veterans relayed events of their time in the ser- vice. We would like to thank Booker T. Dabney for his service to his coun- try by serving in both World War II and the Korean War.

In a written narrative, transcribed and read by Anita Meismer, Joe Leo- pold shared some memories from his tenure of service in Okinawa in pre- paration for the jungle warfare, the in- vasion of the Japanese homeland and other events of the war and loss of lives that he witnessed. This piece will be placed in the library with the other memorabilia.

Another interesting story told by Alfred Prihoda was that while in Yoko- hama, Japan, who would he meet but Joe Leopold, a chance meeting of two young men from Nada.

Anita recognized club members who are surviving wives of World War II Veterans-Clara Lobpries, Minnie Conner, Clara Gold, Lorene Bubela, Pauline Solomon, Clara Breummer and Ella Buzek.

Sgt. LaCourse gave an informative talk on respect for the flag.

Special thanks go to donors of items for the goody bags, door prizes and food: Columbus State Bank; Kallina Dryer, Altair; Hospice Support Care, El Campo; Trafco Industries, ELC In- ternet, Eagle Lake Rice Dryer and First National Bank, all of Eagle Lake; First State Bank of Columbus; Colorado County Butane, Sheridan; Henneke Funeral Home, Columbus; Susan Zapalac, Houston; Dairy Delite, Sher- idan; Farmers Co-op, Garwood; Triska Funeral Home, El Campo; Randy Schulte Insurance, HEB, American Le- gion, Brookshire Bros. Grocery, AL&M Lumber Co., Edward Jones In- vestment, Columbus Livestock, Super Lube, Life Check Drugstore, The Pic- nic Basket and Becky's€afe\ all of Co- lumbus; Blue Garden Gate, Country Kitchen and Splashway, all of Sheri- dan; Dorothy Hyek, Gaye Stephens, Pauline Solomon and Anita Meismer.

A special thanks to Anita Meismer, who spent many hours coordinating this event, and to Pauline Solomon and Catherine Berger, who spent the last two weeks contacting and gathering items for the goody bags; and to other club members (Betty Leopold, Minnie Conner, Helen Noteboom, Karol Kal- lina, Leona Wesselski, Clara Gold, Ed- na Shimek, LaJuan Braden, Jessie Pav- licek, Lorine Bubela, Katie Jo Kunz and Clara Lobpries) who brought food and/or worked so diligently to make this an occasion to remember.

We are so appreciative of all the veterans who attended, and we really missed those that were unable to attend. We would also appreciate it if any of you veterans, whether you attended or not, would write your memoirs or give Anita Meismer a call at 979-758-3119, and she will take notes and write for you. All of these will be placed in the library with the other artifacts.

ACS sponsors camp for children

with cancer Many Americans at some time in

their lives are diagnosed or know someone who is diagnosed with can- cer. Sadly, many will be children. Deal- ing with cancer as a child can be espe- cially challenging. Childhood cancer is often more complex; therefore, treat- ment can be much more difficult. To help the children through this battle, the American Cancer Society (ACS) sponsors a special camp experience that is designed exclusively for chil- dren with cancer-Camp Discovery.

Camp Discovery, held at Texas Li- ons Camp in the heart of the Texas Hill Country in Kerrville, is an excellent way for the children with cancer to adapt to a new environment while meeting other children who are in very similar situations. While having fun

(See Camp, Page 7)

Bible Verse of the Week "Draw near to God and He will

draw near to you." — James 4:8 Submitted by Neddy Phillips

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Felicidades, Michelle Mendoza y Yadira Mendoza Que festejaran sus Quince anos el dia 3 de julio del 2004, en la Iglesia Christ Church en Eagle Lake. La recepcion se llevara acabo en el Salon Knights of

Columbus en Sealy; de 7 p.m. a 12 a.m.

Suerte y Bendiciones les desean mama Alicia Lizcano, Javier, Yanitza y Belen.

Las Queremos Mucho!

SN

J