Page 2
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 3, 2004
His name, the title I hung on him, was “Yankee Clo-
ver,” although we never used the second part. Actually,
“Yankee Clover” was on the label on a jar of something or
other on my mother’s dresser in the Linda Vista section of
San Diego. Maybe the jar contained anti-lip wrinkling
crème or perfumed lotion made from imported yak feet.
Anyway, “Yankee” was the runt of a litter produced by
“Dixie,” a Chow that belonged to a woman across Hyatt
Street from us. I was about 5 then.
Although I do not recall the circumstances of how we
came to be the owners of low-to-the-ground “Yankee,” we
did. And he was mine; the first pet I recall as a child, not
counting the goldfish that I examined too closely – but
that’s another story.
“Yankee” became my companion, even when he was-
n’t supposed to be, and naughtily followed me to Chester-
ton Elementary School, much to my mother’s chagrin. She
had to make the walk to retrieve the little critter. From then
on, whenever I left for school, “Yankee” was kept inside
until I was out of sight.
He had a big head in comparison with the rest of his
body. And when he ran, he did it in bowlegged fashion in
kind of a sideways motion. It was sort of like the Interna-
tional delivery truck I once drove, but that, like the belly-
up goldfish, is yet another story.
My dog was with me on my numerous forays into the
weedy canyons of then-Linda Vista. Those canyons are
filled now, with either buildings or roads on them. But
back then, it was a vast wilderness. Or so it seemed to my
young mind. “Yankee” and I roamed those canyons to-
gether, sometimes with friends of mine, playing games.
Mostly we played cowboys and Indians, but sometimes we
played cavalry soldiers and Indians.
My “Yankee” attracted a lot of second looks because
of his odd appearance. This was especially true when he
contracted what I think was mange, and his entire body
was shaved, except for a neck ruff and his head. It made
him look like a tiny, deranged lion.
Eventually we moved from Hyatt to Dunlop Street.
Don’t ask me how I can remember the names of streets
from 55 years ago when I can’t recall what I had for dinner
last night. It’s just the way some people’s brains work.
After we moved, “Yankee” somehow bothered some
neighbors, to use the latter word loosely. Someone com-
plained about a bogus offense. A dog catcher came, gave
us a copy of the complaint, and said we’d have to get rid of
the little beast. I remember that my mom contacted an ani-
mal rights woman, who came to our house, but apparently
nothing could be done. Actually, I walked the neighbor-
hood to find the home of the complainant. And guess
what? The address didn’t exist. Didn’t matter though; the
complaint stuck.
At my age then, around 6 or 7, such matters didn’t reg-
ister well with me, as I had no frame of reference. And my
parents, bless their hearts, kept the truth of the matter from
me. So when Uncle Ed came to take my mom, “Yankee”
and me for a ride, I really didn’t understand what was hap-
pening.
We took “Yankee” to the city animal shelter, off
Morena Blvd. as I remember. My heart beat fast, because I
sensed something ominous. But it wasn’t until we got back
in the car to head home, without my friendly, huggable
dog, that it became clear we hadn’t just taken him for a
visit. He was no longer mine, and I’d never see him again.
My insides hurt. My eyes burned. My throat was tight.
Today I can think about what happened then. And al-
though the hurt no longer remains, I can still remember
what it felt like to lose my furry friend.
The ultimate result of shielding man from the
effects of folly is to people the world with fools.
- Herbert Spencer -
Illinois Valley News
An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and
published by Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez
Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe
Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post
Office as Official Newspaper for Josephine County and
Josephine County Three Rivers School District, published
at 321 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523
Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523
Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820
Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330
Volume 66, No. 50
Staff: Cindy Newton, Chris Robertson,
Michelle Binker, Shane Welsh,
Becky Loudon & Kacy Clement
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
DEADLINES:
News, Classified & Display Ads,
Announcements & Letters
3 P.M. FRIDAY
(Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be
accepted until Noon, Monday with an additional charge.)
POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ welcomes
letters to the editor provided they are of general interest, in
good taste, legible and not libelous. All letters must be
signed, using complete name, and contain the writer’s
address and telephone number. The latter need not be
published, but will be used to verify authenticity. The
‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters. One letter per
person per month. Letters are used at the discretion of the
publisher. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged
nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is
inordinately long in the editor's opinion.
POLICY ON “HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE”, DISPLAY &
CLASSIFIED ADS & NOTICES: All submissions must be
hand delivered, faxed or e-mailed to us for publication.
Submissions must be resubmitted each week if the item is
to run for more than one week.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One year in Josephine County - $20.80
One year in Jackson and Douglas Counties - $24.40
One year in all other Oregon counties
and out-of-state - $28
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to
P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR. 97523
(Editor’s Note: Views
and commentary ex-
pressed in letters to the
editor are strictly those
of the letter-writers.
* * *
Typed,
double-
spaced letters are ac-
ceptable for considera-
tion. Hand-written letters
that are double-spaced
and highly legible also
can be considered for
publication.
Cards of thanks are
not accepted as letters).
* * *
Non-profit fee
From Darrell Allen,
Jerry Wilkins, et al.
CJ Lions Club
We want Mayor Ed
Faircloth and the Cave
Junction City Council to
know that after due consid-
eration by the Cave Junc-
tion Lions Club Board of
Directors, it was unani-
mously decided to discon-
tinue our involvement with
the planting and mainte-
nance of the flower pots
along our city’s main
street.
It is with regret that we
rendered this decision.
Gary Biggs’ (head of pub-
lic works) personal effort
in cementing a relationship
with our club to support
the city in its endeavors
was heard, and we re-
sponded.
However, with the
city’s recent decision to
assess non-profit organiza-
tions a permit fee for the
use of city facilities for our
fund-raising events, we
find we can no longer sup-
port this project.
We believe the city’s
decision was short-sighted
and that it will lose more
money than it will gain.
The city fathers seem
to have forgotten that Jubi-
lee Park was acquired as a
gift from a non-profit or-
ganization.
The combined efforts
of the valley’s non-profit
organizations have a sig-
nificant effect on the qual-
ity of life of our citizens.
Our annual car show
provides revenue from out-
side the valley, feeds tour-
ism and provides support
to our merchants. Our
members work diligently
to provide support to the
many needs of our valley.
With our small popula-
tion, many events are mar-
ginally profitable, and this
permit fee will serve to
further reduce the available
funds to continue these and
other worthwhile causes:
Southern Oregon Li-
ons Sight and Hearing
Center; Lions Eye Bank of
Oregon; eye-glasses and
hearing aids for those in
financial need; Guide Dogs
for the Blind.
Also, service projects
for disabled members of
our community; Illinois
Valley Safe House Alli-
ance; Christmas Baskets;
Cave Junction Cares
(Thanksgiving and Christ-
mas Dinners).
Also, Illinois Valley
Fire District; Blackberry
Festival; I.V. High School
drug- and alcohol-free
graduation party; food do-
nations to various valley
organizations: Lovejoy
Hospice; Jefferson Public
Radio KSOR; and Tloali
Camp for diabetics.
We adhere to the Lions
International Code of Eth-
ics and now find ourselves
with a conflict of interest.
We disagree with the per-
mit fee assessment, and
feel that the time spent on
the city project would now
be better utilized on a pro-
ject that does not require
the use of city facilities
and can replace the loss of
revenue created by the
city’s permit fee.
The Lion’s Motto is
“We Serve.” We cannot in
good conscious continue to
serve those who do not
provide support in return.
Marriage and taxes
From Laurraine Rakes
Cave Junction
The sacredness of mar-
riage has been torn down
by men and women for-
ever.
It seems that infidelity
and other things ending in
divorce are big business
these days. Wasn’t it really
more important that two
people get married be-
cause, God forbid that you
should have a child out of
wedlock?
For those heterosexual
couples who have stayed
married because of love
and respect for one an-
other, they truly have
something sacred to be
thankful for.
Sticking it out through
the tough times and keep-
ing families together;
that’s what’s sacred, not
their marriage certificate.
The piece of paper
they get from the court-
house does not make their
marriage sacred: they and
their children do.
Married couples are
allowed to obtain each
other’s pensions and medi-
cal benefits for their fami-
lies. When one dies, the
other can feel secure that
their loved ones will con-
HISTORY SURVEY - Archaeologist Brian O’Neill on
Tuesday, March 2 was checking soil near ‘Second
Bridge’ ‘to prevent the possibility of disturbing Indian
and European artifacts’ because of a plan to replace
the bridge. O’Neill and others with him are from the
Oregon State Museum of Anthropology at Oregon
State University in Corvallis and were hired by Oregon
Dept. of Transportation. (Photo by Shane Welsh)
T A I C H I I N S T R U C T I O N
O N G O I N G C L A S S E S
W I T H S I F U V I O L A B R U M B A U G H
5 9 2 - 2 9 8 8
AT THE SELMA COMMUNITY CENTER
MON. AND WED. 6:00 - 7:30 P.M.
(Continued on page 3)
(Editor’s Note: Permission has been obtained from ‘Featurewell’ to reprint the arti-
cle below taken from the ‘Newsday.com’ Web site. Placement of the article in this
issue has been paid for by Larry & Elaine Stein. WARNING: The following article
contains graphic descriptions of injuries that may not be suitable for all ages).
Perhaps the Bush Administration
should rethink its position in the Iraq War.
Larry & Elaine Stein
‘Haunted by a Soldiers Face’
By JIMMY BRESLIN
She didn't know his name. It was on a tag someplace and it had already been logged in. They
did that the moment they brought the dead soldier off the plane from Iraq and into the morgue at
Dover Air Force Base. The body had to pass through a metal detector in case there was some ord-
nance still there.
He had been taken right from the dirt of Iraq and flown here.
Now, he was on a gurney that was brought right up to her in the forensic dental department.
The gurney was up to her waist. She looked down.
He had no head. Oh, there was part of his head still there, on the left side. Just a part. No more.
The left eye was there, wide open. The startled left eye.
"It was looking out as if to say, 'What happened?'" she was saying yesterday. "I don't think he
believed that he was dead."
She stood and stared at that left eye and the left eye stared back at her. It was light-looking.
Bluish green. The colors change in death. The amazement in this eye does not.
She began to dream of seeing that face as it was in his young life. A right eye, and a young
firm face and cheek matching the left side.
He just started in life, she thought. He didn't even have a chance. Did he have a kid? Maybe he
lost the chance to see his kid walk. Or to sit on the beach. Or if he didn't live near an ocean, maybe
he could sit with his kid at a picnic. Watch the kid wave and stumble as he started walking on the
green summer grass.
Look at him now, she thought. He'll never see that.
All that is left is that one shocked eye.
She was held by that eye as if it were drawing closer and was about to speak. She was not
some shaking newcomer on her first job. She had spent long months in the New York City medical
examiner's office working on what was left of people blown apart at the World Trade Center. And
she had worked on several cases here at Dover. Soldiers with faces burned off. Or with little of
their heads left. Like this one.
There is no face and she sees a delightful young face. Only this time, the thing seemed more
than she could handle. She shook herself out of it. The teeth. She stopped daydreaming. It was her
job to get the teeth and take X-rays of them.
The teeth were not in front. She had no idea if they were in one of the Ziploc bags that come in
with a body. She froze every time she had to go to one of them.
This time, she had to go inside whatever was left of the guy and find the teeth.
There was a presumption of who he was, and the X-rays would be compared to records to ver-
ify. Then she charted the restoration of his teeth as they were before he was killed: what cavities
were filled, what crowns were on, and compare this to the condition of the teeth postmortem.
She was in the middle of the death line for the soldier. First, they brought the bodies off the
plane with a general and chaplain attending and then they came into the morgue at Dover Air Force
Base. A soldier stood alongside and followed the body through the morgue. There were identifica-
tion photos and fingerprinting. They came to the dentistry, after which there was an autopsy and
embalming. Then the body was brought into the uniform room, where clothes were put on the dead
soldier, if he was going to have an open coffin.
There was a room of silence, a grotto, for families. The Army went to thoughtful effort for the
families. Despite this, not so many come.
After the morgue work ended, the bodies were sent out to their home churches or funeral par-
lors. The same soldier remained alongside the body until the last fold of a flag, the final cries.
She was relieved and came home to resume her work in New York. She thought about the
dead soldiers and mourned. But when the face of the dead young man with the left eye came into
her mind she dropped her head and wept. Time and again.
She looked at a newspaper and saw Michael Jackson and Martha Stewart. How could they
dare put something like this in while there are dead soldiers coming in on planes? There were three
dead women killed in Iraq and brought through Dover. They went unmentioned. This made her
furious. She began to talk to herself. I am a professional. I have worked in disasters. I must stop
this.
Then, on this Sunday in February, when she is home only days, she opens a newspaper and
goes through it. On Page 18 there is a picture of her soldier.
"Sundered by War" the overline says. His two eyes are gleaming with happiness. There is that
young, strong face she had imagined. Good-looking teeth brighten the smile.
In the soldier's lap, looking out in wonderment, is his 6-month-old son.