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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 24, 2004)
November 24, 2004________________________________ ®*!' H a it i » © b s C r U e r ______________________________ __________ Page A3 COURAGEOUS Paying the ultimate price for freedom ki lied Germans right up to the very moment o f the signing o f the treaty. At one particu lar German stronghold, the only way to have that could happen was to first sacri fice hundreds o f our soldiers. Basically, the black division, bearing only bayonets and small arms, would go A F R IC A N AMERICANS soldiers were led out onto the field and forced to charge. They were shot down like lambs on their way to the market. In doing so, the G erm ans exposed their positions and the w hite troops that w ould follow would o vertake their positions, becom e heroes and go hom e One o f the m ost, heartbreaking sto ries ever to cross my path was an un n e c e s sa ry o rd e r that resulted in the deaths o f hundreds of soldiers from all black 92nd A rm y b Y R on W eber Division in World W ar I. The division was sent into a no-win situation to die for white soldiers who would follow in battle against the Ger man enemy. If this doesn't anger one enough, the timing of this action will. Only three hours before the end of the war, the brave soldiers o f the 92nd were led to their slaughter. America’s European commander. General Pershing had a plan. He knew the Armistice end ing the war would be signed in just three hours on that day, Nov. 11, 1918. Pershing said he want to “be sitting in his office,” while A merica’s soldiers Ask e R e a l P e o p le , R e a l A d vic e tn advice column known for its fearless approach to reality based subjects’ The brave soldiers were led out onto the field and forced to charge. They were shot down like lambs on their way to the market. up against large-caliber German machine guns mounted on tanks and in stationary points out of American view. The brave Dear Deanna! I don’t want my father at the house for Thanksgiving because he gets drunk and causes a di saster. Last year, while drunk, he stuck his hand inside the turkey while we were praying; he used the bathroom in the closet and then started cursing everybody. It was embarrass ing and all the guests left with out eating and the food was wasted. How do I tell him to stay home? -T o n y a M.; Nor folk, Va. Dear Tonya M; Holidays are for fami lies even if with the m edals. A lthough many w hites died too, the first w ave o f soldiers to attack were all black and stood nochance yours is from a Jerry Springer movie. Ifdinner is at your house, purchased with your money, then you make the rules. In stead of keeping him away, be firm and let him know he has to come sober or he can stay at home and eat a microwave meal. Dear Deanna! I have a girlfriend of about 4 months. I thought we were close, but over the past few days she’s pulled a few disap pearing acts. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen or heard much of her in the past month and I don’ t at all. Although Pershing was brutally con fronted by the public after the war for his actions, he merely dusted the whole situ ation off and continued on with his pres tigious career. All the dead men were simply “casualties o f war,” to him. No one was ever able to convince him other wise. For the millions o f soldiers, family members, and other citizens around the world, the signing o f the Armistice at 11 a.m. that day, would be remembered as one of the happiest days in their lives. For several thousand soldiers, including hundreds from the 92nd, it would be a day o f morning for all of eternity. Almost a century later, people still ask why General Pershing sent out U w p s to fight those last few hours. For most o f us, the whole thing is a heart-wrenching mystery, lost in the ego of one military commander. The 92nd would continue to fight on for America and showed exemplary service in the wars that would follow. World War Il as well as the Korea. They will always be remembered as some o f the bravest fighters the world has ever seen. Though hundreds gave up their lives for one arrogant and power-hungry gen eral, America has not forgotten their ul timate sacrifice. Honored for Helping Children Kay Toran, president and chief execu tive officer of Volunteers of America, O r egon will receive the 2005 Urban Pioneer Award for Civic Leadership from the C ol lege of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University. “Kay Toran has a long and distinguished career helping and supporting Oregon’s children and families," said Lawrence Wallack, the college’s dean. "Her legacy is one of giving back, to the people and the communi ties that propelled her professional life." Toran said her parents passed on to her a sense o f service - to give back to her community. 'T o be recog nized for my per sonal co m m it ment of finding so lu tio n s for O regon’s high- Kay Toran need g roups dealing with issues of class, poverty and race is so rewarding and a statement to those who share my passions and work tirelessly to help others,” Toran said. The award will be presented during a special ceremony next April. Toran is a long-time public servant and a former administrator of the State Office for Services to Children and Families. Since 1999, she has guided Volunteers of America, Oregon, an organization that serves thou sands of Oregon families, children, seniors and those needing rehabilitation services. know what she’s up to. What should I do? —Anonymous.; Charlotte, N.C. keep disappearing. Move on while you can. Dear Anonymous: I’m involved in a love triangle and I can’t get out. My fiancée’ has started seeing another fe male. He says he loves me and he wants to get the other girl out of the relationship and marry me, but he’s trying to let her down easy. He needs to hurry A sk D eanna is w ritten by D eanna up and quit playing games. — M. W rite A sk D eanna! Email: a s k d e a n n a l @ y a h o o .c o m o r Tammy; Decatur, Ga. A relationship is like a new job, it takes 6 months to learn it and another 6 months to get the hang of it. You haven’t been with this woman long enough to build trust and respect or lay the foundation fora lasting relation ship. Take the hint and realize you’re not on the same page and she has other things on her agenda that doesn’t include you. Don' t wait around for Casper to Dear Deanna! Dear Tammy: If I’m right, you’re the type of female that studies for a blood test. Leave your triangle and find a man that will really put a circle around your finger. The writing’sonthe wall. If he cheats as a fiancée, what makes you think he’ll be committed as a husband? Unless you’re des perate, or hard up for a man, — lose that zero and find your own hero. w rite: D ea n n a M, P.O . B ox 88847, Los A ngeles. CA 90009. W ebsite: w w w .askdeanna.com Skilled. Dedicated. Ready to finish what they started. From the very beginning of the New Colum bia project, Walsh Construction Co./OR, w o rk ing w ith the Housing A uthority of Portland, hired skilled people from the community. Their competence, commitment and hard work have successfully brought us to this point: th e fin a l bidd in g o p p o rtu n ity on th e project. Come jo in our team ! Subcontractors and suppliers, call Carolyn Wilson at 503.222.4375 or visit www.walshconstructionco.com. Bids are due D ecem ber 14, 2004 by 2:00 p.m . to Walsh C onstruction Co. Fax bids to 503.274.7676 WALSH Construction Co./OR
