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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 2021)
8A | SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS Community Voices Moral of the Story — Shaving It Close By Karen D. Nichols Author and Artist Special to Siuslaw News W hen our grandson, Dalton sent us a self- ie-video sporting the shadow of a mustache, I immediately flashed back to my son’s (Dal- ton’s uncle’s) first shave. When young, my children, Tina and Jeffrey, played with toys that imitated adult be- haviors, such as miniature lawnmowers, rakes, shovels, vacuums, tea sets, etc. Interesting, young children love to help — until they are actually capable of real help. Then parents move into the nag phase of parenthood to instigate help. After finding a triple-sized red, blue and yellow plastic safety razor, I put it in Jeff ’s Christmas stocking. Surpris- ingly, the razor became the biggest hit — with both kids. The shaving started as a dry run which quickly moved into the bathroom with the real foamy shaving cream. Shaving incorporated itself into Jeff ’s bath time. When Tina discovered this Men’s Club event, she de- manded her own version. I returned to purchase her razor, but no luck. So, Tina persuaded Jeff to share. She wanted to make sure her pits and legs became hairless as Mom’s. Tina’s bath included the languid stretch of hairless legs enveloped in mounds of foam. Both children wanted non- bath time use of the razor, as well. The ritual played out nu- merous times when boredom snuck in. Did this ever lapse into a shaving cream fight? Even Dad got involved in some of these melees. Some 12 years later, the whole family, with Grandpa, Grandma, aunts and uncles, met for breakfast at a restau- rant. On this bright sunshiny day, we took a large table be- neath a skylight. Jeff sat, ha- loed by his summer blonde hair, while sunbeams illumi- nated sprouts of his facial hair. I probably shouldn’t have, but I reached over and touched his cheek. I whispered, “Is that a mustache?” He stroked his upper lip. “I think you’re going to need to shave soon.” The next morning, I scur- ried around the kitchen fix- ing pancakes, when Jeff came in. He plunked his hands on his hips. “Hey, Pop! Will you show me how to shave, real quick?” I tittered silently. “Real quick” and “shave?” Those words should never be spoken in the same sentence. With a real safety razor? There’s a misconception that Editor’s Note: Community Voices is a monthly feature in the Siuslaw News. It consists of viewpoints from people in the Siuslaw region. Siuslaw News welcomes these opinions as part of its goal to encour- age community discussion and exchange of perspectives, but they should not be inter- preted as the views of the News or its staff. safety razors are actually safe. (On my wedding day, in my fanciest underwear, I decid- ed to shave, “real quick.” The tiniest nicks became a red river, ruining my brand-new underwear and permanently scarring one shin.) Ralph and Jeff dashed up- stairs for a “quick” lesson. Ralph hid a razor and can of aero- sol shaving cream to be ready for the time when needed. After applying the foam, Ralph instructed Jeff on the strokes needed. Jeff took the first slice. I snuck up, raised my camera and clicked. Jeff dodged. What a perfect pic- ture of a blank mirror! That proved to be my last shot. With no film, the event re- mains unrecorded anywhere but on the screen of our mem- ories. As Ralph continued to show Jeff how to push his nose and ears out of the way and finish off his neck, they banished me to the kitchen. I wish I had the picture of them meandering back for breakfast. Serious-faced, Jeff came in — his chin and cheeks dotted with bits of red-stained tissue scraps. Ralph followed grinning. I bit my tongue and glanced aside, trying to uncurl my lips. “Syrup anyone?” Moral of the Story: On your first try, never shave real quick. Military Heritage Chronicles — Military Railroads By Cal Applebee Military and Vehicle Historian Special to Siuslaw News I n the military vehicle hob- by, the most prevalent and probably popular military vehicle is undoubtedly the iconic jeep, developed in an- ticipation of World War II specifically for that war. Fea- tures that make it so popu- lar in the hobby are its small size and affordability. Some collectors, however, want something larger, if they have the space in their garage and their budget, such as a deuce- and-a-half or even a tank. Why not a train? When we think of trains in conjunction with military service, we often think of a movie scene where some brave GI is saying goodbye to his hometown sweetheart as he boards a Pullman troop car heading off to war — or at least boot camp. But trains saw action in military ser- vice long before WWII, and in more roles than just as a troop carrier. In the United States, the Civil War was the first time trains saw service in military applications. Union troops were transported in special trains from New England to protect Washington, D.C., from a Confederate threat. Likewise, the Confederate States Army then utilized railroads to rush 12,000 troops from Shenandoah Val- ley into action. Unlike other inventions during times of war such as airpower, railroading did not evolve a great deal under the impact of the Civil War. Oth- er evolutionary challenges did have an impact on the use of railroads during the conflict, such as the fact that twice as much track existed in the North than did in the South, and, more often than not, the gauges of existing railroad lines from competing compa- nies, were not the same and impeded train travel. Although the South was slower to embrace rail as a tool of war, when it eventu- ally did, as battle lines some- times moved north or south, so did ownership and use of railroads and their lines. Ironically, it was a railroad in the early days of the Civil War — and not military tacti- cians — who envisioned, de- veloped and implemented the idea that trains could be used in battle roles. An armored car was built to provide pro- tection to repair crews com- ing under guerrilla fire while repairing tracks from battle damage. Railroads would continue to play a key role throughout the war involv- ing troop movement as well as transporting war material and supplies. During the Civil War, the rolling stock was predomi- nantly the private stock of the various railroad companies pressed into service by either side. During the war, military railroad activity on the Union side was governed by the United States Military Rail- road Service and the Railroad Construction Corps. Railroads and railroading would continue to see ser- vice in subsequent war activ- ities both home and abroad. WWI saw American rolling stock shipped overseas and utilized in battle. In 1917 the US Railroad Administration was established to manage the utilization of railroading in WWI, both at home for the increase in traffic due to the war effort, as well as in Europe where the American rolling stock joined European equipment in various roles, including battle. Railroading would continue to see ser- vice in later wars, certainly WWII significantly, but also Vietnam and Korea, as well as more recent conflicts in the Middle East. Unlike the armed branches of the military which main- tained established organiza- tional structures throughout their existence for the most part, railroads in military service would see a constant change in how and who reg- ulated and administered their participation in times of need. During WWII, the Military Railroad Service under the Corps of Engineers had the primary responsibility. To- day, military transportation needs, including railroads, are administered by an ev- er-changing hodge-podge of federal agencies ranging from the US Army Transportation Engineering Agency estab- lished in the 1960s, through a variety of agencies under the directorate of the US Trans- portation Committee. With the evolution of air power and its multiple uses following WWII, particular- ly the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947, most troop and war material trans- port has continued to travel via aircraft, and railroads to- day in the U.S. typically only move tanks and other large equipment on state-of-the- art flatbeds. In May 2021, a quarter-mile long train need- ing three locomotives were spotted in Southern Califor- nia transporting dozens of tanks on DODX or Dept. of Defense railcars. Despite the lack of roman- tic attraction to railroading in military service, in the model railroading hobby, manufac- turers were quick to capital- ize on military-themed train sets. Marx in the 1930s and 1940s produced a complete line of US Army train sets in their tin-plate product line. I have one in my layout that is still in amazing condition and reflects the Cold War efforts of the Trinity bomb test site. In the historic military ve- hicle hobby, re-enacting of specific eras of military ac- tion has become a popular additional component of dis- playing vehicles. A few clubs have done so, incorporating vintage WWII railroad flat- cars loaded with WWII era vehicles — quite a sight to see! So despite its lack of pop- ularity in American culture, the contribution of railroad- ing in military heritage is at least recognized to some ex- tent. For more military heri- tage, visit the Oregon Coast Military Museum located on Kingwood Street adjacent to the Florence Municipal Air- port, open from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday, or by visiting the Museum’s website at www.oregoncoast- militarymuseum.com. Conservative Corner — ‘Thomas Jefferson Survives’ By Joel Marks Conservative Historian Special to Siuslaw News R ecently in a wonderfully spirited conversation on American history, the new principal of Siuslaw High School, Mike Harklerode, said that he felt that America throughout its storied history had “ascended,” as opposed to declined. I readily agreed and re- membered the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson when he expressed heartfelt sentiments on the future of our country and accompany- ing civilizations: “Can the lib- erties of a nation be thought secure when we have re- moved their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep for- ever.” Jefferson was extremely concerned about the direc- tion of the “abominable busi- ness” of slavery and its place in 1819. The narrow-minded John C. Calhoun then capped Mr. Jefferson’s fears of the con- tinuation and expansion of the “dirty business” as the Missou- ri Compromise lengthened its ugly boundaries. After all, it was Mr. Jeffer- son who authored our birth certificate and his death cer- tificate with soaring rhetoric like, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Of course, that American civil catechism’s author knew that in 1776 those words were not fulfilled but were a national goal, being accom- plished by succeeding gener- ations. It is sheer folly for ra- tional Americans to suppose that Indian rights, woman’s rights and African American rights would be in its final granted state in the late 18th century. But, as that astute principal said, “America has ascended” and she certainly has. It took time through the codification of the Declara- tion of Independence, called the Constitution, which was gallantly fought for and rat- ified by the several states in 1788. Then, General George Washington was inaugurat- ed as our first president in 1789. Then James Madison, the Father of the Constitu- tion, became the Father of the Bill of Rights in 1791 through some miraculous events and persuasion. Then, in another amazing turn of events, the election of 1800 saw Thomas Jefferson become President Jefferson and, when America defined the soul of liberty, it was Mr. Jefferson who pre- sented the definition. Before Jefferson’s presiden- tial election, 51 letters were written as an interpretation of the heft and meaning of America’s lawful document, the Constitution. Today most people do not read or understand the Fed- eralist Papers but are more than willing to receive a government check. Thence, where is the American dream of freedom and justice for all? It has been replaced by a very different foreign philosophy then the one Jefferson pre- sented lo those many years ago, a radical form of egalitar- ianism where all are equal in outcomes rather than equal before the Almighty throne of God. Benjamin Franklin said it best at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, saying, “I have lived sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth that God governs in the affairs of men. ... We have been assured sir, in the sacred writings that unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” A solemn hush went over the assembled patriots in Philadelphia on that uncom- fortably hot humid hall, but the delegates acknowledged that Old Ben was right. They then went about their labors, almost having given up the task in June 1787, to sculpt our present day Constitu- tion, the only document of its kind, but they succeeded. When the venerable John Adams passed into eterni- ty 50 years to the day of the signing of the Declaration on July 4, 1826, his last words uttered were, “Thomas Jeffer- son survives.” Not knowing three hours earlier, Mr. Jeffer- son also passed to his eternal reward. However, was not John Ad- ams prophetic in his closing words of life, as Thomas Jef- ferson, thank God, does still survive. And so does Ameri- ca. Threads of Activism — A tipping point to activism By Michael Allen Activist Special to Siuslaw News Editor’s Note: The begin- ning paragraphs of the follow- ing article contains references to death and violence and may not be appropriate for all audi- ences. I n my introductory article of “Threads of Activism” for Community Voices, I spoke about tipping points that often lead to activism. These tipping points are often immoral and unjust events that outrage you. I gave an example of one that led me on a campaign to right a wrong against people with intellectual disabilities. Writing this article gave me cause to reflect on other trig- gers that influenced my way of reacting to perceived injustice. What came to mind was an event that happened when I was 12 years old. I was a news- paper boy delivering the Port Chester, NY, Daily Item, the same paper that Ed Sullivan wrote for. It was in June 1953. On the front page of the paper were photos of the execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were American citizens convicted of spying on behalf of the Soviet Union. The reporter described in grisly detail how each of them died in the electric chair in Sing Sing Prison. The reporter relished pointing out that the stronger of the two was Ethel, who took longer to die than her husband. It took two extra shocks to kill her, and eyewit- nesses reported that smoke rose from her head. I was horrified, but being only 12, there was not much I could do at that time. But the memory of those executions stayed with me. After many, many more executions that were highly publicized over the years, my opposition to capital punishment grew and became something that had to be dealt with. I saw it as im- moral, unfairly imposed and cruel. Capital punishment was not a deterrent and very costly to impose. And we do have an alternative punishment — life in prison without parole. More and more countries around the world abolished the death penalty, as did the United States in 1972, follow- ing a period of four years with no executions. The Supreme Court declared capital pun- ishment unconstitutional as it was then applied. The repeal did not last long, however, for the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty four years later. It was at this time that states started to use lethal in- jection for execution. My memories of actions during the next two decades regarding the death penalty are hazy, but I do remember convincing friends and family members that it was wrong to support capital punishment. It wasn’t until I moved to New Mexico in the late 1990s that I found ways to do something. New Mexico was on a fast track to abolishing capital punishment when I arrived. Over the next decade, I joined with activist groups dedicated to get the legislature and the Governor to act. I attended several presenta- tions by a Hispanic man who was on death row in Florida and later freed after his inno- cence was proved. I brought several individuals with in- tellectual disabilities to hear his story. He recognized that many people identified as “mentally retarded” are put to death. We also attended a legisla- tive hearing along with Sis- ter Helen Prejean, author of “Dead Man Walking,” who joined us in testifying for a bill to abolish the death penalty. Despite our advocacy, my own legislator, who sat on the com- mittee, refused to support the bill since she feared that indi- viduals who committed mur- der would not be imprisoned for the rest of their life. We continued our efforts year after year. The most dis- concerting but powerful ac- tion was when my wife Pat and I attended a candlelight vigil at the state capitol in San- ta Fe to protest the last person to be executed in New Mexico in 2001. This execution got the at- tention of the public and the legislature. Finally, in 2009, Gov. Bill Richardson signed legislation to repeal the death penalty in New Mexico, re- placing it with life without parole. Now that I’m in Oregon, I still follow and support groups that advocate the abolishment of capital punishment. They made some progress in Ore- gon by getting the legislature to reduce the number of rea- sons a person can be punished with death. Currently, there is a moratorium in Oregon on executions that was estab- lished in 2011. But that is not enough. Today, there are 27 states, Oregon included, and the Fed- eral government where capital punishment is still legal. Is there a tipping point for you to become an activist in the cause to abolish cap- ital punishment, both here in Oregon and in the rest of the country? If so, there are groups you can join, such as Death Penalty Focus, to help eliminate this unjust and im- moral punishment. Pope Francis, spiritual lead- er of the Catholic Church, de- clared in 2020 that “the death penalty is inadmissible” and the Church is firmly commit- ted to calling for its abolition worldwide.
