Vol. 65, No. 1 Publishedished inin thethe interinterest of Training Support Division West, First U.S. Army and Fort Carson community Jan. 5, 2007 Visit the Fort Carson Web site at www.carson.army.mill Former President Ford passes away by Jim Garamone in American history. American Forces Press Service In the midst of a distinguished career in the House of Representatives, the Michigan Republican WASHINGTON — Americans will remember was President Richard M. Nixon’s choice to succeed former President Gerald R. Ford as a man with the Spiro T. Agnew as vice president. Agnew resigned in courage to heal a nation. disgrace on Oct. 10, 1973, after pleading no contest Ford, who died at his California home Dec. 26 to corruption charges and Nixon himself was facing at age 93, assumed the presidency at a grim time impeachment. Nixon’s difficulty started with a break-in at the Democratic National Headquarters in the Watergate building here during the 1972 presidential campaign and evolved into a cover-up that involved many figures in the administration up to the president. By August 1974, the prevailing mood in the country had turned against Nixon. Nixon had been re-elected in a landslide in November 1972, but revelations about the Watergate cover-up kept surfacing. A Senate select committee led by Senators Sam Ervin and Howard Baker investigated, and Americans began realizing how far the corruption had crept into the administration. In July 1974, Congress voted to begin impeachment proceedings against the president. Nixon weighed what lay ahead for him, and on Aug. 9, 1974, became the first Photo by White House Photograph Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library, photographer David Hume Kennedy president of the United States to resign from office. President Ford mulls over affairs of state at the The resignation was effective at noon. At 12:05 Oval Office in the White House. p.m., Gerald Ford began the healing process in a speech to America and the world. “My fellow During World War II, Ford joined the Naval Americans, our long national nightmare is over,” Reserve and was commissioned as an ensign. At Ford said. “Our Constitution works; our great first, he was a physical fitness instructor at a pre-flight republic is a government of laws, and not of men. school at Chapel Hill, N.C., but in 1943, he Here, the people rule.” reported to the aircraft carrier USS Monterrey and A year before becoming president, Ford was not participated in operations in the Pacific Theater. He even in line for the job. He was the House minority ended the war as a lieutenant commander and leader, and his fondest wish was for the returned to Grand Rapids. Republicans to gain control of the legislative body The future president joined a local law firm, so he could become speaker of the House. After and in 1948, challenged incumbent isolationist Photo by White House Photograph Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library, photographer David Hume Kennedy Agnew’s resignation, Nixon nominated Ford for the Republican legislator Bartel Jonkman. He won by a In a brief break from business at hand, Ford vice presidency. The Senate confirmed Ford, and he wide margin and took office on Jan. 3, 1949. At the pets his golden retriever, Liberty. took that office on Dec. 6, 1973. height of the election campaign, Ford married Ford was born Leslie Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren, known as “Betty.” Lynch King Jr. on July 14, Ford built a reputation in the House of INSIDE THE MOUNTAINEER 1913, in Omaha, Neb. His Representatives as an effective legislator. He rose in parents divorced, and his the ranks and served as the ranking member on the Opinion/Editorial 10th CSH uncasing . .9 mother took him to Grand House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcom- President’s New Year’s message . .2 Converting BCTs . .10 Rapids, Mich., to live with Sound Off . .2 mittee. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson Community her parents. In 1916, she appointed Ford as one of the members of the Warren News Honoring Carson’s volunteers . .11 married Gerald R. Ford, and Commission looking into the assassination of Saddam Hussein executed . .2 Community Briefs . .12 Leslie King became Gerald President’s remarks on Hussein . .2 Cochrane Hall rededication . .13 President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Chaplain’s pages . .14-15 R. Ford Jr. In 1965, Ford ran for and was elected as minority Military Learning more about your child . .16 Ford excelled in school leader in the House. He held that position until he Power to the people . .5 Firemen share for holidays . .18 and in sports. He became an became vice president. Military Briefs . .6 SHARE Colorado . .20 2nd ID BCTs reunited . .7 Eagle Scout in 1927 and was During his term as president, Ford faced many Remembering Kahalevai . .7 Feature an all-state football player. challenges. The Soviet Union was still a power, and Ford Special New Year’s visitors . .8 Highlights of 2006 . .22-23 He attended the University continued Nixon’s policy of working to thaw relations of Michigan, where he MUST SEE Happenings with the Soviet Union. The Ford administration began Focus on the Family’s playground 29-30 studied political science and negotiations of strategic arms limits and negotiated Get Out . .31-32 economics and starred on the Helsinki agreements on human rights. Sports the football team. When he In the Middle East, the Ford administration New Year’s (bowling) Ball . .25 finished college, the Green launched “shuttle diplomacy” in an effort to carve On the Bench . .26 Bay Packers and the out a peace. High School sports highlights . .28-29 Zumba not rhumba . .30 Detroit Lions approached In Asia, the war in Vietnam continued as Ford Ford to play for them, but took office. North Vietnamese regulars took the he opted to become a South Vietnamese capital of Saigon in April 1975, 2006 at Fort Carson. Classified advertising (719) 329-5236 boxing coach at Yale and the war was effectively over. But on May 12, See Pages 22-23. Mountaineer editor (719) 526-4144 University in New Haven, Khmer Rouge forces seized the U.S. merchant ship Post information (719) 526-5811 Conn., where he received Word of the month: DIGNITY Post weather hotline (719) 526-0096 his law degree in 1941. See Ford on Page 4 MOUNTAINEER 2 Jan. 5, 2007 Opinion/Editorial Presidential message for New Year’s Day, 2007 Over the past year, we have reached extremists is the challenge important goals and confronted new challenges. of our time, and we will At the start of this new year, we move forward answer history’s call with with trust in the power of the American spirit, confidence and fight for confidence in our purpose, and faith in a loving liberty without wavering. God who created us to be free. Our nation depends on In 2006, the number of jobs steadily the fine men and women increased, wages grew, the unemployment rate in uniform who serve our dropped, and we achieved our goal of cutting country with valor and the deficit in half — three years ahead of distinction, and we remain schedule. Thanks to the hard work and innovation mindful of their dedication of the American people, our economy has been and sacrifice. America’s growing faster than any other major developed troops and their families nation. Significant tax relief has helped our exemplify the great citizens keep more of what they earn and fuel character of our country, an economy that is vigorous and healthy. My and they have earned the administration will continue to work to help respect and admiration create more jobs, reduce the deficit, and spread of a grateful nation. White House photo by Eric Draper President George W. Bush shakes the hand of Vice President prosperity to all our citizens. As we celebrate the Tariq al-Hashemi of Iraq as they near the end of their Oval Last year, America continued its mission to new year, we look with Office visit Dec. 12. The president told Hashemi, "Our objective fight and win the War on Terror and promote hope to the year ahead is to help the Iraqi government deal with the extremists and liberty as an alternative to tyranny and despair. and the opportunities killers, and support the vast majority of Iraqis who are In the new year, we will remain on the offensive it will bring. reasonable people who want peace." against the enemies of freedom, advance the Laura and I send our security of our country, and work toward a free best wishes for a happy New Year. May God families, and may God bless America. and unified Iraq. Defeating terrorists and bless you, may God bless our troops and their — George W. Bush What is your New POST TALK: Year’s resolution? “My resolution is to keep “I don't pay much on recycling my trash. attention to resolutions I've been doing it for because I try to make two years now.” every day profitable when it comes to Wendy DeRosier my attitude and my Directorate of Morale relationships." Welfare and Recreation, recreation Aide, Len Yoblonski Smith Craft Center Army veteran, owner of Sharp Art "I want to lose “My resolutions are “I plan to live 20 pounds by to improve my a healthy doing physical physical training life and training twice score and to stick exercise a day and by with college to more.” not eating finish my associate junk food.” degree by the Lorraine end of the year.” Sirois Staff Sgt. Moses Fort Carson Reddin Spc. Shamon JAG Office 2nd Space Company, Taylor paralegal Peterson AFB 4th Infantry Division MOUNTAINEER This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized is published 49 times per year.