A yyoungoung ggirlirl iiss rreadyeady ttoo pperformerform wwithith hherer jjebtaebta dduringuring tthehe CChristmashristmas DDayay ccelebrationelebration oonn EEbeyebeye lastlast year.year. FForor moremore onon MarshalleseMarshallese celebrationscelebrations atat Christmas,Christmas, seesee PagePage 4.4. ((PhotoPhoto bbyy BBetheth DDavie)avie) www.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.html EDITORIAL Christmas is celebration of family, life, religion What does Christmas mean to you? males in the Community Choir, so one I can remember, as a child, Christmas day I was joking with Dick Shields that was not a day when my sister and I next year I am going to join the choir opened up a lot of presents because (no, because I can’t carry a note). I we did not receive a lot of presents, noticed the largest smile appear on but we were always happy — there his face; I guess he thought he had was always joy, laughter and love in recruited another male into the choir our home. My mother would cook a (not). Yes, joy comes to many in differ- great feast that we couldn’t wait to ent forms and many different ways. eat. I always attempted to out eat It is my wish that I share with you everyone, but my eyes were always my happiness, joy and peace of the larger than my stomach, and I never enjoy Christmas music, and Kwajalein holiday season. beat my father. I have a family of my has truly provided a superb amount in The absolute best Christmas own now, and they each have gifts the form of the Community Choir and season is the one in which I have with their names on them every year. the Holiday Concert I attended a few completely prepared in advance. I Even my dog receives a gift during the weeks ago. If you did not attend those buy all my Christmas presents prior Christmas holiday. I believe Christmas events, you really missed a treat. As to the rush and wrap them separately is not always about receiving pres- the holiday season arrived, I watched in appropriate paper…unfortunately, ents, I receive joy in knowing that my and marveled over the quality sound that has not happened yet in my adult family is happy. In the end, Christmas of the Community Choir and the life. So amidst the coming frenzy of is to me a real celebration of family, superb celebration of the community last minute shopping, I will make time life and religion. during the arrival of Santa and the to pray and refl ect on how good God In addition to the normal shopping Tree lighting Ceremony. However, I madness, I go the extra mile. I really did notice that there weren’t many See CHRISTMAS, Page 20 LLettersetters ttoo tthehe eeditorditor Reader peeved at lectures Bakery should have day off I am Donald J. Serra. As many people do, in the mornings I stop by Sun- I mention this up front because I am getting a little rise Bakery to buy a cup of coffee and occasionally a peeved at The Hourglass policy of publishing letters that chocolate chip cookie. And, like many people, I truly seem to lecture all of us who live here on matters relating appreciate the hard work and friendly atmosphere to religion, patriotism, parenting, home schooling, alcohol that the people who work behind the counter provide. consumption, etc., etc., but do not publish the name of the However, I’ve noticed on the bakery’s entrance that author of the letter. If these persons have any conviction in the bakery will be open to sell coffee and pastries their opinions, then their letters would have more value if from 7 a.m. until noon on Christmas Day. they sign them. Is it possible that one person is writing all Maybe it’s just me, but in keeping with the holiday of these published letters? spirit, I believe that it would be a nice Christmas gift The recent commentary about “respect the fl ag” spurred See PEEVED, Page 20 See BAKERY, Page 20 TThehe KwajaleinKwajalein HHourglassourglass The Kwajalein Hourglass is named for the or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department Printed circulation: 2,000 insignia of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, of Defense, Department of the Army or USAKA. E-mail: [email protected] which liberated the island from the forces of Im- It is published Wednesdays and Saturdays in ac- Commanding Offi cer......Col. Stevenson Reed perial Japan on Feb. 4, 1944. cordance with Army Regulation 360-1 and using a Public Affairs Offi cer......................Sandy Miller network printer by Kwajalein Range Services edito- The Kwajalein Hourglass is an authorized pub- Editor......................................Nell Drumheller lication for military personnel, federal employees, rial staff. contractor workers and their families assigned P.O. Box 23, APO AP 96555 Graphics Designer..........................Dan Adler to U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll. Contents of the Phone: Defense Switching Network 254-3539; Reporter............................................J.J. Klein Hourglass are not necessarily offi cial views of, Local phone: 53539 Distribution..................................C.J. Kemem The Kwajalein Hourglass 2 Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006 New boss man Robert M. Gates takes charge at Pentagon Hourglass reports Robert M. Gates was sworn in as the nation’s 22nd secretary of defense in a ceremony at the Pentagon Monday. After President Bush intro- duced Gates as “an experienced and thoughtful leader,” Vice President Richard B. Cheney ad- ministered the oath of offi ce. Gates was offi cially sworn in at the White House earlier Monday in a private ceremony. The following is Gates’ acceptance speech. It is an honor, and a humbling responsibility, to take the helm of this department in a time of war and to lead men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country. In the coming weeks, I will visit some of the key military posts and commands at home and abroad, as well as consult with this department’s senior civilian and military leaders and staff. I look forward to meet- ing and hearing from the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Robert M. Gates, second from left, is sworn in as the 22nd secretary of defense by Vice President Richard B. Cheney at the and Marines who are the true heart and strength Pentagon Monday. Gates’ wife, Becky, and President George W. of America’s armed forces. As the president has Bush look on. (Defense Dept. Photo by Helene C. Stikkel) asked for my unvarnished advice, I expect the same of you. Over the years of leading big institutions, I have and partners in the region. learned something important: leaders come and go, Afghanistan has made great strides since being lib- but professionals endure long after the appointees are erated fi ve years ago, but that progress is now at risk. The United States and our allies have made a commit- ment to prevent the Taliban from taking over Afghani- “Our country is at war. I take this job with the stan again. We intend to keep it. How we face these and other challenges over the next two years will de- knowledge that my decisions will have life-and- termine whether Iraq, Afghanistan, and other nations death consequences for America’s troops, as at a crossroads will pursue paths of gradual progress, well as their families. I have accepted that re- or whether the forces of extremism and chaos will be- come ascendant. sponsibility and will never forget it.” As we address these challenges, it is important that — Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense we carry forward the process of what has been re- ferred to as defense transformation. President George W. Bush made it a priority at the beginning of his ad- gone. The key to successful leadership, in my view, is ministration to help our military become more agile, to involve in the decision making process, early and more lethal, and more expeditionary. Much has been often, those who ultimately must carry out the deci- accomplished; much remains to be done. This task sions. I will do my best to do that. remains a necessity and a priority today. It is also es- This department is always engaged in a host of dif- sential that we make every effort to ensure that tax ferent activities that aid our nation’s defense. All are dollars are spent wisely and carefully, and we continue important; all are valuable. The most important issue to maintain and enforce ethical standards of doing we face is the situation in Iraq. By removing the bru- business. tal and dangerous regime of Saddam Hussein, and by In a department as large as this one, neither task confronting the extremists and insurgents who have will be done perfectly, but it is important that we strive sought to derail any progress since, the United States to do our best. Our country is at war. I take this job and our coalition partners have provided the Iraqi with the knowledge that my decisions will have life- people a unique opportunity to have a decent future. and-death consequences for America’s troops, as well The violence in Iraq must be contained and reduced. as their families. I have accepted that responsibility Failure in that part of the world would be a calamity and I will never forget it. that would haunt our nation, impair our credibility, To all of the men and women of the U.S. military: you and endanger Americans for decades to come. A suc- serve in the fi nest traditions of those who have worn cessful outcome in Iraq, one that will help protect our this nation’s uniform these past 230 years.