Published in the lntereat of Per10nnel at White Sanda Mi•il• R1n111 VOLUME 32-NUMBER 35 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBERS, 1980 ~Armed Forces Voters Week begins _,. Next week, Sept. 8-14, is Armed Forces basic information on absentee balloting. Voters Week and efforts to get service­ Concerning permanent registration, members and their dependents to vote personnel should contact the county clerk's .. -. on Nov. 4 will peak during that week. office in Las Cruces at 523-5691. Bernice Commenting on this special week, Sec­ Bowden, deputy county clerk, points out retary of the Army Clifford L. Alexander Jr., that an individual must come to the office said, "On Nov. 4, Americans will go to the to register permanently if he or she desires. polls to elect the president of the United No residency is required and as Bowden States, state and federal officials of their put it, "You can move to New Mexico one choice. The Army has more than one day and register the next.'' million potential voters within its service­ However, if you are registered elsewhere soldiers and their dependents-who will and wish to change your registration, you be eligible to cast ballots for this year's must cancel the previous one first. The only election. requirement is that you must be 18 years of "Each Army voter has the right to cast age. his or her ballot for the candidate of their The League of Women Voters and the choice. The 1980 Army voting assistance county clerk personnel are holding voter program ensures that every opportunity registration at various locations in Las is maded available for thse who wish to Cruces before the election. exercise their privilege," he said. The deadline for registration to vote in Here at WSMR military personnel should the November election is Sept. 23. Deadline see the executive officer of their unit for for absentee ballots is 5 p.m. Oct. 23. ·Schedule for upcoming Hispanic Heritage week "Hispanics in America's Defense" Sept. 14-19 Sept.16 Sept.17 9 a. m. -4 p. m. Hispanic Arts & Crafts Hispanics in the 80's 1-3 p.m. Cultural Presentation Exhibit Sept. 15 Mr. Ruben Bonilla, National President Rosa Gue"ero and Graciela Hernandez Countdown Service Club League ofUnited Latin American Film: ''Tapestry'' Sept.19 9: 30-10:30 a. m. MASS Citizens (LULAC) Post Theatre Post Chapel Sept.18 11:30a.m.-1 p.m. Ethnic Meal 12:15-2 p.m. Luncheon 9-11 a. m. How to Compete for Promotion Consolidated Dining Facility 1-3 p. m. How to Compete for Promotion Speaker: Ruben Bonilla A Hands-on Workshop 4:30 p.m. Tardeads (Mid-afternoon Party) AHands·on Workshop National President, LULAC Countdown Service Club Entertainment-Mariachis and Sangria Countdown Service Club "Hispanics in America's Defense" 1-3 p. m. Same as above Mexican Plate Dinner Cable splicer named Soldier of the Month at range A soldier assigned to the range's U.S. Keeton said. "But I didn't feel anything because I was tired of studying,'' Keeton Army Communication Command Agency different playing against White Sands said. with duty at HAFB has been named Soldier soldiers-it was just competition.'' Since joining the Army and undergoing . basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, of the Month for ~eptember. While playing with the Holloman squad, Mo., Keeton has completed the telephone Sp4 Dwayne Keeton, 22, a telephone Keeton averaged near 15 points per game cable splicer course at Sheppard Air Force cable splicer assigned to Company B, and helped his team to a 13-12 won-lost Base, Texas. He was assigned to WSMR Troop Command, gained the honor this season. Before entering the Army in Octo­ in April 1979. week in competition with selected soldiers ber 1978, Keeton played basketball in the Atlanta, Ga., city leagues for three Keeton said he is undecided about making from all major Army units at the range. the Army his career. "I have almost two During the past basketball season Keeton years. He joined the Army while attending years to think about it," he said. "The played for the HAFB Suns which beat Army has been good for me. I've had some ........ ,,, . the WSMR Army team three of four games. Brown College in Atlanta where he studied electrical engineering. "I joined the Army good experiences and now I'm learning ''The Air Force coach always played me a trade to boot.'' He will return to college because I couldn't find a part-time job a lot when we played White Sands because in Atlanta if he doesn't reenlist, he said. compatible with my school courses, and I he figured I'd play extra hard," the 6'4" ~;;;;;;;;;~------------~ ....._ __ ments in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Army of the products or The Missile Ranger is published by Wendell Faught of Las Cruces, New Mexico, an individual, in no way services advertised. Delivery to housing area is provided by the publisher. connected with the Department of Army. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and are not to be considered an official expression by the Department of Army. The appearance of advertise- Page 2-Missile Ranger-Sept. 5, 1980 Opinions expressed on the editorial page are those of various writers and do not necessar-: ily .reflect the opinion of the Department of the Army or White Sands Missile Range. I I All letters to the editor (except those defaming identifiable individuals or containing obscenities) will be published. Names are withheld from printing upon request; however ;C ommen t ary .. all letters must be signed. The newspaper staff reserves the right to edit submi5$ions. for clarity and brevity. , Commander·'S open letter~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :- I Some of the "improvements" I see in the future include: comments, or problems known to the respective members Since our arrival at •A quick and easy media by which WSMR citizens can of my staff or manager of the service in question. They have White Sands Missile Range communicate their suggestions and concerns to the top the assets to take immediate action or provide you a response less than six weeks ago, and get timely responses. This will not, of course, replace in a reasonable time as to what action will be taken. (Recent the Nord family has been observations by the Acting Inspector General indicated thoroughly convinced the existing chain of command for handling the majority of problems which arise but will ensure an "emergency" many IG complaints could have been resolved by the person that WSMR is one of the concerned asking to talk with the supervisor or supervisor's finest military I civilian com· communication to the top when necessary. supervisor.) munities with which we •Expanded recreation areas on or near the post for family activity-perhaps a picnic area near the housing area. have had the privilege Communication is the key to preventing or solving the to be associated. majority of small irregularities from becoming large, time­ The professionalism and •More responsive services in all areas as well as better communication channels for evaluating these services. consuming situations. My staff and I maintain an "open dedication of all personnel, door" policy and will be available to anyone without fear of military and civilian alike, •More community activities which all military and civilian reprisal. If you feel you have not received an adequate solu­ is immediately apparent personnel are welcome to attend, such as the recent Fourth tion or answer to a problem or suggestion through the estab­ by the outstanding manner of July Open House and the German Oktoberfest planned lished chain of command, I expect you to communicate the in which WSMR accom­ for 30 September. problem directly to the Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander, plishes the important task or myself, either by note, telephone or personal visit. of operating a billion dollar •Increased self-help programs not only for individual national missile test range. homes but in support of community projects such as play­ Mrs. Nord, our three sons and I are very excited with our I believe much of this dedication stems from the genuine grounds, picnic areas, etc. assignment to WSMR and are looking forward to meeting desire of everyone to pull together within the community and knowing all the fine people who make up the WSMR for the common goal of making WSMR the best possible eMore information from the top on "What's up at family. Soldier, sailor, airman, civil servant and contractor­ place to live and work. I perceive the relationship between WSMR" through periodic letters from me and members we are all working together to make our community a better the Missile Range and the local communities of Las Cruces, of my staff in the Missile Ranger and Bulletin, as well as place to live and our nation secure through strength. El Paso, Alamogordo and others as very healthy and we will items on Channel 6 TV. strengthen this relationship at every opportunity. Sincerely, There is an old saying that "our home is our castle." •Medical doctor emergency service at WSMR during off WSMR is our home. If we are content here, we can live duty hours and on the weekends in the very near future, happy and productive lives. While we currently have an through on-call physician availability. dfa_a.yd extremely fine community here at WSMR which offers As the Commanding General, I am deeply interested in many services and programs for our residents, there can· your concerns, even those that seem small.