((ZoieZoie MMartindale,artindale, 33,, sshowshows ooffff hherer AAmericanmerican sspiritpirit dduringuring tthehe bbikeike pparadearade aatt tthehe IIndependencendependence DDayay ccelebration.elebration. FForor mmore,ore, sseeee PPageage 33.).) ((PhotoPhoto bbyy EElizabethlizabeth DDavie)avie) wwww.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.htmlww.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.html BOMI opening is a winning situation for all With the fl ourish of two pens, and class and Compact of Free Association the cutting of a ceremonial ribbon, goal of self-suffi ciency for the RMI. the face of business on Kwajalein The bank had to have a business changed in a subtle, but very impor- plan that fi t the needs of USAKA/RTS. tant way. The opening of the Kwajalein While we gave them free space in branch of the Bank of Marshall Islands exchange for waiving their check cash- marked the fi rst time in the history of ing fees, they must bear the costs of U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll that a pri- operating a business just like any other vately-owned Marshallese enterprise entity on Kwajalein. was permitted to operate on island. In the future we may see other Mar- Hopefully, it is the start of things to and BoMI worked together tirelessly shallese-operated businesses appear come. to make a long-time goal a reality: a on Kwajalein. These businesses will Fittingly, it was a true “win-win” Marshallese business fi lling a niche have to operate under USAKA guide- scenario— USAKA/Reagan Test Site capacity, improving the quality of life for lines and within the constraints of the saves thousands of dollars while a Mar- our employees and community. marketplace. But there are defi nite op- shallese business is allowed to benefi t BoMI’s presence on USAKA is portunities for Marshallese businesses directly from the range’s presence. manifest proof that our community on Kwajalein that will directly benefi t From the Directorate of Host Nation indeed supports the RMI. It is a visual the community. In the end, it will only Activities perspective, it was nirvana. testament to our commitment to the mean a “win-win” for our community USAKA/RTS Staff Directorates, KRS long-term success of the RMI business and the RMI. New AFN Kwajalein Patio sale ads If you are having a patio sale on a Saturday, radio line-up turn in your ad for Wednesday’s paper. Sunday and Monday patio sale ads will be FM 99.9 Country printed in Saturday’s paper. FM 101.1 Classic rock FM 102.1 National Public Radio AM 1224 Music, sports, news Marshallese word Classifi ed ads of the day are due for Wednesday’s paper by noon, For complete listings go to: Saturday and for Saturday’s paper by http:/intranet/com/entertainment/afn_radio korkor - canoe noon,Thursday. Limit ads to 50 words. The Buckminster and Friends Sabrina Mumma Kwajalein Hourglass Commanding Offi cer........COL Beverly Stipe Acting Public Affairs Offi cer..Polli Keller Editor...............................Nell Drumheller Assistant Editor......................Mig Owens Graphics Designer....................Dan Adler Reporter............................Elizabeth Davie Circulation........................Will O'Connell The Hourglass is named for the insignia of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, which liberated the island from the forces of Imperial Japan on Feb. 4, 1944. The Kwajalein Hourglass is an authorized publication for military personnel, federal employees, contractor workers and their families assigned to USAKA. Contents of the Hourglass are not necessarily offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or USAKA. It is published Wednesdays and Saturdays in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1 and using a network printer by Kwajalein Range Services editorial staff, P.O. Box 23, APO AP 96555. Phone: Autovon 254-3539; local 53539. Printed circulation: 2,000 The Kwajalein Hourglass 2 Wednesday, July 6, 2005 Sun, fun, food, fireworks mark Independence Day celebration on Kwajalein By Nell M. Drumheller Editor he celebration of Independence Day in U.S. communities around the world is a tradi- tion that features picnic-style food, sports and games and culminates in fi reworks. OnT Kwajalein Monday, close to half of the full-time population came out to continue that tradition. Reality is that summertime is when most of the Kwajalein community heads off the island for their annual leave. At this year’s 4th of July ceremony there appeared to be at least 1,000 of those left on island during the ‘vacation season.’ Iffy weather did not seem to dampen the spirit or enthusiasm of the people who gath- ered at Emon Beach. Vendors sold non-heat resistant cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburg- ers, ribs, shaved-ice drinks and fi xings as well as T-shirts, baseball caps, towels and holiday-related keepsakes. The U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Greta Morris and Lt. Col. Anne Daugherty, Reagan Test Site commander gave the opening remarks and Amber Banducci sang the National Anthem to offi cially kick off the days events. Music played throughout the day, the beach and case for a more than 15 minute fi re works display water was dotted with sun worshippers, the grassy followed by comedy performances by Kelly Moran and areas were home to a dunk tank and a variety of other activities. And after dark the sky was the show See BEACH BLAST, Page 4 Wednesday, July 6, 2005 3 The Kwajalein Hourglass BEACH BLAST, from Page 3 Cash Levy, Armed Forces Entertainers. The comedi- ans performed three times over the holiday weekend. An all-day, in the sand, volleyball tournament brought seven teams head-to-head vying for the title of champion. A team called Liberty, co-captained by Amy Hansen and Debbie Thomas with players Bran- don Price and Floyd corder, Jr. came from the loser’s bracket to double-eliminate leaders the Busquets with players Miquel Busquets, Ragnar Opiniano, Kelly Busquets, Rob Gray and Jennifer Borrow. The four-person tournament started at 10 a.m. and continued until amost sunset. The fi nal scores were 30-26 and 30-24. Whether it was their fi rst Independence Day on Kwajalein, or if they were old timers in the Marshall Islands, attendees seemed to enjoy the activities. “It seems safer, a lot safer and fun than 4th of July in the states,” said Alex Britain while slurping on his multi-colored snow cone. This is Britain’s fi rst Inde- pendence Day celebration on Kwajalein. “You know a lot more people here,” he added. Long-time resident Neal Dye, who wouldn’t say exactly how many of the celebrations he’s seen on Kwajalein, said that while there haven’t always been fi reworks on the 4th of July since he’s been here, he likes the atmosphere that has been created. “It has almost a carnival fl avor,” he said. He added that the fi reworks display is safer here because it is done by professionals. Sue Van Enger’s fi rst Independence Day on Kwajalein was rain-soaked. “It was pouring down rain, they didn’t know whether or not to have it,” she said of 2002. She recalls 4th of July’s in the states, Kelly Moran incorporated music and sound effects “I’ve been very fortunate to have spent many 4th of into his comedy routine. July celebrations on a boat on Lake Tahoe [Califor- An estimated 1,000 people gathered at Emon Beach for the day. The Kwajalein Hourglass 4 Wednesday, July 6, 2005 A jumping castle was among many things for kids. Dave Gray and son Hunter, 2, take a break from the heat. Watching the sun set was an added bonus Diana Rogers and other island residents entertained the crowd as part to the festivities. of the celebration. nia]. There was always a big show,” she said. was loudly outspoken on the importance of freedom. Jason Heider has been on Kwajalein for only a few He wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls. months. He said that he feels The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in that the celebration is very this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but laid-back, with an island he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of feel. man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily con- Independence Day is the quered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the traditional day that Ameri- harder the confl ict, the more glorious the triumph. cans celebrate their freedom. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is Thomas Paine, a publisher dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven who was born in England knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and in 1737, but immigrated to it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as America on the advice of freedom should not be highly rated.” Benjamin Franklin in 1774, While the celebration of Independence Day is based on the reality of freedom in America it has also come to The Rev. John Sheehan, symbolize a time when families and friends meet, enjoy Roman Catholic priest, takes a dip in the dunk tank. See BEACH BLAST, Page 6 Wednesday, July 6, 2005 5 The Kwajalein Hourglass BEACH BLAST, from Page 5 good food and fun. Erma Bombeck, a humorist who White House in a show of strength and muscle, but was very popular in the sixties and seventies summed with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the it up when she said, “You have to love a nation that potato salad gets iffy, and the fl ies die from happiness.