El Paso Herald-Post from El Paso, Texas • Page 1

1 TB IKJia 0 27 Cuns Toll Salute Ft Bliss Honors Our War Dead vi Vj Judge Ward Named To Civil Appeals Smith Appointment Made Following Clayton Retirement nite references toward the plight of patriotism in present reference to current social unrest our history" said Capt Burgett Jamestown the Revolution the World Wars Vietnam and the riots in the streets there has always been conflicting opinions concerning the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones There have always been some people like th abolitionist certain religious sects certain secret societies and certain irrational individuals who have insisted that they have a knowledge or cause which is absolutely right and therefore must be imposed upon everyone "THERE ARE those among continued Capt Burgett ask war worthwhile? Is this a just war? he asked obviously referring to the present Asian conflict Can I refuse to participate in this war because I feel that it is not We need only remind ourselves that war is a last resort it is justified only when all efforts at reason compromise and justice have failed and someone is seeking to impose a completely unacceptable condition upon us When talk fails only war remains and It takes two to a 1 answers to the broad question of just or unjust must be based on the answers given by the majority of the people involved No single individual can answer these questions or find a clear answer" On refusing to participate In an unjust war Capt Burgett surmised! must consider the nature of society civilization and government We are born into some portion of society and faH heir to a system of civilization and government The system developed by the United States provides a maximum of individual free- dom but In order to exist any government must prohibit those actions which would destroy its existence "LET US MAKE this gath- Memorial Observed In Vietnam YE NE Vietnam (UPI) The blistering sun beat down on their bowed heads drawing beads of sweat which dripped onto the prayer book like water from a shower spigot They had come to pray to find a respite however brief from the drudgery of war to remember their buddies who would observe no more Memorial days like this THERE were perhaps 50 of them They stood hot and uncomfortable and dry of mouth clutching their rifles their eyes squinted shut their tanned arms and faces streaked with dust and sweat began the Chaplain Navy Cmdr A Robertson of Virginia Beach Va lift our hearts in gratitude for all who have lived valiantly and for all who have died bravely for truth and liberty and rightiousness SEVERAL of the American Marines shifted their feet uneasily After living for months in one of the most heavily booby trapped areas in Vietnam each knew the thinness of the line between living valiantly and dying bravely One of the peculiarities of this war a holiday truce had been declared for today But for these men from the 1st Marine 1st regiment who now stood on their unnamed combat base six miles south of Da Nang a truce was rhetorical jargon which did little to Insure survival True the big cannon craning toward the surrounding rice paddies had fired no round since dawn and would not are again until 6 am tomorrow Only sporadic small arms fire had been been heard during the day BUT AS usual a dozen squad-size patrols were scouring the flatlands outside the perimeter Helicopters droned overhead drowning the words And Booby traps were everywhere in the soggy earth unobservant of any truce or holiday The Chaplain switched on a tape recorder The hymn thou the bread of drifted in static tones across the clearing The Marines joined in but their words were softly mouthed and the only sounds came from the portable recorder They received the sacraments then wandered off silently in small groups with rifles slung over their shoulders The truce was nearly over They would be moving out soon It seemed no longer appropriate to dwell on or think about the past Civilization denies the existence of absolutes and demands reason ad-justment compromise and justice for all Retired Navy Capt William Burgett spoke these words in his Memorial Day address shortly before noon today at the Ft Bliss National Cemetery He was answered moments later by a tolling 21-gun salute that split the air with an ominous thunder which caused his audience to turn their thoughts inward some surely thiking of the over 35000 soldiers that have died in Vietnam since January 1961 Others thought of the hundreds of thousands of Americans dead in wars past and still others said a quiet prayer to prevent the same number from dying in future wars The air over the ranks of the still white markers was heavy with thought "TODAY continued Capt Burgett are gathered to honor those military persons who are buried here and through this ceremony to honor all those men who have given their lives to protect their loved ones to safeguard their homes and to secure the blessings of liberty for our nation their life and death these honored patriots demonstrated their concern for the welfare of others their own resolve to act for the betterment of our nation and their own loyalty to the ideals of our Memorial Day ceremonies at the Ft BHss National Cemetery began with national hymns and prayer while Mrs Robert Riddle mother of the late Cpl Robert Riddle of the US Marine Corps who was killed in Vietnam in 1967 placed a commemorative wreath on her grave THE 424TH ARMY Band directed by Warrant Officer James Choate provided music following the Saluting appearance commanded by 2nd Lt McCabe Capt Robert Laudry commanded the Mem 'rial Day Honor Guard Capt burgett included defi Holiday Deaths Double Year Ago United I The nation's Memorial Day holiday traffic death toll got off to a deadly start with fatalities in the early hours today running more than double the pace of one year ago One of the worst fatalities claimed six lives in a car-truck collision on Interstate 95 near Doswell Va today Five persons including four members of one family were killed last night in a collision near Heflin Ala A SPOKESMAN for the National Safety Council said that during last holiday about 25 persons had died by 9 am of the first full day A United Press International count showed at least 58 had died by that hour today the first full day of a 78-hour weekend Before the holiday period began at 6 pm local time yesterday the Safety Council (Turn to Page A-18) die and Manuel Rivas chairman of the United Veterans Organizations' Committee for Memorial Day Services at Ft Bliss National Cemetery Retired Navy Capt William Burgett was the main speaker PLACES WREATH Mrs Robert Riddle of 9304 Raleigh drive a Gold Star Mother places a wreath on the grave of her son Marine Robert Thomas Riddle who was killed in Vietnam Dec 27 1967 At left Mr Rid- ering a symbol of our appreciation for the sacrifices of our forefathers and a rededication ofourselvesto the ideals for which they gave their lives Let us go forth and devote our efforts to the understanding of those principles which have made this nation great Let us work together to make this a free responsible nation Let finally for for standards loyalty community Frank Flores of Foreign the Colors Cease-Fire Shattered By Guns 59 Violations Are Recorded In First Day SAIGON (UPI) The Allies today accused the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese of 59 birthday cease-fire violations that killed nine persons and wounded 51 US and South Vietnamese troops began their 24-hour standdown at 6 am today joining Communist troops whose 48-hour tmee had begun at 7 am yesterday It was the 13th cease-fire of the Vietnam war Saigon government spokesmen reported 29 Communist violations between the time the guerrillas standdown started and the time the Allies quit offensive operations THE ANNOUNCEMENT said the incidents killed four civilians and three village or hamlet officials while wounding 16 South Vietnamese soldiers and 18 civilians In the first eight hours of the truce US headquarters said the guerrillas committed 34 violations killing two American troops and wounding 7 Military spokesmen reported at least 14 battlefield clashes during this period which killed 23 Viet Cong or North Vietnamese Allied headquarters acknowledged a sharp decrease of Communist activity during the standdown and reported but one overnight shelling that caused casualties wounding two government soldiers about 70 miles north-northeast of Saigon US AND SOUTH Vietnamese halted all their offensive sweeps but continued reconnaissance patrols the security of our according to military spokesmen This was the first cease-fire in Vietnam since the Tet Lunar New Year holiday in February a two-day stand-down in which South Vietnam reported 169 Communist initi-ated-incidents Ten waves of B52 bombers used the last hours before the Allied cease-fire to bombard Communist buildups north of Saigon near Dak To in the Central Highlands and southwest of Da Nang on the northern coast For the South Vietnamese it was an official holiday today to celebrate the 2513th birthday of the Buddha most of them worship No observing the first hours of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese truce allied troops reported killing 89 guerrillas before tapering off operations tor their own stand-down MILITARY COMMUNIQUES said troopers of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment killed 21 guerrillas in attacking a bunker camp 46 miles east of Saigon Thirteen Americans were reported wounded in the fighting The biggest fight shortly after the Communist truce began involved a US tank infantry and air raid against a Communist strategy conference 28 miles northwest of Saigon near Trang Bang Acting on a tip the US troopers broke up what apparently was a planning conference for the summer offensive killing 59 guerrilla Inside Your Herald-Post EP Weather Bureau Forecast: Partly cloudy windy warm (Details on Page A-8) Amusements Ann Carroll Classified Crossword and Comics Dear Abby Deaths Dr BUL Conner Editorials Markets Sports TV Programs Virginia Payette News JUDGE WILLIAM WARD Judge William Ward has been appointed to succeed Judge William Clayton as Justice of the Eighth Court of Civil Appeals In El Paso The appointment was made by Governor Preston Smith today Police Court Judge Jerry Woodard was at the same time appointed to succeed Judge Ward on the bench in 34th District Court SENATE confirmation of the appointments is expected tomorrow The appointments came as the result of the retirement of Judge Clayton who has been ill in Sun Towers Hospital The date of his resignation was not revealed Judge Woodard in an interview said thing has kind of been in and out of the hopper for several weeks I just got confirmation of it myself about 11:30 am today from In Austin Sen Joe Christie commented am definitely pleased with the high caliber of the appointments" CONTINGENT upon State Senate approval the judges will take their new offices Immediately Replacement of Judge Woodard on the Police Court bench will have to be made by City Council "I think had time to consider it said Woodard only mailed my resignation from that court today after I learned of my new The new Police Court Judge will serve out elected term until the next city election in 1971 Justice Clayton was re-elected to the 8th Court of Civil Appeals last year HE HAS HELD more public legal offices in El Paso County than any other lawyer in history He served as assistant county attorney first assistant county attorney assistant district attorney first assistant and district attorney He also served as assistant US district attorney in charge of the El Paso district He has served on the appellate bench since 1961 having been ap-(Tum to Page A-18) Their Frank Pollitt Bowie High Principal Plans to Retire Frank Pollitt who as principal of Bowie High School has directed the education of more than 10000 El Paso students has announced his retirement as principal after 22 years Mr Pollitt will move to the Central Office of El Paso Public Schools and a new position as assistant In the Purchasing Department He will be succeeded by LaFareile principal at El Paso High Duncan now serving as principal at Magoffin School will take over Mr post at El Paso High Mr career in education spans 45 years He began in 1924 as a Spanish teacher at Wellington Tex following graduation from Texas Christian University and productive us develop in said Capt Burgett for others-concem justice concern of conduct and to our family our and our nation" of the Veterans Wars presented and the invocation Texas communities Palacios Pecos Perryton Miami Valentine and Alpine Mr Pollitt was assigned to Bowie as an English teacher and later served the assistant principal He was appointed principal in 1947 succeeding Williams Mr Pollitt and his wife Florence live at 1118 Kelly Way Mr LaFareile received BA and MA degrees from Sul Ross State College and began teaching in the Alpine Tex school system in 1947 HE MOVED to El Paso in 1953 as a teacher at San Juan School and was appointed principal at Morehead School four years later He also served as principal at Lamar and Henderson before being named to the El Paso High position in 1968 Mr Duncan a native of San Saba Tex taught in San Saba and Mosquero NM before joining El Paso Public Schools in 1950 After serving as assistant principal at Mesita and El Paso High he was appointed principal of El Paso Junior High in 1956 He moved to Magoffin as principal in 1959 Mr Duncan holds a BA degree from Highlands University NM and received an in Education in 1952 from Texas Western College El Paso Sunshine The sun shone today for the 469th consecutive day The sun has faled to shine only 4 days out of the past 2793 days (May IMS) I Bulletin INDIANAPOLIS Ind Italian born Mario Andretti won the 506-mile auto nace like a gentleman today with his gloves on and easing up on the pressure with a record speed for the distance It was first win at the track in his sixth attempt In victory he brought a dream to life for oar owner Andy Granatelli a winner for the first time in three decades of trials was given by Capt Howard Gershon Ft Bliss Jewish chaplain Guests were introduced and then Lt Col Segars Protestant chaplain lead all in prayer subsequent to the playing of Taps by Sp5 -Donald Rose Father Sam Hill Ray gave the benediction (Turn to Page A-18) Midway Meeting Key to Talks PARIS (UPI) Progress In the Vietnam talks is unlikely until after the June 8 Midway Island conference between President Nixon and President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam allied officials said today Another thing holding up progress is the absence of chief North Vietnamese Negotiator Xuan Thuy the officials said He is en route to Hanoi Deputy US negotiator Lawrence Walsh flew back to Washington for consultations last night THE 19TH session of the talks yesterday produced no movement both sides said The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong delegations struck to their primary demands which allied negotiators rejected as unreasonable and The Communists again demanded the unconditional withdrawal of US and allied forces from South Veitnam They said the problem of forces in South was one to be worked out between the Vietnamese delegations Washington and Saigon have asked for mutual troop withdrawals under the supervision of an international agency NIXON AND Thieu are meeting at the request of Thieu in what diplomatic sources said was an effort to resolve differences in the approach in the postwar future of South Vietnam The South Vietnamese said last week there were limits past which they would not go in the approach to peace in their country The meeting was expected to explore in detail what the South Vietnamese see as limits in that realm FRANK POLLITT BEFORE ARRIVING in El Paso in 1939 he served as teacher and principal in six Sacrifice Is Our Commitment remember with pride and pain the tragic ultimate sacrifice all too many thousands have had to pay that we might do well in war lt Is fitting that we also pause to ponder our commitment to our honored dead Its fulfillment requires more than flags flowers and memorials It requires that we dedicate ourselves to perfecting in peace the society their sacrifice has preserved with an ardor at least equal to theirs in preserving It Today possibly hopefully we may be about to be given another chance to fulfill that commitment The end of the road may be in sight In the most agonizing war in our history But if the road to peace Is long and hard as we have so painfully learned anew with many bends and detours and bridges to cross the employment of peace to perfect the ideals of truth freedom and brotherheed which sustain us is no less difficult Yet this Is our task and our commitment Our message for today was stated many years ago by Robert Browning: who did well In war just earns the right to begin doing well in War and peace Simple words basic words But they should be more meaningful for Americans on this Memorial Day than perhaps any before it For they define the paradox of our national experience As a nation we were bom In war and we have known much of it as our history has lengthened More we have become accustomed to doing well in war From Lexington Gettysburg and Belleau Wood to Normandy Inchon and now Hamburger Hill Americans have ever fought well for cause and country We rejoice In their valor and success Yet we are not a warlike people The warrior state has never been our goal Our deepest attachments have always been to the pursuits of peace And if we have rejoiced in victory the real reason has not been the material spoils that it might bring but because lt has meant the return of peace All too often however we have taken the return of peace as a signal for national relaxation We have not pursued the national welfare and betterment in peace with the ardor and valor we have devoted to War On this day when above all others we pause to.