Bethpage-Tribune_1992-01-17

              YOUR OFFICIAL HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
Serving Bethpage, Island Trees, Plainedge, Sea ford. Old Sethpage and Plainview
VOL. 25 NO. 10 January 17-23, 1992 25 CENTS
LOOKING BACK
AT 1991
1991...oh boy was it a year to
remember. This past year and
second year of the ninties brought
with it a whirlwind of events. Some
tragic and devastating, other
joyous and heartwarming, but all
changing our world and the way
we perceive it and its Inhabitants.
One of the single most devas­tating
events of the year was a
war...Operation Desert Storm
which began on January 15 and
in a stunning military success
ended approximately 100 days
later leaving behind a freed
Kuwait, a renewed sense of Amer­ican
patriotism but also devas­tated
families whose soldiers
never arrived home. It was said to
be a short war, a war in which more
than 800,000 troops from 31
nations bombarded Iraqi soldiers
with over 39 days of intensive
aerial attack and an equally deva­stating
ground war. We saw the
fierce temper of scud missies
which were fired at an unsuspect­ing
Israel and we witnessed the
success of American Patriot mis­sies
which intercepted almost
every one. The villian of it all was
none other than Saddam Hussein
and the hero, although there weie
many, was Stormin' Norman
Schwartzkopf who gets the most
pats on the back for a job well
done. Camouflage clothes
became the rage as yellow ribbons
adorned tree after tree and Desert
Storm buttons were worn proudly
on many a iapei and blouse. But
we all didn't see eye to eye. Many
Americans did not support the
war, in fact some people protested
and showed their dissent, but all
in all, we made it and although
many still wear the scars of battle,
both physical and emotional, the
war in the Gulf proved to be a
potent shot of adrenalin in the
arms of many Americans. And
when it was over, New York gave
those brave men and women a
salute they're not likely to lorget
with Operation Welcome Home, a
4.8 million dollar ticker tape
parade with 24,000 marchers, 07
tons of ticker tape and 4.7 million
cheering people. Now that's a
parade.
But it didn't stop there...that was
only the beginning of 1991.
Another almost unbelievable
event of this past year was the
witnessing of the end of an empire.
A revolt of sorts which sent Soviets
reeling for freedom and shedding
the restraints and ties of commu­nism.
A revolt which started out
with the arrest of Mikhail Gorba­chev
and ended with nine of the
unions, 15 republics, declaring
their independence. And the
change was fast and fur­ious...
Communist party headquar­ters
were sealed up and the KGB
stripped of power...a change
which made Boris Yeltsin the man
of the hour as he led hoards of
newly converted democrates...a
change which was truly remarka­ble
and amazing of which many
of us never thought we would see.
And although perhaps Mr.
SchwartzkopfsMr.Yettsin's and Mr.
Gorbachev's faces have been
planted in all our minds when we
think of 1991 there are many
people who set their mark on this
beginning of the new decade. We
could never forget our own Pres­ident...
George Bush who certainly
was put to the test during a year
that was anything but easy. His
Gulf War role was one of strength,
dedication and persistance and
through it all he too made it. A little
grayer perhaps, with a wrinkle or
two added to his brow, but he
made it. And after that, well he was
thrusted into a shaky economy, a
recessionwnich began in 1991 and
has managed to engulf us all in
1992. Dear old George started out
the ninties as a hero, but by the
end of 91, Americans began to
doubt his leadership and his abiiity
to puil the country out of the worst
recession since the Depression of
(Continued on Pacje 1 1)
STEVE SIMPSON
Receives TOB Citation
For Work With Rotary Interact Club
OYSTER BAY Town Councilman Leonard Kynzig (back row third from
left) presents a citation to Steve Simpson in recognition of his ongoing
efforts on behalf of Bethpage's youth. Simpson, who writes a youth-oriented
column in the Sethpage Tribune, has counseled many local
youngsters, offering advice and compassion to those In need. Here,
Councilman Kunzig and Simpson are joined by members of a Bethpage
High School club, founded by Simpson, dedicated to philanthroplcal
endeavors.
r
Pictured at right is a
copy of the Citation
Steve received which
saluted his efforts
with the youth of our
community. Since it's
inceptoin, the Beth-page
Rotary Interact
Club has truly
accomplished much
and has gotten
involved of many
community projects
such as Bethpage Day
and %t\Q Annual Salva­tion
Army B@H Ring­ing
Rotary Program.
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