Island Dispatch, 1998-08-28

              Island DISPATCH  August 28, 1998 28 Pages plus special section VoL 54 No. 20 (716) 773-7676 °ver£ZM years "As the voice of Grand Island" Monday NiteMadriVee LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4.95 ♦TAX In This Issue: "Look What's In Your Own Backyard" Complete Community Coverage CLEANING UP - Bonnie Kaiser makes sure the floors are spick and span. Ready to Roll by Cynthia A. Till Grand Island geared for early start As teachers plan lessons, dietitians plan meals and parents shop for school supplies, there is another, silent group of people working hard behind the scenes to ensure the first day of school is a successful one. These are the men and women of the Grand Island School District Transportation Dept. While other Island residents enjoy what's left of summer vacation, drivers and mechanics spend their days ensuring the 60 buses that service the public and non-public schools are in tip-top working order and clean as a whistle. Some controversy has risen over the school year starting earlier for Grand Island students. Here at the transportation dept., there is excitement in the air, and a definite sense of optimism. "It generally takes us two weeks to get the routes established," said Jack Burns, Transportation Supervisor. "With the public schools starting before St. Stephen's, this gives us three days to deal exclusively with the Sidway children, and address situations that arise with route changes due to late registrations. It will be much easier for our drivers to adjust accordingly for the non-public schedules. Transportation wise, we see the Sept. 2 starting date as a definite advantage." REMEMBERING LOVED ONES - Chapter 77 Founder and Past President, Frank Vollmer, assist a visitor in making a charcoal rubbing of a loved one's name. MAKING SURE - Mechanic Jack Kunselman ensures the brakes work properly. Vietnam Veterans of America - A Close-Knit Group by Cynthia A, Till A veteran service organization made up of, and devoted to Vietnam Veterans. Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam Veterans organization congressionally dedicated to Vietnam-Era Veterans and their families. By the late 19705, it was clear that established veteran groups had failed to make a priority of the issues of concern to Vietnam veterans. As a result, a vacuum was created within the nation's legislative and the public agenda. In January 1978, a small group of Vietnam veteran activists went to Washington in search of allies to support the creation of an advocacy organization devoted exclusively to the needs of Vietnam veterans. Initially known as the Council of Vietnam Veterans, the work began. Council members believed that if the nation's attention was focused on the specific needs of Vietnam veterans, a grateful nation would quickly take remedial steps. However, despite persuasive arguments before Congress, which were amplified by highly supportive editorials printed in America's leading newspapers, they failed to win even a single legislative victory to bring new and needed programs into creation to help Vietnam veterans and their families. It was soon apparent that arguments dealing simply in terms of mortality, equity and justice were not enough. Congress would respond to the legitimate needs of Vietnam veterans only if the organization professing to represent them had political strength. In this case, strength translated into numbers. Membership drives were held throughout the country, and by the summer of 1979, the Council transformed into the Vietnam Veterans of America. MEMORIAL WREATH Vietnam soldiers are not forgotten. continued on page 19 continued on page 6