The White Falcon - 12.12.1975, Blaðsíða 3

December 12, 1975
Page 3
Metric system
taking hold
by JOC Jerry Babb
If your everyday travels or work
bring you face to face with kilometers,
liters and other units of the metric
system while in Iceland, and you spend
time trying to mentally convert to
miles, gallons or pounds, it could be
one habit you might want to lose.
A December issue of U.S. News and
World Report says "metrics", as it is
now commonly called, is starting to take
hold across the United States.
According to the magazine, the U.S.
is the sole major nation using the
inches and miles system, and the next
largest country using this system is the
island of Barbados.
Britain has substantially converted
to the metric system, and Canada is
bringing around some formal changes this
year. It seems an almost necessary step
for the U.S. to take if it is to keep
stride with the many other nations using
the metric system.
The effects
The military could be greatly affect-
ed if Congress passes a bill to make the
shift official. U.S. News and World Re-
port says the piece of legislation has
been approved by the House and is sched-
uled for a vote in the Senate—with its
prospects considered "favorable" there.
The magazine pointed out that four
states—Illinois, Ohio, Alabama and New
Jersey—are putting up highway signs in
metric language, and the National Park
Service is using signs in metric dis-
tances marking roadways and footpaths in
all federal parks.
Plans call for all state school sys-
tems to be teaching metrics by 1978.
California, Ilinois, New Jersey, Mary-
land and New Mexico reportedly have such
projects underway.
There are plenty of changes in the
wind for all of us back home, with re-
gard to metrics and miles, but as mem-
bers of the service community we can al-
ways see a little humor in anything. A
story from the Air Force News Service in
Washington shows how it’s done: Part of
it reads: "Someday you may be taking
your physical examination and hear the
doctor say, 'Sarge, for your height of
1.788 meters, 96.5 kilograms is too much
weight for you.' But that is better
than turning the calendar back several
centuries and listening to a physician
tell you, 'you weigh 10 rotls too much.
You should run 50 yojanas per day. That
will be 25 gerahs, please.'"
The story also outlines this new
system very simply and clearly in a way
that anyone should be able to understand
and learn to use it.
The system
The metric system is a decimal system
—based on the number 10. All areas
within the system relate to each other,
whether it is weight, distance, or cap-
acity .
A gram is the unit of weight, a liter
the unit of capacity, and the cubic me-
ter the measure for volume. To show the
relationship of one measure to another,
consider that 10 millimeters equal a
centimeter, 10 centimeters equal a deci-
meter, and ten decimeters equal a meter.
Getting back to a look at stateside
changes, the News and World Report said:
"A Detroit suburb - Wayne, Mich, has
proclaimed itself 'Metric City, USA.'
It has set up special metric courses in
the schools, established a metric in-
formation center, and erected signs
giving all distances in kilometers......
First graders at Charlotte-Mecklen-
burg (N.C.) schools are taught to meas-
ure in centimeters - as part of a five-
year program of intensive metric train-
ing in its third year.....
Pomona Products Company, a canning
subsidiary of Stokely-Van Camp in
Griffin, Ga., makes required changes in
its labels...plans to include dual meas-
urements ....
Top California wine makers are shift-
ing to seven metric sizes for their bot-
tles ....
Indiana's Seven-Up distributors have
converted completely to one-liter con-
tainers ."
With the metric system well on its
way for the U.S., there is bound to be
hard and happy times in living with it
every day. But a statement in an arti-
cle written by Dean Krakel, director of
the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Ok-
lahoms City, may leave all of us with
some food for thought: "Will some sign
in the future read 90 kilometers to
Deadwood?"
"MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS"—Joseph and Mary and Child receive a visit from Simeon and
Anna in the play to be presented Sunday and Monday at the chapel. Cristie
Lindeman, Jenny Duquette, Shelley Kennedy and Darla Poole portray the characters.
‘Miracle of Christmas’
pageant an old tradition
by Chaplain Billy J. Jones
The Miracle of Christmas pageant had
its inception in 1966 at Lowry Air Force
Base in Colorado, and has been produced
annually in chapels, community churches,
hospitals and theaters to some 13,000
viewers. The play will be presented at
the base chapel Sunday at 8 p.m. and
Monday at 7 p.m.
The production combines a number of
techniques in stereophonic sounds and
panoramic color against a 10 x 20 foot
rear projection screen, which adds
another dimension to the live actors as
the story unfolds.
The story begins with a family set-
ting. Apathy has beset this family,
played by Bill and Sharon DeNike and
their two sons, Michael and Brian. Car-
olers are heard in the distance and the
son invites a transition into a Biblical
narration of the account of the birth of
the Christ child.
The family gathers around and as the
father begins to read...the story comes
alive. Scene after scene unfolds and
you witness the miraculous annunciation
of the coming birth. See the shepards
as the angel of God enlightens them.
Hear the outburst of Herod as he shouts,
"There is but one king...I am the king
of the Jews." See the aging Simeon and
Anna as they reveal the prophecy for
which they have long awaited. Experience
the bringing of gifts to the infant
Jesus and the fear that fills Mary and
Joseph as they are warned of impending
danger to their little son.
The beautifully costumed actors and
actresses will instill in you a new and
vital concept of the birth of Jesus
which marks the beginning of the miracu-
lous story of Christianity. It is hoped
that the surprise ending will bring new
meaning to your 1975 Christmas and that
it will become a tradition for you ever-
more.
The enormous amount of time devoted
to rehearsals and the supreme dedication
of the cast and technical directors is
sincerely appreciated. It is a real joy
to see our young people make personal
sacrifices in order to bring about a re-
enactment of the Christmas story. May
the spirit of Christ become the ruling
element in your hearts during this Holi-
day season and throughout the New Year.
Make sure your tree
isn't a safety hazard
The most joyful and beautiful time of
the year, Christmas, will soon be upon
us. However, some people will have their
Christmas celebrations become a time of
tragedy and sorrow because of careless-
ness and fire. The station fire depart-
ment would like to stress a few points
that could make the difference between a
fire-free holiday and a holiday tragedy.
Whether you call it a
Christmas tree or Hanuk-
kah bush, be sure it is
fire-safe. If you have a
fresh tree, stand it in a
pail of water outside and do not plan to
bring it into the house until just be-
fore Christmas. Before setting up the
tree indoors, cut off the trunk at an
angle at least one inch above the origi-
nal cut. Place the tree in a stand con-
taining water and keep the water level
above the cut while indoors. Do not
set the tree near a heat source (radia-
tors, fireplace, stove, etc.) or where
it may block an exit from the room in
case of fire. Do not try to spray trees
with an aerosol fire retardant. Adequate
coverage is difficult. Make sure arti-
ficial trees are flameproof.
Use non-combustible
materials (metal, glass,
asbestos, etc.) to deco- ________
rate whenever possible. * t
Be absolutely certain that combustible
materials have been "flameproofed".
Santa Claus costumes have caused trage-
dies. Make sure whiskers and any cos-
tune parts have been treated to retard
flames.
Never use lighted can-
dles to decorate a tree
or light any evergreen ,
displays. Use electric
lighting equipment that has beerTgiven a
Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) Inc.
label of approval. Check your lighting
sets each year for frayed wires, loose

connections, and broken light sockets.
Be sure the fuse in the electrical cir-
cut is not over 15 amps. Use extension
cords sparingly. Outdoor wiring needs
special weatherproof cords. Turn off
all Christmas lighting and unplug elec-
trical toys before retiring or leaving
the house.
When buying electrical
toys and gifts, always
check for the UL label.
This is a guarantee of
safety. Remember not to
buy highly combustible pyroxylin pTastic
dolls or toys. Toys operated by alcohol,
kerosene, or gasoline are dangerous, es-
pecially in the hands of a small child.
Parent supervision is a must with these
toys. Also, don't let wrappings ac-
cumulate around the house.
In the event a fire should occur,
know what to do. Plan and rehearse
emergency procedures. Know the emergen-
cy telephone number of the Fire Depart-
ment. Have a fire extinguisher, a gar-
den hose hooked up, or a pail of water
handy during the holiday season, just in
case a fire occurs. If a fire does break
out, get everyone out of the house
first, then call the fire department.
Dial 17 on the NATO base.
Be safety conscious during the holi-
days. Don't let the 1975 holiday season
be remembered for a fire or accident.
The Station Library is now able to
open extra hours for your convenience.
The new hours are:
SUNDAY-FRIDAY 12:30 - 9 p.m.
SATURDAY 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
The library has newspapers useable
for wrapping packages being sent to
the United States. If you need some,
come by the library and ask for the
newspapers for wrapping.
ASVAB to
replace BIB
The Basic Test Battery (BTB), which
all armed services recruits took as
their recruiting and classification test
when they first came into active ser-
vice, is about to be replaced.
A new test, called the Armed Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will
become the sole recruiting and classifi-
cation test for the military on January
1, 1976.
This new battery, which was origin-
ally developed for high school testing,
will examine an individual's performance
in thirteen areas compared to the six
covered under the old BTB test. The two
tests are similar, however, except that
some sections of the BTB are now broken
into several tests in the new ASVAB.
For example, the electronics selection
test section of the old BTB will be cov-
ered by mathematics knowledge, general
science, and electronics information
sections of the new ASVAB.
In the Navy, all ASVAB scores will
be reflected in the same format as in
the BTB. The test scores will be con-
verted to Navy standard scores, with the
average set at 50. Maximum scores will
be about 75 and minimum scores approxi-
mately 20.
Presently recorded BTB scores will
remain valid, and will be reflected
along with ASVAB in qualifications for
schools and programs where the tests are
used as a selection basis...such as "A"
or "C" schools, NESEP, Naval Academy,
Prep school and OCS.
On my honor....
by Lyman Gifford
The Scouting program for Americans in
Iceland is comparable to any in the con-
tinental United States. The Scouts are
continuously planning activities. Some
recent excursions include tours of the
various departments in the area. These
tours help the Scouts gain interest in
the community and related activities and
help build "Manpower from Boypower."
One of the unique advantages of
Scouting in Iceland is the opportunity
to learn camping, in all kinds of weath-
er, from the people who know it best—
the Icelandic Scouts. Recently the
Icelandic and American Scouts held a
weekend outing. The American Scouts
that attended make up the Troop Leaders
Council. From their experiences they
can become better leaders and share
their increased knowledge with the NATO
base patrols.
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, help-
ful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedi-
ent, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and
reverent. There are 35 American Scouts,
between the ages of 11 and 16, in Ice-
land—and each one must learn this
"Scout Law" and do his best to live up
to it.
No phrase is more serious and mean-
ingful to a Scout than the words
"Scout's Honor." When he stands before
his fellow Scouts and proclaims, "On my
honor I will do my best," he is not
taking the words lightly. He was never
more in earnest.
"To do my duty to God and my coun-
try," points the direction a Scout must
follow. What is a boy's duty to God and
country—and where can he learn his
relationship to that duty?
"And to obey the Scout Law." A Scout
must do more than learn the Scout Law.
He must demonstrate the points of the
Law by his actions.
"To help other people at all times."
A Scout likes to help people. Through
his helpfulness he shows his friendli-
ness .
"To keep myself physically strong,"
does not mean bulging muscles. It means
fitness to be able to enjoy life at its
fullest, and fitness to fulfill his
finest possible role in life.
"Mentally awake," implies a goal of
mental health and vitality, keenness of
mind and expanding concepts that unfold
and grow as a boy matures.
"And morally straight." How does a
fellow know what is right and wrong?
How can a boy understand how, and deter-
mine in his own heart, to keep himseLf
mor-tlly straight? His religious teach-
ings may be the most significant. His
Scout Oath and Law and his association
with wholesome leaders and fellow Scouts
will certainly help.
The quotes above make up the Boy
Scout Oath. It would be very difficult
to find another group of forty words,
outside the Holy Bible, that have done
more to brighten and give direction and
purpose to human Life.