The White Falcon - 12.06.1992, Síða 4

Seaman's
day
Seaman's Day is celebrated the first Sunday in
June (unless Whitsuntide falls on that day.) This
year's celebration will be held Sunday. The
holiday has been observed since 1938 when the
Icelandic Maritime Union decided to observe a
special day of celebration for seamen.
In Keflavik, the celebration on Seaman's Day
takes place at the harbor area. First, speeches are
made by representatives of seamen and shipo wn-
Iceland
celebrates its
Independence
June 17
Republic Day or National Day will be cele-
brated in Iceland on Wednesday. Most activities
take place outdoors in the afternoon and include
local brass band concerts and speeches by local
and government officials. Several entertainers
perform during the remainder of the day. In the
evening, there is dancing on the streets in all
larger towns, if weather permits.
Around 1830, the Danish monarchy governed
the northern part of Germany as well as Iceland,
Greenland and the Faeroe Islands. Shortly there-
after, a more democratic advisory congress in
Denmark was established; Iceland established
one in 1845. This was very emotional for Icelan-
ders as most viewed this as the reestablishment of
the former Icelandic Parliment (the Althing). On
July 1 that year, the Althing met as an advisory
after having been inactive for half a century.
In 1848, the King of Denmark gave up some of
his authority to the Danish and Iceland Con-
gresses, marking the end of absolute monarchy in
Army
continued from page 2
which has been the expanding role of women in
the Army. “When I joined there were limited
positions women could fill. Today that role has
been expanded and women are in all branches of
the Army with the exception of a few of the
combat arms. I believe the women in the Army
are just as dedicated and competent as their male
ers and awards from heroic rescues from the sea
during the preceding year are presented. Retired
seamen are also decorated for achievements.
After the speeches and awards, various com-
petitions take place on the piers and in the water.
These events are always great entertainment for
children and grownup as well. A few of the
events include:
Rowing: The annual rowing competition
between nearby villages is a prominent event in
the celebrations each year. The Njardvfk rowing
team won this event for years, but recently other
villages have emerged triumphant. After the
village competition, various work places and
fishing crews compete.
Tug of War: A rope is stretched between two
teams which are standing on two different piers.
The object of the game is to pull the other team
off the pier. Local children delight in seeing the
losing team plunge into the sea.
Swimming: A swimming competition is held
in the frigid sea waters where the swimmers
compete while wearing boots and oilskins.
Pillow Fight: Two pillow fighters sit astr^|
log which extends from the pier above ihcfl
water. Each attempts to knock the other ofHB
log.
Sea Rescue: The end of the celebration at the
harbor is concluded by a sea rescue demonstra-
tion.
Many coastal towns and villages in Iceland
will celebrate Seaman's Day in a similar way.
Reykjavik will have the largest celebration.
For more information about local Seaman's
Day festivities call the Tour Office at ext. 4200.
Denmark. The actual rulers became Ministers
selected by a congress which was elected by the
taxpayers. In 1871, the Danish King confirmed
a law that had already been passed by the Danish
Parliment, stating that Iceland was an insepa-
rable part of Denmark. The Althing objected, but
the king responded by appointing an earl over
Iceland and it was not until 1903 that a separate
Ministry of Icelandic Affairs was established in
the Danish government.
In 1874, Iceland obtained permission from its
Danish rulers to set its own laws and to handle its
own financial affairs, with the ultimate authority
still remaining with the Danish government and
the king.
During all the turmoil that accompanied World
War I, Iceland fought for its independence.
German submarine warfare took its toll on Ice-
land with one Icelandic ship after another being
sunk. These losses created a great shortage of
necessities in Iceland. Trade was centralized and
the people blamed the system for the shortages.
Danish politicians were becoming tired of hear-
ing complaints from the colony of Iceland and
suggested that new laws concerning the rights of
the colony be written. Thepoliticiansmet,reached
an agreement and a new law was written in 1918.
Iceland became a free and independent country
under the Danish Crown.
During the years following World War I, Ice-
landic politicians were mainly concerned with
internal affairs. Considerable class differences
had formed in the country and new way s of doing
business developed. The capital was owned by
the elite and a considerable number of labor
workers suffered from low wages and a high
unemployment rate. After the beginning of the
Second World War, Denmark was invaded by
Germany and Iceland was garrisoned by British
forces on M ay 10,1940. A clause in the 1918 law
stated that the law could be reviewed or the
agreement annulled in 25 years' time. Upon the
Nazi occupation of Denmark, Iceland declared
that it would handle certain issues itself, such as
the conduct of foreign affairs and the guarding of
fishing limits.
In the spring of 1941, the Althing decided that
Iceland had earned the right to break off the
colonial relationaship entirely, since Denmark
had been unable to perfom its requirements
the 1918 agreement. Also, Iceland had no
tionof extending the 1918 legislation with^^J^
mark.
A defense agreement was signed with the
United States in 1941 because it was expected
that Germany would win the war in Europe and
Iceland did not want to become part of a German
empire. The U.S. government objected to Ice-
land declaring its independence until the 25 year
period was over.
Twenty-five thousand people celebrated Ice-
land's independence on a rainy day at Thingvel-
liron June 17,1944. On that historic occasion a
telegram from King Christian X of Denmark was
read, expressing his best wishes to the new
Republic of Iceland.
For more information about June 17 celebra-
tions call the Tour Office at ext. 4200.
counterparts, but frequently have to perform at a
higher level to get the same recognition.”
The second major change that Parker has
noticed in the Army is the increase in the quality
of soldiers. ‘Today's soldier is better educated,
and really wants to be in the Army,” Parker said.
LTC Gordon K. Rogers, Iceland Defense Force
Assistant Chief of Staff for J-5, said, “I enjoy
being a part of the Army stationed on a Navy
base. It is a very unique situaiton. It all depends
on how you look at it.
“The Army has always been there. We have
been involved in every conflict and are proud of
our heritage,” he said.
Echoing his fellow Army soldiers, LTC Rogers
concluded, “The opportunity is there to 'be all
that you can be.' The only limitations that you
have are those that you place on yourself."
Come celebrate the Army birthday withi
cutting ceremony, Monday at noon at thtT
slf”
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The White Falcon