Crown Point High School - Excalibur Yearbook (Crown Point, IN)

Page 25 text:

Peace in our time. Infamous words, which preceded an infamous war, and yet exactly the sentiments that echoed across the nation as President Nixon signed into effect the long-awaited statement agreeing to withdraw all American fighting units from within the confines of North Viet Nam. The war ended quietly, hop efully carrying with its demise the end of the domestic turmoil which has plagued our country since the very beginning of this war. Simply, softly, suddenly, the war was over. There was no dancing in the streets or wildness, no revelry. Few celebrated, and the vast majority of people continued as they had always continued while America waged war. Perhaps some recognized the single, lonely siren blast as the signal of wars end, but more still either would not or could not comprehend the enormous importance of this auspicious occasion. The war had lasted too long; there were far too many dead; too much was spent to save too few. The end of no other war in history has produced apathy. Earlier, the war seemed to be continuing as always until chief U.S. negotiator Dr. Henry Kissinger announced, to everyone’s total surprise that secret peace talks had been taking place, and that he saw no reason why the war could not be ended by October 31. However, this did not come to pass. The excited air of expectation soon faded while people bored with the heavy news coverage of no action increased the rumors that the pre-election proclamation was a mere typical political ploy. Nev¬ ertheless within months a treaty was designed that met the spec¬ ifications of all involved. To most Americans, the first and foremost U.S. require¬ ment was the unqualified return of all American prisoners of war, the most emotional aspect of IT ' S HISTORY the entire Viet Nam conflict. A great wave of ecstatic euphoria blanketed the nation as the first few POW’s arrived back home. Within a few weeks all had returned, and these men were immediately proclaimed the heroes of a war which had pro¬ duced few. The internationally sup¬ ervised cease fire officially occurred in all of Viet Nam at 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 27, 1973. According to the treaty, all American forces were then withdrawn from Viet Nam within 60 days, and all Americans held captive were returned within a similar period of time. Also, there must be mutual respect of the sover¬ eignty between North and South Viet Nam for the other, and respect of the demilitarized zone. International peace-keep¬ ing forces were set up to regu¬ late and uphold all of these agreements. Of course, the consequences of the end of an eleven year war are varied and cannot be totally known for many years to come. Stress will now be hopefully placed on U.S. domestic issues, most impor¬ tantly economic and law disor¬ der issues. Plans are in effect to combat recessions which were so common after earlier wars, and jobs are being provided for the returning servicemen. The Viet Nam War clearly high¬ lighted the weaknesses in the selective service system, and with a volunteer army now insti¬ tuted, fear of the draft is now over. Only time can tell the effect that these and other measures will have on the United States. Due to the recent balance of trade deficit, a situation where more is being imported than exported, America was faced with a weakened dollar. To remedy this, the dollar was devalued in relation to other foreign currencies. This caused no effect within the United States, but forced prices up on any imported goods while allowing our exported goods to be sold abroad at lower prices. Sports, books, and movies crowned the list of activities Americans used to fill their increased amount of leisure time. Memberships in golf and tennis clubs have grown phenomenally, both becoming the most popular participant sports. Spectator sports have also received unprecedented support. In one of the most exciting World Series in recent years, the Oakland Athletics stunned the Cincinnati Reds in seven games. The Miami Dolphins became the first modern professional football team to win all their games while the New York Knicks took top honors on the basketball courts. Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a novel by Richard Bach, surprised all book publishers with its enormous popularity. Slated as a book that would not succeed, it simply presented the story of a young seagull in his search for the most efficient way to fly. Its simplicity reminded many of a children’s book, but the basic philosophy presented within it contributed to its success. A movie adaption of The Godfather by Mario Puzo attracted the attention of all interested in the theatrical field. Hailed as one of the greatest movies of all time, it broke almost all attendance records and won many cinematic awards on only its first run.

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NEWS BRIEFS Without a doubt, the surprise announcement of a soon-to-be-ended war aided Richard Nixon’s re-election efforts, but whether the boost was actually necessary became a popular topic of speculation. In the most lopsided Republican victory ever, President Nixon failed to carry only one state, a monumental victory but not wholly unexpected. While the Democrats retired to lick their wounds, an issue that initially seemed trivial then exploded into national prominence. Commonly known as the Watergate Affair, it con¬ cerned an alleged Republican bugging of the Democratic party national headquarters. The mat¬ ter received little attention until investigations disclosed that several of President Nixon’s close personal aides were directly involved in the affair. The air about the issue changed instantly from a small scale eavesdropping charge to an issue of nationwide political deceit. The fact that the Republicans had bugged the Democratic headquarters was fairly obvious, but why they had done so remained a mystery. Nixon was clearly destined as the presidential victor, making Republican knowledge of Democratic plans unnecessary. As the importance and reputation of those involved rose, critics asked how high in the national administration this deceit had stretched. Because rumors of President Nixon’s involvement in the bugging prevailed, a Senate hearing was held in order to clear up allegations and delve into the truth about the Watergate Affair. Most Americans found it hard to get concerned about the Watergate Affair because they did not realize the implications within it. However, many other social and economic events received critical inspection. Inflation increased at near record rates, especially in the area of food prices. As meat prices rose, housewives picketed stores and arranged local and national meat boycotts. Although the boycotts only caused farmers to withhold live cattle, it forced the situation enough into prominence so that President Nixon created a meat- price ceiling. Across the nation people turned to gardens and canning in order to keep their food bills low. Riots and campus disorders were almost nonexistent in the recent year, for while Americans are as concerned as ever about national affairs, they now tend to view the problems with practicality. Peaceful means to solve unfair practices were sought, with stress placed on useful remedies which could be applied effectively. With the end of the war, Americans are looking for a period of increased domestic prosperity. We will now be searching for an equal position in the world; we will no longer try to become policemen for the world; we will strive at home and abroad to help with our wealth, save with our resources, and lead with our people. In recent years, there has been heated debate on the legality and the morality of abor¬ tions. Both the women’s libera¬ tion and the planned parent¬ hood movements favor abor¬ tions in that they reduce the numbers of unwanted children, they allow women increased freedom, and they are much safer when performed in sani¬ tary hospital conditions. Oppo¬ sitely, many groups felt that life is God-given, and any mortal taking of another’s life is mur¬ der. Nevertheless, the U.S. Supreme Court has recently upheld the legality of abortions with certain specifications. Basically, the court said that during the first three months after conception, the decision to have an abortion lies solely with the mother and doctor; during the fourth through sixth month, the state may regulate procedures but cannot forbid the abortion; any time following the sixth month after conception, the abortion may take place only in order to aid the health or life of the mother. Even with this legal sanction, though, there is still much moral opposition to abortions, and loopholes within the law have prevented many clinics from opening. The turmoil and tension present for many years in the Middle East exploded and destroyed the recent summer Olympic Games in Munich. Several Arab guerrillas took advantage of reduced security measures and forcibly captured several Israeli athletes. Using them as hostages, the Arab terrorists escaped the Olympic dormitories and fled to a nearby airport. In a tragic and shoddily- planned attempt to free the hostages, Munich police opened fire on the guerrillas, who in turn killed all the captured Israeli athletes. The entire world recoiled at the violence which plagued even this display of international friendship.

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BELOW—NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY —Front Row: Daryl Hamm, Jeanette Merchat, Carol Lackey, Janet Jaeger, Bonnie Phillips, Audrey Kozial, Lee Ann Smith, Nancy White, Patty Hawes. Back Row: Karen Arter, Garry Rinkenberger, Paul Georgas, Mary Toman, Sue Naylor, Marian Kulawinski, Colleen Kennedy, Diana Han, Julie Simmons, Dave Graden, Doug Ward, Gay Stowed, Patty Semmer, Carol Coe, Mike Sweigart. RIGHT— Besides serving as Mr. Dean’s secretary, Pam Werner was chosen FFA Sweet¬ heart. ABOVE—JUNIOR KIWANIANS AND ROTARIANS—First Row: Dave Graden, Lou Sertich, Mark Bethel, Mark Smock, Garry Rinkenberger, Tom Hale, Jeff Reid, Paul Georgas. Second Row: Brian Fiegle, Dave Vicari, Wally Juskevice, Mike Swei¬ gart, Randy Hoffman, Jim Marshall, Ger¬ ald Stout. Third Row: Bruce Hlodnicki, Larry Larson, Bob Ligda, Mike Jefferson, Vincent Rick, Jim Cartmell. Standing: Len Bessette, Steve Elser. RIGHT—As one of 30 students across the country, Vincent Rick will spend six months both in Ger¬ many and Australia studying greenhouse operations. 22