JUAB COUNTY HAS LOST ANOTHER VIET NAM HERO

I have always found it difficult to talk or write about our American Hero's that were called to fight for freedom in a land we couldn't even spell or pronounce at Juab High School. But history is there to learn about and learn from. For many of us, the United States Miltary "minds" of Washington D.C. didn't do what they should of done before we let 58,000 Americans die in Viet Nam, as we neglected to talk to the soldiers of France, who invaded Viet Nam in a previous war and didn't get the facts of that war they fought with the Viet Cong "fight til you are killed". Glen Williams was born in Levan, then called Mills his hometown, and found a bed at his father's-Charlie Williams who relocated in Nephi where he could work out of his Blacksmith Shop, when not driving the bus from Mills, Levan and to Nephi, then return to Mills after school. I worked with Charlie during the summers of 65 and 66, and considered him as a great friend, and also became friends with Glen's brother-Arlo, in search of an accidental shooting and burial of a member of the John C. Fremont expedition in the Juab County area. Out side of Saigon, the capitol of South Viet Nam(our "friendly" folks), the Viet Cong built the CU CHI Tunnels, which were gopher like tunnels underneath the ground, much like earthworms or gophers. Our Troops could not tell where the enemy may come up and spread their mine field around, or kidnap a friendly mother and give her a gun to kill Americans or else her kids would be slaughtered in a room under the ground. Rather than the 1st Calvary rolling into a dense forest with horse's, the Troops came by way of helicopter's being deployed in late 1965 through 1972. Glen didn't know it at the time, but he had the body that was slim enough to get in the tunnels and kill off the enemy, who were called VC or Victor Charlie, and Glen was named after his Dad, so he wasn't called Charlie. If you ever want to see the pure Hell our boys went through, see the movie "We were soldiers", where Colonel Hal Moore led the 1st Battalion in Nam. The Helicopter guys were called Sky Troopers. I have only touched on part of Viet Nam, but when my brother-Hal Jones returned from Nam, he and I went on an educational tour of schools in Salt Lake to teach what that war was all about. Brothers Weston and Gary were also in the Miltary during the Viet Nam Era. Nobody but God kept track, but total numbers of casualties of that war are guessed between one to three million and that doesn't include Cambodian's and Laotians. Hal was there as a 9th Infantry Medic, but was hit by shrapnel when another medic was killed. I went there in 1998 on a "Humanitarian" mission and to recover any remains of where some of our MIA's were buried. One of our teams did retrieve the remains of a soldier from Taylorsville, and his mother attended his proper burial and I felt saddened for what the Army kept hidden from her. Glen seldom spoke of his time "over there", and that is like most of the GI's that don't like to talk about, but it often hits them during their nightmares! Glen was hit in the head with mortar fire that split his helmet and head open, then suffered from blood disorders including Agent Orange and for Glen, it was Malaria. Purple hearts are fine and dandy but don't take care of the nightmares of the past. Please, Please, treat all Vets with care and announce your presence. Shell Shock and PTSD or now hitting Middle East Troops. Donations to American Legion is always appreciated.

FUNERAL AND LAST RITES FOR VIENNA JO DEMERS

I don't think I ever met Vienna Jo; her family or friends. But something moved me to attend her funeral at the LDS Chapel west of the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi, Utah. I was told she lived on or near 7th North and since that has been my birth and last 78 years I have always called home, I thought it was only fitting to pay my respect to another 7th North neighbor. Neither did I know most of the folks that were there. This wasn't the first time I have attended a funeral of somebody I didn't know on earth, but sure felt I knew Vienna Jo, at least somewhere in time. I found myself writing notes of what I felt when I read her poem of "Winters Whispers" on the back of the program. Her words were chilling and yet I felt the heart felt love within her soul. Although Vienna Jo may never have heard of Robert Frost, her words reminded me of "The Road Not Taken" by that American Poet. I had memorized it sixty plus years ago, and recited it to myself as I continued to re-read and feel the words of Vienna Jo and her inner soul of love. Some day their will be a time when I hope to have the Heavenly chance to meet Vienna Jo, as I felt the warmth of her heart, and the joyous occasion she has already felt for the love and life of the Savior of this world, who undoubtedly greeted her at our real home. My heart and soul weeps for all her family and friends that knew her on earth. She was and remains one of God's most choicest of all.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WE PAY PROPERTY TAX....OR SHOULD WE?

It is hard to believe, but it's time to pay property taxes again, even if you own the home. Needless and late to say and write, we have tons of it in Washington DC, where Politian's have wrongly taken our money and used it for them selves; friends or family. There may be only one person that could change this and it is President Trump. During his first run, after he won, I showed the letter and check to friends and foe, but they only booed me. Unless you are dumber than a knot on a fence post, you should now know that Trump has been doing the right things for Americans. When I said that personal observation to Nephi Council Members prior to our Hearing, I was told I wasn't thinking correctly, as that the President was "swearing" too much and not even moral. I couldn't help but respond to say he was the US President and not a Prophet or Pope. Anywho, when I got my tax notice last year I complained to the Juab County Tax man, and I could immediately hear he was a typical tax man, so I gave in, as I am no longer fit to jump through the loops. That County Tax man "Stood Fast" on the tax notice, then admitted the nearly 400 percent increase was for future development. I thought how DAM stupid, as those future land or home owners or Developers should be paying for that. We also discussed a dry land farm I owned and how we used to have it in grain before the deep wells were dug to rob or "take" from the ancient Aquifer's below the ground. He then lost his cool and said I should sell the ground to a local millionaire for ten thousand an acre. I then asked if the tax man was working a part time job as a real estate broker, and our dialogue soon ended after I commented on other folks in Nephi who may consider potential civil or criminal charges, but in contact with a friend at the Utah AG Office, I was informed the AG is not interested in that until Congress enacts into law or until a City or County gets sued. In the Juab County Tax Notice for 2026, I see more and excessive taxes I have heretofore mentioned. As I have spent a total of 46 years fighting Politician's on a Federal; State and Local level, I am too wore out from the battles I fought, so I will say the same words of the great Indian Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever". That was in 1877, when we the Pale Faces of America massacred that Tribe out of the Rocky Mountains toward Canada and stole their land. I became friends with the original painter of the portrait that is now at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. I hope local folks here and in other rural Counties will fight and encourage President Trump to legally abandon Property Taxes and put pressure on each State to do so. As I believe the Utah Governor is not interested in the people of Utah and only for himself, I will not write a letter to him, as I spent several years as a Constitution Affairs writer for four different Governors, and don't believe anybody will do anything about Taxes until we have another Trump type person as our Utah Leader. If I can figure out how to attach it, I will add a computer print of Chief Joseph and of a typical tax notice of the past. I gave many of the large prints to kids that toured our local DUP Museum in the past, and still have the negative for more printing, but will send it to what is left of the Nez Perce. Rather than pay property taxes on a 17 acre dry land farm on the south side of Nephi, I will send letters to such as a religious group; Miltary official's; Animal Groups for Pet Cemeteries or other Tax Except folks, as paying a few dollars a year to thousands could even make folks from the Boston Tea Party arise to revolt, but I no longer have the fight to give into the Scandal's, both locally; Utah and DC. As I am a local, with Nephi ancestor's who built it, but not with present Elected and Selected Rural Leaders! If things don't improved, Trump could make our Governor a Newsome and take away Grants, which is not freebies as Nephites keep saying. The Feds earn zero dollars. Grant money comes from taxes, so where is the hard working dollar of us Seniors really going!

THIS IS THE TIME TO CHEER FOR UTAH COWBOYS WANTING TO GO TO VEGAS

Now is the time to cheer for one of America's true sport of Rodeo, where prayers and our USA flag is still honored. And while these are the real cowboys, I pay tribute to all of the Wright sisters and wives who are the ones that rope; doctor and brand the cows while their men are bucking all night. And we hope Nephi City and Utah will honor the vision of our rural towns from whence they hail. The Wright Family from Beaver County are the Cream of the Crop for the last American Sport. I can't figure out how to put all their photo's here but give credit to Ray Jackson; Joe and Bob Garett; Bob Day and a ton others who volunteered to make the Ute Stampede the start to overtake the Cowboys from Texas. Help spur them on to victory. Hayes Weight is from Goshen and related to folks in Nephi. Stetson Wright is leading in the All Round Cowboy of the World and edging close to the top of Saddle Bronc where Ryder Wright is now. Thanks to Mayor P.L. Jones for getting the Ute Stampede where cowboys started since 1935. Some of our elected and selected leaders haven't yet figured out the difference of a hackamore from a saddle. Long Live Cowboys and the USA. These cowboys are the gentlemen that are the real red blooded Americans who also go on tour to our G.I's in combat zones in the off season, like what Lewis and Kaycee Feild did who also led the Pledge of Allegiance at a Nephi City Council Meeting a few years back when he was world Champion in Bareback riding and retired after winning 6 championships. He still likes riding horses and his Harley, in a small country township.

.

THIS "CLYDESDALE" RAN OVER A 100 FOOT RACES

I RAN OVER A HUNDRED FOOT RACES, BUT THAT HAS BEEN A FEW YEARS AGO. SINCE I KEPT A WRITTEN LOG OF THEM, I THOUGHT I WOULD LIST THAT FOR YOUR HISTORY GIGGLES TODAY. THERE ARE ERRORS IN THE TYPING. ONE OF THE FUN RACES WAS BAY TO BREAKER IN SAN FRANCISO. 100,000 PEOPLE WATCHED TEN THOUSAND RUN, AND TRIED TO SHOW A PHOTO OF SOME, BUT DIDN'T INCULDE ALL THE STARK NAKED PEOPLE THEIR WAS. HEARTBREAKING WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING MY BEST TO GO UP THE LAST HILL -I WAS PASSED BY THE WHOLE DAM FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE LA RAIDERS IN FOOT BALL GEAR, EXCEPT RUNNING SHOES INSTEAD OF CLETS. AND THANKS FOR THE ONE GAL WHO PASSED ME NAKED, WHICH GAVE ME THE ENERGY TO CATCH HER AND PASS HER WITH BY HEAD AND EYES LOOKING AROUND TO CHECK. THEN THE 5-K AT SUGARHOUSE PARK, I PASSED UP MY SON JUSTIN AND PAUL HANSEN RUNNING TO THE END BACKWARDS. I WAS SO FIT, I THEN BECAME A MALE MODEL AND STARTED MY HOLLYWOOD MOVIE CAREER BUT SHORT LIVED, BUT ME AND MY SONS WERE IN LAST NIGHTS MOVIE ON "OUTLAW" TV WITH CHARLTON HESTON, WHO PLAYED THE ROLE OF BRIGHAM YOUNG. A CLYDESDALE IS ONE WHO  WEIGHTS 200 POUNDS ARE MORE AND I SHED ABOUT 40 POUNDS.

.

SOME TIMES WE DON'T UNDERSTAND BEING A PARENT TIL WE LOOSE A CHILD

As a kid being the middle child of five, none of us knew the joy or hardship of our parents until we became one. We just figured our food would magically appear on the table & school clothes that were mystically cleaned and ironed for school the next day. However, we started to think about losing one of our own family when three of our siblings joined the military during the Viet Nam War. I was heart broken when my dog- Spot was hit by a vehicle on Main and 7th North, and carried it up the street to bury it towards Bailey Barn. Then loosing a baby brought me to tears when I walked up the street to Joe and Ellen Garretts place, who were like second parents to the Jones kids. It was daughter Marian that lost their first daughter as an infant. Joe was a First Cousin to us, and had been given horse sense, apparently getting that from God himself, and before we knew that most good folks were okay, but some had the IQ of a fence Post. I waited to date seriously until I was 28, and that was when I got hitched. The two boys pictured below came along and sure enough, the stork dropped two cute toe head's, who became my best friends. It wasn't too long after that Pam and I became divorced and probably because I spent all my spare time with our boys, and forgot to wine and dine their mother. She left for another, and although we were friends, me and the boys became "The Three Amigos" and we hiked, biked and vacationed together. A couple days ago, we submitted a history blog sharing a sad incident when my two sons were at a baseball game, and their coach died near the bleachers and I couldn't revive him with CPR. It was a sad ordeal and it was one of those things that shocked not only the Coach's son, but for the many other kids that watched. I believe that was such a shock for my two young boys, they never got over it. It ended my second son-Troy with his involvement with sports and I could determine it affected the whole baseball team. Justin was good at all sports including putting on a basket ball show with his buddy-Paul Hansen, and it was fun to keep statics for them like I did for my Grand Nephew-Jack Hansen, who I wrote about yesterday. Justin also went on to be the ball boy for a professional Sand Volleyball league that was often on ESPN. Both the boys went on to finish High School and got into the work field, with Justin helping in the medical field to find an easier way to repair the blocked arteries of heart attack patients and traveled to Ireland to start a factory there. But along the way, other issues entered which included two failed marriages, and that had a serious effect on him and me as well as his mother, and we tried our best to get him counseling, but that only seemed to make things worse, giving him medication that only got him addicted. Eight years ago tonight at 10;31 PM, he took his own life. That not only broke my heart; but his mother and many of his high ........

at

 school friends, as well as Tony, who went with him to Alaska to see what G.B. Jones was doing with the Iditarod. Troy was seriously affected with his idle and big brother and now lives on the streets of Salt Lake, After two attempts at costly counseling; failed attempts with the Criminal Justice System, of which I felt bad as I tried without much success to make it better over 42 Years, but like trying to help the people of my hometown being on the City Council, it was hard to change what people get used to, be it good or bad. I do feel grateful for having the two boys I did, as God is the ultimate Judge, and He will make all final judgements. I listened to a tape earlier today, where 6th grader-Justin Jones, interviewed Gene Fullmer, the former World Middle Weight Champion of the World. Later in his life, I became close friends with Paul H. Dunn of the LDS Church, and he too felt Justin was destined for greater things. I am proud of being their Dad, though tears pour tonight. Below is younger photo of Troy and JJ-brothers & friends.

WE NEVER REALLY LOSE A HERO, THEY ARE JUST TRANSFERRED

At the age of 12, I liked to watch football if I could find a TV to watch it on. I also liked watching my pals play baseball when Nephi's Pioneer Park had a baseball diamond in the northwest corner. We had a lot of motels along Main Street, so we had uddles of fans in the bleachers. With just a paper route, I couldn't afford a baseball mitt or hat, but then I decided to get a real job and save my money so I could do what Y.A. Tittle did in football. In 1963, that Hall of Fame quarterback and the NFL's Most Valuable Player's played 17 seasons in Pro football, starting with the AFL's Baltimore Colts in 1948 and finished with the New York Giants. When I could watch him, I thought he was like Superman, who couldn't be stopped. He ran and threw the leather ball like he was made of steel. I eventually came to know he was "merely human" when I saw a photo of him when he was hit with a vicious hit and bleeding from the head. Later in life, I knew what a hit like that was, as I have experienced several hits to the head including a shotgun blast to the face; subdural hematoma as a Scoutmaster and learned the hard way to have an adequate parachute before I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane over Alta Airport. My kids knew I loved football and Y.A. Tittle. They surprised me to the point of tears when they gave me an autographed photo of "The Bald Eagle".  He died at age 90 in 2017. I knew my earthly hero was not really "deadly" dead, but just transferred to a bigger field in God's friendly skies. I wanted another hero of sports, and my buddy had upfront tickets to Jazz games, so my new hero became John Stockton, who was often the real "huminite" that was lacking in professional sports. By chance, my sister Jaynette invited me to go with her to watch her grandson play basketball, then football for the Gunnison Bulldogs. Years ago  I got acquainted with Jesse Owens and a friend to Gene Fullmer, but they were "transferred" as well. I needed a new sports hero, and goody goody gumdrops, along comes Jack Hansen of downtown Centerfield. He loved playing football with my son Justin, and they would often have Jack going deep into the pasture to catch a long pass. Jack reminded me of John Stockton. He knew how to work around his opponent's and get the ball to another Bulldog to make the basket. Jack Hansen was a team leader and the fans knew that. When football came along, and even though he was a Bulldog, I felt like a Juab Wasp coach when I presented a football helmet to Jack that used to belong to the BYU team of ions ago, and then given to the Juab High Team when they got their team going in the late 1950's. Jack excelled in football and became their starting Quarterback. I had him sign his autograph on the photo of me and him and told him when he makes it to the big leagues, he could come and visit me at the nursing home. He never forgot that and wrote me a letter to that effect in 2018. He didn't make it to the Big Leagues, but every body makes mistakes, especially Sports Scouts, who are after the money. Along the way at Gunnison Valley High, Jack Hansen still holds the longest Jump at 21 feet and the State record for the longest Punt. He still makes us all proud as he is getting a college education and finding his nitch in life. His Transfer Has Been Great.

THE LOSS OF A GREAT MAN MAY BRING THE RISE OF OTHER GREAT PEOPLE

In the late 1980's and early 1990's, I had the privilege of being the father of two sons, who I believed were destined for greater things than just being good and noble kids. During their Little League Baseball; Basketball and Football years, they brought a fulfilling sense of well being to see them active in sports and school activities'. Their baseball coach was Craig Siciliano, who was like a second father to each of the kids he tutored. After games, he would often leave a note of encouragement in their baseball gloves. Coach Siciliano helped this old fat man, as I would bring cold drinks for my kids, but only once did that occur. With his gentle but powering voice, he offered me help. He asked if I was going to bring cold drinks, I should bring them for all the kids. I heard him loud and clear and did so after that sultry warm day in spring. Since I couldn't afford to be in little league game as a kid, I wanted not only my boys that privilege, but helped other kids when I could. On April 30, 1992, 37 year old Coach Craig Albert Siciliano walked to the bleachers where his pregnant wife was sitting and me standing nearby. He looked pale and fatigued and asked his wife Kim for water. But before she could get it to him, he went down hard on the asphalt. Although he was much like me, having fun as a jokester, I sensed it was a bad sign. While baseball kids watched and parents panicked, I started CPR, after checking his breezeway. I had several years of training, and recall saving a life once before. But Craig was like a brother, and I was slow to start but concentrated on saving this giant of a man, who was in good physical condition. We didn't have cell phones in those days, but an ambulance arrived and I demanded to ride in the back with our Coach. The volunteer ambulance crew said he was gone, but I kept the CPR going til we got to Cottonwood Hospital, a place where I worked as part-time Security. The Doctors and Nurses tried with all their might but Craig was gone. One ER Doc recognized me and asked me to secure the door, as family and 12 year boys wanted to be next to their Coach of Life. I took all of them in a separate room and announced to their Dad, Son and Husband was gone. Back at home, I cried as hard as my sons Justin and Troy, which watched and shaken by the ordeal. The next day, I called the Medical Examiner, as I was with him the week before with an autopsy of a possible murder victim I was investigating. I asked if Craig's death was because I didn't do the CPR correctly. The Doc said Craig was dead before he collapsed, as his arteries were so blocked. 

 It was a dramatic experience as I had been through and it certainly was for my two boys, as it made an impact on them that I am not sure they ever got over, nor did Craig's son or his pregnant wife. 

THE FUNERAL OF BETH STEPHENSON TAYLOR WAS HELD TODAY

If you were not able to attend the funeral of  Beth Taylor of Nephi, Utah today, we got you covered, with the program right here and now. I came to know Beth at Juab High and soon became fond of her. I liked her, although three years younger than me, I became friends with that girl, so in a round about way, she was by "girl friend". She was fun to be around and sharp as a tack. It was the 1960's in a close knit and Rural Nephi. In those days, it was customary for young kids to walk up and down main street, then if we were able to borrow a car from our folks we would stop and talk to the gals. Beth would often stay with her grandparents, who lived on the northeast corner of Main Third South. On one occasion, I borrowed my mothers hot car, which was a miniature station wagon. Gas cost 19 cents a gallon and as long as I left some gas in her car so she could go to work for the School District Boss, who was Clyde Child, I was okay. I walked up to her grandfathers home, and knocked on the door. I asked if Beth was home, and he wanted to know who I was, and what my motive was for taking her for a ride. He then called for Beth and I could hear him shout "Beth, its one of those dang Jones Boys" Gee Whiz, it had to be one of my older brothers that caused him grief. But I liked her humor, and honest to  the core blunt chat. When I got busy with an LDS Mission and several years of college work, I didn't see Beth until the Deer Hunt in Nephi, and I would normally spend the whole week at home, especially after my father died. I then saw Beth working as hard as what her sons talked about at the funeral. We would shoot the breeze and catch up with any news that really wasn't news. She married Ron Taylor, who was a friend and a classmate from the Juab Class of 65. After I retired, I spent a lot of time at the Red Cliffs Asst. Living Center, where I had two cousins. I asked who the new gal was, and they told me it was Beth. I was also told she had that brain fog that her kids spoke of, and she may not recognize me or talk much. I went over and sat by her and held her hand, saying "this is Kent Jones, your high school boyfriend".  She jumped up and gave me a hug, and we chatted as if nothing had changed from ions ago. She looked as cute as she did back whenever. On one occasion when I went to take Ron Jones for a ride, Beth wanted to go along, and only then I felt something was different, but I told her our friendship would always last. I even met two of her sons during a visit. When she went to the old Juab County Hospital, as did two of my friends, it was still good to sit by her and hold her hand. Since my career required me to interview people from all walks of life, I could easily see at the funeral- she was and will always be an excellent parent and child of God. As I did with my two sons, sports and work were her cup of tea, and all of her family and friends can feel a special honor to have Beth and Ron in their lives. Driving across Texas a few years ago, I  wrote a song, which I recalled sitting on the back pew of my old 4th Ward Church. "Nothing Lasts Forever,  Except Forever, And My Love For You". All of her kids and grandkids and loved ones can always count on Beth for her love. Always, till we all meet together. She remains close to us all.

LESS THAN BREAKING NEWS......FROM JUAB HIGH CLARION OF 1962

The Class of Juab High of 1962 has finally graduated and....It wasn't just Clark Newell that had his fill of the Elvis looking hair drenched down with Vitalis, but Tom Newell rocking car is gone and Max Orme has told Mont Jones he can now go out and work on Diesel Trucks, which he did in Idaho. And Myrna of the local Times News just may want to read about about the article written by the Carbon the High School and don't forget the record Hop for this Friday. The JV Cheerleaders consisting of Pat Mories, Cleda Blackett, Judy Jackson and  Connie Kendall put a ad in there.

 

IT IS APRIL OF 1965; ARE YOU GOING TO ATTEND THE HIGHLIGHTS OF JUAB HIGH?

If you haven't read "The Cremation of Sam Magee", it is time you did, even if Halloween Night is not here yet. As a kid, I remember being cooped in the Jones Family Home, where I was recovering from Sunstroke. This was the second one I had, and recall when Dr. Beckstead came to the home to see if I was still alive!  He had previously warned me to always wear a hat if I am out in the sun pulling weeds, as the second hit is often the fatal one. Yes, that was when Nephi was very honest to goodness RURAL. My mother stayed with me to constantly soak bed sheets in cold water to hang around to draw the heat from the almost dead me. My mother was an avid reader, and she would give me various books to read and learn poems. I recall the very ghostly story up yonder where the snow storms come and night chills fill the air. It was written by Robert Service in 1907. It talks of one of two friends not wanting to die in the cold snow filled night while searching for gold and convinced his pal to cremate his body, as he would sooner go out in fire than freezing to death. If you can pick it up on U-Tube, make sure you have a warm blanket. Speech Class was kind of a cinch for me, as I had already knew that poem all too well. Our teacher was Mrs. Thela Wanker, and I feared her about as much as I respected her. The program should be attached below. I am not sure what word describes the setting, but of the three students involved with that skit, one member didn't survive to graduate with the Class of 65. He and all students felt like victims when a dastardly war occurred nobody heard of before, and Craig Higginson was KIA in Nam. And it is difficult to think of Mike Morgan(son of Frank) doing a Humorous Reading about "The Drunk". Then an inspirational speech by Lorraine Nezteossis "I AM AN AMERICAN INDIAN". Then another of my favorite poems is "THE TOUCH OF THE MASTERS HAND". And nobody could do that Dramatic Reading better than Marjorie Greenhalgh. And Morris Wright could always make a good MC.

Here you go.

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY LAVON HARRIS JONES

During the ten years you were separated by Dad, you had missed his presence, as each of us kids did as well. You lucked out okay, though, as you are now with your earthly parents; your classmates from the mighty Class of Nephi High, and as I stare at that photo of your sister-Maggie Vera Harris of long ago, you got it made. And just so you know, we have kept our promise that the Nephi Jones kids will always stand together. Four of us are heading up North for lunch, and then we will call Gary B. and give free entertainment for the other folks that tune in to our channel. And each of your kids of Weston, Hal, Kent, Gary and Jaynette have been on earth with an average age of 75 years old, so we will be joining you soon enough, and none of us have been able to do the Nortonville Two Step just right, but we will keep practicing. And thanks for being the best of the best Moms in the best rural town anywhere.

TWO PHOTOS OF VIC AND ALBERTA JONES AND PHOTO Of THE KIDS OF THE KIDS

I have no idea who I received these photos from or the year, but want to donate them, then that person can make more from the negative's. Who ever wants them, please type your name and address in the messenger portion on Facebook, and if my hunch is right, Sherm sits on high, as does a few other Nephi Saints including the daughter of Vaughan Paxman; Daughter of June Williams; Stetson Jones; Dee Nielson and his younger brother; Madeline Pyper, who lived on the corner of 5th North and Main; which was next to the Sparks Motel; which was next to The Serv; which was next to the Beeline Gas Station, run by the Boswell family, who lived next house down and across the street was where King Sherm did the chores for his Dad who was shot by a "Friendly Fire". And that is why police are the good guys who try to break up a fight between a husband and wife, but when the cops try to arrest either or both, the cop is killed dead and that is when we see the Criminal Justice System as being unfair, but it is fair to the Jury and/or Judge! Vic was a MP during WW One, but that can be more dangerous than fighting in the Trenches of France. And if you think we were slow to get in that War To End All Wars, go chat with Woody Wilson, who wasn't a Teddy Roosevelt riding up with Mat Howard of Starr Route. Amen and please pass the peas.

T

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY YOUNG BROTHER-GARY B. JONES

When Gary B. Jones grew up in Jonesville in the North Ward, he was known as Gary B. and not only was a scholastic student at Juab High, but starred in many of the School Plays and what we used to call "Road Shows", where each LDS ward throughout East Juab County, would put on a live show on stage, and it was a part of what the LDS Church would sponsor. Gary B. was tall and thin, much like his Uncle Vic Jones. When our father-Alma "Cash" Jones passed away in 1984, Gary B. took on the physical aspect of our Dad, almost instantly! Gary B. was not only an actor on the stage, but had a deep resounding voice that could be heard loud and clear even to the hard of hearing. He excelled in the Mt. Nebo FFA, not only in Speech Contests, but on the winning State Parliamentary Procedure Contest. He was active in the LDS Church, and worked his way to the top, receiving his Eagle Scout Degree. He then became a good friend of Lynn Esplin, who was the Juab County Agent. If that wasn't enough, he became one of the head leaders of Camp Maple Dell, and worked there each Summer, while not attending BYU and Utah State. Then on to an LDS Mission to the downunder country where seeing a Kangaroo was part of the glamour of what he enjoyed doing. He remains active in that religion. Although Nephi remains his hometown, and while his siblings would like to see him closer, each of us have tried to explain Nephi is not Nephi anymore, with many move ins, that it is no longer the friendly rural town it was when five of us kids were constantly busy doing chores, and not paid for those duties, as it was just something we did and grateful to have food on the table. Gary B. answered the call from  Uncle Sam, and during the Viet Nam Era, his older brother, who was in the Air Force, wondered why Gary jumped out of a perfectly good plane. Gary B. was an Army Ranger, and a good one at that. He was self taught how to hide under dirt and bushes to shoot the biggest buck around, so doing that as a Ranger was nothing. Once home, he went to work for Western Airlines and followed when it was bought out by Delta Airlines. He jumped on a plane for the airport under the Northern Lights of Alaska. On his off days, he would work as a fish and game hunting guide. I went up there to be with him on a bear hunt. When he picked up the trail of a bodily excretion remains. I was glad to get back to his place on the Iditarod Trail. He then retired from the airlines and the National Guard, and started with his bottle of pennies and got into the sled dog racing. I didn't know how to spell or say the race, until he explained it like Mrs. Lomax would do. "I DIT A ROD". I then returned another year to take care of his Kennel while he raced. It is only a thousand miles! With a prior Subdural Hematoma, certain noises affect my brain, such as barking dogs, but like parents getting accustomed to their crying babies, I wasn't bothered by his barking dogs, as they were his pride and joy. And in Alaska, he is a well known "Musher" and has written several books, all on motivational subjects.He has just came out with the Third Printing of "Winning The Iditarod" which should be available at the Nephi Library. G.B. Jones never married, but when he turned 70, he felt bad about a young boy that his mother or father didn't want, so G.B. Jones became the adopted father. In talking with him on the phone, one could feel the pressure of raising a kid that is now a "Holy Hell" Teenager. Our Dad survived and so will our tall brother.

CAN A BOY IN THE 6TH GRADE FALL IN LOVE WITH CHONITA?

 I don't recall falling in love in the sixth grade with anything other than playing marbles in the dirt where the District Courthouse is now. And nowadays, I think my wind sails have fallen off the wooden masts when they were young. And, if we dig deep in the uncounted documents of ions ago, we found a 1959 brochure that tells of a yarn about about a Chonita and the Gypsy Romance between two gals and two guys. I recall, almost licitiusly of Mary Lou Hintze, who played one of the Chonita's, and the other one played the part of the other Chonita, she being Ann Hall. Regardless of what the synopsis of the 6th grade Operetta would tell us, we all knew that Ann had her heart waiting for Dean Bailey, and sure enough they them those two got hitched. All in all, their were 80 of us kids that put on that show, and Mona, Levan and Mills didn't come in to the Central School. And all of us kids would take the duty to hold out the flags to stop the cars, and each student would take turns to help those that needed help and yes we did have to walk uphill to school and uphill to get home. And I hear tell that their were some of those Jones boys grabbing on the horse drawn plow that cleared the snow off before they invented paved sidewalks!! Years later, when I was 13 or 14, I felt bad for Jon Jackson who plowed the snow on the north, as he would walk down to the Snak Shak for a real supper, then I would drive him to his log house kitty korner from Ray Jackson.

HERE IS "THIS AND THAT AROUND JUAB" OF LONG AGO

Most kids of today are smarter than the class of Juab High-1965. Even if it was a President of the US of A, today's kids would know the guy was a weirdo if he bent over to smell your hair, so they just may be smarter than we were of decades ago. But if you needed to know what we did in 1965, here is good stuff contained in THE WASP. And not sure, but darn bettin that short lived Football Coach Davis never did get along with many folks, and pretty dam certain Dale Bailey didn't drink anything stronger than a 7-Up on New Years Eve. And where the heck is the school of Sunnison we played?

Mt. Nebo FFA wins another Trophy

It seems like only yesterday, but young people would think it was before the Pale Faces invaded a quiet and the peace loving Ancient Ones, or what is commonly called the Indians. Mormons or the LDS folks didn't understand why the Indians didn't want to sell some of the land. Through an interpreter, they said something to the affect "How can we sell something that belongs only to God". They made a good point, but it seems that us pale faces still haven't got the real message of the wise ones! Jay Dalley was the Juab FFA advisor and before him it was Jim Anderson. They both instilled the importance of why agriculture is so important, and I have always thought that was just as important as History, but it seems that all the new people invading our lands haven't quite got the full understanding of either. Both of those brilliant teachers have found new Heavenly farms, and perhaps, just perhaps, those two and Harry Beagley will be our instructors. As he was a gracious saint of Saints.