Shackled
1
FESTIVITIES: Fireworks photos, reports on holiday coming Monday. TODAY: Sunny. Partly cloudy tonight. Highs: Lower 90s. Lows: Upper 60s. South winds 10-15 mph; southwest tonight becoming light. INFO: CALL US . .(870) 935-5525 CIRCULATION . . . . Ext. 226 ADVERTISING . . . . Ext. 272 NEWS . . . . . . . . . . Ext. 207 ALMANAC . . . . . . . . . . A11 ARKANSAS. . . . . . . . . . A10 BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . D1 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . D3 ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . B8 FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . C3 LIVING . . . . . . . . . . . . . C1 NEA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 RECORD . . . . . . . . . . . . A6 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1 WORLD . . . . . . . . . . . . B11 BY KARIN HILL SUN STAFF WRITER JONESBORO — Most stories about military veterans have one thing in common — men. However, there are plenty of women who have served their country in various branches of the military. And while female veterans are not as common as their male counterparts, and few- er women have combat experi- ence, they still have pride in their work and love to tell their tales. “Even though I was proud to do some part during the war, I regretted not being assigned to go overseas,” said Ella Pierce of Jonesboro, a member of the Wom- en’s Army Corps during World War II. “What the WAC did wasn’t always dangerous, or exciting or legendary, but it was necessary. What we did mattered.” Pierce, who lived in California as a girl, joined the WAC after the war was well under way. She re- members her high school student body president, a Japanese boy, giving his farewell speech to the assembly before his family was sent to an internment camp. She experienced rationing, victory gardens, blackouts and air-raid warnings. She worked at a tire factory until she was 20, at which time she asked her parents’ permission to join the WAC. “At that time it was the only branch of women’s service allow- ing its members to serve over- seas,” Pierce said. “After a few days, much conversation, they went with me to sign the neces- sary papers, and I was inducted into the WAC.” Corps values Women recall military service Diana Rerucha is shown at Camp Charlie in South Korea near the North Korean border during her time with the Army’s Dental Corps. Debra Eubanks rides a camel during her 6-month deployment to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of a 4-part series stemming from a recent prison interview with convicted killer Damien Echols. Some of the information is more graphic than previously published. BY GEORGE JARED SUN STAFF WRITER VARNER — If he ever leaves death row, the first thing Damien Echols wants to do is eat an apple and feel the sunshine on his face. It’s been seven years since the convicted mur- derer has experienced the sun. Shackled at the ankles, Echols is sometimes al- lowed to walk in an outside structure he describes as a grain silo with a metal roof. The man, now a ce- lebrity whose friends in- clude actor Johnny Depp and Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder, typically spends 24 hours a day in a cramped cell. “I used to really like piz- za, but I can’t remember what it tastes like,” Echols said. “You never know what you’ll keep and what you’ll lose.” He added that fame “is irrelevant to me. I’m not exposed to it.” James Byard | The Sun Convicted murderer Damien Echols is led into a visitation room last month at the Varner Unit near Grady. Shackled Echols talks about his life, experiences on death row PLEASE SEE ECHOLS, A2 PLEASE SEE MILITARY, A2 BY KARIN HILL SUN STAFF WRITER PORTIA — Look no farther than Northeast Arkansas for some good old-fash- ioned political speeches with patriotic flair. Local and state candi- dates from across Arkan- sas converged on towns throughout the region Sat- urday, making stops at In- dependence Day weekend events in Corning, Pig- gott, Portia, Jonesboro, Caraway and others. One of the favorite stops is Portia, where the locals braved the heat at the 105th Portia Picnic to hear candidates for gover- nor, Senate and Congress, among others. Gov. Mike Beebe and his Republican opponent, Jim Keet, both participated, as did U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and her challenger, U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark. The theme on the Re- publican side was chang- ing business as usual, eliminating deficits and uprooting “career politi- cians.” Democrats went through lists of accom- plishments from job cre- ation to education im- provements as reasons to stick with them. “We’ve got to get on the stick; we’ve got to balance the budget,” Boozman said. The Senate candidate also emphasized limiting mandates on small busi- nesses and the need for more employment. “The No. 1 thing is jobs, jobs, jobs,” Boozman said. “All of those you’re hear- ing from today, that should be our priority.” He said he wants those jobs to be long-term solu- tions, not temporary stim- ulus. During her appearance, Lincoln said she has al- ready done a lot for her constituents and wants to do more. “I work hard for you; better yet, I fight hard for you,” she said. Lincoln also noted her interest in maintaining health-care programs like Medicare for seniors and insurance coverage for children. She said Ameri- ca’s military was another focus. “I’m fighting hard for our veterans, and I’ll keep fighting hard for our vet- erans,” she said. Statewide offices Keet, who is challeng- ing Beebe for governor, said he likes his opponent but simply brings a dif- ferent perspective. The businessman said his fo- cus would be on making the state more business- friendly, limiting regula- tions and reducing the size of government. “Day 1, I’m going to take 20 percent out of the gov- ernor’s office,” Keet said, adding he would maintain a pay cut until state unem- ployment is under 5 per- cent. He also vowed not to add a single new employee to the state’s payroll during his tenure. Beebe emphasized the state’s accomplishments. “They’re talking about Arkansas in America in ways we never could have dreamed,” Beebe said. He cited improvements in education, job creation and lowering the grocery tax by 4 cents among his accomplishments. “I hope you like what’s been going on; I sure like doing it,” he said. Beebe noted a recent Time magazine article that listed four states not in budget trouble. “The fourth state that they mention, ladies and gentlemen — Arkansas,” he said. Both candidates for lieutenant governor also spoke. State Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, said his goal was to make the state a little bit better for the next generation. He also cited recent work by current legislators. “We’re making progress here in Arkansas. We’re creating jobs,” he said. Republican Mark Darr said he wants to represent small business owners like himself by fighting high taxes and programs that result in pay cuts. He said an online checkbook for all state expenses should be established so ordinary citizens can see where their dollars are being spent. Saundra Sovick | The Sun U.S. Rep. John Boozman (right), R-Ark., talks with Dewey Scott during the annual Portia Picnic on Saturday. Boozman is running for the U.S. Senate this fall. Saundra Sovick | The Sun U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., talks to John Petro during the Portia Picnic on Satur- day. She was reassuring Petro that she will fight for Medicare and Social Security. Candidates turn out for events around NEA PLEASE SEE CANDIDATES, A2 VOL. 107 No. 185 40 Pages SUNDAY JULY 4, 2010 $1.50 SERVING JONESBORO AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS Copyright© 2010 The Jonesboro Sun HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Here’s hoping Sun readers enjoy the 4th of July holiday!
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Part 2, page 1, in Echols series
Transcript of Shackled
FESTIVITIES:Fireworks photos,reports on holidaycoming Monday.
TODAY:Sunny. Partly cloudy tonight.Highs: Lower 90s. Lows: Upper 60s. South winds 10-15 mph;southwest tonight becoming light.
INFO:CALL US . .(870) 935-5525CIRCULATION . . . . Ext. 226ADVERTISING . . . . Ext. 272NEWS. . . . . . . . . . Ext. 207
ALMANAC . . . . . . . . . .A11ARKANSAS . . . . . . . . . .A10BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . D1CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . D3ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . .B8FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . .C3
LIVING . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1NEA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A8OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . .A4RECORD . . . . . . . . . . . .A6SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1WORLD . . . . . . . . . . . .B11
BY KARIN HILLSUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — Most stories about military veterans have one thing in common — men.
However, there are plenty of women who have served their country in various branches of the military. And while female veterans are not as common as their male counterparts, and few-er women have combat experi-ence, they still have pride in their
work and love to tell their tales.“Even though I was proud to
do some part during the war, I regretted not being assigned to
go overseas,” said Ella Pierce of Jonesboro, a member of the Wom-en’s Army Corps during World War II. “What the WAC did wasn’t always dangerous, or exciting or legendary, but it was necessary. What we did mattered.”
Pierce, who lived in California as a girl, joined the WAC after the war was well under way. She re-members her high school student body president, a Japanese boy, giving his farewell speech to the assembly before his family was sent to an internment camp.
She experienced rationing, victory gardens, blackouts and air-raid warnings. She worked at a tire factory until she was 20, at which time she asked her parents’ permission to join the WAC.
“At that time it was the only branch of women’s service allow-ing its members to serve over-seas,” Pierce said. “After a few days, much conversation, they went with me to sign the neces-sary papers, and I was inducted into the WAC.”
Corps valuesWomen recall military service
Diana Rerucha is shown at Camp Charlie in South Korea near the North Korean border during her time with the Army’s Dental Corps.
Debra Eubanks rides a camel during her 6-month deployment to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of a 4-part series stemming from a recent prison interview with convicted killer Damien Echols. Some of the information is more graphic than previously published.
BY GEORGE JAREDSUN STAFF WRITER
VARNER — If he ever leaves death row, the first thing Damien Echols wants to do is eat an apple and feel the sunshine on his face.
It’s been seven years since the convicted mur-derer has experienced the sun.
Shackled at the ankles, Echols is sometimes al-lowed to walk in an outside structure he describes as a grain silo with a metal roof. The man, now a ce-lebrity whose friends in-clude actor Johnny Depp and Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder, typically spends 24 hours a day in a cramped cell.
“I used to really like piz-za, but I can’t remember what it tastes like,” Echols said. “You never know what you’ll keep and what you’ll lose.” He added that fame “is irrelevant to me. I’m not exposed to it.”
James Byard | The SunConvicted murderer Damien Echols is led into a visitation room last month at the Varner Unit near Grady.
ShackledEchols talks about his life, experiences on death row
PLEASE SEE ECHOLS, A2
PLEASE SEE MILITARY, A2
BY KARIN HILLSUN STAFF WRITER
PORTIA — Look no farther than Northeast Arkansas for some good old-fash-ioned political speeches with patriotic flair.
Local and state candi-dates from across Arkan-sas converged on towns throughout the region Sat-urday, making stops at In-dependence Day weekend events in Corning, Pig-gott, Portia, Jonesboro, Caraway and others.
One of the favorite stops is Portia, where the locals braved the heat at the 105th Portia Picnic to hear candidates for gover-
nor, Senate and Congress, among others.
Gov. Mike Beebe and his Republican opponent, Jim Keet, both participated, as did U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and her challenger, U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark.
The theme on the Re-publican side was chang-ing business as usual, eliminating deficits and uprooting “career politi-cians.” Democrats went through lists of accom-plishments from job cre-ation to education im-provements as reasons to stick with them.
“We’ve got to get on the stick; we’ve got to balance
the budget,” Boozman said.
The Senate candidate also emphasized limiting mandates on small busi-nesses and the need for more employment.
“The No. 1 thing is jobs, jobs, jobs,” Boozman said. “All of those you’re hear-ing from today, that should be our priority.”
He said he wants those jobs to be long-term solu-tions, not temporary stim-ulus.
During her appearance, Lincoln said she has al-ready done a lot for her constituents and wants to do more.
“I work hard for you; better yet, I fight hard for you,” she said.
Lincoln also noted her interest in maintaining health-care programs like Medicare for seniors and insurance coverage for children. She said Ameri-ca’s military was another focus.
“I’m fighting hard for our veterans, and I’ll keep fighting hard for our vet-erans,” she said.
Statewide offices
Keet, who is challeng-ing Beebe for governor, said he likes his opponent but simply brings a dif-ferent perspective. The businessman said his fo-cus would be on making the state more business-friendly, limiting regula-tions and reducing the size of government.
“Day 1, I’m going to take
20 percent out of the gov-ernor’s office,” Keet said, adding he would maintain a pay cut until state unem-ployment is under 5 per-cent.
He also vowed not to add a single new employee to the state’s payroll during his tenure.
Beebe emphasized the state’s accomplishments.
“They’re talking about Arkansas in America in ways we never could have dreamed,” Beebe said.
He cited improvements in education, job creation and lowering the grocery tax by 4 cents among his accomplishments.
“I hope you like what’s been going on; I sure like doing it,” he said.
Beebe noted a recent Time magazine article that listed four states not in budget trouble.
“The fourth state that
they mention, ladies and gentlemen — Arkansas,” he said.
Both candidates for lieutenant governor also spoke. State Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, said his goal was to make the state a little bit better for the next generation. He also cited recent work by current legislators.
“We’re making progresshere in Arkansas. We’recreating jobs,” he said.
Republican Mark Darr said he wants to representsmall business ownerslike himself by fighting high taxes and programs that result in pay cuts. Hesaid an online checkbook for all state expenses should be established so ordinary citizens can see where their dollars are being spent.
Saundra Sovick | The SunU.S. Rep. John Boozman (right), R-Ark., talks with Dewey Scott during the annual Portia Picnic on Saturday. Boozman is running for the U.S. Senate this fall.
Saundra Sovick | The SunU.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., talks to John Petro during the Portia Picnic on Satur-day. She was reassuring Petro that she will fight for Medicare and Social Security.
Candidates turn out for events around NEA
PLEASE SEE CANDIDATES, A2
VOL. 107No. 185
40 Pages
SUNDAYJULY 4, 2010
$1.50 S E R V I N G J O N E S B O R O A N D N O R T H E A S T A R K A N S A SCopyright© 2010 The Jonesboro Sun
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Here’s hoping Sun readers enjoy
the 4th of July holiday!
![summary and recommendationsbeaten, shackled, called “kufar” [infidel] by Sudanese government forces and was detained in a facility inside a military compound with other civilians.](https://static.fdocuments.net/doc/165x107/5f0369067e708231d40912ba/summary-and-recommendations-beaten-shackled-called-aoekufara-infidel-by-sudanese.jpg)
