The Citizen - December 2020

Page 12

FEATURE

Page 12

WINTER SAFETY DRIVING TIPS As winter settles in and brings with it the frosty cold, roads begin to pose an added threat to your commute. Germany follows a practice called “Situational Obligation”, meaning that cold weather tires are not mandatory unless there is snow or ice on the ground. Locals follow a simple rule of thumb, “von O bis O” meaning from October to Ostern (Deutsch for Easter), have your cold-weather tires installed. Even though it is only required when there is snow or ice on the road, it is better to be prepared regardless. Cold Weather and All-Weather tires can be identified by the Alpine Snow Flake symbol. Current road conditions are

kept up to date by IMCOM-Europe and are available online at https:// home.army.mil/roads/. The road conditions for Stuttgart are determined by the Military Police before being reported to the Stuttgart Installation Operations Center. Community members can also report conditions to the Stuttgart IOC Road Conditions Hotline at DSN 4313744 or CIV 07031-15-3744. If you are unsure whether you should report conditions in your area, contact your chain of command for clarification. Listen to AFN Stuttgart on 102.3 and download the USAG Stuttgart app for local road conditions, delays and post closures. Here are some tips for driving in cold-weather: • Stay home. Do not go out if you can, avoid unnecessary risks. • Drive slowly. Always

Students reflect on meaning of the pledge of allegiance adjust speed to improve your traction when you are driving on snow or ice. • Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Avoid skidding by applying the gas slowly and give yourself time to slow down for a stoplight. • Increase your following distance. Your margin of safety can be increased by giving five to six seconds between yourself and the car in front of you. • Keep ready at the breaks. Make sure your foot is at the ready, whether they are anti lock or not. • Avoid stopping. It takes a large amount of inertia to start moving from a full stop over a rolling start, especially on snowed-over roads. • Do not power through hills or stop on them. Applying extra gas on snow or ice covered roads will cause your wheels to spin. Get some inertia going before you reach the hill to help carry you through. Reduce speed and go downhill slowly. U.S. & GERMAN ATTORNEYS U.S. & GERMAN DIVORCES • SUPPORT ISSUES • EEO WILLS & PROBATE • EMPLOYMENT • PERSONAL INJURY MSPB • CONTRACTOR ISSUES • TAX ADVISORS

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Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020

Photo by Geoffrey Morris, USAG Stuttgart High school student cadets stand at attention for the Pledge of Allegiance in (ret.) Sgt. Raul Piñon’s JROTC class.

By Geoffrey Morris U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart National Pledge of Allegiance Day is celebrated every Dec. 28 and gives Americans an opportunity to reflect on the history of our pledge. The story of the pledge began in 1885 when Civil War veteran George T. Balch worked with several charities, such as: the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Grand Army of the Republic, to pen a vow to the American Flag. It read, “We give our heads and our hearts to God and to our country; one country, one language, one flag.” Balch’s pledge had a short run in some schools before Francis Bellamy wrote the first version of what is today known as the Pledge of Allegiance. Bellamy’s words were written to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in America and was quickly used in schools around the country. Bellamy’s original version read, “I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The pledge has been revised several times over the years,

with the most notable edits to include replacing “my flag” with “the flag” and adding “under God” in 1954. Congress officially adopted the pledge of allegiance in 1942. More than 60 years later, students at the Stuttgart Elementary School still start their mornings by reciting the historic words. For some, this routine is an important part of their day. “It helps to remember America even while we’re over here [in Germany] and it connects us,” said Stuttgart Elementary School 5th Grader, Karolina Aguirre. Fellow classmate Gretchen Jensen added, the pledge reminds her that the U.S. is a country that believes in justice. Stuttgart High School student, Jack Engleke, said he recites the pledge to remember the sacrifices of others. “The Pledge of Allegiance represents the freedom and ideals that America is built on,” said Engleke. “I’m able to enjoy my life because others gave theirs for my freedom and I celebrate them every day by reciting the honorable pledge.” my life because others gave theirs for my freedom and I celebrate them everyday by reciting the honorable pledge.”

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