MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2011 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Baptist Church, Sunnyside, Washington

Those interested in leadership and military history will find this book about “Black Jack” Pershing to be a quick and informative read. At one time, over a million men followed this man into battle, but yet he is not a major figure in contemporary discussions of history. However, he was highly regarded in his own time, and was discussed as a potential candidate for President following the “Great War.”

This book on John J. Pershing (1860-1948) is part of a series called “The Generals.”

Pershing was born in 1860, and his Missouri hometown of Laclede was subject to a Confederate raid in 1864. At times his family struggled financially, because of war damage, and subsequent economic conditions.

Later, Pershing taught black students in grade school, and eventually sought an appointment to West Point because it provided a free college education. His early Army career saw him commanding a black cavalry unit of “Buffalo Soldiers” fame. Critics of Pershing tagged him with a derogatory nickname from this experience, which newspaper editors later softened into “Black Jack.”

The book is a short, easy to read, overview of the life of John J. Pershing. In fact, most of the book centers on his family, and early career prior to World War I. Because of this, most readers will be intrigued by information that is not generally taught in U.S. History classes in our schools.

Pershing was renowned for his attention to detail, tough enforcement of regulations, and organizational leadership skills. Presidents McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt, Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Harry Truman all had complimentary things to say about him.

Future Army officers of note such as Douglas MacArthur, George Marshall, and George Patton all credited Pershing with being a significant influence on their leadership development.

His leadership legacy includes creation of the Military Police, Pershing Rifles, and significant influence over teaching Army leaders through a formal education system within the military. Lessons learned during the European conflict are still taught to junior military officers today.

For a short introductory biography of a man somewhat neglected in teaching of history, I highly recommend this book. For serious students of history, this book will serve as a good primer for detailed study of Pershing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Pershing: Commander of the Great War by John Perry

ISBN 978-1-59555-355-3

224 Pages

Published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2011

List Price: $19.99

Author: John Perry, Series Editor: Stephen Mansfield

Oath Administered By Municipal Court Judge Michels

I would like to personally thank Judge Michels for taking the time to administer the oath of office to us.  The hard work is about to begin!

This is the text of his letter:

Sunnyside has taken several tremendous steps forward in the last year in our war against gang violence. Send a message that you support our city’s efforts by turning in your ballots and voting for Jason Raines and Craig Hicks for the Sunnyside City Council.

/s/ Chad Werkhoven, Sunnyside

This is what he said:

It is said that local elections usually fail to attract quality candidates. That is not the case in Sunnyside.

My friend, Jason Raines, is a candidate for city council, running on the importance of prioritizing spending and public safety. Unlike most politicians, Jason offers ideas and solutions, not rhetoric.

His passion for keeping streets safe earned him the distinct endorsement of the Sunnyside Police Officers Guild.

Please join me in supporting Jason Raines, the solution-based candidate.

/s/ Diego Trejo,

Grandview

Here is the letter from Jim Warren:

During recent years, I have gotten to know Jason Raines and have come to know his passion for making Sunnyside the best place to live in the Yakima Valley.

Jason wants public safety to be the priority for the city budget, but also seeks greater efficiency at city hall.

We have had multiple conversations about how to improve our municipal government, to include greater transparency and skillfulness in implementing policies.

As I have gotten to know him, I am impressed with his honesty and concern for others. Jason is the type of person we need on the city council.

Please join me in supporting Jason Raines for city council.

/s/ Jim S. Warren, Sunnyside

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• SUNNYSIDE POLICE MAKE HISTORY: Endorse First City Council Candidate (blogsunnyside.com)

I will vote to stop this kind of waste.  

Vote JASON RAINES

Sunnyside City Council

Sunnyside is a wonderful place to live! We need to thank our police and fire departments for keeping us safe.

As a business owner, I am concerned about keeping Sunnyside safe for our families and tourists. That is why I am endorsing Jason Raines for city council. Jason is an Army veteran, he is involved with our schools and he is also endorsed by the Sunnyside Police Department. I know Jason to be a hard working, trustworthy person who shares my concerns for our community.

Please vote for Jason Raines for city council.

/s/ Laurie S. Beltman, Sunnyside

Editor’s Note: This letter to the editor appeared in today’s Daily Sun News.

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• We Can Afford Police the City Needs (blogsunnyside.com)
• Raines Endorsed By Former Valley Mayor (blogsunnyside.com)
• SUNNYSIDE POLICE MAKE HISTORY: Endorse First City Council Candidate (blogsunnyside.com)

I will make safety a priority: our families’ safety, our business’ safety, and our community’s safety. A safe community attracts well-paying jobs and provides for educational opportunities. A former Captain in the U.S. Army, I understand how important security is. I fully support the police department in its efforts to take shooters off the street. My opponent voted against the dedicated gang unit which the police department feels is key to solving the gang problem. Not only has my opponent voted against adding cops, but he voted to cut cops.

Source: 2011_Voters_Pamphlet

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• We Can Afford Police the City Needs (blogsunnyside.com)

Read the full article at The News Tribune