By Monty Siekerman
Jim Pifer gave some startling facts about our military and suggested a solution to some of the problems of readiness.

Speaking before 75 people at a Veterans Day breakfast on Friday at the Ada High School cafeteria, Jim said:

* 75% of today's young people are not eligible for military service because they cannot pass the education test, have committed crimes, or are physically unfit.
*only 10% of Americans have, or are now, serving in the military.
*only 1% of our population is currently serving in the military.

Jim, who spent his professional life teaching and in school administration, had a solution. He said the United States needs better preschool and early elementary education, especially in teaching young people how to make intelligent decisions.

He said with an all-volunteer military, the country needs more qualified applicants to recruit from. With more technology involved in defense equipment, military personnel need a high quality education.

He came to the meeting with a message and delivered it to all of those in attendance.

Jim graduated from Ada High School in 1970, received a bachelor's degree from ONU, and a master's from the University of Dayton. He served in the Air Force from 1971-75, intercepting code for the intelligence service.

The event to honor those who served our nation was sponsored by a Robert Hubbell again this year. Dave Lusk and Andy Pifer were main organizers while the school staff and senior football players were servers.

The cafeteria was highly decorated in red, white, and blue with the U.S. flag and flags of all the branches on the tables along with thank you cards handwritten by middle school students.

Other events in Ada on Veterans Day included a ceremony at ONU and a free lunch for veterans at the VFW Post.

PHOTO IDS:

• Robert Hubbell (left), who sponsored the breakfast, with Jim Pifer, speaker.
• Andy Nicholson plays Taps.
• Veterans group photo
• Sign on cafeteria wall