Articles by Steven Gilchrist

L ate last year in October, Belarus – a former Soviet republic, re-elected Alexander Lukashenko to another 5 year term as president.   Lukashenko, 61, a pro-Russia autocrat has been president of Belarus since July 1994.   During the election this past October, Lukashenko received more than 80% of the vote. Located east of Poland and north of Ukraine, Belarus has a population of nearly 10 million.   The country is dependent on Russia for financial and political support.   Russia provides Belarus with loans and inexpensive gas and oil.   In 1991, Belarus gained independence from Russia.   Belarus has had a closer economic and political partnership with Russia than any other former Soviet republic. Facts about Belarus: Population: 9,589,689 (July 2015 est.) Area: 207,600 sq. km (Slightly smaller than Kansas) Capital: Minsk Major Language: Russian (official) 70.2%, Belarusian (official) 23.4% Sources: “Belarus President Wins Vote” by James Mars...

Boston, MA. - L ocated next to the Massachusetts State House in Boston, the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial is dedicated to the sacrifices of past, present, and future Massachusetts firefighters.   The memorial was dedicated on September 11, 2007.   The memorial includes three 10-foot statues surrounded by a “Ring of Honor.”   The bronze statues of the three firefighters were designed by sculptor Robert Shure.   The “Ring of Honor” is composed of bricks inscribed with the names of over 700 Massachusetts firefighters who have lost their lives in service to protecting their communities.   The memorial also includes the Firefighters’ Prayer and Bell. The Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial - Sculpted by Robert Shure

I n April 2013 the Rand Corporation and the University of Michigan conducted a study on dementia – an ailment that most commonly manifests itself as Alzheimer’s disease.   Alzheimer’s causes the loss of brain function affecting behavior, judgment, language, memory, and thinking.   The study estimates that 15% of Americans older than 70 have dementia.   Nationally, the cost for caring for dementia patients has reached $109 billion annually. On April 2, 2013, President Obama announced an initiative called BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies), which is intended to spend $100 million to better research the interactions between brain cells and neurological circuits.   When he announced the BRAIN Initiative President Obama said: “We have a chance to improve the lives of not just millions, but billions of people on this planet through the research that’s done in this BRAIN Initiative alone.   But it’s going to require a serious eff...

T he Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry is operated by the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Michigan.   One part of the museum’s online exhibit shows the struggles and achievements of women in the dental profession.   Nationwide, women currently represent nearly ½ of all dental students and 25% of all practicing dentists.   The exhibit includes several women who were the pioneers for women in dentistry. Lucy Beaman Hobbs Taylor (1833-1910) was the first woman to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.   In 1866, Taylor graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery. Ida Gray Nelson (1866-1953): A graduate of the University of Michigan dental program, Nelson became the first African American woman dentist. Jessie Castle La Moreaux (1866-1954): In 1897 La Moreaux became the first woman to practice dentistry in Texas. M. Evangeline Jordon (1865-1952): Jordon was the first president of the Federation of Women in 1921. Grace Rogers Spald...

L ocated in southern Asia between China and India, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world.   According to estimates from the United Nations, 40% of Nepalis live in poverty.   Most of Nepal’s residents are dependent on agriculture.   In April 2015, a devastating earthquake ravaged Nepal.   The natural disaster left 9,000 people dead.   About ¾ of Nepal is covered by mountains.   Mt. Everest, the world’s tallest mountain is located in Nepal.   In September 2015, the Nepali government established a new constitution making it the first constitution in Asia to specifically protect gay rights. In July 2008, Ram Baran Yadav became the first president of Nepal.   Yadav’s election as president came after the abolishment of 239 years of monarchy.   Yadav’s role as president is largely ceremonial.   The prime minister has more influence under the current Nepali political system.   In October 2015, Khadga Prasad Oli was selecte...

L ast month, on September 10 th , Vice President Joe Biden and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced that $79 million in funding will be directed towards testing sexual assault kits currently being held by police departments across the country.   The funding from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Justice Department will be given to more than 40 law enforcement jurisdictions to pay for crime-lab processing of 70,000 untested sexual assault evidence kits. “It’s estimated there are hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits sitting in police storage facilities nationwide.   What stands in the way of testing them is money and the will to get the job done,” Vance said during the September press conference announcing the funding initiative.   Testing kits for DNA evidence has proved to be a valuable component in identifying perpetrators of sexual assault crimes.   However, nationwide there are thousands of untested rape kits that ...

T he National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument is located in New Britain, Connecticut.   The monument is dedicated to the 6,821 Americans who died during the battle of Iwo Jima, February 19 – March 16, 1945.   The island of Iwo Jima was the first Japanese soil invaded by American forces during World War II.   Approximately 60,000 Americans and 20,000 Japanese fought in the battle.   Approximately 1/3 rd of all American marines killed during World War II died during the battle of Iwo Jima. The monument was designed by Dr. George Gentile – founder and president of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association, Inc.   From the base of the monument to the top of the flagpole the monument reaches almost 40 feet.   Each of the six figures on the monument is cast in bronze.   The monument depicts an historic picture of the battle by photographer Joe Rosenthal.   In the photograph, U.S. Marines raised the American flag at the top of Mt. Suribachi. 27 Medals of Hon...