America's Khaki Election

America’s Presidential Election of 2004 will go down as America’s first true “Khaki Election” in over a half century, and arguably the first ever since the phrase was coined over 100 years ago. The term “Khaki Election” is borrowed, as are most things of the color khaki, from the British to describe a democratic election heavily impacted by on-set or immediate aftermath of war. The press dubbed Britain’s general election of 1900 the “Khaki Election” when the victorious Conservative Party exploited patriotic sentiment arising from the Boer War. The same strategy backfired on Winston Churchill in 1945 when the opposing Labour party won a landslide victory on the platform, “We’ve won the war, now let’s win the peace.” The fact that Winston Churchill lost in a landslide only months after successfully leading Britain through WWII indicates how influencing and unpredictable war’s influence can be on the democratic process.

If you are an American citizen, under the age of 50, you have never had the opportunity to vote in a wartime election. In stark contrast to the upcoming 2004 presidential election, the elections of 1968 and 1972 were fundamentally different as it relates to the impact war had on politics in that era. As politically charged as the Vietnam era was, neither candidate in 1968 or 1972 bore responsibility for United States’ original involvement in Vietnam. Thus, it was not possible for either party to politicize the Vietnam War in the same way the Iraq War and War on Terror have been today.

While many presidential elections over the past 100 years have been held during or just after a war, two conditions limited the political impact war had at the time. Either the incumbents were not candidates in the elections following a war (Wilson ‘20, Roosevelt ‘48, Kennedy ‘64, Johnson ’68), or the president-elect inherited the war from a previous president (Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon). Franklin Roosevelt’s candidacy in 1944 was an exception, when the three-term incumbent won an electoral landslide, the war serving as a uniting force rather than a dividing one. Most recently, the Republican party failed to capitalize on the Gulf War in the 1992 election, which at the time played like old news in the face of domestic issues.

The outcome of the 2004 Presidential Election remains a mystery at the time of this printing, but it remains certain that war sentiment will play a dividing and deciding role in November. Regardless of the outcome, it seems unimaginable that any American would sit this one out. - BT

The Art of Packing.
by - Russell Slocum

I can’t remember when I last checked a bag with an airline, other than it was around ten years ago. But I can remember vividly where I was waiting for it: Philadelphia International, Terminal A baggage claim, in a tangle of a couple hundred frustrated travelers jockeying for slots near the mouth of a dry-heaving carousel and collectively abandoning all hope of getting home before midnight.

Like millions of others who’ve shared the experience before and since, I swore that would be the last time I’d ever check luggage. Those of us who’ve stayed true to our vow to carry on have made single-bag travel something of an art form. The challenge of carrying, in one bag and on your back, all of the clothing that you’ll need for a week-long trip doesn’t need to be compromising. The key is versatility, a concept that khakis define for most destinations. Any gear that was born and proven on the blistering days, cold nights and relentless grit of the desert is bound to be the ticket for just about any condition.

For a common example of trans-climatic travel, let’s take a winter vacation, say Chicago to the Caribbean. Does the heavy coat that you’d instinctively wear to the airport justify lugging it around for the rest of the trip? Instead, dress in layers, as you would for any outdoor venture where you’ll experience a range of conditions. A couple tee shirts under a button-front shirt and a water-resistant, compactable jacket, and you’re more than covered. You have enough protection to weather the elements all the way to the terminal, easy adjustment to the temperature shifts during the rest of the transit, and half of the basics for any conditions that the tropics might throw at you during the week.

Russell Slocum

A pair of lightweight poplins crowns the concept of versatility. Brush off the pretzel crumbs from the flight, and you’re half-spiffed for as formal a dinner as you’ll find on most islands. And that’s just the beginning. For evenings outdoors or jungle jaunts, khakis beat DEET at keeping the mosquitoes off your legs. Sport them fishing, and your unburned legs will rest comfortably at night. Test their legendary ability to hide dirt; see why “khaki” comes from the ancient Persian word for “dust.” When they’ve finally reached the last entry in your evolving definition of “what is dirty, anyway?” a quick hosing and a sunny stretch on the terrace table, and they’re probably ready for the trip home.

Packing light it isn’t for everyone. To its practitioners, the benefits more than offset the few sacrifices you might make. Travel lighter and you travel faster. You have the satisfaction of achieving something with superlative efficiency. And you carry ironclad insurance that you and your luggage aren’t destined for different time zones.

BILLS PROFILE: Dale Apley

Dale Apley stands at the presidential palace with the fallen statue of former Iraq president Saddam Hussen.

Name
Dale Apley

Hometown
Ann Arbor, MI

Residence
Ann Arbor/Kuwait City/Baghdad

Occupation
Consultant, Iraq Reconstruction and Investment

Why you do what you do?
How often can you be part of rebuilding a country.

Hobbies:
Golf, skiing, fly fishing and reading

Proudest Moment?
The birth of my children: Braeleigh, Caroline and Trip

Philosophy of Life?
In life, as in golf, it’s the follow-through that makes the difference

Greatest Risk?
At 24 years old, I ran for the Michigan State Senate against an entrenched incumbent. I lost, but what an experience.

15 minutes of fame?
April 11, 2001 – While the Chinese government was holding a US Navy flight crew in detention, I by chance was at a lunch with the Chinese Ambassador to the United States. At the time, I was VP,International Trade and Affairs for Kmart Corp, and let the Ambassador know of the reaction that our customers were voicing to us regarding Chinese products. Our lunch conversation became a front-page New York Times story that happened to appear the same morning that the US Naval personnel were released.

Favorite Book?
“Airborne” by William F. Buckley, Jr. Acelebration of friendship and discovery while sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. Moment that I will never live down: My children tell me it is the photo with my Sigma Chi Fraternity brothers at our spring formal. Nothing like 5 gentlemen in black ties with their trousers around their ankles showing off their colorful boxer shorts.

Quote:
“Reality is the rocks below” Unknown rock climber

How You First Discovered Bills Khakis?
Was in San Francisco for a meeting when I realized that I did not have any casual pants for the weekend. Strolled into a great little men’s store and found Bills. It became my khaki and cord of choice from that point. Even had dress trousers made in Hong Kong after my Model #1’s. Now I just visit Gary Clark at Van Boven in Ann Arbor, MI.

Matt Debiec,warehouse team; Mary Kozak, warehouse team; Tammy Ettaro, administration; Chris Pietrowski, customer service; Nick Pietrowski, warehouse team; Karen Leroy, warehouse team; Phil Ettaro, warehouse team. Not pictured are former Bills Khakis employes Kate Debiec and Dustin Caruso. Where are they now? Kate - Between chapters of a Jack Kerouac hard cover. Dustin - Rumor has it Dustin's innovative web interface software is being eyed by a software giant.

Good Food. Great People

Funny thing. There is an Italian American eating club in our hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania, called Victor Emmanuel. Aside from being a local legend for home-made family style Italian food, Victor's (as it’s referred to around here) has developed into a remarkably successful farm system for recruiting young Bills Khakis’ employees. Over the past eight years, there have been no less than nine ambitious recruits who have joined the team at Bills Khakis who came to us through Victor's. With each new hire, it became apparent that if they could make the grade in the highly demanding, stressful work environment of a bustling Italian eating club, they would excel in the bustling business world of khakis. Today, our ranks of Victor's veterans stands at seven. Little could we have known they would make such a strong impact at Bills Khakis. So when Bills Khakis needs a new recruit, we know where to look. We also know where to go for some good old-fashioned Italian cooking.

Thank You, Mary Ann.

On July 2, 2004, Mary Ann Epting became the first Bills Khakis family member (employee) to retire. With over 50 years in Pennsylvania’s apparel manufacturing industry, Mary Ann is by far the most experienced apparel industry veteran to have worked at Bills Khakis. We will miss the knowledge and expertise she brought to our efforts to design and manufacture a quality product. She stands here with her husband Chester, who has made great contributions to Bills Khakis in his own right by building tradeshow booths, warehouse fixtures and furnishings. We wish them all the health and happiness in their retirement years. Something tells us they’re not going to sit around much.

INNER CITY 100 HALL OF FAME.

The morning after the big night found the Bills Khakis crew on the amphibious Duck Tour of historic Boston. Missing from the photo is Bill, giving even more merit to the question: "Is there really a Bill?"

On April 13, 2004, Bills Khakis was inducted to the ICIC/Inc Magazine Inner City 100 Hall of Fame. This marked the fifth straight year Bills Khakis has made the list of the fastest growing inner city business in America. This year's Inner City 100 was selected from over 7,000 applicants. We are very proud and humbled to have qualified for this award. To celebrate and share this honor with all those who made it possible, the entire Bills Khakis team traveled to Boston for the awards dinner. Thanks again from everyone at Bills Khakis to all our customers who have made this dream a reality.

The crew at Grady Ervin Co. in Charleston, SC, after a record-setting day.
Also pictured are Bills Khakis Southeast representative Woody Appleby and Bill Thomas. Get well soon, Linwood!

“HAWGISMS”


Eddie Holden (a.k.a. “The Hawg”), our Bills Khakis rep in the deep South, is famous for his stories, jokes, and profound views on life. Pictured here on his recent trip to South Africa.

“When I signed up for the Army they asked what my church preference is. The way they looked at me you’d think I was the only person in the world who prefers red brick.”

 

 

A NOTE FROM BILL
Our newsletter is intended to extend a special look into our company, the people behind it, and most importantly, the personalities that really make things tick, our customers. We are looking for your letters and photographs for inclusion in our next newsletter. Tell us about your life adventures with Bills Khakis. Your contributions are not only appreciated, but necessary to create a newsletter that lives up to the above.

Contact Customer Service at 1-800-43-khaki or customerservice@billskhakis.com with submissions, contributions and pictures.