European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - November 9, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday november 9, 1987 Ledoux shows his $8.70 invention hit is exported to it put Tow infrared toggles which now cos the military �4,500. Guardsman s Gizmo helps army see Light on taxpayer savings Mont Peter. Via a civil Ian who works at a National guard base has concocted a device that could save the army More than 16 million a year. John Ledoux a military technician and sergeant with the Vermont army National guard hat built a hand held device that detects whether he infrared lights on a helicopter work. His invention which Cost $8.70, re places a $4,500 pair of special goggles. But the army says the real savings will Cowe from the far fewer hours needed to use Ledoux s device. I went Dawn to radio Shack and bought the parts said Ledoux an Al Burg resident. It was just a few Bucks. La was no big  to him. To the army it could mean an annual taxpayer saving of $6.3 Mil lion Ledoux came up with his invention a year ago when engineers with the Lockheed aircraft corp. Were install ing infrared lights on helicopters Al the National guard base in Burlington. Ledoux said he watched an Engineer stand on one of the helicopters often in precarious positions trying to Check the lights using the goggles. Had he fallen off head first he would have been killed for sure. Ai the very least he would have smashed 15,000 in equipment right  so Ledoux Well to the local electronics store and came out with a photo transistor a tight emitting Diode a switch and a nine Volt Battery. I uttered around on his for a Cou ple of Days it was t like i had a Brilliant idea right off he said. He finally got it right and his base started using the device immediately. But in look More than a Telephone Call 10 convince the army. I sent them a schematic like an Engineer s drawing and 1 guess they did t really think in would  then he sent the Gizmo. They called Back. They were Alle cited. They said boy that s great " the army estimates the device will save 987,000 hours of labor a year for a total of $6.8 5 million. Subtract the costs Ornat Erias and implementation and the net savings should be an aver age s6.3 million a year. For Ledoux a efforts maj. Gen. Donald Edwards the adjutant general of Vermont presented him with a $10,000 incentive award. In addition he has been recommended for another $25,000 prize the largest sum Given out through the army s inc live pro Gram. The army has approved the device s use and is incorporating the design into its technical manuals. Ledoux said engineers in at least a dozen states Are using in. Ledoux who works full time at the Burlington base said he s pleased especially after congressional reports thai the Pentagon has spent $9,609 for a wrench and i74g for a pair of pliers. In fact 1 really eel irritated when i hear about that kind of thing. You and 1 we re All paying for this he said. The stars and stripes Page 9 Irish police hold 3 in kidnapping Dublin Ireland up three men caught in Ireland s largest manhunt Ever were in custody saturday in connection with the 22-Day kidnapping of a wealthy dentist who had two fingers chopped off. Police sail a search continued for at least three other gang met Eben including the nation s most wanted a flaw. Dentist John o Grady 37. Was held hostage in a Dublin suburban Home where he was freed by police in a Braz of gunfire on thursday hours before his family was to pay a $2.5 million Ransom. John Wright 44, the owner of the Home was captured and charged with false imprisonment and Possession of a firearm amid Light Security in Ireland s special criminal court. The other gang members escaped by hijacking a succession Ofiara. Two of the men were later captured in tipperary 100 Miles Southwest of Dublin Only to escape from embarrassed police who were criticized by the government. Both men identified As pc rail Toal 36, and Eddie Hogan j2, were later re captured. They also faced arraignment in Dublin s special criminal court police said. Friday night Irish troops uncovered a hideout in Woods near tipperary believed constructed by the gang for Shel Ter. The troops suspecting it might be Booby trapped blew it up. Meanwhile thousands of police and army troops backed by helicopters and sniffing dogs continued the search for m least three Oiler suspects including ire land s most wanted Man desire o Hare. The 29-year-old Man is wanted in 30 kill Ings and a string of Bank robberies. The former Irish Republican army Man who turned to crime for profit is nicknamed the Border  doctors said o Grady was recovering in a Hospital. The kidnappers chopped off two thirds of each of his two Little Fugera with a Hammer and chisel to pms for their Ransom Demando Orady j father in Law millionaire or. Austin Darragh founder of a leading medical research firm had planned to pay the Ransom after the kidnappers had left a to in a Cathedral with his two Finger parts and a warning he would be kilted if the Money Wai not paid. Bui police following a suspicious car were led id the gangs Dublin hideaway and they freed o Grady in a gun Battle before the Ransom was paid. Freed Anc Leader sees few advances since 64 Johannesburg. South Africa a freed at rican National Congress Leader Govan Beki said sat urday there has been no major Advance in Black Politi Cal Freedom since he was jailed in 1964. A beat said he still considers himself a member of the South african communist party which is out la wed. Beki released thursday after 23 years in prison told a news conference that the government s limited race reforms in recent years were peripheral to the question of political rights. Instead we observe an escapist policy of a govern ment playing around with the Basic Issue political rights Beki said. Mocki s son Thabo is a top Anc Leader Al the group s Headquarters in Lusaka Zambia. More than 100 journalists attended the news Confer enc. Hundreds of jubilant Young Blacks danced Chan Ted and Sang just outside the meeting Hall in downtown Johannesburg. After the news conference police in riot Koi blocked off the Street and told journalists and others they were required to leave the area under emergency regulations in effect since june 1986. About 30 minutes Bier. 3 Small gathering remained and police began firing Spray cans of tear Gas. There were no reports of injuries or arrests. Beki the guerrilla movement s former National chairman was one of i i Anc members including Nelson Mandela jailed for life in 1964. Of die seven Blacks convicted Al the sabotage trial Beki is he first to be released. The Only while defendant Dennis Goldberg was freed in 1985. Mocki s release has refuelled speculation thai the government May soon free Mandela considered by Many Black South africans to be the country s Preem intent Black Leader. Asked if he thought Mandela would be released soon Beki said i would be most naive and irresponsible of me to  Beki 77, said again that he has been released unconditionally. However the government said he could be quoted Only at an authorised news conference thursday and it would be illegal to quote him in South Africa after that. The Independent South Africa press association covered saturday s news conference but did not quote Beki in it Story. The Sapa Lii Ipavich described the scene and referred to the questions journalists asked but did not give Obdu s replies. Beki dressed in a Gray Suil and speaking in soft measured tones said that he had no immediate plans to resume his political activity but that he would even rally do so. After so Many years i must get Back in touch with the people and the Anc leadership he said. On after these contacts have been established will i be in a position to act As a political Leader. Asked if there had been any changes in the Sou i african political situation since he was imprisoned. Beki said i have not been Able to select any important significant events he also air god Black leaders not to participate on a proposed National Council on which Whites and Blacks would negotiate constitutional proposals to give Blacks some representation Al the National level. We would Appeal to them to keep out of it he said. Beki said hat he a out like id visit his son and other Anc leaders in exile but that he had not asked the government for permission to travel abroad. Beki did not disclose his immediate plans but he is expected to return to the Southern City of port Eli Belh where he worked As a journalist and Anc official before the organization was banned in i960. Winnie Mandela wife of Nelson also attended the news conference and said Moteki i release is seen As a sign them will be ins loss of life in this