European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 5, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The Commonwealth cemetery at Al Alamein Egypt includes the Graves of 7,970 killed in the desert a world War ii cemetery draws youth to desert by Mimi Mann the associated press Amir Shavit an israeli Soldier was born 29 years after Savage fighting at Al Alamein Egypt helped turn the course of world War it. But on this sunny Day As he ambled past endless rows of grave markers with his brother Shavit s thoughts were with the men buried in the Sands of Al Alamein. Quot we were told if they had t stopped the germans Here they would have marched to us Quot the 20-year-old israeli says. Quot i wanted to see where they were  almost 20,000 Young men of the British Commonwealth who died in the horrid summer and fall of 1942 Are buried or commemorated there. Six Miles to the West Are the German and italian memorials. The second Pivotal Battle at Al Alamein an inconsequential desert Way station in North Africa began on oct. 23, 1942, and ended nov. 4. It pitted Commonwealth troops under Field marshal Bernard Law Montgomery against German and italian forces under the desert Fox. Gen. Erwin  action Linen increase planned for Thrift savings plan cd now Ilia the big Shilt from the old civil service retirement system cars to the new Federal employees retirement system fers has been made i would like to learn it there is any possibility that cars employees will Ever get the Chance to increase their Thrift savings plan tsp to More than 5 percent and Hope of Hopes receive Matching Money from the government fers employees can contribute up to 10 percent of their income into the tax deferred tsp plus receive a further 5 percent totalling 15 percent americans save but 4 percent of their income yet we wonder Why our competitiveness Falls behind the japanese save 15 percent and thus have huge reserves of capita for investment research and development Etc. Baby Boomers Are in More of a savings mood now that we approach retirement and have children heading for College Why can to the government help itself and All of its employees by offering much higher incentives Tor saving my main questions what percentages of government employees covered by cars and fers me saving the Commonwealth Victory stopped Rommel and dammed the German tide. But the Cost of Victory was staggering More than 70,000 dead or wounded most in their Early 20s. Many cemeteries and monuments Tell the Story of youth who went to War but the message is Stark indeed at Al Alamein. The German memorial bears the message on a courtyard obelisk open to the Sun and stars flanked by four gothic eagles Quot the Price of Pride is High and paid by the  at the Commonwealth cemetery the message is on grave markers. Some Bear religious verses some speak of bravery and the Call of duty. But the thoughts that linger Are messages from Home. A . Palmer Royal air service corps who died sept. 24,1942, at age 24. Quot we grow old. You stand on the Moor with the wind in your hair Young and wonderful Quot a gunner . Ives oct. 26,1942, age 27. Quot to the world he was but one Soldier to us the world. Remembered by Mother father Sisters.  group capt. Lord Leonard Cheshire has spent his postwar life reminding others not to forget the High Price paid by the Young in War. For four years lord Cheshire flew bombing missions Over Germany on aug. 9,1945, he was the British observer when american pilots dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki Japan. Quot there was a Nagasaki every six Days for six years Quot lord Cheshire said. Quot i could t let them All die in vain. They were so Young. A we re the beneficiaries of past sacrifice. We need to feel it. There Are Many ways to do it but perhaps the through the tsp and what percentage of their incomes Are going into the tsp most important what is the likelihood of someone getting smart and allowing More savings under both plans John Pinschmidt Stuttgart Germany a Jane Wilson personnel management specialist civilian personnel division office of the Deputy chief of staff personnel Usa eur replies current data from the Federal retirement thrill investment aboard shows about 30 percent of cars employees Are contributing to the tsp at an average Rale of 4.3 percent of their incomes 61.2 percent of fers employees Are contributing an average of 5.2 percent. In developing fers As a successor to cars Congress intended that employees covered by fers be Able to receive retirement benefits comparable to those provided by cars. The benefits derived from the fers Basic annuity and social Security alone do not meet this goal. However the inclusion of the tsp provides the Opportunity Tor benefits comparable to those under cars although the tsp is not an integral Pari of the retirement program for cars employees Congress most dramatic is to visit a War  the one change he has noted in visiting War cemeteries and attending memorial services has come about in the last five years. Quot youth Quot he says. Quot they re out there it s  Philip Longworth history professor at Canada s Mcgill University tells the Story of Commonwealth cemeteries in the unending Vigil. He has identified the same phenomenon. Quot you know it s quite poignant to be driving through Europe and pass these cemeteries Quot Longworth said. A what you re finding is a new generation drawn to them Young people who want to know about  War cemeteries say different things to each visitor. In late August officers and men of the . Aircraft Carrier Forrestal drove 70 Miles Down the Mediterranean coastline from Alexandria to visit North Africa s largest War cemetery. Capt. . Bloyer commander of the forrestal1 s air Wing recorded his thoughts in the cemetery s Register Quot a peaceful rest a place for Brave  the same Day the Riad family of Edina minn., left another message Quot a Nice place but they were too Young to  lord Cheshire says its not enough for youth to visit War cemeteries. A a they must then go out and decide what i can do about it Quot he says. In 1948 he set up the first Cheshire Home for the sick and unwanted. Today there Are 270 Cheshire Homes for disabled youth and adults five in the United states. And he has launched an Appeal to raise Money for disaster Relief through $10 donations in memory of the 20th Century s War dead perhaps 100 million. Nevertheless authorized cars participation under different rules to allow those employees to accumulate retirement savings in addition to the benefits available from cars. Recent legislative changes have removed investment restrictions that precluded cars employees from investing in All three of the investment funds available in the tsp. However the 5 percent contribution limit for cars employees is Stilt in effect. We Are not aware of any initiative to change the Law concerning the amount that employees May contribute to their tsp accounts or to provide Matching government contributions to write us -. Readers action line is the readers a court of last resort striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or questions about policies and guidelines when other avenues for answers Are not readily available. If you have a question and Don t know where to turn for the answer write to readers action line co the stars and stripes Apo a 09211-4211. All letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to our readers. Page 16 b the stars and stripes tuesday november 5, 1991