Descendants Corner

Many of you have stories you could share in the Descendant's Corner if only you would take just a few moments and place pen to paper. One such person has done so and we are thankful! We will honor their wish to remain anonymous.
When Tom Brokaw chose the title "The Greatest Generation" for his now famous book, he passionately shared the story of many who "fought the great fight to preserve freedom". My hope in 2005 is that many of you will share your memories with our younger Americans, the "Millennial Generation" they are being called. How can they ever understand if the words are not presented?

Marcia Balmut Ward

April 1, 1941, a twenty-four old American man reported for service at Fort Hayes, Ohio. He chose the Air Corps and was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, 849th Air Engineering Squadron of the 390th Bomb Group. In rapid succession he was transferred to Kelly Field, Texas, then to Luke Field, Arizona, to Chanute Field, Illinois, then back to Luke Field, to Lowry Field, Colorado, to Roswell New Mexico, to Muroc, California, to McClellan Field California and finally to Sioux City Air Base, Idaho. The following are his personal recollections and thoughts as he proceeded through his various military assignments during World War II.

Kelly Field, Texas - May 8, 1941 "We are having a big inspection Saturday morning. A general from Washington is coming and each individual has to shine right down to the toe nails. And I mean SHINE! We have been getting pistol practice each morning and believe me, it's for our own health. We must be near to war!"

Chanute Field, Illinois - December 8, 1941 "Honey, I wanted so bad to call you last night...I could still taste it this morning. No one was allowed to make a call or get off the field. We also had a black-out drill in the middle of the night. There is an order that the hour we graduate we are to get on our way to Phoenix, which means no delay and no Christmas leave. Whatever may happen or come I want you to know I love you very dearly. If and by the help of God this mess is cleared up in a year, I would like very much to keep that date."

Mohave Desert, California - January 10, 1943 "The coyotes howl all night around here. Sure helps build up the lonesomeness. One would think the Base is lonesome, but compared with this place, it's like 5th Avenue in NYC."

Sioux City, Iowa - March 24, 1943 "I want to spend every minute of my furlough with you. It may be our last chance because when we leave here, it's a boat ride someplace. But wherever I may go, I will always love you very dearly..."

May 6, 1943 - NYC - P.O.E. ..."I feel very sorry about us, enough to make one cry. My true intentions were to marry you when on furlough but I wanted a few days to think up the right words. Then that day I called you from Sioux City we decided to get married here and your Mother was willing to come with you. Please tell your Mother for me that I think she is the nicest lady I ever met and would consider myself very lucky to have her as a Mother-in Law. This is going to be hard to explain but here goes ------- To make this world good enough for little kids such as your little sister, there is a certain amount of sacrifice we have to make...and in this case we both are making one. I am now in the position where one is not allowed to mention location. All I can tell you is that I'm in the vicinity of New York City. I want you to come here so we can be married but I can't tell you where to come. So the only thing for us to do is wait and I'm hoping you have the patience to wait. I promise to take good care of myself and when we're together again we can start out and live as we choose."

Leaving for England on May 9, 1943 this soldier soon found himself at Framlingham, England. May 21, 1943....."I am now in England and it's a mighty fine nation - also find the English people very friendly and industrious. You mentioned something about missing someone. Honey, you will never realize how much I miss you. That also holds good for the rest of the boys who have girlfriends and wives at home. At one time I thought the desert was a lonesome place being it was two thousand miles from you. But it's different now - it's miles and miles now plus new people which I've found to be very different in many ways. I don't believe there is a better peace-loving nation or one that could compare with the good old U.S.A. The ways of the American people are so much better. One doesn't realize the various securities America has to offer until he or she goes to another country. For a fact - the last few days we spent together would be considered as the best days of one's life here. But you and I know we've had better days and we are sure to have more if it hadn't been for this affair. You tell the ones at home they are very lucky to be at home."

August 27. 1944...."Glenn Miller was here at the base with his orchestra. We had some what of a party - beer, dancing, and lots of dust...."

February 16, 1945 - "Here's something I made up one night, cycling home from a near-by village. I was thinking about you and everyone at home.... Scores of pillars existing only on the darkest of nights to the extreme heavens; known only to some as the boundaries of an unconquered country. Waving to and fro as a flag to challenge the foe in the far off horizon...where not one but many battles were fought. Boys and men have died, but not in vain...to give to the world, to their loved ones, the only success one learns to have....LIBERTY"

To be continued........