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Feature Lecture:
Afternoon Program - 82nd Airborne Division in WWII Leslie Palmer Cruise
Leslie Palmer Cruise served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the Second World War. He will be sharing his memories of training in the United States and combat in Europe. You can read Leslie’s story and view his photographs at the following website - www.6juin1944.com/veterans/cruise.php. You can also find Leslie’s Story and photographs in the following books by author Michael de Trez: At the Point of No Return and The Way we Were. A question and answer period will follow his lecture.
Evening Program - A Tin Can Sailor in the Pacific Michael Bak
Mike Bak last spoke here at Abington in May of 2002. Michael Bak Jr. was a Quartermaster aboard The destroyer USS Franks (DD-554) during WWII. He was aboard the ship from the time of its commissioning in 1943 until the end of the war and the ships decommissioning in 1946. He and the Crew of the USS Franks survived Japanese naval and air attacks as well as typhoons that sunk three other destroyers. The USS Franks also collided with the USS New Jersey, killing the Captain of the Franks. Mike Bak will present a slide show of pictures and take questions from the audience following his lecture.
Afternoon Invocation - Going Home, a poem by Elmer Ake, an infantry medic in Europeread by George Stiftinger
Finally Father I am free
Going home to my land across the sea.
The years have passed so slowly by
Since the day I came here to die
Is there no one alive that recalls that I
Was missing in action, and had to cry.
Fifty four years ago I met my fate
Nineteen years old and full of hate.
Hate for the ones who brought me here
Far from the ones that I hold dear
I have forsaken hope, no cause to cheer
In my unmarked grave year after year.
Seventy five thousand buddies are MIA’s
Whether on land or beneath the waves.
No one knows where you sleep.
Over your grave no loved ones weep.
Only waves wash over the ships sunk deep.
And memories are all we have to keep.
Long years ago this Nation’s youth
Joined the cause to preserve the truth.
We heard the cries of our fellowman
When our leaders called we said we can
With our arms into battle we ran
And gave our lives for our beloved land.
We saw our cause and beheld our duty
Gave our lives for honor not for booty.
America is called the Land of the Brave
On Veteran’s Day the flag we died to save
Flies at half-mast over honored graves.
But I am finally going home at last
Just a memory from the long ago past.
After all these years I was finally found
I’m going home from this cursed ground
And on Veteran’s Day when Taps sound
Another MIA will be homeward bound.
Copyright © 2000 - Elmer Ake
Future Programs at the Abington Free Library Coordinator – Brandon Traister
Programs are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 3:00PM and at 7:00PM . Please contact Brandon Traister at BrandonTraister@aol.com or 856-296-9256 if you have any ideas for future lectures at the Abington Free Library. Please note that we are not only looking for WWII Veterans, but also for veterans and survivors who lived and served during any armed conflicts to share their memories and experiences. Thank you.
Evening Invocation - Letter home from a small town kid now in the Marine Corps read by Tom Woodruff
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Dear Ma and Pa,
I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for Old Man Mitch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all the places are filled.
I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed to nearly 6AM. But I am getting so because I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay, practically nothin’. Shavin’ whiskers off has to be done everyday, but it’s not so bad because there is warm water.
Breakfast is strong on trimmings, fruit juice, cereal, bacon, eggs and hot cakes, but kinda weak on potatoes, ham, steak, grits, pie and other regular breakfast food. But tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours holds you ‘til noon until you get fed again. It’s no wonder those city boys can’t walk much. We go on “route marches,” which the Platoon Sergeant says are long walks “…to harden us.” If he thinks so… it’s not my place to tell him different. A “route march” is about as far as it is to our mail box at home. Then the city boys get soars on their feet and we get to ride back in trucks.
The country is nice but also flat. The Sergeant is like a school teacher… he nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. The Majors and Colonels don’t bother you none.
This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughin’. I keep getting’ medals for shootin’. I don’t know why. The bullseye is nearly as big as a chipmunk head and don’t move. Alls you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don’t even have to load your own cartridge, they come in boxes.
Then we have what they call “hand to hand combat training.” You get to wrestle with these city boys. I have to be real careful… they break real easy. It aint like fighting with that old bull at home. I am about the best they got in my outfit except for that tug Jordan from over in hound holler. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I am only 5 foot 6, 130 pounds and he is 6 foot 4, and nearly 300 pounds dry.
Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry up and join before all the other fellers gets wind of this setup and com stampeedin’ in. Miss home but this place is really great.
Your lovin’ Daughter,
Carol. |
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Planning Meeting for World War II Lecture Institute Tuesday, September 19th, 2006
The planning meeting for the World War II Lecture Institute will be held on Tuesday, September 19th, 2006 before the afternoon program at 12:00PM noon at the Abington Township Library. Anyone and everyone are welcome to attend and contribute ideas. Here are some topics we will be discussing: Assistant Coordinators are needed to help run this series and to help expand the institute. Grant writers are needed to help gather funds to ensure the future of the institute and series. Phone Callers are needed to confirm reservations for lectures. Public Relations Officers are desired to help spread the word about the institute and series. Web designers are needed to help maintain the website.
USS Franks (DD-554) Reunion 2006 Reunion Chairman - Michael Bak
All are welcome to attend the three day reunion of the USS Franks at the Ramada Inn in Essington, PA on September 26th, 27th and 28th. If you are interested in attending please contact reunion chairman Michael Bak, 346 North 10th Street, Surf City, NJ 08008. You may also contact by phone 609-494-7148 and by e-mail BakerAbleKing@aol.com.
Programs at the Bucks County Public Library Coordinators - Kevin Brown & Dave Martin
Programs are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00PM at the Public Library on Pine St in Doylestown. If you have any ideas for future lectures please contact Kevin Brown at Kbrown@nni.com or 215-822-6601.
War Veterans Oral History Project Founder – Brandon Traister
For those who still would like to participate without speaking to the public I invite you to share your experiences privately. Please contact Brandon Traister by phone at 856-296-9256 or by e-mail at Brandon.Traister@us.army.mil.
Veterans in the Classroom Project Coordinator - Sheila Martin This project was started in July 2003 when Abington WWII Lecture Series volunteers Sheila Martin, Charlotte Goerlich, Warren Kimmel, and George Stiftinger formed a committee. Since its beginning the project has made several visits to Abington High School , Springfield High School and Upper Dublin High School . The goal of this project is to visit more schools and find more guest speakers. The committee will assist any veteran or person who would like to speak to students about their war experiences. For more information please contact Charlotte Goerlich at 215-887-2153 or Sheila Martin at 215-675-7504 . Information is also available on our website. Thank you.
Reservations for the Abington WWII Lecture Series Coordinator - Karen Burnham
There are many different ways to reserve a seat for a future lecture. You can reserve a seat online by e-mailing Karen Burnham at kburnham@mclinc.org or visiting the Abington Free Library website (*see web address below). You may reserve a seat by calling Karen Burnham at the Abington Free Library at 215-885-5180, extension 15. There is also a sign up sheet in the back of the room at each lecture. *http://abg.mclinc.org/calendar/WWIILS.htm.
Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Coordinator – Brandon Traister
Assistant Coordinators are needed to help run this series and to help expand the institute. Grant writers are needed to help gather funds to ensure the future of the institute and series. Phone Callers are needed to confirm reservations for lectures. Public Relations Officers are desired to help spread the word about the institute and series. Web designers are needed to help maintain the website. If you become a volunteer we offer you a free e-mail account ( YourName@wwiilectureinstitute.com). If you are interested in volunteering please contact Brandon Traister by phone 856-296-9256 or by e-mail Brandon.Traister@us.army.mil. Thank you.
Transportation to and from LecturesTransNet
With gas prices what they are today and the growing amount of traffic on the roads carpooling is encouraged for attendees that live near each other. Bux-Mont (Taxi) Transportation Services also offers cheap, affordable and comfortable transportation to and from our lectures. You can reach Bux-Mont Transportation Services by phone at 215-659-1313 or 215-659-0555 and on the web at www.buxmonttrans.com. Thank you.
Donations Needed Founder - Donald Lee
The Abington WWII Lecture Series was founded in the fall of 1997 and The World War II Lecture Institute was founded in spring of 2003 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which offers tax deductible donations. Donations are needed to help ensure the future of this series and the institute. We want to thank everyone who has donated money to this series and the institute. We wouldn’t be here today without our audience and our donors. Thank you.
Next Months Lecture - Oct 17 Tempered Steel by Charles Byler
A Thank You to our volunteers Volunteer Coordinator – Brandon Traister
Please join me in thanking and honoring our volunteers here at the Abington WWII Lecture Series: Tom Brennan, Karen Burnham, Joseph Campbell, Aaron Elson, Charlotte Goerlich, John Frantz, Donald Lee, and Tony Zanzinger.
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 Abington, Pennsylvania www.WWIILectureInstitute.com |
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