The Newsletter of the Army Residence Community

VolumeThe 34 Number 2 Eagle February 2020

Applauding the All-Academy Meet "Punch" Jamison "Jack" Charles Team Captain, USMA '49 Team Captain, USMA '54 pages 2, 8 February 2020 --- Inside The Eagle

1. Cover: Applauding the All-Academy Meet The Kiwanis sponsored Monte 2. Monte Carlo Night Tickets Carlo Night on 12 March is fast 2. On the Cover approaching. Club members are 3. Birthdays and Passings already soliciting from area 3. March 3rd is Primary Election Day companies that do business with our 4 – 5. Conversation with the CEO Community for financial sponsorship 6. Meet Lisa Gonzalez, RN and the donation of goods and services that 6. Golden Diggers will be used in the Silent Auction.

7. ARC Library Within the Community we will begin 8 – 9. From Flying Low to High Flight selling tickets to this event beginning 1 10. Kiwanis Scholarship Program February. A Kiwanis member or volunteer is 11. Sheriff Javier Salazar speaks on managing ticket sales for each floor or street. “Empowering Seniors They will call on you soon. Contacts are: 12. National Day of Prayer - Breakfast Marian Mottley: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Floor; Barbara 12. Garden Bed Clean-Up Day Schneider: 4th & 9th; Karen Wallace: 5th; Duane 13. February Movies at Lakeside Theater Solley: 6th; Punch Jamison: 7th; Judy Rhone: 14 – 15. February Activities 8th; Susan Greer: 10th; Cecil Martin: 11th; Fred 16. February Eagle Luncheon Bangasser: 12th; Chuck Honore: 14th; David Paper Edition of The Eagle ends here. Pitts: Peninsula; Janet Morgan: Lundy’s Lane; Barbara McKinley: McHenry; Hugh Boyd: Continuing on the Resident Portal of Tarlac; Jane Mashburn: Churubusco; Al Flory: armyresidence.com is the ‘Big Eagle,’ which Bannocks; Skip Little: Quebec; Bruce Furbish: includes Antietam; Mary Beth Stokes & Carol Smith: Monmouth/Ardennes; and Charlet Little: Off- Military History Series by Mike Huebner: Campus. Family and off-campus friends are invited and encouraged to attend. 240 Years Ago: The American Revolution 75 Years Ago: WWII, the Pacific Theater An information letter about Monte Carlo has 75 Years Ago: WWII. The European Theater already been placed in every resident’s distribution box. It provides full details about A Scrapbook page from January 2020 the evening’s agenda. Ticket prices remain at the reasonable price of $35 per ticket. Your Thank You for giving me the privilege of ticket purchase supports the charitable youth serving as the Editor. --- Kevin Scott service programs of the ARC Kiwanis Club.

On the Cover: Two West Point cadets, in their respective senior years, earned the position of Captain of the Men’s Gymnastics Team: ‘Punch’ Jamison (’49) and ‘Jack’ Charles (’54). Both were commissioned as Air Force officers, became pilots, and served with distincti on. Punch retired as a Colonel, Jack as a Major General. Both continued in aviation in their following business careers.

They will be cheering the All-Academy (Army, Navy, Air Force) Championship: A Triangular Men’s Gymnastics Competition held on Saturday, 8 February, at Mission Concepcion Sports Complex,

Concepcion Park, 714 East Theo Avenue, San Antonio TX 78210. Let’s join them! A bus will depart the ARC at 12 noon. It will arrive on time to view the march in of the Men’s Gymnastics Teams, at 1 PM. The bus will return to the ARC after the closing ceremony, around 3 PM. Please see the sign -up sheet at the Activities Board.

2 The Eagle February 2020

Birthdays and Passings

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS Tuesday, 3 March, is

01 Trema Berry (continued) Primary Election Day 25 Mike Wilson 01 Erika Robeson Monday, 3 February is the 26 Paul Monroe 01 Charlene Smith last day to register to vote for 26 James Lowe 02 Jim Brown the Primary Election. If you 02 Glenn Hall 27 Dick Rushmore 28 Trisha Campbell aren’t registered to vote, and 02 Alice Rolik wish to be, your best bet is to 02 Francine Simpson 28 Shirley Cowen 28 Chris Divich visit the Bexar County 02 Mary White Elections Office (shown 03 Marilyn Ter Maat 28 Venice Grantham below) in person. The 05 Diane Hand 28 Freddie McKay Elections Office will be open 05 Bob Rolik 28 Frank Simpson 05 Lilas Harvey 29 Carol Smith extended hours to assist you in the process. 07 Eugene Forge BIRTHDAYS – 08 Mary Nunes BEGINNING MARCH The Extended Hours for 08 Beverly Rose Voter Registration: 08 Barbara Whitfield 01 Woody Bretscher 09 Linda Barnes 01 Joseph Newell Saturday, February 1, 2020: 09 Sara Erickson 01 Wanda Worthington 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 02 Lee Reiter 09 Gus Guenther Sunday, February 2, 2020: 03 James Meyers 10 Doris Frye 12:00 PM (Noon) - 4:00 PM 10 Sue Taylor 03 Estelle (Woopsie) Willis 11 Beverly Oliver 05 Marilyn Ledford Monday, February 3, 2020: 05 Peggy Newman 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM 11 Akemi Meyers 13 Louise Becknell PASSINGS SINCE LAST ISSUE 13 Joan Jackson 14 Jo Cape COL Doris Cobb 25 December 14 Larry Haworth Mrs. Aurora Halgunseth 19 January 14 Victor Prosper COL William Joyce 21 January Presidents’ Day is observed 15 Frances Post COL Judith Richtsmeier 21 January 16 Alfred Bates on Monday, 17 February. 16 Eleanor (Memo) Bjoring 16 Sandra Dixon 16 John P. Seawell 17 Marian Mottley 17 Wiley Taylor 18 Laurinda Elgin 18 James Rhone 19 Marvin Kipp 19 Mary Jean Mauney 19 Minton Newman 20 Paul J. (Jim) Martin 21 Terry Cairns 21 Christine Cassidy 21 Dian Sherrod 22 James Veltri 23 Nancy Elliott 23 Karen Wallace 24 Carol Heath 25 Bob Cairns The Bexar County Elections Department is located at 1103 South Frio, Suite 25 David Pitts 100, San Antonio, TX 78207. Phone: 210-335 -VOTE (8683). It has a 25 Kay Turley helpful website at: https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections -Department. February 2020 The Eagle 3

A Conversation with the CEO

Note: A Conversation with the CEO is an trouble with a military audience, or a large impromptu exchange between Eagle editor audience. He is a key local leader supporting Kevin Scott and CEO Steve Fuller. This Randolph Air Base. Of course, I would ask, conversation does not make official policy once it appears my fellow Residents have an announcements. Those are made through appetite for facts about the local off-campus Resident Updates. community. It would be an honor to host an

event for Commissioner Calvert. Picking up the phone to call our Catering is easy. But it’s a challenge to introduce to Residents the types of issues Commissioners Court deals with. If there’s something there . . .

SF: I understand there is a real estate developer interested in building a large-scale apartment complex near our community.

KS: Yes! Interesting! The Commissioners Court Calendar is the driving force here. Eagle Luncheons are always the second Tuesday of the month. I will check the calendar on invite our County Commissioner, Tommy Calvert, to join us as early as April. There’ll be time to research the issue, for example, to see if there are any Homeowners Associations favoring or opposing an apartment complex near here.

SF: What about our local U.S. Congressman? Do you have any thoughts here?

KS: We are Texas 28, the incumbent is Henry Cuellar, and he has enough seniority to hold Steve Fuller: I’d like to start off with the key positions, like in appropriations. There observation that the 14 January luncheon was a recent (8 January) story regarding presentation by Bexar County Sheriff Javier Defense spending. It explained that a recent Salazar (above) set a new standard for events authorization included $50 million to provide in our community. The topic, the speaker, and local governments with grants for infrastructure the teamwork by Staff and Residents made this projects in communities with military bases. truly memorable. I don’t think you’ll argue with Historically, DOD does not consider the area me on this point. outside military bases as its responsibility. If this kind of stuff puts Residents to sleep, then Kevin Scott: Not hardly. Do you have any we’ll pass. If there is interest, I’ll contact Rep. preferences for future speakers? Cuellar’s office.

SF: Why not build on the enthusiasm and I’d like to ask you some questions. success of Sheriff Salazar’s visit by inviting other civic leaders? Is this something you SF: Fire away. could do? KS: What is your strategic vision, the ideal KS: We’re Bexar County, and in District Four, future of the Army Residence Community? which is Tommy Calvert. He would have no 4 The Eagle February 2020 A Conversation with the CEO

SF: The idea of Blue Zones interests me. This SF: One that jumps out is the Golden Diggers. has nothing to do with the current political color Most of the Blue Zone communities have some graphics of Red (Republican) and Blue interest in gardening. I notice on the Eagle (Democrat). Please underline that when you storyboard there is a ‘Save the Date’ for the format this page. Let me repeat, this has Garden Plot clean up on Thursday, 19 March, nothing to do with politics. from 9:30 to 11 AM. Is it a coincidence the

A Blue Zone, described by author and Garden Plot clean-up is the first official day of researcher Dan Buettner, is where the people Spring? live measurably longer and happier. Maybe there’s another word instead of “happier,” but it KS: I’ve learned that nothing is a coincidence would be purposeful, satisfying, positive, at the ARC. What changes do you foresee? enjoyable. You get the picture. SF: First of all, this is a voluntary choice. It’s There are five areas of the world defined as not my position to design someone’s lifestyle Blue Zones: Okinawa (Japan); Sardinia (Italy); choices, when they’re in Independent Living. Nicoya (Costa Rica); Icaria (Greece); and The ARC is working hard to be responsive to among the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma the needs of our Residents, which they identify Linda, California. I’d like the Army Residence for the most part. Community, San Antonio, Texas to be listed here also. The area where our

Right away you’ll notice these areas are close staff is in the driver’s to the ocean, but I think that’s helpful in having seat of establishing a a seafood type diet. There are characteristics safe and healthy which could be duplicated here. environment is in Assisted Living and KS: You mean a Blue Zone in Okinawa has Healthcare. Back in some of the same characteristics as Sardinia November, The or Loma Linda, California? Eagle’s cover (at SF: Yes. The key outcome is satisfaction and right) showed an longevity through health and wellness. Some award our of the key characteristics those Blue Zone Healthcare earned applications share are: Regular physical for continuous activity, strong family and social networks, improvement of certain factors of patient care. habits to reduce stress, a moderate calorie intake diet, and so on. There’s a web site, and Skilled nursing healthcare has many laws and the link is: https://www.bluezones.com/. rules which we closely comply with. Our first reference are those guidelines established by Here in our community a Resident can plan a state and federal law. We follow that first, then daily routine that will incorporate these consider ideas like Blue Zones suggestions. characteristics. Frankly I was heartened to see It’s a daily challenge to ask, what can we do a community in the U.S. as a Blue Zone. Too better, to achieve a better outcome? often contemporary cultural portrays our society as caught up in following fads. That’s I’d like to close by getting back to other day-to- not the ARC! If someone wants to be engaged day realities. The Eagle mentions voting in a quality of life pursuit, it’s here! elsewhere in this issue. I sincerely appreciate that our many of our Residents took a KS: Could you give an example of a lifestyle commissioning oath to “protect and defend the choice here at the ARC that seems to be a Constitution.” What better statement now than Blue Zone characteristic? to exercise your Constitutional right and vote? Have a blessed February! February 2020 The Eagle 5 Meet Lisa Gonzalez, Clinical Liaison

Golden Diggers

In 2019 the Golden Diggers accumulated 1100 volunteer hours working to enhance the gardens surrounding the health care areas. Several residents have asked me “What can you possibly find to do this time of year?”

Actually, we are keeping very busy. We had a “weeding party” where we dug or pulled all the weeds from every area in preparation for spreading of pre-emergent in February.

Muscari and Narcissus bulbs were planted in the B-Wing and Assisted Living beds. The appearance of a lovely oak tree in the AL area Lisa Gonzalez, RN was spoiled by the dead and dying photinias in a bed around its trunk. We lopped them to the Resident Services is excited to welcome ground and after the addition of good soil will their newest member of the ARC team! Lisa plant a low growing ground cover. We walk the Gonzalez is the new Clinical Liaison for grounds looking for plants that need to be Independent Living. Lisa is a registered planted, tied up, cut back, moved or removed. nurse with 27 years of experience. She has worked in a variety of settings, including Thank you to CleanScapes for their work on hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, and the B-Wing sprinkler system. A section of it, case management. which had required hand watering, is now working. We’ll be very grateful this summer. Although originally from San Antonio, Lisa grew up in the military and has had the The honor stone project is so popular that we pleasure of working at San Antonio Medical are preparing an Military Center (SAMMC) in their step-down area to make unit and later as a head nurse at one of their room for more outpatient clinics. stones (left). As you walk down Concerning case management, she has the sidewalk spent the last 3 years assisting patients and from the Bistro, residents with the continuum of care. She has the extension one daughter, who attends Texas A&M bed will be on University in College Station, and also enjoys the right-hand spending time outdoors with her family. side or on your Lisa will be helping Residents who go out to left coming down the path from McHenry- the hospital ensure they have a continuum of Peninsula. It will include landscape planting care as they transition back to the ARC. She with stones to give it the same ambiance as will also be going on nurse responses to check the B-Wing garden. on Residents in Independent Living during This and all of our projects are made possible business hours and helping them transition to a by contributions from ARC residents. Thank higher level of care if necessary. you to all who supported us in 2019. We look Lisa looks forward to meeting Residents in forward to your continued aid in 2020 as we Independent Living. Please stop by her office have more enhancement projects in mind. on the 3rd floor in Room 305, phone 210-646- Donations may be made through Anna 5403, email: [email protected]. Sweeden in the ARC Development office.

--- Joan Howey

6 The Eagle February 2020

ARC Library

ARC LIBRARY COFFEE TABLE The Raffaeli Room Women, National Geographic Library Committee A Tribute to Golf, Thomas Stewart JoAnne Kroll, Chairman Henry VIII and the Art of Majesty, Glenna Solley, Co-Chairman Thomas Campbell Annette Golhke, Scheduler Tapestry in the Renaissance, Metropolitan Museum of Art NEW FICTION REGULAR PRINT Tapestry in Baroque A Small Town, Thomas Perry Threads of Splendor, Hunter Killer, Brad Taylor Metropolitan Museum of Art The Last Year of the War, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jack Cowart Susan Meissner San Antonio the Soul of Texas, The Wild One, Nick Petri Gerald Lair NEW FICTION LARGE PRINT The World’s Great Attack Aircraft, Treason, Stuart Woods W H Smith PUB Cut and Run, Fern Michaels Renoir 60 Chefs-d’oeuvre, Gilles Neret NEW NON-FICTION Monet’s Garden, Vivian Russell The Winter Army, Maurice Isserman H AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY

DONATION FICTION Nothing to See Here, Kevin Wilson Things You Save in a Fire, Katherine Center City of Girls, Elizabeth Gilbert When all is Said, Anne Griffin

DONATION NON- FICTION Upheaval, Jared Diamond H Talking to Strangers, Malcom Gladwell NF William Penn, Andrew Murphy B Mayo Clinic Guide to Better Vision, Mayo Clinic MED Land with No Sun, Ted G. Arthurs MIL VN Unexplained Mysteries Of World War II, William B. Breuer MIL WWII Korean War Almanac, Harry G. Summers Jr. MIL KOR

DONATION AUDIO Big Small Girl, Rachel Dewoskin The Innocent, David Baldacci Mrs. Everything, Jennifer Weiner The Chef, James Patterson

DONATION DVD Love Actually

February 2020 The Eagle 7

From Flying Low to High Flight by Karen Wallace

Imagine you are one of the millions of children who grew up learning to do a somersault as your first step into gymnastics. If you were talented or were fortunate enough to attend a school with a real gymnasium and real equipment you may have developed the love of gymnastics. You did the recommended routines for the sheer joy of accomplishing a goal or you did it for a grade. Imagine that your talent leads you to a place you least expect…the cockpit of numerous airplanes.

Jack Charles and Punch Jamison are two ARC residents and athletes who attended West Point and Left to Right: 'Punch' Jamison, 'Jack' Charles, and West Point Gymnastics Head participated in gymnastics. Coach Dr. Doug Van Everen. Punch and Jack are wearing their original letter On Saturday, 8 February, jackets. Photo was taken February 2018 in San Antonio. they will attend the All- exercise/ tumbling so the coach restricted him Academy Men’s Gymnastics Competition (the to that event. teams from Army, Navy, and Air Force) held at the Mission Concepcion Sports Complex. Instead of the well-padded, springy mats gymnasts of today use, gymnasts of Jack’s day Jack Charles was born in Ellwood, PA. As a used thin mats on the hard floors. His routine “ripe old” seventh grader, a friend introduced included flips front and back as well as Jack to the gymnastics team at his school. He handsprings front and back. Some flips were started the year late, so always felt that his done with a twist. skills were not up to par with his classmates, but he prevailed until his ninth-grade year How did Jack become captain of his team? He when he felt he was still behind and had not was not only an exceptional performer, but made the first team. highly thought of by his teammates who Following high school Jack enlisted in the Air selected him captain. How does one make Force for two years; during the last 8 months points as a gymnast? They are judged on the he was enrolled in the West Point prep school difficulty of their routine as well their execution. which gave him a “leg up” on a congressional Other sports had a “season” but gymnastics appointment to West point. During his plebe was in season most of the year. Jack was year he was a walk-on for the gymnastics faithful in his practice of his routines. He team. There was a number of activities Jack received some coaching from former Olympian could have chosen: rope climbing, side horse, and now coach, Tom Maloney. or parallel bars, but he was best in free

8 The Eagle February 2020 From Flying Low to High Flight by Karen Wallace

At the time of Jack’s graduation in 1954 there required little strength, but coordination from was no Air Force Academy, and the grads had diving. He won first place in flying rings at the the choice of selecting Army or Air Force in Eastern Gymnastics Meets his second, third, which to serve. Jack chose the Air Force in and fourth years. In the fourth year he won 2nd order to fly. Our military was between active place in the U.S. Gymnastics Nationals in wars in a period known as the “Cold War.” Berkley, CA. During that fourth year Punch Jack went to pilot training and became was elected team captain by his teammates. proficient in flying the T-6 and T-33 (the latter He was first in his class in physical education. being a jet trainer). Flying could be very Punch entered the Air Force following his physical and dangerous. After pilot training he graduation in 1949. He did his primary training flew the B-47 jet bomber out of the new Little at Randolph AFB and his advanced training in Rock Air Force Base, then the B-52 bomber Las Vegas in the P-51. His first assignment from Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, and the F- was teaching French and Belgian students 100 fighter in Vietnam. basic training in T-6s. At Moody AFB he did Jack attended both the Army War Command instrument instructor training. and General Staff school as well as the Naval To say that Punch acquired many hours in War College. He served tours in many places fighters would be an understatement. He flew to include the Air Staff at the Pentagon, and at the F-86D at Hampton Beach, NY and in Kincheloe, Offutt, Randolph and Shepherd Moracco. At Rabat he was a Division Chief of AFB’s. At these bases and others, he served Fighters flying the F-86D, F-100C, T-33, L-20, in various positions of leadership which and C-47. He was stationed at NORAD in guaranteed his many promotions. Jack retired Colorado Springs as an Air Force member of a in late 1986 as a major general. After his new evaluation team. At Selfridge AFB, MI he retirement from the military, he joined the was an Operations Officer and flew the F-106. Boeing Aircraft Co. After seven years he and In Southeast Asia Punch was Wing Deputy for his wife Kathy moved to Fair Oaks Ranch until Operations in the 8th fighter wing in F-4E and they were enticed to move to the ARC in 2013. gunship aircraft. Then 7h Air Force Chief of Lewis Jamison (Punch) was born into a military Out-of-Country Frag orders. family at Ft. Sam Hospital in San Antonio. In Europe Punch was Air Force Chief of Punch’s father was a pilot in the Army Air Operational Readiness Inspections and Deputy Corps. Punch’s fascination with airplanes was Wing Commander 36th fighter wing. At the the result of many rides in an A-10 and A-17 Pentagon he was Chief of Plans, J-4. with his father at Kelly Field. He had great Punch did not ONLY fly jets, he also furthered respect for that man. As a child, Punch had his education by attending George Washington many addresses. In high school in Washington University for his MBA, Harvard’s Advanced he became a lifeguard at the Wardman Park Management Program 63, and the National Hotel. A kind man taught Punch to dive; he War College. Prior to retirement he was Chief won 3rd place in the Washington DC diving of Plans for Joint Chiefs logistics. meet. He never graduated from high school but went to Sullivan’s Prep to pass his Punch retired from the military in 1975 and entrance exam to West Point. spent five years doing “his own thing.” After 5 years he went to work for the RAND At West Point, after watching the gymnastic Corporation. He was in Santa Monica for 38 teamwork out, Punch decided, with his diving years working on projects, primarily for the experience, he could do some of the stunts on Army and Air Force. After that final retirement, the flying rings. So, like Jack Charles, Punch Punch returned to his hometown and joined us was a walk-on to the gymnastics team. He all at the ARC. worked out with the coach. His choice of stunts occurred on the flying rings which ---Karen Wallace February 2020 The Eagle 9

KIWANIS Scholarship Program

By far our largest outreach program is Mohammed Abdul Jabbar scholarships for Community employees and Mohammed has worked in Dining Services for their young family members. Over the 27 four and a half years. He and his brother, who years we have sponsored Monte Carlo, worked for American Armed Forces in Iraq, Kiwanis has donated hundreds of scholarships emigrated from there in July of 2014 thru to our employees totaling over $750K. special help

Scholarships play a major role in helping our from the State staff advance in their chosen career fields. In Department. recognition of the rising costs of a college The brothers education, this year our Kiwanis Club has settled in raised the amount of our scholarships by Converse and several hundred dollars with the exact amount are quickly linked to the academic workload a student is adapting to the pursuing. American way of life. This year we are also recognizing the strong Mohammed academic performance of some of our came to this scholarship recipients by awarding them a country with “merit financial gift” over and above their little knowledge financial scholarship. The following are stories of the English of two merit gift scholarship recipients. Both language. He has worked hard to become are full-time students with one at a four year conversant and through the support of a and one at a two-year college. Kiwanis scholarship he enrolled in a course at San Antonio College targeting students who Alberto Moreno are learning English as a second language. Alberto is the son of Carman Moreno, a long- He is now a full-time student at San Antonio time employee in our Housekeeping College balancing his academic workload with Department. Alberto attends Texas Lutheran part time employment (32 hours) here at the University (TLU) in Seguin where he resides on ARC. He is currently taking core courses campus and is majoring in Sociology with a necessary to be accepted to a four-year focus on criminal justice. He is on track to college. He is scheduled to graduate in the graduate in May and fall of 2020 and is currently evaluating the his goal is to become curriculums of several four-year colleges a detective. Activities that will help him attain his long-term goal of he is involved in at becoming a teacher. --- Bruce Furbish TLU include Vice President of the Editor: One of the best examples of a Mexican American successful and sustained Resident-inspired, Student Association, Resident-administered program in our a member of the TLU community is the scholarship program for Band and a member ARC employees, and employees’ family of music and members, by our Golden K Kiwanis Club. memory. Their annual fundraiser is Monte Carlo Academically, he has Night, this year on Thursday, 12 March. been a member of Your tickets are converted to chips by the the TLU Dean’s List dealer at your table. Our waitstaff circulates for both the 2019 with complimentary wine and soft drinks. spring and fall Monte Carlo Night is the most pleasant semesters. “casino experience” you could have.

10 The Eagle February 2020

Sheriff Javier Salazar speaks on “Empowering Seniors”

Left: Sheriff Salazar greeted by Frank Cheaney. Above:

One of 50 luncheon tables (l to r): David Richmond, Ron and

Iris Stull, Susan Richmond. This event was a full house!

What follows will be pleas to send money via a January Eagle Luncheon Topic: wire service like Western Union, cash or gift Empowering Seniors for Crime Prevention card to be sent by express delivery. Usually the distraught caller begs the Resident to “not On Tuesday, 14 January, Bexar County Sheriff tell Mom or Dad.” Javier Salazar came to the Army Residence Community’s Main Dining Room and was Although this scam has been used for so long welcomed by a near capacity audience of 205 that it’s become part of popular culture, Sheriff Residents and Staff. The Sheriff’s remarks Salazar included it in his remarks because his were focused on empowering seniors to avoid office still receives reports of this scam being attempted. Residents Chuck Honore’, Jo becoming crime victims. Cape, and others, have received the supposed After an introduction by emcee Kevin Scott, “grandchild calling from jail” scam call recently. Sheriff Salazar got right to the central theme of crime prevention. Senior citizens, including Later in the Sheriff’s talk, Dick Graves spoke of ARC Residents, are likely to be generous, a recent scam phone call from a supposed law enforcement officer claiming to be serving an trusting, compassionate, compliant to authority, and thus a key target for scam artists. arrest warrant for not appearing for Jury duty. The scammer’s voice and vocabulary seemed Sheriff Salazar cited a common example, convincing. He used the name of an actual which later several Residents mentioned as captain in the Sheriff’s Office. Although this having already received: The supposed scam attempt was unsuccessful, it was time- grandchild’s call from jail. The scene begins consuming and aggravating. Sheriff Salazar with a Resident answering the telephone, and also cited examples of blackmail attempts a young voice desperately calling, “Grandpa? during his presentation. (or Grandma?) Are you there?” Sheriff Salazar’s remarks covered a full range The first trick the scammer is attempting is to of crime prevention, not just scams. In our get the Resident to say the name of the March Eagle, there will begin a monthly crime grandchild. So, when the Resident says, for prevention series coordinated with the Sheriff’s example, “Logan, is that you?” the scammer Public Information Office. The Bexar County now will use the name Logan while sounding to Sheriff and the ARC work together on a daily be in distress, apparently in a noisy jail. Caller basis. In January 2018, the ARC hosted an ID seems to be of little value in identifying Active Shooter Exercise for Bexar County first these calls. responders supervised by the Sheriff’s Office. Note: 911 = emergencies; 210-335-6000 = routine call to Sheriff’s dispatcher February 2020 The Eagle 11 Save the Dates: National Day of Prayer – Breakfast; Garden Plot Clean Up

Before Clean-Up

National Day of Prayer – Breakfast Thursday, 7 May, 8:30 AM to 10 AM Main Dining Room The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and After Clean-Up meditation". Annually, a presidential proclamation encourages all Americans to pray on this day. ARC Gardeners and Future Gardeners The modern law formalizing its annual Garden Bed Cleanup: Thursday, 19 March observance was enacted in 1952, during the We are planning a cleanup activity at the Korean War. Days of prayer have been with us ARC Garden Beds for Thursday, 19 March since the time of Colonial America. This year’s from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. The goal is to remove theme is Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth, from the unused metal fencing, tomato cages, lattice the Biblical verse Habakkuk 2:14. climbers, etc., from those beds that have not All Residents are invited to attend the National been claimed by a Resident. The unused Day of Prayer Breakfast. Beginning in March, fencing will be moved to the garden staging Residents may make reservations to attend by area for future use. contacting Krystal Almendarez. As in previous years, the program is organized by Residents This will provide a much better view for and includes prayers, the meal, and remarks by a perspective new Residents on tour of the ARC, speaker. The event coordinator is Kevin Scott. and a better view from the High-Rise. Any future gardener may choose their garden e are honored to have as this year’s speaker W bed(s) on cleanup day. Snacks and drinks will Mrs. Susie Rowan, the Executive Director of the be provided. Please join us and bring your Bible Study Fellowship and author of the ebook, The Gospel Changes Everything: How We Can gloves! Biblically Engage Our Culture for Good. She is To plan for this event, there is a sign-up joining us at the invitation of Matt Brockway. Her sheet at the Activities board. The Residents introduction, and other event details, will be the encouraging this event are Nancy DeWitt, Meg next issue of The Eagle. Luken, and Victoria Summy. 12 The Eagle February 2020 February Movies at Lakeside Theater Friday 7th, (2018) Friday 14th, BlacKkKlansman (1968) Romeo (1:30 p.m./ 2 hr. 15 and Juliet (1:30 min.) Rated R. p.m./ 2 hr. 18 Ron Stallworth, an min.) Rated PG. African American When two young police officer from members of Colorado Springs, feuding families CO, successfully meet, forbidden manages to love ensues. From infiltrate the local the Shakespeare Ku Klux Klan play, and branch with the help screenplay by of a Jewish Franco Brusati. surrogate who eventually becomes its leader.

Saturday 15th Friday 21st, (2019). The White Crow Overcomer (2019) (1:30 p.m./ (1:30 p.m./1hr. 2 hr. 7 min.) 59 min) Rated Rated R. Director Ralph Fiennes PG. Life changes captures the raw overnight for Coach physicality and John Harrison when brilliance of his high school dancer Rudolf basketball team and Nureyev, whose state championship escape to the dreams are crushed West stunned the under the weight of world at the unexpected news. height of the Cold War.

Wednesday 26th, LAKESIDE MOVIE SCHEDULE—FEBRUARY Dinner and a Friday, 7 February, 1:30 PM: BlacKkKlansman Movie; A Beautiful Day in the Friday, 14 February, 1:30 PM: Romeo and Juliet

Neighborhood, Saturday, 15 February, 1:30 PM: The White Crow (2019) PG, 1 hr, 49 min., showtime Friday, 21 February, 1:30 PM: Overcomer

6:15 PM. Friday Wednesday, 26 February, 6:15 PM (Show time): 28th,1:30 PM A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Matinee. Based on the true story of a Friday, 28 February, 1:30 PM: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood real-life friendship between Fred Please use the sign-up sheets to indicate you Rogers and are planning to attend the movies of your journalist Tom choice. The Dinner and a Movie event begins Junod. with happy hour at 4:30 PM, a buffet dinner at 5 PM, and the movie screen time of 6:15 PM. February 2020 The Eagle 13

February Activities

TUESDAY MORNING GET YOUR ACTIVITIES CALENDAR! COFFEE Stop by the Activities office by the photo wall DOCUMENTARY down the hall from the High-Rise mail room and SCHEDULE pick up a copy of this month’s Activities Every Tuesday from Calendar and the Lakeside Theater movie 9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m. schedule. Can’t stop by? Call Jane Winzeler at in the Activities Room. ext. 5305 to have one put in your mailbox.

Coffee & pastries ARC EXCURSIONS (Get details and sign-up provided. on the Activities bulletin board.)

PBS presents “The Roosevelts: An Intimate Saturday 1st – S.A. Symphony presents History” (continued) Ken Burns chronicles the “The Gurwitz 2020 International Piano lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Competition” at the Tobin Center. Bus leaves Roosevelt, three members of the most and the ARC at 7:00 p.m. influential family in American politics. Tuesday 4th – Lunch at “McAdoo’s” in New 2/4/20 – Episode 4: Part Two, “The Storm” Braunfels with the Luncheonaires. Bus (1920 – 1933) Franklin Roosevelt runs for Vice leaves the ARC at 11:00 a.m.

President in 1920 and seems assured of a still Friday 7th – "The Music Man” at Woodlawn brighter future until polio devastates him the Theatre. Bus will leave the ARC at 6:30 p.m. following summer. He spends seven years struggling without success to walk again. Saturday 8th – All Academy Gymnastics Meet at Mission Concepcion Sports 2/11/20 – Episode 5: Part One, “The Rising Complex. Bus will leave the ARC at 12 noon. Road” (1933 – 1939) FDR brings the same optimism and energy to the White House that Tuesday 11th – Lunch at “Piatti” at the his cousin Theodore displayed. His sweeping Quarry with the Luncheonaires. Bus will New Deal restores the people’s self-confidence leave the ARC at 11:00 a.m. and their relationdship with government. Wednesday 12th – Dinner Night Out

2/18/20 – Episode 5: Part Two, “The Rising “Mako’s on the Creek” in Cibolo. Bus will Road” (1933 – 1939) Eleanor rejects the leave the ARC at 5:00 p.m. traditional role of first lady, becomes a Saturday 15th – “Four Old political force in her own right. FDR faces Broads” at STAGE/Bulverde whether to run for a third term and how to Dinner Theatre. Bus will leave deal with the rise of Hitler. the ARC at 5:45 p.m.

2/25/20 – Episode 6: Part One “The Sunday 16th – San Antonio Common Cause” (1939 – 1944) FDR Stock Show & Rodeo shatters the third-term tradition, and after presents “Charreada” at the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor helps set Expo Hall. Bus leaves the the course toward Allied victory. ARC at 4:00 p.m.

14 The Eagle February 2020

February Activities

Tuesday 18th – Lunch at ON CAMPUS ACTIVITIES “Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse” with the Sunday 2nd – Luncheonaires. Bus leaves Superbowl LIV in the the ARC at 11:00 Residents Lounge at

5:30 p.m. Friday 21st – Witte Oratorical Contest at the Witte Museum. Bus will Tuesday 11th – Eagle leave the ARC at 11:30 Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. a.m. in the Auditorium. Friday 21st – S.A. Speaker: Mr. Damon Symphony “Ovation” at Baine, San Antonio the Tobin Center. Bus Military Health Agency. leaves the ARC at 7:00 Contact Kevin Scott for p.m. details at 646-5820. Sunday 23rd – San Fernando Tuesday 11th – MOAA Cathedral welcomes speaker Virginia Mandolin/Harp. Gail Joyce. Dinner in the Bus leaves the High-Rise Auditorium at ARC at 6:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Sign-up on the Activities board, contact Joe Morgan (410) 991-5900, or [email protected] Tuesday 25th – Thursday 13th Lunch at “Grayze’s – Ken Slavin’s on Grayson” with the “2nd Annual Luncheonaires. Bus Valentine’s leaves the ARC at Eve” at 7:00 11:00 a.m. p.m. in the Auditorium. Wednesday 26th – Start Valentine’s S.A. Broadway Day early! presents “Come From Tuesday 18th Away” at the Tobin – Jolly Jubilee Center. Bus leaves the Jammers in the ARC at 6:30 p.m. Auditorium at 2:00 PM. This is a music ministry Friday 28th – group from the S.A. Symphony United Methodist “Pops” at the Church, Tobin Center. Windcrest. Bus leaves the Monday 24th – Monthly OASIS Class in the ARC at 7:00 Activities Room. You need to have registered p.m. and signed up for this class. See the Activities board in the High-Rise across the mailroom.

February 2020 The Eagle 15

February Eagle Luncheon Speaker: Mr. Damon Baine, Chief Operating Officer, San Antonio Military Health System Military medical providers in San Antonio, such as the 59th Medical Wing, set and meet high quality standards and outcomes, and focus on maintaining them. The photo shows a briefing, in January 2017, where then COL Baine (front left) and Maj. Gen. Bart Iddins (front right), the 59th Medical Wing commander, listen to Dr. Brent James (center) share his positive opinion of the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. Dr. James is an internationally known expert in the field of clinical quality improvement. ------February Eagle Luncheon Speaker, Mr. Damon Baine, Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Baine is a native Texan with an San Antonio Military Health System undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare All residents are invited to a luncheon on Administration from Baylor University. Tuesday, 11 February, 11:30 AM to 1 PM, in the Auditorium. The speaker is Mr. Damon Baine, Mr. Baine is also a Board-Certified Fellow in the Chief Operating Officer of the San Antonio the American College of Healthcare Executives. Military Health System. He is an active member of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Health Care and Mr. Baine will address the current transition, Bioscience Committee, and a member on his which began on 1 October 2019, from the Army church council. Navy, and Air Force to the Defense Health Agency, for the responsibility to administer and The luncheon meal for this event is superb. manage all military hospitals and clinics. He will Executive Chef Julian Flores has designed this discuss what this transition means to menu: It begins with a Caesar Salad, an entrée beneficiaries currently receiving care from the of a Grilled Cornish Hen with Roasted Garlic military medical facilities in San Antonio. Demi, sides of Mashed Potatoes and Rattatouille, and for dessert, Carrot Cake with Mr. Baine served in the Army for 29 years, Carrot Syrup and Berries, with Coffee, Iced retiring as a Colonel. He also held the position Tea, and Water. This is a complete lunch for an of the Chief Operating Officer for the San $8 charge to your meal account. You will not Antonio Military Health System prior to retiring find a better deal, or meal, anywhere. from active duty. Mr. Baine has experience Information about our luncheon topic may be leading healthcare organizations from the found at this link: multi-specialty ambulatory care clinic up to the Level 1 Trauma Center. https://www.health.mil/Military-Health- Topics/MHS-Transformation His current position entails integrating 10 separate primary care clinics, an ambulatory Reservations for this luncheon are required surgery center, and a Level 1 Trauma teaching and go quickly. They can be made by medical center into an integrated healthcare contacting Kevin Scott at 210-646-5820, or system. [email protected].

16 The Eagle February 2020 240 Years Ago: February 1780. Charleston: Britain’s New Southern Strategy by Mike Huebner

of vast Loyalist support throughout the southern colonies as little more than a pipedream. For Clinton, Washington and his army remained the primary objective; the war had to be won in the North.

Washington, too, was not convinced that the South could be the decisive theater of the war or that the British might shift their main focus there. For Washington, New York and the principal British army there was still the objective. Despite the debacle at Savannah the previous year, Washington believed that General Benjamin Lincoln and the militia of the southern colonies, reinforced with a few THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Continental regiments, could hold the line 240 YEARS AGO: FEBRUARY 1780 against any British incursion. CHARLESTON: BRITAIN’S NEW SOUTHERN STRATEGY But Charleston was the new objective. With the capture of Charleston, British officials were In late December 1779, Washington’s spies sure that South Carolina and Georgia could be in New York City were reporting to him that secured, followed perhaps by North Carolina there was something going on. Three and Virginia. Clinton had come around, thousand British troops had just arrived from reluctantly, to the new Southern Strategy. Newport, Rhode Island. Each day, hundreds “This is the most important hour Britain ever more from the New York garrison were seen knew [in this war],” he wrote just before the boarding ships in the harbor. On Christmas ships sailed. “If we lose it, we shall never see Day, General Henry Clinton (above right) and another.” his staff arrived to board one of the larger ships-of-the-line. Rumors were rampant, but The British armada set sail from New York on there was one place name that kept coming up 26 December with more than 8,500 troops and – Charleston. But even the ship captains did 5,000 sailors and marines aboard the ships. not know their ultimate destination; they had It was a harrowing voyage. Fierce gales, been given sealed orders, not to be opened “with unbelievable fury,” scattered the fleet. until they were out at sea. Waves crashed over the ships, sending icy Clinton, though, was rather skeptical that the water into the holds to drench the seasick war could be won in the South. While “landlubbers.” Some were so cold and wet Savannah had been occupied and much of they tried to light fires in the holds!

Georgia subdued, he viewed the expectations

17 The Eagle February 2020 240 Years Ago: February 1780. Charleston: Britain’s New Southern Strategy by Mike Huebner

Incredibly, only one ship was lost at sea – but Benjamin that one carried most of the army’s siege Lincoln (at left) artillery. And nearly all the 1,400 horses on was aware of board were so tossed about and badly injured the British they had to be destroyed. landings and

Almost six weeks after sailing, on 11 their approach February, the British fleet made landfall on to the outskirts Simmons Island, about twenty miles southeast of Charleston. of Charleston. One of the Hessian soldiers But he believed wrote in his diary: “Every face brightened.” the city could Even though it was still winter, he noted the be defended. southern coastal air “was as warm as it is in Germany in the summer.” For more than a year, work had Clinton came been ongoing ashore with to improve the mixed emotions. defenses of the The previous city, under the summer he had trained eye of a asked to be French Army relieved after engineer, Colonel Jean-Baptiste-Joseph, the seven years of Chevalier de Lamouy. Lincoln was confident service in that the city was protected by a formidable America. He system of defensive works. He was probably was still waiting right. an answer from London. That The city itself set on a peninsula bounded on complicated an awkward relationship with his the west by the Ashley River and on the east second in command – and possible successor by the Cooper. An extensive system of – General Charles Cornwallis (above). The two parapets, redoubts, and ditches cut across the had never been close; at one-point Cornwallis neck of the peninsula, covering the approaches had even pleaded not to be placed under to the city from the north. More than eighty Clinton’s command. Now, on the eve of a pieces of artillery covered these defenses. major campaign, Cornwallis even refused to participate in any of the planning! Clinton The entrance to Charleston harbor was would be without the counsel of his most narrow, defended by batteries on Sullivan experienced general. Island and by Forts Moultrie and Johnson. The

The British landing had not been opposed, inlet channel into the harbor was partially but it took more than two weeks to advance a blocked by a large sandbar, the Charleston mere six miles to James Island, just across the Bar, requiring skilled navigation to enter. Ashley River from Charleston. Militia cavalry Inside the harbor, Lincoln had six warships: harassed the slow-moving columns, three Continental frigates and three small unchallenged by any British cavalry (who had French frigates that had been left behind when lost most of their horses at sea). But the the French fleet sailed away after the battle for British advance may have been somewhat Savannah. If the British ships tried to fight their slowed as well by a fear that the swamps they way into the harbor, they would have to pass in were passing through might contain, in the single file, vulnerable to the combined fire of words of a Hessian diarist, “crocodiles, sixteen- the American ships and the shore batteries. feet long, wolves, and several species of venomous snakes.” 18 The Eagle February 2020 240 Years Ago: February 1780. Charleston: Britain’s New Southern Strategy by Mike Huebner

Lincoln’s greatest concern, though, was the war away from South Carolina – now manpower. He had only about 2,400 demanded that Lincoln defend the city “to the

Continentals along with a few hundred militia. last extremity.” He had been promised another 1,500 Lincoln received a rude Continentals from Virginia and North Carolina, shock in late February but they had not yet arrived by February. when his naval commander, Abraham Requests to Governor John Rutledge (left) to fully mobilize the state’s militia met with little Whipple, (at left) declared success. Many militiamen were reluctant to that he would not contest enter the city where they any British attempt to “pass might get trapped in a the Bar.” Whipple did British siege. And an agree, though, to deploy his outbreak of smallpox in little fleet farther inside the the city further harbor to try to prevent the discouraged British ships from entering reinforcements from the Cooper River (map as above), Both entering. But Rutledge – Whipple and Lincoln knew that if the British who the previous fall had ships managed to get into the Cooper, the only all but offered to escape route out of the city would be cut. The surrender Charleston American army would be trapped. without a fight to keep --- Mike Huebner [Next month: the siege of Charleston begins.]

19 The Eagle February 2020 World War II: Pacific, “Iwo Jima” by Mike Huebner

WORLD WAR II: PACIFIC 75 YEARS AGO: FEBRUARY 1945 IWO JIMA: “UNCOMMON VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE”

by Mike Huebner

Iwo Jima: a tiny, unprepossessing volcanic island 625 miles north of the Marianas and 700 miles south of the Japanese home islands. A little less than five miles long, two-and-a-half miles at its widest point, Iwo Jima had little to recommend it as a military objective other than two airfields (and a third under construction). Still, the Joint Chiefs of Staff insisted on the island’s capture prior to the upcoming invasion The Japanese commander on Iwo Jima, of Okinawa. Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (above) had few illusions that he could repel an Japanese fighters from Iwo Jima posed a American invasion. His only real option was to threat to the B-29 bombers flying out of the make the battle so costly for the invaders they Marianas. To avoid the fighters, the B-29s had might have to reconsider the wisdom of to fly a longer, more circuitous route, invading the Japanese home islands. complicating navigation, consuming fuel, and reducing bomb loads. To neutralize those To that end, Kuribayashi opted not to fight for airfields, more than 6,000 tons of bombs were the beaches, but to prepare a defense-in-depth dropped on Iwo Jima in December and in the interior of the island. His 21,000 troops, January. including hundreds of Korean laborers, set to work to construct an elaborate network of While the airfields were damaged, they were caves and pillboxes in the volcanic rock, all never fully out of commission, although most of interconnected by a labyrinth of tunnels. On the Japanese fighters were eventually shot the surface, more than 800 concrete-reinforced down or destroyed on the ground, thus gun and mortar positions covered all possible negating some of the justification for an avenues of approach. invasion. But there was another rationale for capturing Iwo Jima: to rebuild and expand There would be no suicidal banzai charges, those airfields to serve as U.S. Army Air Force although each Japanese soldier was exhorted bases for fighter escorts for the B-29s. In to “take ten American lives for his own.” As for addition, the airfields could provide emergency Kuribayashi, he was resigned to his own death: landing sites for damaged bombers, or those “It really does not matter much to me where my low on fuel, that might not be able to get back grave will be,” he wrote to his wife. “If there is to the Marianas. really such a thing as a soul, then it will stay with you and our children.” The invasion of Iwo Jima would be the largest Navy-Marine-only operation of the war, The pre-invasion bombardment of Iwo Jima with two assault divisions, the 4th and 5th, along commenced on 16 February, three days before with another division, the 3rd, in reserve. More the scheduled landings. In contrast to other than 800 Navy combat ships, transports, and amphibious operations in the Pacific, where the landing craft would participate. bombardments had been intensive but indiscriminate, the bombardment of Iwo Jima was to be precise, with specific targets 20 The Eagle February 2020 World War II: Pacific, “Iwo Jima” by Mike Huebner

The first three waves had come ashore before any Japanese guns opened up. But then, the fire became intense – machine guns, artillery, mortars, even rockets. Men and equipment began to back up on the beaches, exposed to the withering fire. Casualties mounted.

By nightfall, some 30,000 Marines were ashore, but they were far from their first day’s objectives. They tried to dig in for the night, expecting the usual Japanese counterattack, but it was almost impossible to dig foxholes in the shifting sand. The counterattack did not materialize; Kuribayashi was saving his forces for the upcoming battle. But artillery and mortar fire rained down on the exposed Marines identified and assigned to individual throughout the night. bombardment ships. At least that was the plan. In fact, few of the assigned targets were The Marines began moving out again the actually destroyed. And most of the next morning. While the 4th Division had the underground defensive works proved almost mission of taking Airfield No. 1 and then turning impervious to shell fire. north, the 5th Division was assigned the more difficult task of clearing the high ground on the At 8:59 a.m. on 19 February, the 4th and 5th southern tip of the island – the 556-foot high Marine divisions hit the beaches on the dormant volcano, Mount Suribachi. Manned by southeast coast of the island. At first, there more than 1200 Japanese troops, Suribachi was almost no enemy fire. But the steep was honeycombed with hundreds of caves and gradients of the beaches and the loose concrete pillboxes, all interconnected by volcanic sand made movement difficult. tunnels. Heavily burdened Marines found themselves slipping and sliding, sometimes sinking knee- For three days, the Marines fought their way deep in the sand. up the steep slopes, blasting the defenders out of their positions with flamethrowers and 21 The Eagle February 2020 World War II: Pacific, “Iwo Jima” by Mike Huebner satchel The capture of Suribachi was just the charges. Air beginning of the brutal, bloody battle for Iwo strikes had to Jima. The 3rd Division was brought in, and all be called off; three divisions began to fight their way north the bombs and toward Airfield No. 2. Some days, advances bullets were were measured in yards – and casualties. hitting too Japanese positions nicknamed “the Meat close to the Grinder,” “Bloody Gorge,” and “Death Valley” Marines. Not had to be taken foxhole by foxhole, cave by until early cave, tunnel by tunnel. Few, if any, morning on D- unwounded Japanese surrendered. plus-4 was a patrol able to The pre-invasion prediction that Iwo Jima reach the would be captured in ten days proved false. It summit. They wasn’t until 16 March – D-plus-25 – that the used a twenty-foot piece of pipe to raise a island was declared secure. But resistance small American flag. Louis Lowery, a combat continued for ten more days. A final banzai photographer for Leatherneck magazine, and attack was perhaps led by Kuribayashi himself; Bob Campbell, an official Marine Corps his body was never found or identified. photographer, were able to take some photographs of that first flag raising (above). The final casualty count for Iwo Jima was 6,281 Americans killed, missing, or died of The Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, wounds; another 19,217 were wounded. was just coming ashore with the expeditionary Almost all the 21,000 Japanese defenders died force commander, Lieutenant General Holland in the battle. But for the first time in the war, Smith. Seeing the flag go up, Forrestal turned the Japanese had inflicted more American to Smith: “Holland, the raising of that flag on casualties than they had suffered. It was an Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next ominous portent of what might be to come. 500 years!” Was the battle for Iwo Jima worth the cost? In the final months of the war, some 2,400 B- 29 bombers, damaged or low on fuel, made emergency landings on the Iwo Jima airfields. Calculating eleven crewmen per bomber, it was argued that the capture of Iwo Jima saved more than 20,000 airmen. Of course, that assumes that none of those bombers could have made it back to the Marianas or that the crews might not have been rescued even if the Realizing the historical significance of that bombers were forced to ditch at sea. first flag, the battalion commander ordered it to be secured for posterity and obtained a larger What cannot be denied is the courage and flag to be raised later that same morning. At sacrifice of the Marines and Navy corpsmen that time, Joe Rosenthal, an Associated Press who took Iwo Jima. Twenty-seven Medals of photographer, was in position to take what Honor were awarded, most of them would become one of the most famous, iconic posthumously. Admiral Chester Nimitz later photographs of the war (above). While the two wrote: “Among the Americans who served on flag-raisings were later conflated and often Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common confused, it was Rosenthal’s photograph that virtue.” became the most famous and best known one. 22 The Eagle February 2020 World War II: Europe, “Operation Thunderclap” – by Mike Huebner

WORLD WAR II: EUROPE Hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing 75 YEARS AGO: FEBRUARY 1945 the Red Army’s advance from the East had “OPERATION THUNDERCLAP” swelled Dresden’s normal population of about DRESDEN AND THE DEBATE OVER 630,000 to over one million. Early reports put STRATEGIC BOMBING the death toll from the bombing at over by Mike Huebner 135,000! Even though that figure was later more accurately determined to be closer to In the early nighttime hours of 13 February 35,000, the initial reports and the subsequent 1945, nearly 800 Royal Air Force (RAF) German propaganda served to make Dresden Lancaster bombers arrived in the skies over the symbolic focus of a long-running debate the German city of Dresden. Almost over the morality and effectiveness the Allied unopposed by any German fighters or strategic bombing campaign in Europe. antiaircraft fire, they dropped some 2,656 tons of bombs. Approximately 75 percent of the The bombing of Dresden was part of what bombs were incendiaries, which, in had been designated “Operation Thunderclap,” combination with the high explosives, set off a the culmination of a three-year strategic firestorm that devastated the central portion of bombing campaign carried out by the RAF and the city (above). Early the next morning, 311 the U.S. Army Air Forces. Intended to “shatter” B-17 Flying Fortresses of the Eighth U.S. Air civilian morale and force an end to the war Force, ostensibly targeting the railroad without the need for a final, costly ground marshalling yards, dropped another 771 tons of campaign inside Germany, “Thunderclap” was bombs on the still burning city. seen by some, though, as “terror bombing,” the 23 The Eagle January 2020 World War II: Europe, “Operation Thunderclap” – by Mike Huebner direct targeting of the civilian population should now be focused on the morale of the without even the slightest pretext of hitting enemy civil population and, in particular, of the military or industrial targets. industrial workers.”

When the United States Army Air Forces began arriving in England in the summer of 1942 to join the RAF in the strategic bombing campaign, the debate over “area bombing” versus “precision bombing” took a new turn. American airpower doctrine was predicated on daylight precision bombing. Army Air Force

That debate had been ongoing since the beginning of the strategic bombing campaign against Germany in early 1942. The RAF had learned hard lessons in the first months of that bombing campaign: unescorted bombers were highly vulnerable to German fighters and antiaircraft fire during daylight missions. Losses had been staggering. As a result, Air Chief Marshal Arthur “Bomber” Harris (above), head of RAF Bomber Command, had turned to nighttime bombing. leaders believed that massed formations of heavily armored and heavily armed B-17 Flying The problem with nighttime bombing, though, Fortresses (above top) (and, later, B-24 was that “precision bombing” – the Liberators, directly above ) could not only identification of specific military targets and the survive daylight bombing missions but, more ability to hit those targets – was exceedingly importantly, precisely hit specific military and difficult. As such, Harris, with official industrial targets. government sanction, began implementing a strategy of “area bombing.” Targets would be The key to precision bombing was supposed major German industrial cities and the civilian to be the newly developed and highly secret populations that served those industries, with Norden bombsight, a primitive computer that little or no attempt to identify or bomb specific calculated bomb trajectory and impact point industrial or military targets. Orders from the based on wind speed and the plane’s altitude Air Ministry to Harris at Bomber Command and airspeed. The bombardier would enter read: “The primary objective of your operations those factors into the “computer” while aligning 24 The Eagle January 2020 World War II: Europe, “Operation Thunderclap” – by Mike Huebner the bombsight’s crosshairs on the target. final directive for “Operation Pointblank” read: Tests under ideal conditions claimed the “Your primary object will be the progressive “ability to put a bomb in a pickle barrel from destruction and dislocation of the German 20,000 feet!” military, industrial, and economic system, and the undermining of the morale of the German Of course, as critics pointed out, that kind of people to a point where their capacity for accuracy required the ability to see the pickle armed resistance is fatally weakened.” barrel! The weather across northern Europe throughout much of the year was seldom ideal, The American strategic bombing campaign making visual identification of targets difficult if got off to a slow start. Inclement weather – at not impossible. And combat conditions in the the airfields in England or over the targets in skies over Germany were hardly conducive to Germany – too often resulted in aborted keeping the bombsight’s crosshairs aligned on missions. And when the missions were carried a target. Even the most optimistic of precision out, aircraft losses were prohibitive. The bombing advocates had to admit that fewer prewar premise that Flying Fortresses and than one-third of all bombs dropped landed Liberators were almost invulnerable to flak within a thousand yards of the intended target. (antiaircraft fire) and German fighters was proving false. Luftwaffe fighters were Army Air Force leaders had other reasons for especially aggressive and tenacious. Ten advocating precision bombing. To most percent or more of the bombers on each Americans, area bombing smacked of terror mission were shot down flying to the target, bombing, the intentional killing of non- over the target, or on the return flight. Each combatants. While most recognized that aircraft lost meant the loss of ten trained pilots “collateral damage” was to be expected, and and airmen, killed or taken prisoner. And many often unavoidable, direct targeting of civilian of the bombers that did manage to make it populations was seen as inconsistent with back to England were so heavily damaged they American ideals of how war should be waged. had to be scrapped.

While early airpower enthusiasts had argued Constantly changing target priorities also that the threat of “terror from the skies,” in the hampered the effectiveness of the bombing form of massed armadas of bombers, would campaign. With the Battle for the Atlantic still make future war almost unthinkable, American raging in 1942 and early 1943, the initial airpower strategists believed that the priority was German U-boat bases. Results appropriate use of air forces was to cripple the were disappointing: the U-boat berths had enemy’s economy by destroying vital industrial been constructed with such heavily reinforced targets. That could best be accomplished by concrete that they were almost impervious to daylight precision bombing. destruction.

The U.S. Army Air Force leadership rejected Pre-war planners at the Army Air Corps staff British requests to join the RAF in nighttime college had developed the premise that an bombing. That decision was confirmed by the industrial economy, such as Germany’s, would two nations’ senior political and military leaders be highly vulnerable at critical “chokepoints” in at the Casablanca Conference in early 1943. the manufacturing processes. One such The Combined Chiefs of Staff decreed that the chokepoint was thought to be ball bearings, a British would continue nighttime area bombing, vital component in almost all precision military while the Americans would bomb by day. The machinery. But the dual strike against the ball Combined Bomber Offensive – day and night – bearing and aircraft factories at Schweinfurt would give the defenders little rest and, and Regensburg in August 1943 resulted in hopefully, bring Germany to its knees. The almost unacceptable losses. Of the 376 25 The Eagle January 2020 World War II: Europe, “Operation Thunderclap” – by Mike Huebner bombers that reached the targets, 60 were bombers all the way to their targets and back, shot down and 47 others were so damaged the Mustangs were able to directly challenge they never flew again. Such losses could not the German fighters. Bomber losses dropped be sustained. to two percent or less on most missions. And German fighter losses increased dramatically. While the bombers inflicted what was As one German pilot wrote: “No longer was it a assumed to be substantial damage to the case of their bombers having to run the factories, the Germans were able to make gauntlet of our fighters, but of our having to run repairs and return to nearly full production in the gauntlet of both their bombers and their just a matter of weeks. Bomb damage, often fighters.” appearing quite extensive from the air, was often not that significant, leaving vital machine The Combined Bomber Offensive finally tools and production lines intact. The German began showing results. By early 1945, the industrial infrastructure was proving to be Luftwaffe had been almost destroyed, in the air amazingly resilient. and on the ground. Heavily bombed factories could no longer replace aircraft losses. Fuel Target priorities changed frequently production, down to a fraction of the previous throughout the war, further complicating the years’ output, limited training hours for mission planning process. At first it was the replacement pilots. And the transportation fuel production and distribution system, then infrastructure of Germany had been so the transportation network. As bomber losses extensively damaged as to be almost mounted, a decision was made to target the inoperable. German aircraft industry. While each had an impact on the German industrial economy and Most large German cities – those with a military capabilities, no single target category population of 100,000 or more – were now in proved decisive. And there was always the ruins. Bomber crews complained that they constant demand for the commitment of more were hitting the same targets again and again, air assets in direct support of ground doing nothing but bombing rubble. It was in operations. this context that “Operation Thunderclap” was launched.

“Thunderclap” was perceived by British Bomber Command as the ultimate blow to German civilian morale, one that might even lead to an uprising against the Nazi regime and force an early surrender. The primary target would be Berlin, a target already heavily bombed on numerous occasions, but still the political and military nexus of German resistance. But General Carl The breakthrough came in early 1944, when “Tooey” Spaatz the P-51 Mustang (above) was introduced. (left), commander of With sufficient range (especially when United States equipped with “drop tanks”) to escort the Strategic Air Forces 26 The Eagle January 2020 World War II: Europe, “Operation Thunderclap” – by Mike Huebner

in Europe, objected to that had not yet been heavily bombed – among the entire premise of them, Dresden. “Thunderclap,” as did The destruction of Dresden brought the General James Doolittle debate full circle. While some argued that (left), commander of the Dresden was a legitimate military target, a key Eighth U.S. Air Force. transportation hub and manufacturing center for precision optics, electronics, and munitions, Their objections were others pointed to the massive death toll as not based on any proof that Allied policy had changed. profound humanitarian or Questions about the bombing strategy were ethical issues, but on the raised in the House of Commons. basis of military effectiveness: “Our entire target policy has been founded on the fact that Even Churchill may have had second it was uneconomic to bomb any except military thoughts, writing: “It seems to me that the objectives and the German productive moment has come when the question of capacity.” The German people had been bombing German cities simply for the sake of subject to intensive bombing for more than increasing the terror, though under other three years, with no sign of any breakdown in pretexts, should be reviewed.” Churchill’s use morale or propensity to revolt against the of the word “terror” so incensed some RAF Nazis. Now the British were proposing to leaders that he had to revise the memo! escalate the direct bombing of civilian In the end, the Allies dropped almost populations to achieve those nebulous ends. 2,700,000 tons of bombs on Germany, killing Spaatz had another concern: “There is no an estimated 300,000 German civilians and doubt in my mind that the RAF wants very injuring another 780,000. More than 3,600,000 much to have the U.S. Air Forces tarred with “dwelling units” were destroyed or heavily the morale bombing aftermath . . .” damaged, and some 7,500,000 civilians made Nevertheless, Spaatz and Doolittle sent 1000 homeless. bombers against Berlin on 3 February. The More than 1,300,000 British and American assigned targets were railroad marshalling airmen were directly or indirectly involved in yards and munition factories, but most of the the air campaign in Europe. More than 40,000 bombs hit the heavily populated city center. planes were lost or damaged beyond repair – Spaatz later admitted that the bombing had 18,000 of them American and 22,000 British. been rather indiscriminate, “making no effort to And nearly 160,000 Allied airmen were killed – confine ourselves to military targets.” As many 79,265 Americans and 79,281 British. as 25,000 Berliners may have been killed, Thousands more languished in German POW roughly half of the 50,000 or more who were camps for months and years. killed in all the bombings of Berlin throughout the war. Twenty-five bombers were shot down. The debate over the effectiveness – and the morality – of strategic bombing would continue The issue came to a head when the “Big long into the postwar years. The premise of Three” – Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin – met prewar airpower enthusiasts that airpower at Yalta the first week in February. Stalin had alone could prove decisive had not been requested the bombing of selected eastern fulfilled, but as the Allied armies prepared for German cities to hinder the redeployment of the final advance into the heart of Germany, German forces to the Eastern Front. Eager to the strategic bombing campaign had clearly assist the Red Army advance, which might made that final advance and the final victory help end the war sooner, Churchill advocated possible. an expanded version of “Thunderclap,” extending the bombing to other German cities 27 The Eagle January 2020 Scrapbook Photos January 2020. Eagle Luncheon was held in the Main Dining Room, 205 people attending.

14 January: Sheriff Javier Salazar and Frank Cheaney 14 January: Sheriff Javier Salazar and Frank Cheaney

28 The Eagle January 2020 27 The Eagle January 2020 Director of Housekeeping Elida Longoria and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar

Above Photos are the Eagle Luncheon, 14 January Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar

29 The Eagle January 2020 Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and Bexar Xounty Sheriff Javier Salazar and Information Systems Technician Joe Garza Security Manager Dan Bray

30 The Eagle January 2020