Memorial Day 2019

The Newsletter of the Army Residence Community

VolumeThe 33 Number 5 Eagle May 2019

Memorial Day 2019 Before They’re Gone: Portraits & Stories of WWII Veterans Exhibit unveiled Inside The Eagle Celebrating Jeanne Patterson’s 100th Birthday May 2019 1 Front Cover: 2 Contents 2 100th Birthday – Jeanne Patterson 3 Birthdays and Passings 3 Memorial Day Observance 4-5 A Conversation with the CEO 6 Traveling Treasures Thank You 7 ARC Golf Scramble 8 Library 8 Notice from Resident Council Chair 9 Golden Diggers 10 WW2 Veterans’ Gallery: Doris Cobb 11 Save the Date: 11 June, Dr. Tom Hatfield Our newest member of Residents who have 12-Poem by jo compton: Our Village Tree joined the Centenarian Club is Jeanne Patterson, 13 ArtsInspire Rules and Categories who resides in Lakeside Villas, and who celebrated 14 WW2 Poetry by Chuck Stout: Cold Feet this event with her family on Thursday, 25 April. 15 Films at Lakeside Theater 16 - 17 Wall Artist of the Month: ElDora Criswell 18-19 March Activities 20 Eagle Luncheon: Anne Krause, President and Executive Director of the Hemisfair Conservancy The ARCNet Eagle continues with: Full Color Photographs from April Events American Revolution, 240 Years Ago Artist of the Month, ElDora Criswell WWII: 75 Years Ago, European Theater WWII: 75 Years Ago, Pacific Theater

The Front Cover: May 2019

Grace Newton created this classic cover by capturing several Residents in a relaxed moment before a group picture last year, Jeanne’s family brought a ‘Special Tribute’ Veterans Day. certificate from the State of Michigan (above). The Residents Jeanne is the widow of Colonel “Pat” Patterson, a are, left to WW2 veteran. When Pat and Jeanne moved to the right: Bob ARC, they lived on Lundy’s Lane and were active in Mesick, Jack the Travel Club. Jeanne volunteered as a ‘Gray Wold, Tom Lady’ at BAMC, at the ARC Library, and the ARC Connell (back), Frank Garver, Ron Stull, Bill Angels. She always flew the flag from their Lundy’s Wakeland, and Frank Cheaney (covered, in Lane cottage, and now from her residence at back). Lakeside.

2 The Eagle May 2019 BIRTHDAYS AND PASSINGS

MAY BIRTHDAYS 01 Mariel Garber 01 Duane Solley 02 Ernest Irons 05 Garry Thompson 09 Terrance Robinson 09 Deri Rosow 09 Terrance Robinson ARC Memorial Day Ceremony and 09 Gary Wallace WWII Exhibit Opening, May 24 10 Janet Olson 11 John Foncannon The Army Residence Community will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony and WWII exhibit 12 Delia Brister 12 Johanna Butt opening on Friday, May 24 at 10 a.m. in the 13 Susan Greer main auditorium. All residents are invited to 13 Jim Mosley attend and are encouraged to wear their uniform if possible. 14 Barbara Proctor 15 Ray Bagg The program will feature guest speaker LTG 16 Tom Shelton (Ret.) Lawson W. Magruder III. The program 17 Charlie Cheever will also include the reading of names of ARC 18 Lorna Dressler Residents who have passed since Memorial 18 Eleanor Ohman Day 2018, a reading of “Flander’s Field,” the 20 Barbara Cook laying of a wreath, and the playing of Taps. 21 Shirley Buss 21 George Tracy CEO Steve Fuller will announce the addition 22 Gordon Armstrong of a permanent photography exhibit here at the 24 Patricia Eckert ARC, “Before They Are Gone: Portraits & 24 Elizabeth ‘Sissy’ Moore Stories of World War II Veterans,” by former 26 Dan Mendel Spurs photographer D. Clarke Evans. Mr. 26 Alice Neel Evans has been photographing and 27 John Murray interviewing ARC WWII Veterans over the past 31 Tom Crumal two years for this project. The exhibit will 31 Vilma Rega feature 26 ARC residents including four that have passed since this project began. BEGINNING JUNE BIRTHDAYS

01 Patricia Gudinas Residents to be featured will include George 01 Bill Moore Becknell, Jr., Dr. Eleanor Bjoring, Lucien E. 01 Jim Reed Bolduc, Johanna Butt, Doris Cobb, Herbert 02 Douglas Repaal Coleman, Shirley Geissler, Joe Genualdi, 03 Marie Kennedy Sterling Johnson, James Lockley, Daniel 04 Janie Sinclair Mendel, Jr., Robert Metcalf, Paul B. Monroe, Jr., Howard (Bud) Morgan, John Murray, PASSINGS SINCE LAST ISSUE: Joseph Newell, George O’Neal, Robert G.

APR 01 Mrs. Patricia Rawlins Rogers, Ernest Samusson, Jr., Maria Segura, APR 04 Mrs. Margaret Bolton Charles Stout, Guinn Unger, James Veltri, APR 04 COL Sterling Johnson George C. Viney, Bill Wakeland, and Vernon APR 05 LTC James Turley H. Wold. The exhibit will be on display in the main hallway of the High-Rise. APR 10 COL Robert Bowers APR 19 Mrs. Julia Macaluso Upon conclusion of the ceremony, please proceed APR 22 Mrs. Marion ‘Mimi’ Sandholm to the main lobby for the official ARC uniform photo. Refreshments will be served in the auditorium. May 2019 The Eagle 3

A Conversation with the CEO

Kevin Scott: Your first anniversary as CEO is on 15 May. What are your thoughts? Steve Fuller: It has been a fast and satisfying year and I have enjoyed it tremendously. The leadership team and I have worked hard to build positive and trusting relationships with the residents and coworkers. We have tackled many challenging issues during my first year and are on a path for continued success for the ARC. I’ve had great cooperation from Day One which I greatly appreciate. KS: Any accomplishments you’d care to mention? SF: Operating a Life Plan community is a daily challenge. It’s a combination of health care, hospitality, property management, dining services, with accomplishment and success often being measured in the present, what’s going on right now. We’re never going to say, “That was a significant accomplishment, now we can sit back and relax.” So, my focus is more on the accomplishments made or celebrated this month, not this year. KS: You mentioned Celebrations made this month I’d like to start by saying a big ‘Thank You’ to of accomplishments . . . everyone who made our recent CPS Energy SF: There are several. First, I’d like to say planned power outage a HUGE success. This ‘Congratulations’ to Rosa Ramirez, CNA in the project required planning, preparation and a Oaks, our Memory Care facility, for receiving little bit of patience, but we came together and the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation made it work. CPS installed a new pole, a new Excellence in Care Giving Award. Rosa was transformer (shown at top right), and a new recognized on April 5 at the Morgan's switch, updating their infrastructure that serves Wonderland event center. the ARC long into the future. With a High-Rise building full of residents, a Rosa was nominated by the family (Colonel power outage was not ideal, but so many Garry Thompson and his daughter, Shana collaborators came together to make sure our Pritchard) of one of the residents she cares for residents were safe, comfortable and secure. in Memory Care at the ARC. The Thompson We'd like to extend a big "thank you" to Curt family stated in the award nomination, "Rosa Alexander, Project Manager for CPS Energy; bursts through the door with a smile on her Eddie Fischer with Fox Electric for providing face, with hugs and encouraging words for the generator power; Bana Dominick HOLT CAT person behind the disease. For instance, when San Antonio for the generator; Leo Willet with my mother is having a tough day, Rosa turns Automatic Elevator; and for our partner H-E-B on Elvis music and they dance. Rosa has for providing the refrigerated truck that kept taught our family how to effectively and calmly medications and food safe for our Residents. redirect my mom when she becomes agitated. We love when community comes together! Rosa has given my dad confidence and Thank you! comfort that my mom receives the best care possible."

4 The Eagle May 2019 A Conversation with the CEO

SF: Good idea. An example that comes to mind is how our communications and Information Systems departments have updated our community’s website at armyresidence.com and our resident portal with technology features of today. Many people judge an organization by its website, its ease of use and its content. This was a job well done! In the Health Care area, we’ve been able to upgrade our clinical records software and systems to be more reliable. We’ve At the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation Caregiver Awards for moved the current and archived storage 2019: Steve Fuller, Rosa Ramirez, and Colonel Garry Thompson. from servers we maintained in a utility room to a more dependable vendor now The family continued, “THANK YOU Rosa for stored in the Cloud. your caring and kind heart. You exemplify the Information Systems also worked to negotiate quality, care and compassion of the Army a new contract with Spectrum, the internet and Residence Community. And THANK YOU to cable television provider. And with that we’ve the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation for just completed a transition of service in Health recognizing inspiring caregivers for their Care and Assisted Living. Without any service to individuals with physical and increase in cost, HC and AL Residents will cognitive challenges.” receive both Wi-Fi and the AT&T U-verse cable

TV package. Our Info Systems Director, Rob SF (CEO Conversation continued): Next I’d Gilley, reports that we’ll begin transitioning like to add my congratulations to the Golden these services into Independent Living soon. Diggers, the volunteer group which cultivates and beautifies the Health Care courtyard and Other areas of progress include enhancements the greenspace around the Crestway to our Community Information Channel, cable Healthcare, Assisted Living, and Memory Care channel 1890, as well as sound systems in the centers. For several years they have Chapel, auditorium, and Sky Lounge. This is generously been working, receiving donations, still a work in progress. I’m glad we’re refining and transforming this area into a space of calm the service provided by Information Systems in and beauty. more areas such as having the flexibility and responsiveness to install a powerful temporary The Golden Diggers recently won the sound system in the Main Dining Room to United Way of San Antonio 2019 Award for accommodate events such as the National Day Service to Seniors, even though they are of Prayer Breakfast. I’ve heard the attendance seniors themselves! Every so often you find is now up to 200 or so. an article which advances the notion that gardening, and longevity, are connected, and KS: Any final thoughts? that gardening can be an ingredient of a living SF: Yes. I was very happy to see the many longer regimen. The Golden Diggers are visitors and family member of Residents this proving that as they generously give of their past Easter. Dining Services, Housekeeping, time and talents. My sincere thanks to the Resident Services and Facilities work very Golden Diggers and to all of our resident hard to maintain high standards here. I am volunteers! very thankful to be part of the ARC family and

will continue working hard with everyone to KS: Let’s select an area that has impacted all Residents at the ARC. advance our mission!

May 2019 The Eagle 5 Thank You Letter April 2019 The Auditorium Team Leaders are Ginger Armstrong, Woman’s I want to thank the 100 plus Clothes; Marge Canfield, Women’s volunteers who made this year’s accessories and casual wear; Nancy Traveling Treasures the success it Black, Linens; Bob Hirtle, was. During this sale we grossed Electronics; and Wiley Taylor, $16,760, which will help fund the Paintings and other Art work. many activities sponsored by the ARC Resident Council. The Friendship Room was Men’s Clothing, with Team Leader is Bob We have numerous Team Leaders Dentino. and a lot of other volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this sale a Bob Montgomery is the Team success. I would like to give a Leader for all street pickups and special thanks to the cadre of movement of donations and volunteer teamsters that work furniture stored in cottages over the between the sale dates to pick up past 6 months. furniture and various other Don Wilkinson is Team Leader for donations from the cottages, High rise donation pickups and apartments, assisted living and movement of donations and healthcare and take them to storage furniture stored in the high rise locations so generously provided by between sales. the ARC. Bob Rolik is Head Cashier. No sale These volunteer teamsters include can work without teams of cashiers Bob Montgomery, Bruce Furbish, and baggers to collect cash and bag Larry Hoxworth, Kevin West, the sales items. Bob Hirtle, Bruce Holliman, Mike Huebner, Al Bates, Ed Olson, Jim This sale had the largest amount of Brown, Tom McDonald, Don donated items we can remember, Wilkinson, Fred Bangasser, especially furniture.

Norm Southerland and Robby The Traveling Treasures teams and Robeson. the ARC Resident Council want to These are the men I normally call if thank the many residents that I need help moving donations donated items this year. Without between sales. your donations there would be no sale. Team Leaders are as follows: The next Traveling Treasures sale is For the Activity Room, the Team scheduled for October 18th, 2019, Leaders are Arlene and Ross with setup dates of October 16th and Robinette and Meg and Larry 17th. Please keep these dates in Luken; mind. The Boutique Team Leader is --- Gordon Armstrong, JoAnne Kroll; Traveling Treasurers Chairman

6 The Eagle May 2019

Competitors in the 15 April Golf Scramble, from left to right: Randy Perkins, Ken Erickson, Phil Mallory, Ray Palmer, Hugh Boyd, Kent Williams, Gerald Ruder, Gary Halgunseth, Richard Toth, Bob Hirtle, Ron Stull, Mike Proctor, O. K. Lewis, Bill Klein, Dick Rushmore, Sheila Rogers, Steve Fuller, Bob Cairns, Sharan McCall, Dale Offield, Mike Cassidy, Jim Lowe, George McCall, David Garber, and John Hamilton.

ARC GOLF SCRAMBLE Three teams ended in a tie for first place with Seven teams of ARC residents gathered at respectable 66s. The tie was broken by Windcrest Golf Course on Monday April 15th comparing the team scores hole by hole for the Spring Scramble. The weather was counting backward from the 18th hole. The almost perfect, and the course was in fine winning team was decided by a birdie made on shape for a spring event. the 9th hole.

Registration was set up early so golfers The Winning Team Members were Hugh would have time to participate in both Putting Boyd, George McCall, Gerald Ruder, and and Chipping contests. The winners were: Bob Cairns. Congratulations to you all! Putting Women - Sharan McCall Putting Men - Mike Cassidy Thanks to all the players. We look forward Chipping Women - Sheila Rogers to seeing you again in October for our Fall Chipping Men - George McCall event. Thanks to the Windcrest GC staff for a great job on the course set up, the prizes they Other winners were crowned for individual provided to our winners, and a special thanks accomplishments as follows: for a very nice meal that was ready when we Closest to the Line Women - Dorothy Crancer completed play. Closest to the Line Men - Kent Williams Closest to the Pin Women - Dorothy Crancer I would like to add a personal Thank You to Closest to the Pin Men - Jim Lowe Dick Rushmore, Dick Toth and Randy Perkins for helping organize this event and ensuring The teams were set up using an A/B/C/D things ran smoothly from start to finish. player format based on known or estimated handicaps. The scoring reflected a fierce and --- John Hamilton hard-fought competition. The scores ranged Editor: The ARC Golf Scramble has been held from 66 to 69 for the seven teams. semiannually at the Windcrest Golf Club for years. May 2019 The Eagle 7

ARC LIBRARY DONATION RESIDENT AUTHORS The Raffaeli Room The Life and Times of Fred Shurlock Library Committee Underwoods, JoAnne Kroll, Chairman Fred Underwood RES AUT Glenna Solley, Co-Chairman Annette Gohlke, Scheduler DONATION AUDIO Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell NEW FICTION REGULAR PRINT Next Best Thing, Jennifer Weiner Run Away, Harlan Coben Turning Point, Danielle Steel The American Agent, Smash Cut, Sandra Brown

Jacqueline Winspear DONATION DVD The A List, J.A. Jance Judgment at Nuremberg Wild Card, Stuart Woods Manchester by the Sea Deep Harbor, Fern Michaels We Bought a Zoo The Tale Teller, Anne Hillerman Flag of our Father The Shootist NEW FICTION LARGE PRINT Nothing in Common Never Tell, Lisa Gardner Where the Red Fern Grows Blood Oath, Linda Fairstein Looking for Humor – Jeanne All the Wrong Places, Joy Fielding Robertson

DONATION FICTION COFFEE TABLE Mycroft and Sherlock, I Hate Red, You’re Fired, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar William W. Stub Mycroft Holmes, Degas, Eugenia Parry Janis Kareem Abdul-Jabbar The Fox, Frederick Forsyth LIKE PHOTOS, PLANES & HISTORY? Come check out this 8-volume series.

DONATION NON- FICTION Ticker, Mimi Swartz NF Jimmy Stewart and his poems, Jimmy Stewart POE Song and Garden Birds, Alexander Wetmore ORN Beyond the Map, Alastair Bonnett NF The Uncrowned King – the sensational rise of William Randolph Hearst, Kenneth Whyte B The Heart of the Antarctic, Ernest Shackleton H Impact: The Army Air Forces' IMPACT – The Army Air Forces’ "Confidential" Picture History of Confidential Picture History of World War II WWII, Vol. 1 – 8 NF H NOTICE NEW NON- FICTION Resident Council Chair George McCall advised The Matriarch – Barbara Bush and three Residents have been nominated to fill the the making of an American recently created third Resident position on the Dynasty, Susan Page B ARC Board of Directors: Quinn Becker, Bill Klein, First – Sandra Day O’Connor, Ariel Thomann. Evan Thomas B

8 The Eagle May 2019 garden. Three rusty brown moss rocks add interest to the bed with the Little Mermaid statue. Black- Eyed Susans were planted in the Oaks and giant lirope in the HCC.

It is gratifying and a blessing to see our dreams coming true. We are grateful to the residents whose generosity helped make this happen. Our projects Golden Diggers will never be entirely completed. We always The most exciting news is that the Golden find improvements to make, so we continue to Diggers won the United Way Volunteer of the need your support. year award for Senior Service. As soon as we As we fine tune the design elements of each can decide on a location, the lovely blown garden, we are not always able to find an glass trophy will be on display close to the appropriate location for your non-monetary health care areas. donations. Therefore, please call Ann A unique, natural stone bench was installed Blunt—850-496-3186, Dane Franks—210- in the honor stone area, courtesy of a donation 646-2836 or Joan Howey—210-392-9443 if from Mary Wax. In response to a request in you are considering a donation of plants or the April Eagle, Eldora Criswell donated a statuary. We do need a resident who would statue of St. Francis for the Oaks enjoy taking photos of all five gardens several times a year. This would give us an A group of Diggers, with the help of Connie accurate record of the results of our efforts. Furbish’s expert eye, chose large stones at Keller’s Materials for the vignettes in the --- Joan Howey garden behind B Wing. Annuals and perennials now grace the area around each The picture at top left accompanied the award nomination to the United Way. It was stone. At the far end of the bed, a low picket taken on a cold day in January 2019. From fence contains a cutting garden of basil. Feel left to right, the Golden Diggers are: Rob free to help yourself. Robeson, Mary Gustine, Andrea Martin,

Jo Cape donated a redbud tree, which will be Ginger Armstrong, Robert Franks, Dain planted on the hill behind assisted living. Franks, Jim Klar, Victoria Summy, Joan Helen Pohly donated several pots of plants and Howey, Ann Blunt, and Ron Nickerson. Not a large fish shaped planter base. Purple heart pictured: Robyn & Jerry McCarthy, Barb & cuttings were taken from the Health Care Lee Dorger, Ray Palmer, Elleen Wolfe. Courtyard and used to fill a bed in the hidden May 2019 The Eagle 9

There’s a Story Behind Every Picture few small groups of residents who got to know each other well. This Memorial Day a gallery of photographs of Residents who are WW2 veterans, taken Growth of the campus had its price. Doris photographer D. Clarke Evans, will be often asked former ARC Executive Director permanently displayed. Every picture evokes a Bruce Furbish, “Will there ever be a time that memory which is an absolute treasure to recall. there is no construction? My car is always Here is one example, from an interview of dusty!” From Doris’ spectacular view in the Doris Cobb (above) by Carol Huebner. high-rise, she has watched the cottages and duplexes as they were built, and the trees grow Thirty-two-year resident and WWII veteran to stately maturity. Doris Cobb is originally from Virginia and remembers moving in on St. Patrick’s Day, Doris approached every assignment as her 1987. After Doris retired from the Army, she possible favorite. A “memorable moment” she lived several years in Windcrest, but grew tired shared: I met Gypsy Rose Lee when she was of the burdens of home repair. Her father had touring the 5th Field Hospital in Thailand, passed away. Encouraged by other Army during Vietnam. And Sebastian Cabot. My officers, she was ready to move into the ARC. husband and I had our picture taken with him. It was a USO Show. Years before, I met Bob Doris remembers that there were so many Hope during WWII in an Officers Club in Paris. moving in all at once, placing quite a workload I had attended the Folies Berge’re. And then on the one service elevator. She chose an we went to the Officers’ Club. I danced with apartment because she did not like yard work. Bob Hope’s sidekick, Jerry Colonna; there Doris recalls that going to meals in the dining were not that many female officers to dance room was enjoyable because there were just a with.

10 The Eagle May 2019 Save the Date: Tuesday, 11 June, 8:30 AM to 1 PM All Residents are advised of an Eagle about World War II and made guest Luncheon which would easily qualify as an appearances on the History Channel, event worthy of a national or international Discovery Channel, PBS, and the Military audience. In recognition of the 75th Channel. Anniversary of D-Day, fellow Resident Lawson Magruder invited his friend, Dr. Tom Hatfield, As hobby Dr. Hatfield leads tours across an internationally acclaimed scholar of battlefields of the war, most World War Two, to be the guest often in Normandy but also speaker. Dr. Hatfield’s presentation across France into topic will describe Earl Rudder, the Germany, in North Africa, Commander of the Ranger Battalion Italy, and Pacific Islands which seized and held Pointe du Hoc, a from Guadalcanal to piece of key terrain which dominated Tarawa to Peleliu. He has Utah Beach. lived in Normandy and walked the terrain at Pointe Dr. du Hoc for days on end (at Hatfield left). He owns and operates (at left) a family ranch near his is hometown of Medina, director Texas.

of the Dr. Hatfield’s latest published writing is the Military History memoir-biography of Frank Denius, lawyer and Institute at the noted philanthropist who was awarded four University of Silver Stars in the ETO while as a forward Texas Austin observer in the 30th Infantry Division. where he is Dean Last November, Dr. Hatfield was the Emeritus of inaugural recipient of the Award for Distinction Continuing in Patriotic Service presented by The National Education and Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Senior the State of Texas, at the Neill-Cochran House Research Fellow in the Dolph Briscoe Center Museum in Austin. for American History. After earning his M.A. in history and Ph.D. from the UT Austin, he was a It’s possible several friends of Dr. Hatfield college president for eight years. who live in the San Antonio area may join the event: Don Cook, the former commander of Dr. Hatfield was the founding president of the the Air Education and Training Command, Austin Community College, co-founded UT’s Randolph Air Base from 2001 to 2005, and respected Normandy Scholar Program (a James Van Straten, who authored A Different concentration of courses about WW2 for Face of War. undergraduates), and is past-president of the After the luncheon, Dr. Hatfield English-Speaking Union. He joined the Texas will conduct a book signing of Army National Guard as a teenager and was the title work Rudder, From honorably discharged from the US Army Leader to Legend. What better Reserve as a captain in military intelligence. way to observe the 75th Anniversary of D-Day than Dr. Hatfield is the author of Rudder: From getting an autographed copy of Leader to Legend, the acclaimed biography of the compelling story of one of Earl Rudder, hero of WW II, commissioner of the heroes of D-Day, perhaps as the Texas General Land Office, and the a unique gift? reform-minded president of Texas A&M in the 1960s. Dr. Hatfield has written extensively May 2019 The Eagle 11

OUR VILLAGE TREE

We live in commonality within a society of like backgrounds. We are family Linage of unrelated bloodlines, eclectic chronicles of denizens. Each unique mission relates to like occurrences.

Without exception, we care for all in our village. from resident population achievements bring prideful expression. Sports competition, musical presentation, displayed written words, art in oral or exhibited form bring accolades, displaying a sense of collective spirit

We celebrate perceptible improvement of the ill, gratefulness for recuperation of neighbor, offer support and sympathy to bereaved. We are a newly formed family.

As a developing tree, each leaf integrates at its own pace. In our Village we too, at our personal cadence become part of Our Village.

Vernacular, a common thread, reference not of ethic foundation, nor originating area of early life Common terminology, drawn from career applications, continues our bond.

We Five Branches of this perfect tree, blend our past with our now, newly formed family. Single leaves attached to our unified branches, generate our unparalleled community.

As Five Branches, in symbiotic sense, we create the boughs, as individual leaves. Our Five Branches connect to trunk of our Family Tree in Our Village.

--- jo compton

Editor: Jo Compton (at right) was the ‘Wall Artist of the Month’ for May 2018 for her poetry.

12 The Eagle May 2019

Editor: The term ARC could mean “Artists’ Colony!” Please consult with Jane Winzeler at (210) 646-5305 and plan your entry. There is a deadline: Friday, 7 June, to submit your entry. Last year these Residents were winners: In the Written Arts category, Susan Sabino took first place in Poetry; In the Visual Arts category, Mary White took first place for Distinguished Arts; David Garber took first place for Hard Crafts; Susan Richmond took 2nd place andSUBMISSION Louise Bagg took GUIDELINES3rd in Painting/Watercolor; Quinn Becker took first place and Kevin West took 3rd for Photography; and Joyce Ryan took 3rd place in Soft Crafts/Textile.

• One entry per resident/group, per category; A single piece may NOT be entered in multiple categories. • The piece must have been completed within the past three years. • A single piece may NOT be submitted for two consecutive years. • The participant must currently be a resident of a LeadingAge Texas Community. • The submission must have been completed while the resident was at least 62; if the resident is younger than 62, he/she must have been living in a LeadingAge Texas Community at the time of completion.

CATEGORIES VISUAL ARTS

Distinguished Arts Painting: Oil and/or Acrylic (on canvas or artwork in any medium by a resident 95+ at time of paper) work's completion Painting: Watercolor (on canvas or paper) Drawing illustrations created using charcoals, pencil, pastel, Painting: Alternative (on any surface other etc. than canvas/paper [china, wood, ceramic, etc.])

Hard Crafts Photography crafted by carving, casting, modeling, or other image captured by camera and viewed as a print shaping methods, including items crafted to be worn for personal adornment Soft Crafts: Decorative needlework, not plain sewing (embroidery, Majestic Arts cross-stitch, needlepoint, etc.) artwork in any medium by a resident with Alzheimer’s or other dementia Soft Crafts: Sewing crafted by needle & thread, or a sewing machine Master Works (quilting, sewing, etc.) reproduction of another artist's work in any medium Soft Crafts: Textile Mixed Media crafted by crocheting, knitting, weaving, tatting, crafted from more than one medium etc.

WRITTEN ARTS Poetry Prose

May 2019 The Eagle 13

Cold Feet

Have you ever had cold feet? Let me tell you about them – Don’t maltreat It was a very long time ago In a war with lots of ammo

The Saar and the Ardennes was where it happened My poor feet got cold but never flattened Maybe there was not enough amour I couldn’t console them as would a troubadour

Into the cold deep snow hiked my poor tootsies They told me they were cold like little bitchees I told them to shut up I was at war and so – Growup

I rubbed’em, I scrubbed’em and at times I snub’em It was of no use, my goose was already cooked’em When I had time I fondled their nice little dactyls Then they told me they loved me those cute little rascals

If I didn’t undress them in their cold, cold bed They got mad and called me an egghead But it wasn’t lack of love that I wasn’t able You see I had other things on the table

I guess it is because they miss the olden days When loving care I gave them and things were ablaze We grew very close during all that commotion I learned a good lesson and without abjection

Now almost many years later, they are not dormant They seem to have a memory not unlike an elephant To bed, when I go, they scream – I miss the snow Keep us outside the covers, dam it, and in the airflow

For to love your feet, is not unkind Eventually, you will find it is not a grind Sometimes I forget to love my feet They never put up with any of my bull sheet

So here is the lesson I’ve had to learn Take care of the little fellas then they will sojourn Now go forth into the cold, cold night Don’t forget to love’em and they won’t backbite

A WW II Poem by Charles Rowe Stout, A-345, 87th Inf Div

Editor: Chuck’s poems are a chronicle of a young man’s trip to combat. As a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, this past December he was interviewed by Sig Christenson, the senior military writer of the San Antonio Express News. Copyright © Charles Rowe Stout 14 The Eagle May 2019 “THE OLD MAN MRS. PALFREY & THE GUN” AT THE (2018) Based on CLAREMONT” the true-life (2006) Joan exploits of bank Plowright is the robber Forrest widowed Mrs. Tucker, this tale Palfrey, who recounts his moves into a daring escape hotel and waits -- from prison at age and waits -- for 70 and the long her 26-year-old string of heists grandson to that preceded the return her calls bandit's final arrest after she moves at age 78. (1 hr. to London to be Friday, 3 May, 1:30 PM 30 min.) Rated Friday, 10 May, 1:30 PM near to him. (1 hr. PG-13. 50 min.) NR.

”BOHEMIAN “THE MISSION” RHAPSODY” (2018) (1986) In the 18th Born in Zanzibar, century, a Jesuit Farrokh Bulsara missionary emigrated to England establishes a church in his teens and in the hostile jungles formed the band of Brazil, but finds Queen in 1970 under his work converting his new name, the indigenous Freddie Mercury. This Indians threatened charts the group's first by his superiors. A 15 years, up to their slave hunter Live Aid performance converts and joins in 1985. (1:30 p.m. /2 the mission. (1:30 hrs. 15 min.) Rated p.m./ 2 hrs. 5 min.) Friday,Friday, 17 19 May, April, 1:30 1:30 PM PM PG-13 Saturday, 18 May, 1:30 PM Rated PG.

“STAN & OLLIE” ” THE PRESTIGE” (2018) With their (2006) Desperate glory days as to reveal each Hollywood's other's secrets, premier comedy rival magicians team long behind Robert Angier and Dinner & a Movie on 22 them, Stan Laurel Alfred Borden are and Oliver Hardy obsessed with May. Dinner at 5 PM, begin a 1953 their escalating Film at 6:15 PM. Re- farewell tour of competition and screened on 24 May, England and begin to perform 1:30 PM Ireland, reminding increasingly risky audiences -- and tricks -- which themselves -- of soon turn deadly. the magic of their (1:30 p.m. /2 partnership. Friday, 31 May, 1:30 PM hrs.10 min.) Rated PG-13 May 2019 The Eagle 15 Art Wall Artist of The Month ElDora Criswell – Painting Art

By: Alfred W. Bates

Before moving to the ARC eleven years ago, ElDora and her late husband lived at Royal Ridge, SA. Prior to this, they resided at Canyon Lake. For the first few years at Canyon, the surrounding acreage was undeveloped, so in the springtime the fields were covered with beautiful wild flowers. This annual display of nature’s beauty inspired her to start painting flowers. Besides canvas, she paints flowers on card stock and creates greeting cards for all occasions which she sells at every opportunity. Her paintings of flowers, both cards and canvas, total in the hundreds. Below is one example of the aforementioned cards.

Lilies – Watercolor

Flowers on an All Occasion Greeting Card – Watercolor

Years ago, ElDora’s late Aunt Ruth introduced her to the art of portrait painting. The memory of her aunt’s many beautiful portraits inspired ElDora and Her Painting of Her Mother – Watercolor ElDora to begin portrait painting. One of her first portraits was of her mother. From a small ElDora painted few portraits until the late photo of her mother at age seventeen, she 1980’s when she started devoting more time to created the art pictured at right. this art. Although flowers are her favorite subject to paint, she has painted approximately A favorite, canvas, flower painting of ElDora’s fifty portraits, including some residents of the is the picture of Lilies at top right. She devotes ARC. On average, she devotes about fifteen an average of six hours total to paint a picture hours to painting a portrait. Most of them have of similar size as it involves multiple sessions. been sold, except for family portraits. 16 The Eagle May 2019 While living at Canyon Lake, she took painting Some of these paintings follow, and may be lessons from the late painter, Angie Banta displayed on the Art Wall this month. Her Brown. Over the years, ElDora also attended painting inspired her children so much, some of several workshops to increase her knowledge them attended schools and earned degrees in of painting. She refrains from giving formal the art of painting. instruction to others, but volunteers providing assistance to those attending the ARC’s group weekly painting sessions.

For a number of years, ElDora has entered her art into several contests and won many awards for her artwork. • Art contests in New Braunfels, TX - Multiple years won numerous ribbons for different levels of the art. • 2018, ArtsInspire Austin, TX - Honorable mention, pastel painting of Misty the dog. Pictured below.

Girl In Front Of Waterfall – Watercolor

Misty - Favorite Dog – Pastels ElDora has five children, four girls and a boy, seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. The children are grown and live in four different States. Years ago, to keep her family informed of each other’s activities, she created a monthly publication, “Criswell Chronicles”. Recently, she turned this task over to her grandson so she would have more time to enjoy painting and other ARC activities. For example, she helps set up for water aerobics, You Can Take A Horse To Water, But – Watercolor four days a week, and then attends the class. More of ElDora’s portrait paintings are shown She is also the Fellowship Chair of the ARC in the additional page of this article. Enjoy Protestant Congregation. “The Cookie Maker”, “Waiting for The Dance”, “Turtle Boy” and others at: During the younger years of her children and armyresidence.com (resident portal). grandchildren, ElDora painted their portraits. May 2019 The Eagle 17 TUESDAY DOCUMENTARY / LECTURE SCHEDULES: warriors who went behind enemy lines to conduct intelligence gathering, sabotage and assignation. TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE DOCUMENTARY 5/28/19 – Athena Learning presents “Secret War: The SCHEDULE Secret Agents of WWII” Episode Two (Approx. 60 min.) Every Tuesday from 9:00am – 10:00am in the Activities See series description above. Room. Coffee & pastries provided. 5/7/19 - PBS presents “The Dust TUESDAY TEACHING LECTURE SERIES SCHEDULE Bowl: A Film by Ken Burns” Part Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the Two / Final Segment (Approx. Activities room. Coffee & pastries 60 min.) Chronicling the worst provided. man-made disaster in American history, when a frenzied wheat This is a NEW one- hour educational boom on the southern plains, activity that will cover a wide variety followed by a decade-long of topics from The Great Courses DVD drought during the 1930’s, Series. Learn about ancient nearly swept away the civilizations, the science of Black Holes, Decisive Military breadbasket of the nation. Battles and many other fascinating topics. The DVD Menacing black blizzards killed farmers’ crops and resource is The Great Courses. This is a lecture series livestock, threatened lives of their children, and forced that is led by a variety of notable professors in a desperate families to pick-up and move elsewhere. relaxed, easy to understand format. 5/14/19 – WWII Foundation/ “THE GREAT TOURS: American Veterans Center EXPERIENCING presents “Doolittle’s Raiders: MEDIEVAL EUROPE” A Final Toast” Released 2015 Lecture Series. (Approx. 60 min.) On Learn about the November 9th, 2013, 3 of the 4 most important surviving Doolittle's Raiders medieval buildings or gathered at the National neighborhoods and the social, political and economic Museum of the United States structures underlying these leading towns. You’ll be Air Force near Dayton, Ohio. engaged by stories and legends that will make each city The surviving WWII Veterans from one of history’s come alive. greatest military missions were about to raise their 5/7/19 – “The Medieval City – A Feast for the Senses” silver goblets one last time ending a decades long and “Rothenburg – Jewel on the Romantic Road” (60 tradition. Their numbers had dwindled to just a few. min.) Long ago these American flyers, aboard sixteen B-25 bombers, had accomplished a daring mission that 5/14/19 – “Mdina – The Silent City” and “Mdina and changed the morale of an entire nation. Retired Lt Col Rabat – In the Steps of St. Paul” (60 min.) Richard “Dick” Cole, the last living participant of World 5/21/19 –“Palermo – A Mosaic of Cultures” and War II’s Doolittle Raid, died in San Antonio on Tuesday “Palermo – Celebrating Throne and Altar” (60 min.) April 9th, 2019. He lived in Comfort, Texas. He was 103. 5/28/19 – “York – Wool and Prayer“ and “York – Vikings and Merchants” (60 min.) 5/21/19 – Athena Learning presents “Secret War: The GET YOUR ACTIVITIES CALENDAR! Secret Agents of WWII” Episode One (Approx. 60 Stop by the Activities office by the photo wall down the min.) Secret War goes hall from the High Rise mail room and pick up a copy of inside Churchill’s secret this month’s Activities Calendar and the Lakeside army to a dangerous world Theater movie schedule. Can’t stop by? Call Jane of agents, double agents, Winzeler at ext. 5305 to have one dropped into your and even triple agents. It mailbox. tells the story of SOE agents and other clandestine ARC EXCURSIONS (Get details and sign-up on the Activities bulletin board.) 18 The Eagle May 2019 Wednesday 1st – Shops at Lincoln Heights Shopping & Tuesday 28th - Lunch at Lunch trip. Bus will leave the ARC at 9:45 a.m. “Sorrento’s Pizza & Ristorante” with the Luncheonaires. Bus Thursday 2nd Johnny Mathis at the Majestic Theatre. leaves the ARC at 11:00 a.m. Bus will leave the ARC at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday 29th – Dinner Night

Out at “Cappy’s” in Alamo Sunday 5th – “Drinking Habits” comedy play at Heights. Bus will leave the ARC Bulverde Dinner Theatre. Bus will leave the ARC at at 5:00 p.m. 12:15 p.m. Friday 31st - S.A. Symphony Tuesday 7th – Lunch at Classics Series presents “Nomadic Journey” at the “Stone Werks” on Tobin Center. Bus leaves the ARC at 7:00 p.m. Broadway with the IN-HOUSE ACTIVITIES Luncheonaires. Bus

leaves the ARC at 11:00 Thursday 2nd - National Day of Prayer Breakfast in a.m. Main Dining Room at 8:30 a.m. Reservations Wednesday 8th – Broadway S.A. presents “Hamilton” Required. Please call 210-646-5820, Kevin Scott. at Majestic Theatre. Bus will leave the ARC at 6:30 p.m. Friday 3rd – Blue Bonnet Picnic Saturday 11th – Opera S.A. presents “Faust” at the at Lakeside Landing at 5:00 Tobin Center. Bus will leave the ARC at 6:30 p.m. p.m. You meet the nicest people at a Bluebonnet Picnic Tuesday 14th - Lunch at at Lakeside Landing / Water’s “Sushihana Japanese Edge! The Special Events Restaurant” with the Committee throws a party! Luncheonaires. Bus will leave the ARC at 11:00 a.m. Monday 6th – USAA Chorus at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday 14th – “Jazz Meets in the High-Rise Classical XXVII” at the McNay Art Museum. Bus leaves Auditorium. the ARC at 6:00 p.m. Insurance claims Saturday 18th - “Armed agents never Forces River Parade” on the sounded so good! S.A. Riverwalk. Bus will Monday 13th – “River leave the ARC at 4:15 p.m. City Ringers” Handbell Choir a.m. Spring Concert at 7:00 p.m. Sunday 19th – MBAW “Filigree” concert at S.F. in the High- Rise Auditorium. Cathedral. Bus will leave the ARC at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday 21st - Lunch Tuesday 14th - Speaker Luncheon at “Soluna” in Alamo at 11:30 a.m. in the High-Rise Heights with the Auditorium. Reservations through Luncheonaires. Bus Resident Kevin Scott. Please see leaves the ARC at page 20 for a description of this 11:00 a.m. event. Thursday 23rd - “Cabaret” at the Sheldon – Vexler

Theatre at JCC. Bus will leave the ARC at 6:30 p.m. Friday 24th – ARC Memorial Day Friday 24th - S.A. Symphony Pops Series presents Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. in High “Patriotic Pops” at the Tobin Center. Bus leaves the Rise Auditorium. Please see page ARC at 7:00 p.m. 3 for an event description. Saturday 25th – Wimberley Hill Country Shopping & Lunch Trip. Bus will leave the ARC at 9:30 a.m.

May 2019 The Eagle 19

HemisFair Park traces back to HemisFair ’68, the official 1968 World's Fair (or International Exposition) held in San Antonio, Texas, from April 6 through October 6, 1968. In 1986, many unused remaining structures built for the fair were removed and in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of HemisFair '68, approximately 15 acres of the site were redeveloped with cascading waterfalls, fountains, playgrounds and lush landscaping. At the site's re-dedication in April 1988, the site was re-christened "HemisFair Park". This urban park is a lasting legacy of the fair and is a gift from the city to its citizens. In 2009, the San Antonio City Council May Eagle Luncheon Speaker is established the Hemisfair Park Area Anne Krause, Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC), a local Executive Director, Hemisfair Conservancy government organization appointed to manage All Residents are invited to an Eagle and revitalize the Hemisfair area. Luncheon on Tuesday, 14 May, 11:30 AM to 1 The overall mission of HPARC is to expand PM, in the Auditorium. The speaker is Anne the existing park, and improve its quality by Krause (above), the Executive Director of the merging the concept of preservation and Hemisfair Conservancy. Ms. Krause was growth. HPARC hopes to create a spectacular invited at the recommendation of fellow public space at the heart of San Antonio, Resident and ARC Board of Directors Member complete with plazas, courtyards, green space, Barbara Schneider. art and cultural amenities, residences, and local businesses. Anne Krause has lived in San Antonio for 15 years and currently serves as the Executive Most Residents have a list of “places to go, Director of the Hemisfair Conservancy. She things to do” in San Antonio. Join us for this received a Bachelor of Science degree from the luncheon and you’re likely to add “explore United States Air Force Academy and a Master HenisFair Park” to that list! of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Executive Chef Julian Flores will create another superb meal for this luncheon. It will Anne began her career as an Air Force officer. be a light but complete meal, with salad, entrée While serving her country, she flew jets, and two sides, dessert, and Coffee, Iced Tea, deployed to Cuba as the Officer in Charge of and Ice Water. All for an $8 charge to your linguist operations, and served as the Executive meal account. The menu will be announced in Officer for the USAF Thunderbirds an Eagle Extra. demonstration team. After transitioning to the Reservations are civilian world, Anne volunteered and required and go quickly. held leadership positions in Please make numerous non-profits. Additionally, Reservations now. she consulted a Fortune 200 Please contact Kevin company and a private family Scott at (210)-646-5820, foundation on strategic philanthropy. or email Anne is a fine thread in the rich [email protected]. tapestry of people who make San Thank you! Antonio a wonderful place. 20 The Eagle May 2019 Inside The ARCNet Eagle

May 2019 Page Topic 1 Front Cover: Memorial Day 2019 2 Contents 2 100th Birthday Jeanne Patterson 3 Birthdays and Passings 3 Memorial Day Observance 4-5 A Conversation with the CEO 6 Traveling Treasures Thank You 7 ARC Golf Scramble 8 Library 8 Notice from Resident Council Chair 9 Golden Diggers 10 WW2 Veterans Gallery – Doris Cobb 11 Save the Date: 11 June, Dr. Tom Hatfield 12 Poem by jo compton: Our Village Tree 13 ArtsInspire Rules and Categories 14 WW2 Poetry by Chuck Stout: Cold Feet 15 Films at Lakeside Theater 16 - 17 Wall Artist of the Month: ElDora Criswell 18 – 19 March Activities 20 Eagle Luncheon: Anne Krause, President and Executive Director of the Hemisfair Conservancy 21 Inside The ARCNet Eagle: Contents 22 - 23 American Revolution, 240 Years Ago 24 – 29 WWII: 75 Years Ago, Pacific Theater 30 – 32 WWII: 75 Years Ago, European Theater 33 – 35 Artist of the Month, ElDora Criswell 36 - 37 March Photographs: Jeanne Patterson

21 The Eagle May 2019 THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION being” – a viable army in the field – the British 240 YEARS AGO: SPRING 1779 could not claim victory, no matter how much THE GENERAL AND CONGRESS territory they occupied or how many cities they CIVIL/MILITARY RELATIONS captured. At some point, Washington believed, Britain would “relinquish her ideas of conquest by Mike Huebner and withdraw her armies from America.” Washington had been summoned to Philadelphia in late December to meet with Washington, the formerly aggressive Congress to discuss the war and elaborate on commander who had sought battle at Trenton his plans for 1779. There were rumblings of and Princeton, Germantown and Monmouth, discontent among some in Congress. There was now willing to wait for the French alliance were those who expected Washington to to begin to pay dividends. Washington was implement a more aggressive strategy to drive convinced that victory would be possible – with the British from America, perhaps even attempt the help of the French navy and a French another invasion of Canada. Others, those army. mainly from the South, expressed concerns Washington had to walk a fine line in dealing that Washington was not taking adequate with Congress. While he held almost absolute measures to defend against British incursions power in military affairs, he was committed to into their states. the principle of civil control of the military. The For his part, Washington was more than Continental Congress had given him his eager to meet with Congress. He was willing commission as Commander-in-Chief, along to listen to their concerns and suggestions, but, with the authority and responsibility that went more importantly, he wanted to impress on with that commission. But far too often, to them his vision of what was needed to win the Washington’s dismay, Congress tried to direct war. how the Army was to be used and what Washington’s military strategy should be. Washington, now more than ever, recognized More importantly, though, Congress that the Continental Army was the revolution. controlled the “purse strings,” albeit not always As long as there was an American “army-in- May 2019 The Eagle 22 efficiently or effectively. Most of Washington’s Washington returned to the Army’s winter time was spent pleading with the legislators for headquarters at Middlebrook in late February, the necessary funds for supplies, subsistence, convinced that the Revolution was “in such and pay for the soldiers. But without authority eminent danger,” even greater than that of the to impose taxes on the individual states, dark winter of 1776. He believed that men of Congress was incapable of raising sufficient “extraordinary talent” must be restored to revenue. And uncontrolled issuing of paper Congress to bring about economic stability. currency – by both the states and by Congress – had led to depreciation of the currency and Washington was not above using the hyper-inflation. economic crisis to justify his military decisions. While he developed a strong rapport with the Collapse of the currency, he wrote to Congress new president of the Congress, John Jay (left), in March, “oblige me to a defensive strategy.” Washington Washington would always defer to Congress, came away from but was determined to use his military stature Philadelphia and the strategic realities to compel Congress appalled at the to act. pettiness and political partisanship on display. Many of those he had known and worked with in the original Congress – the great statesmen who had debated the monumental issues of liberty and independence – were now gone. Some, like Thomas Jefferson, now governor of Virginia, had returned to their home states to play leading roles. Others, like John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were abroad, serving the new nation in diplomatic roles. Washington was convinced that those now serving in Congress were unlikely to solve the Nation’s economic woes.

As disappointed as he was in the Congress, Washington was even more disgusted with the business and social elites of Philadelphia. Their extravagant lifestyles and unwillingness to make even the most basic sacrifices to help support the Army appalled him. He saw that many of the city’s businessmen were “preying upon the vitals of this great country.” Hoarding, speculating, and trading with the Washington in 1779, after British had led to inflationary prices and a the Battle of Princeton shortage of supplies for the Army. “Little else but making money is attended to,” he wrote.

May 2019 The Eagle 23 WORLD WAR II: PACIFIC settlements and take revenge against Arab CHINA-BURMA-INDIA raiders. “CHINDITS, MARAUDERS, AND FLYING TIGERS” When war broke out, Wingate found himself in East Africa in 1940 leading an irregular army by Mike Huebner of Ethiopian warriors against the Italians. His successes there brought him to the attention of Winston Churchill, who himself had a penchant for unconventional military operations and unorthodox military thinkers. Wingate’s proposal to put a large, specially trained force deep behind Japanese lines in Burma was just what Churchill was looking for. Until sufficient forces could be found to wage a conventional campaign to recapture Burma, Wingate’s proposed “long-range penetration (LRP)” might be the answer.

Wingate’s first LRP brigade was composed of some 3,000 British, Gurkha, and Burmese troops trained to move, fight, and survive in the jungle. Unofficially, they became known as the “Chindits,” taking their name from the stone carvings of mythical lion-like creatures that guarded Burmese temple pagodas.

In February 1943, Wingate’s Chindits The China-Burma-India theater of operations crossed the Chindwin River and plunged into had its share of colorful, larger-than-life Burma’s jungle interior. Breaking up into seven characters, but none as unorthodox as British separate columns, they struck Japanese Brigadier Orde Wingate (above). In a tradition- outposts all along the railroad linking Myitkyina steeped British Army willing to tolerate the with Mandalay. The Japanese were hard- occasional eccentric military genius – as long pressed to defend the line, eventually as he produced results – Wingate was in a committing two full divisions to the effort. class by himself. Unkempt, clad in an ill-fitting uniform, with a small alarm clock on his arm in Wingate’s original plan called for aerial re- lieu of a wristwatch, wearing an oversized, out- supply of his columns. That worked well – to a of-date pith helmet, Wingate affected an air of point. But when the Chindits crossed the indifference to military protocol. His disdain for Irrawaddy and went deeper into the Burmese higher authority had brought him close to court jungles, it became increasingly difficult to get martial and dismissal on several occasions. adequate supplies, especially food and Some thought him mad, but his bizarre medicine, to the separate columns. The troops behavior may have been a calculated pose. began to break down, physically and mentally, from hunger, disease, and the constant strain A self-taught expert in unconventional of battle. There was no way to evacuate the warfare, Wingate served in the Palestine sick and wounded; many had to be left behind Mandate in the 1930s. While most British or placed in the care of friendly Burmese officers in the Middle East identified with Arab villagers in hope of future recovery. interests, Wingate had enthusiastically embraced Zionism with almost religious fervor. In late March, Wingate was ordered to He helped create the irregular – and illegal – withdraw the force. But the withdrawal proved “Special Night Squads” to defend Jewish to be a nightmare for the hunger- and disease-

May 2019 The Eagle 24 weakened troops, under constant pressure lack of discipline. Over time, though, they from the Japanese. Of the 3,000 men who developed a credible esprit de corps and went into Burma with Wingate in February, intense loyalty to their commander, Brigadier more than 800 were lost – killed, captured, left General Frank Merrill. behind, or missing. But the 2,200 or so who returned were so debilitated as to be worthless for any future military use.

While the British public acclaimed the Chindits – and Wingate – as heroes, senior British commanders considered the operation an unmitigated disaster: “As a military operation, the raid had been an expensive failure. It gave little tangible return for the losses it had suffered . . . if anything was learned of air supply or jungle fighting, it was a costly schooling."

Churchill, though, was still enamored with Wingate and his Chindits, writing: “He is a man Brigadier General Frank Merrill, at left, with of genius and audacity. Wingate should Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell command the army against Burma.” He took Wingate with him to the Quadrant Conference Merrill had served as military attaché in in Quebec in August 1943, where Wingate Japan in the 1930s, spoke fluent Japanese, presented a proposal to insert eight LRP and was probably more knowledgeable about brigades into Burma in 1944! the Japanese Army than any American officer. He had walked out of Burma with Stillwell in While the senior British staff may have 1942, and had the General’s complete deplored Wingate’s eccentricities and resented confidence. But Merrill, a heavyset man with his influence on Churchill, some on the heart problems, might not have been the best American side saw the Chindits as a model for choice to lead a unit operating deep behind the U.S. Army to play a larger role in Southeast enemy lines. Still, the 5307th proudly bore the Asia. With Lieutenant General Joseph Stillwell name of “Merrill’s Marauders.” clamoring for more American combat troops to serve in the China-Burma-India theater, Stillwell’s primary objective in Burma was still General George Marshall authorized creation Myitkyina, the vital rail and road hub linking the of the 3,000-man 5307th Composite Unit Burma and Ledo Roads. Stillwell planned to (Provisional), to serve alongside the Chindits in use the Marauders as well as Wingate’s future operations. Chindits to isolate Myitkyina prior to a full-out assault by X Force, the Chinese divisions The 5307th was to be formed entirely of under Stillwell’s personal command. volunteers, specifically men with jungle combat experience. Many who volunteered had that Stillwell and Wingate did not like each other. experience, most from units already serving in They were two strong-willed men who had their the South Pacific. Others came from the jungle own ideas of how the war in Burma should be training centers in the Caribbean. But too fought. But the fact that Wingate was despised many others were malcontents and misfits who by – and despised – most of the senior British saw an opportunity to get out of other officers in theater probably helped the unwelcome assignments. Medical screeners Anglophobic Stillwell to find a little common noted “[too] many chronically ill men . . . also ground with him. They managed to work out numerous psychiatric problems.” During their an amiable understanding. training in India, they displayed an appalling

May 2019 The Eagle 25 Despite pressure from Stillwell, the Chinese divisions of X Force moved much too slowly to trap the retreating Japanese against the Marauder’s blocking position. Stillwell had no choice but to use the Marauders in a more aggressive manner, sending them on a wide sweeping movement through the mountains to cut the Japanese line of retreat.

The Marauder’s march through the heavily forested mountains was a nightmare, as much a battle against the nearly impassable terrain, monsoonal rains, leeches, insects, disease, and hunger as it was against the Japanese. But they reached the designated positions and managed to hold off repeated Japanese attacks for thirteen days.

The Marauders had been in action for two months, under grueling conditions. They expected to be relieved, aware that the Chindits to the south had been told they would be withdrawn after three months. But Stillwell had made no such promises to the Marauders. He was determined to take Myitkyina – and had no choice but to use the Marauders. Stillwell sent the Marauders into Burma in February 1944 to set up a blocking position But Myitkyina was still ninety miles away, northwest of Myitkyina to prevent Japanese across even more jungle and rugged forces in northern Burma from reinforcing the mountains. Merrill, who had suffered a heart garrison there. On 5 March, Wingate carried attack and had been evacuated in late March, out his part of Stillwell’s plan, inserting five LRP returned to promise the Marauders that they brigades south and southwest of Myitkyina, to would be relieved once they captured the cut the Myitkyina-Mandalay railroad line. airfield at Myitkyina. But even that promise did Several hundred of the Chindits were landed little to raise the Marauder’s morale. on crude airstrips carved out of the jungle, the gliders and troop transports flown by pilots of Once again, though, the Marauder’s, now at the American Air Commando Force. less than half of their original strength, set off over the 6,000-foot Kumon Range toward

May 2019 The Eagle 26 Myitkyina. The heaviest monsoon rains, not men to break out in small groups, then wrote expected until May, started early, limiting his apology to the Emperor and committed airdrops of supplies and rations. The combat suicide. Fewer than 200 Japanese were taken rations they carried were intended for short- prisoner; of the 600 or more who tried to break term emergency use, insufficient in calories for out, most were killed. the extreme exertions required. Dysentery, malaria, and mite-borne typhus ravaged the Myitkyina had been captured. Was it worth force. the cost? The Marauders and the Chindits had been decimated, no longer effective as combat Incredibly, they reached the outskirts of units. But with the airfield in Allied hands, Myitkyina on 13 May, fifteen days after setting transport planes could bypass “the Hump,” out. The airfield was only lightly defended, and flying a lower, shorter, less hazardous route to was captured on the 17th. Myitkyina itself was China, doubling the monthly deliveries. And, garrisoned by less than 700 Japanese troops once the Ledo Road reached Myitkyina, the and might have been captured rather easily. aerial route could be supplanted by a more But before an attack could be organized, the efficient ground route. Stillwell’s diary entry on Japanese managed to infiltrate additional the day the city fell read: “Myitkyina over at forces, raising the garrison to more than 3,500. last. Thank God.” The Marauders found themselves facing well- ______dug-in troops and the prospects of a lengthy As we have seen, “Vinegar Joe” Stillwell had siege. a contentious relationship with nearly every The Marauders were in no condition to wage principal figure in the China-Burma-India that kind of battle. More than 80 percent of the theater: Chiang Kai-shek, Lord Louis men were sick enough to be considered Mountbatten, Orde Wingate. To that list must combat-ineffective. But medical officers were be added Claire Chennault of the U.S. Army under strict orders to evacuate only the most Air Corps (below). severe cases. Of the original 3,000 Marauders, only 200 were considered fit for duty! The Chindits, far to the south, were little better off. They had been in the field for four long months, holding off Japanese reinforcements from reaching Myitkyina. Their commanders, too, were demanding their withdrawal. But Stillwell had no choice but to leave them in place. [Note: Orde Wingate had been killed in a plane crash on 25 March.] To shore up the Marauders, Stillwell brought in additional Chinese troops as well as two battalions of U.S. Army combat engineers that had been working on the Ledo Road. But the Japanese clung to their positions in Myitkyina through June and July. Chennault was an iconoclast within Army Air By the end of July, though, it was clear that Corps circles in the 1930s, a strident advocate the end was near. Cut off from any outside of fighter planes and fighter tactics in an Air support by the Chinese divisions to the north Corps dominated by bomber pilots and and the Chindits to the south, the garrison was strategic bombing theories. He was retired for down to fewer than 1,000 effectives. On 1 medical reasons (partial deafness) as a captain August, the garrison commander ordered his

May 2019 The Eagle 27 “volunteers” in China, with the tacit understanding that they could return to their own service at some time in the future at the same rank. Pilots were paid an exorbitant salary of $750 a month, with a $500 bonus for every Japanese plane shot down. Chennault had no shortage of volunteers. The American Volunteer Group, or AVG, known as the “Flying Tigers,” (at above left) compiled an extraordinary record in China and Burma in just seven months, destroying in the air or on the ground 299 Japanese planes, with another 153 claimed as in 1937 – and many senior officers were not “probables.” Of course, it is possible that the unhappy to see him go! pilots, with an attractive bonus at stake, may But Chennault got another chance. In May have exaggerated their claims a little! But what 1937, he was asked by Chiang Kai-shek to be is not disputed is that only four of the AVG an advisor to the Chinese Air Force. pilots were killed in aerial combat. Chennault arrived just as full scale war broke In July 1942, with America in the war, the out between Japan and China. AVG was disbanded and integrated into the Chennault soon found himself deeply Army Air Forces as the China Air Task Force involved in every aspect of managing an air with Chennault, now a brigadier general, in force in the middle of a war: logistics, command. But Chennault’s reputation as a maintenance, communications, airfield maverick followed him. The China Air Task construction, and pilot training. But China’s Force was subordinated to the Tenth Air Force, fledgling little air force was no match for the based in India, commanded by Major General overwhelming air power of Imperial Japan; by Clayton Bissell, an old rival from the fighter-vs- the summer of 1940, Japanese fighters and bomber feuds of the 1930s. But worse, from bombers were almost unchallenged, strafing Chennault’s standpoint, he was also and bombing at will. But all that was about to subordinated to General Stillwell, who had his change. own ideas of how airpower should be used. The Lend-Lease Act of March 1941 The showdown between Stillwell and authorized financial and materiel aid to China, Chennault came over strategy and the to include aircraft. Working through T.V. priorities for limited supplies. Stillwell wanted Soong, Madame Chiang’s brother and the chief the bulk of Lend-Lease materiel to build up the lobbyist for China in Washington, Chennault Chinese armies, while Chennault demanded was able to get 100 P-40 fighters for the the logistics to support his air campaign. Chinese Air Force. Chennault saw Stillwell as a myopic infantryman with “a strong prejudice against air Even more valuable, thought, was power.” Stillwell, for his part, saw Chennault authorization for Chennault to “hire” American as just another in a long line of air power military pilots to fly those planes. With advocates promising results they could not President Roosevelt’s approval, 112 Army Air deliver. And, until the Chinese Army was Corps, Navy, and Marine pilots were allowed to better equipped and better trained, Stillwell “resign” their commissions to serve as knew that Chennault’s airfields could not be defended against Japanese attacks.

May 2019 The Eagle 28 in Central China, designed to overrun Chennault’s airfields. Chinese armies, starved for supplies that had gone to support Chennault’s air forces, broke before the Japanese onslaught. Roosevelt, having lost any illusions of Chiang’s leadership, demanded that Stillwell be put in full command of all Chinese forces. Chiang, while agreeing in principle to placate Roosevelt, had no intention of turning his armies over to Stillwell. To do so would be to lose face with his generals and rival warlords. Instead, he demanded Stillwell’s recall. In October, Stillwell received orders announcing his replacement by Major General Albert Wedemeyer, chief of staff to Admiral Chennault, though, was a much better Mountbatten. Stillwell came home, a four-star politician than Stillwell. Chennault had the full general now, and spent the rest of the war support of Madame Chiang, and through her, waiting, in vain, for another command. the Generalissimo. When Chennault claimed that he could bring about the defeat of Japan Chennault, too, was eventually eased out. with 105 fighters, 30 medium bombers, and 12 Wedemeyer established a new command, heavy bombers (!), Chiang Kai-shek was Army Air Forces, China Theater, for all delighted and sent his wife to Washington to American air assets in Southeast Asia. plead Chennault’s case (Mme Chiang Kai-shek Chennault might have been in line for that with Eleanor Roosevelt). command, but had made too many enemies in high places. When President Roosevelt died in Despite the War Department’s dismissal of April 1945, Chennault lost his strongest Chennault’s claims as unrealistic – George supporter. George Marshall and Army Air Marshall called them “just nonsense; not bad Forces Chief of Staff General Henry “Hap” strategy, just nonsense” – Roosevelt tended to Arnold moved quickly to replace Chennault lean toward Chennault’s position. He called with Lieutenant General George Stratemeyer. the two generals to Washington in May to Chennault, bitter and disappointed, blamed present their views before the Combined Stillwell for his relief. Chiefs of Staff at the Trident Conference. Editor: A fascinating Stillwell, cantankerous and surly as always, character in this history did not impress the assembled brass, is Madame Chiang Kai- especially the British, who were looking to shek, the daughter of a minimize Allied commitments in the Pacific. peasant, but who was Seeing Chennault’s plan as a way to take educated in the U.S. action against Japan “on the cheap,” the British and married well. At the chiefs got their way. Stillwell was authorized to time she was arguably continue the limited offensive in northern one of the most Burma (discussed above), while priority for powerful women in the logistics would go to Chennault and the air world. If you can stand campaign. Frustrated, Stillwell wrote: “What’s a 681-page book of non- the use when the World’s Greatest Strategist is fiction, The Last against you?” Empress (at left) details this captivating person’s Stillwell’s fears came true in April 1944 when story. the Japanese launched a series of offensives

May 2019 The Eagle 29 WORLD WAR II: EUROPE danger of being outflanked by the British to the 75 YEARS AGO: MAY-JUNE 1944 south, Field Marshal Albert Kesselring finally THE LIBERATION OF ROME ordered a withdrawal from both the town of Cassino and the Abbey. But the 1st Parachute by Mike Huebner Division refused to retreat from their defensive positions in the bombed-out ruins, inflicting OPERATION DIADEM – General Sir more than 4,000 casualties on the Poles. Not Harold Alexander’s plan to breech the Gustav until 18 May were the Poles able to occupy the Line and take Rome – opened on 11 May with Abbey and raise the Polish flag. more than 1600 guns firing along a 25-mile front. German troops were stunned by the Along the coastal road, Lieutenant General opening barrage. Two corps from Eighth Geoffrey Keyes’s II Corps of Lieutenant Army, one British and one Canadian, managed General Mark Clark’s Fifth Army was able to to get bridgeheads over the Rapido River make only limited progress to break through to (where the Texans of the U.S. 36th Infantry try to link up with the VI Corps at Anzio. Until Division had taken such heavy casualties in that link-up could be made, the breakout by VI January). But the German defenders quickly Corps would have to be delayed. recovered and the British were unable to break through into the Liri Valley as quickly as But there was one sector where the Allies planned. had some success: the Aurunci Mountains between the coastal road and the Liri Valley. The Polish Corps, under General Wladyslaw Ironically, the Germans had assumed the Anders, was assigned the difficult task of rugged, almost trackless Aurunci’s were nearly capturing Monte Cassino. The Polish troops impassable. The French Expeditionary Corps, were mostly veterans of the 1939 invasion of under General Alphonse Juin, proved them Poland by both the Germans and the wrong. Juin’s four mountain divisions – one Russians. Many of them, after being freed Algerian, two Moroccan, and one French – from Soviet prison camps in 1941, had using mules for transport, broke through the managed to get to the Middle East, where the thin German defenses in just four days. British incorporated them into the Eighth Army. Turning north, the French seized the high ground overlooking the Liri Valley, in position to Initially, the Poles were stopped far short of outflank the German defenders holding up the summit, but with the German defenses in Eighth Army’s advance.

May 2019 The Eagle 30 With that in mind, Clark ordered Truscott to begin shifting his axis of advance to the northwest – toward the Alban Hills and on to Rome. The II Corps would continue on to try to block Highway 6 at Valmontone in compliance with Alexander’s orders.

When Alexander was briefed on Clark’s dispositions, he seemed generally satisfied, but continued to insist that the primary mission was blocking Highway 6 at Valmontone. Alexander was not convinced that the French would be able to block the German retreat through the Liri Valley – and in that he was right. Although the French had made remarkable progress, the French mountain troops did not have the mobility or the firepower to block the escape of the German 10th Army. And the Eighth Army’s advance up the Liri Valley was too slow and too deliberate to hold up the German retreat.

But Clark, too, was having difficulty. The German divisions pulling back from the Anzio perimeter were putting up strong resistance in front of Valmontone and in the Alban Hills. And Clark still had doubts that occupying Valmontone would block the German retreat. In his daily briefing to the The French success also opened the way for press corps, he noted that there were other II Corps to break through along the coastal routes where the Germans could get through road. Clark recognized the opportunity to the mountains and fall back to Rome. unleash VI Corps ahead of schedule. Clark ordered Lieutenant General Lucian Truscott to Unspoken though, was Clark’s concern that if launch his break-out from the Anzio Fifth Army was held up for too long, the Eighth bridgehead with four divisions on the 23rd. Army might get to Rome first. And there was Early on the morning of the 25th, elements of II another consideration. As a senior Allied army Corps made contact with the VI Corps near commander, Clark was privy to the timing of Cisterna. The two corps were now in position OPERATION OVERLORD – the long-awaited to advance on Valmontone and Highway 6. invasion of France, scheduled to commence the first week of June. If Fifth Army had not But now Clark saw a new opportunity. If the captured Rome prior to the Normandy French could fight their way into the Liri Valley landings, news of that liberation would be lost and cut off the German retreat, Fifth Army’s in the press coverage of the greatest mission to seize Valmontone and cut Highway amphibious invasion in history. And General 6 to block that retreat would not be necessary. Mark Clark was determined that he and Fifth Fifth Army could advance directly on Rome. Army would not be denied that honor.

April 2019 The Eagle 31 Clark pressed his corps and division commanders to keep up the pressure. On 1 June, American troops finally reached Valmontone and cut the vital Highway 6. But most of the retreating German army had already slipped past. The next day, Major General Fred Walker’s hard-luck 36th Division got a little revenge for the drubbing they had taken at the Rapido. Two regiments, in a daring night attack, managed to take Monte Artemisio, the highest point in the Alban Hills, disrupting the final German defensive positions. The road to Rome was open. Kesselring declared Rome an open city and ordered his troops to withdraw to pre- established defensive positions to the north. Rome might fall, but the German Army in Italy was still a formidable foe, one that would continue fighting until the spring of 1945. corps commanders – Truscott, Keyes, and Juin – posed for photos and took questions from the Over the next two days, various American, press corps. British, and even French units raced to be the first to enter Rome. A few war correspondents Clark was insistent that all official managed to beat the combat troops into the communiques and press releases, even those city. At 1:30 a.m. on 5 June, the Union Jack from Alexander’s Fifteenth Army Group and the Stars and Stripes were raised in the headquarters, emphasize that it was Fifth Army Piazza Venezia. that had liberated Rome. But he had the good graces to wire Alexander: “The success of the Clark entered the city later that same Fifth Army would not have been possible morning (top right), but his vehicle convoy got without the unstinting assistance received from lost near the Coliseum in Rome’s winding the Eighth Army . . . and your understanding streets (below), almost overwhelmed at times guidance of the combined effort.” by cheering crowds. They finally reached the Capitoline Hill at 10:30, where Clark and his Detractors at the time – and to the present day – criticize Clark, though, for the failure to trap and destroy the bulk of the retreating German army. Clark’s obsession with taking Rome allowed the Germans to re-establish defensive lines in northern Italy and tie-up hundreds of thousands of Allied troops that might have been better utilized in northwest Europe. Clark was to learn that all glory is fleeting. He had less than twenty-four hours to savor his triumph and the worlds’ headlines. The next day – the 6th of June, 1944, D-Day – the Allies landed at Normandy. Italy had become a sideshow.

May 2019 The Eagle 32 Art Wall Artist of The Month ElDora Criswell – Painting Art

By: Alfred W. Bates

Lilies – Watercolor

Flowers on an All Occasion Greeting Card – Watercolor

Years ago, ElDora’s late Aunt Ruth introduced her to the art of portrait painting. The memory of her aunt’s many beautiful portraits inspired ElDora and Her Painting of Her Mother – Watercolor ElDora to begin portrait painting. One of her first portraits was of her mother. From a small ElDora painted few portraits until the late photo of her mother at age seventeen, she 1980’s when she started devoting more time to created the art pictured at right. this art. Although flowers are her favorite subject to paint, she has painted approximately A favorite, canvas, flower painting of ElDora’s fifty portraits, including some residents of the is the picture of Lilies at top right. She devotes ARC. On average, she devotes about fifteen an average of six hours total to paint a picture hours to painting a portrait. Most of them have of similar size as it involves multiple sessions. been sold, except for family portraits. May 2019 The Eagle 33 While living at Canyon Lake, she took painting Some of these paintings follow, and may be lessons from the late painter, Angie Banta displayed on the Art Wall this month. Her Brown. Over the years, ElDora also attended painting inspired her children so much, some of several workshops to increase her knowledge them attended schools and earned degrees in of painting. She refrains from giving formal the art of painting. instruction to others, but volunteers providing assistance to those attending the ARC’s group weekly painting sessions.

Girl In Front Of Waterfall – Watercolor

During the younger years of her children and grandchildren, ElDora painted their portraits. May 2019 The Eagle 34 Turtle Boy – Watercolor

Susie at Seven – Watercolor

Demire - Grandson – Watercolor

The Cookie Maker – Watercolor Waiting For The Dance - Watercolor End

May 2019 The Eagle 35 Our newest member of Residents who have joined the Centenarian Club is Jeanne Patterson, who resides in Lakeside Villas and celebrated this event with her family on Thursday, 25 April.

Jeanne’s family brought a ‘Special Tribute’ certificate from the State of Michigan (page 37). Jeanne is the widow of Colonel “Pat” Patterson, a WW2 veteran. When Pat and Jeanne moved to the ARC, they lived on Lundy’s Lane and were active in the Travel Club. Jeanne volunteered as a ‘Gray Lady’ at BAMC, at the ARC Library, and the ARC Angels. She always flew the flag from their Lundy’s Lane cottage, and now from her residence at Lakeside.

May 2019 The Eagle 37