Vol. XIX, No. 1 Winter 1996-97 Spain welcomes the Brigadistas The best the 20th Again the cities Century offered and the hills By Vicente Navarro By Milton Wolff

s a Catalan and the son of parents who fought on y Delta flight to Madrid was on schedule. Tom the Republican side against fascism, I grew up E n t w h i s t l e1 met me at the Madrid airport. A with an enormous admiration for the members M That evening I was lecturing at the College of the International Brigades. I will always remember for International Studies, one of two schools that had the day when my parents made us — all their children paid my way over. Before meeting with the students, — sit around the dining table and promise with all all Americans, I met with the Directora, Mercedes solemnity that whenever and wherever we found mem- Vaquero, and several staff members in her office. bers of the brigades we should offer them our home as if The building housing the school is one of those edi- it were their own. My parents spoke on behalf of those fices representational of the old Spanish architecture who fought and lost that anti-fascist war. The promise — imposingly massive and impressively baroque, typi- was made during the nightmare of the fifties, when fas- cal of the old grey stone-faced buildings of Madrid’s cist repression in Spain was at its height, with fascists main plazas that I remembered so well from my first killing and assassinating more people than they did dur- leave after Brunete in 1937. The Director’s office furnishings carried out the Continued on page 6 theme of the exterior: highly polished, elaborately carved dark brown wood desks, chairs and cabinets, grandly scaled to the high-ceilinged large sa l a , the bravura of España. I experienced a sense of place, of being truly back in Spain, a feeling reinforced when I responded, “Brandy” to Sra. Vaquero’s asking what I would like to drink. There being none at hand, she forthwith dispatched an enlace to fetch a bottle — my protests not withstanding.

here were twenty kids, mas o Tm e n o s, and some professors at the lecture, rather more of a conver- sation than a lecture in that the stu- dents were encouraged to interrupt

Welcome at the Parliament in Barcelona. Pere Virgili Continued on page 6 2 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97

Editorial The Homenaje and an old gesture recurring memory throughout our wondrous A experience of the Homenaje recalled an encounter of nearly 60 years ago. Retelling it may best explain the depth of our gratitude to the Amigos de las Brigadas Internacionales and the profound feeling of the tens of thousands of Spaniards who cheered us along the way. In November 1939, during our last days in Spain, I left the American base at Ripoll by train for a weekend in Barcelona. The sortie was approved as a small compensation for my having missed Pasion- a r i a ’s despedida and the IB’s last parade a few weeks e a r l i e r. The rail journey of some 15 kilometers was slowed by frequent stops. Most passengers who boarded the war-worn train at every station were women. The packages they carried showed that they had been desperately foraging in the countryside. The Certificate above reads: “In conformity with the Royal Decree Shortly after I entrained, an elderly madre seated 39/1996 of January 19, [1996] issued as a result of the unani- herself, facing me in the compartment. She carried a mous agreement of the Spanish Parliament dated November 10, string bag that held two live pigeons. Our conversa- 1995, once the legal requirements have been fulfilled, you will tion was curtailed by my ignorance of Catalan. It lim- receive Spanish citizenship which will take effect following its ited me to little more than a disclosure of name, coun- recording in the appropriate Civil Registry.” Every Brigadista try of origin and marital status. However, I did received one of these. attract attention by a persistent cough, the residue of a bout with flu. The Volunteer When we arrived at the Barcelona station, I Journal of the helped her down from the train. Then, reaching into Veterans of the her bag, she pulled out a pigeon. Thrusting it into my hands, she commanded, “Comrade, make a soup of Abraham Lincoln Brigade this — it will cure your cough.” an ALBA publication Although this anecdote has been interminably 799 Broadway, Rm 227 retold (my family will verify this), the Homenaje ma d e New York, NY 10003 a change in how I understood the incident. The unfor- 1-212-674-5552 gettable gesture of “gracias” was not prompted by an indefinable “love.” Its essence was broader and deeper. Editor Associate Editor The appropriate word is respect — respect among all Leonard Levenson Marvin Gettleman and for all who unite in what La Pasionaria would accurately and eloquently proclaim: “The cause of all Editorial Board humankind.” Abe Smorodin • Bill Susman • Irving Weissman — Len Levenson Contributing Editor Seymour Joseph The next issue of TheVolunteer will carry an Submission of Manuscripts Please send manuscripts typewritten and double-spaced, if possible. extensive selection of photographs of the If you wish your manuscripts returned, enclose a self-a d d r e s s e d , Homenaje. stamped envelope. THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 3 Now We Are Spanish

By James Benet and shouting. somely printed catalogues of both. My side trip was to Albacete Then we went to a busy first- n sorting out the scenes and hap- and the first crowd there was at the class restaurant for lunch and I penings of the wonderful 60th railway station on a sunny after- another gift: bone-handled clasp Anniversary trip, two elements noon with a brass band, flags and a knives in wooden cases, Albacete stand out: one, the huge crowds speech by the mayor. being famous in Spain for its manu- that greeted us, and the other, the Next day we went to the new facture of fine knives. “Albacete a emotional meetings with vets and university — Albacete has been los Voluntarios de la Libertad, their relatives, some old friends transformed into a small, modern 1933-1996,” says the little plaque in unseen for more than half a century city — to be greeted warmly at an the case. and others totally new and unex- auditorium meeting, by university Perhaps best of all we learned pected. that the arrangements were princi- At the gathering in the Jarama pally organized by the history valley to dedicate the fine bronze department of the university, and star monument, I found myself that the young people helping with walking with a Chinese man, look- the baggage, wheelchairs and other ing a little younger than I am. Was hindrances were mostly university he a vet, I asked? No, but he was students. So it is not only old-timers here with his Bulgarian brother-in- in Albacete who remember us, but law, a volunteer who had avoided the newest generation, too, has going back home to prison by emi- made friends with us. grating to China where he found a And in friendship they would go Chinese wife. My new friend was a to any trouble. Since I am a professor in Beijing. Well, there reporter I had an article that need- would be a lot to talk about, but ed typing on a computer in order to then the hurried programs and the be faxed to San Francisco. One of buses and trains kept us apart and the students found his mother in I never even got his address. the crowd. She called her husband At the Fuencarral cemetery I and we went to his office. Nice encountered the son of Ollie Lindfors, a Minnesota Finn who modern equipment — but I sudden- was a close friend in Spain. Ollie’s ly realized that I had no idea what gone now, but we must talk later. word processor a Spanish govern- And I never managed to join up and government officials. Albacete is ment engineer might use. with him again. what used to be called the “county “WordPerfect,” he said. Our small seat” of the province of Castilla-La but luxurious hotel had, of course, a s for the crowds, we won’t forget Mancha. Then, in the heart of the fax and a very efficient desk clerk. A the tremendous concert and campus, came the unveiling of a So with my new friends’ help I was meeting in Madrid’s downtown monument to the volunteers. Spain able to get my piece off on time. sports arena with the roars of “No is still Spain, some of us said, Pasaran!” and the cheers for the because men were busy with the last ow the memories will be mixed vets and their families. In the little work on the monument even as Nup for us, those of the great Barcelona railway station I found the university rector got up onto the crusade — as Gustave Regler called myself walking with my wife, tow- plinth to announce its dedication it — of sixty years ago and those of ing our suitcases, between the and pull off the red cloth covering. the great trip of 1996. Whatever the roped-back crowds cheering us and outcome of the parliamentary and clapping. At the end of our walk the he town museum showed us a legalistic complications about citi- cheering was overwhelmed by a Tbig exhibit of memorabilia of the zenship may be, we know for cer- brass band playing the old wartime IB, with letters, photos, documents tain — as many of the speakers at songs. When we went to the and even a model of the Russian the mass meetings told us so Catalan parliament the next day fighter planes, the “Mosca,” that emphatically — that we are huge flag-waving crowds lined the came to fight with us — although, Spanish, now and in history. long driveway and some of them sadly, too few of them. There was had climbed into the trees, just as also an art exhibition by local James Benet, a journalist, is a Veteran American kids would do, waving painters, and we received hand- of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. 4 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 The Homenaje and the Press Compiled by Jack Karan

The excerpts below are from the The New York Times, Nov. 11, 1996: stand against fascism, regardless of untold number of items that From a page one story, with picture, the odds.” appeared in the U.S. press about the written by Marlise Simons, reporter Eleven union organizers at a Homenaje. Two dispatches, each for The Herald Tribune, the Times’ [New York] department store went written for major news services — overseas edition. She interviewed as volunteers to Spain. “Had we The Associated Press and The New the veterans in the lobby of the Hotel prevailed in Spain, World War II York Times — appeared in scores of Convençion in Madrid. probably would not have happened,” publications. Irving Gold came in a wheel Jack Shafran said. chair. Others used canes or just Irene Goldin was a young nurse The Associated Press: From an walked slowly into Madrid’s Sports from Connecticut who belonged to Arganda, Spain, dispatch by Leon Palace no political party but wanted to Lazaroff, Nov. 8, 1996 Soon they were showered with help people. One of her patients was Spain’s best: the laments of flamen- Harry Spiegel, an Austrian fighter, They fought against Franco’s co, poems of Garcia Lorca, folk whom she helped recuperate from fascist forces. They were about to be music, battle songs. Before long, the severe wounds and then married in granted Spanish citizenship. old men cried and saluted, raising Spain. Yesterday on a grassy plain clenched fists. Some of those fists along the Jarama river south of trembled with age, but they went Madrid, 370 former members of up anyway before a roaring audi- Sarasota, FL, Nov. 16, 1996 the International Brigades gath- ence estimated at 10,000. … ered to commemorate their arrival “This is very moving, very Milt Felsen described his return in Spain in the 1936-1939 war and uplifting,” said Irving Rappaport, to Spain with fellow American vol- pay homage to those killed in the 86, who worked in a New York gro- unteers as the most moving experi- w a r . cery store in 1937. ence of his life. His lapel bears the As the former volunteers Charles Hall, one of the 68 insignia of the International crossed the Arganda bridge — sites American veterans here this week, Brigades, that brave idealistic band of many bloody battles — Danes, heard about the war in Spain on his of soldiers who fought against fas- Yugoslavs, Argentinians and Brits factory floor in Chicago. “The slogan cism 60 years ago in the Spanish embraced. Some wept. was,” he recalled, “in Spain we are Civil War. As in the war itself, the lan- defending all of Europe against fas- Inscribed on the medallion is an guage barrier was largely overcome cism.” excerpt from a speech by an anti- by enthusiasm. Most have white Irving Gold, from Brooklyn, fascist leader. It reads, “When the hair and some walk with canes, but recalled how he and 30 other olive tree of peace blooms again in the international veterans of the Americans left New York City in Spain, come back.” Spanish Civil War remain as feisty early 1937 on the Ile de France, and idealistic as when they volun- took trains through France and Deerfield Valley, VT, Nov. 21, 1996 teered for battle 60 years ago. then secretly crossed the Pyrenees In the mid-1930s, the great mountains on foot with Spanish George Cullinan, a young mer- threat to Western democracies was guides chant seaman, volunteered to head the expansion of fascism. The Louis Bortz, from Hartford, to Spain to fight the rise of fascism. international brigades were dis- Conn., is one of several old timers Last week, Cullinan and the other banded and allowed to leave Spain who recalled talking with Ernest veterans of the International in the hate 1930s, when Franco’s Hemingway, and everyone here, it Brigade were awarded honorary forces, supported heavily by seemed, had read For Whom the Spanish citizenship for their efforts Germany and Italy, were on the Bell Tolls. verge of victory. to keep Spain free. “That was a very sad and bitter “We just couldn’t believe our Christian Science Monitor, moment,” said Clarence Forester, eyes,” said Cullinan of his arrival in Nov. 13, 1996 81, who left Minneapolis at age 22 the Sports Palace in Madrid. “There to join the Abraham Lincoln “Many of the American volun- were thousands of people applaud- Brigade. “But we know now that teers like Clarence Kailin believed ing and cheering. It was the same what we did was right.” Spain was the place to make a everywhere we went in Spain.” THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 5

Palm Beach Post, Nov. 10, 1996 “You have to realize it’s 60 Edney, still very beautiful is 85. Irving William “Bill” Rappaport, years after the war, all the veterans [Ed: Patience died in Madrid during a college dropout, understood what are in their 80s, some 90s, but it’s the trip.] Franco’s fascism meant both as a something they all wanted to do. These three — proud, lucid old person steeped in democratic tradi- Many walked with canes, and some lefties — two Brits, one American tions and as a Jew. were in wheel chairs. — all veterans of the Spanish Civil “We had never seen such a War, say such things as “proletari- demonstration of love, affection and an,” “class struggle,” “progressive Foster City, CA, Progress, Nov. 30, admiration as witnessed that day forces,” and “working class.” words 1996, and in seven other newspa- [November 11, day of the Actos de not used even in the Labour Party. pers published in cities south of San homenaje — expressions of homage] They use these words unselfcon- Francisco. in Barcelona.” sciously and seem to assume that An 87-year-old San Mateo man you use them too. Their faith is was at long last recognized for his The Times, London, Nov. 2, 1996 absolute and touching. contributions as a soldier in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1938) ear- On Monday international volun- San Jose, CA, Mercury News, Dec. 9 lier this month in Spain. teers who fought in the Spanish Al Gottlieb, along with 50 other Civil War are about to return to Perley Payne, a member of an Americans and 300 international Madrid. Three of the survivors tell old-time Santa Clara County fami- veterans, was honored by the Spa- their stories. It is not their age that ly, was recruited [for Spain] off the nish parliament and granted hon- grips me first but their language. waterfront after he left his job as a orary citizenship in a reunion cele- Sam Russell is 81 years old. cannery worker and went to live bration, November 4-12: Milton Wolff is also 81. Patience with an aunt in San Francisco. Spain’s media and the Brigades’ return

By Bill Susman But suddenly, when the IB v e t- political campaign when the issue of erans arrived, frank and open dis- citizenship came up. Jose Maria he media in Spain — newspa- cussion flourished in newspaper Aznar, running for president against Tpers, radio and television — reg- articles, in letters-to-the-editor, and the Socialist Felipe Gonzales, had istered the enthusiasm with which on radio and television. There were been accused of having been a secret the International Brigadistas were even a few scattered attacks on the supporter of Franco. Aznar coun- welcomed in the country where they IB volunteers as “ a s e s i n o s . ” tered by publicly favoring the grant had fought six decades earlier. But However, it soon became clear that of citizenship to the Brigadistas. He that was only part of the story. the reaction was overwhelmingly instructed his supporters in the Along with the efforts of the Amigos favorable. This reflected the fact Parliament to vote for it. de las Brigadas Internationales, the that pro-Franco political forces, But once Aznar had won the media also helped make the trip after his death, had never been able election he shifted his position fur- possible and successful as well. to garner more than 2 percent of the ther to the right. Doubts emerged A review of over 100 articles total vote in Spain. as to whether or not he would pur- that appeared in the Spanish press sue “the interview I hope to have during November 1996 discloses he general unanimity of the with you” he held out in a letter to how important the trip and its TSpanish people in warmly wel- me last July. [See The Volunteer, media coverage was for Spain itself, coming us as those who came in the Fall, 1996, p. 1] In fact, when the and for neighboring France as well. 1930s committed to save Spanish Brigadistas arrived neither Aznar Before November there had democracy, was clearly shown in nor any of his top aides showed up been scant public discussion in the press reports. This popular atti- to greet them, Felipe Gonzales, Spain of the Spanish Civil War. tude in turn helps explain the earli- however, was there. Even after Franco’s death in 1975 er unanimous vote by the Parlia- Here the Spanish press inter- debate was missing from the media. ment, the Cortes, offering to make vened. At least twenty of the arti- A tacit agreement seems to have the Brigadistas citizens of Spain. cles I looked at were sharply critical been concluded between left and The fuller story also reveals of what one of them called this “fail- right to refrain from discussing this political crosscurrents within the ure of common courtesy.” most momentous of upheavals in present Spanish political system, Weeks before, Spanish newspa- the country’s twentieth century his- where certain hidden agendas were pers began carrying stories about tory. Both sides feared a resurgence at work. In the Spring of 1996 Spain the IB, our individual and collective of old animosities. was in the midst of a hard-fought Continued on page 18 6 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 The best the 20th Century offered Continued from page 1 their distance from them. Barcelona at that time) to come back All other political forces and one day to Barcelona and Spain ing the entire war. When I arrived in social movements — and very much when democracy existed again, the the U.S. (exiled from Franco’s Spain) in particular, the trade unions — crowd in the station exploded. It was fifteen years later, one of the first welcomed the Brigadistas. But the as if 60 years of history had been things I wanted to do was to meet most impressive mobilization was suddenly unfrozen. Republican flags, members of the Lincoln Brigade to the spontaneous one. Due to the red flags, Catalan flags, red and blue thank them for their service to erroneous policy of forgetting the anarchist flags moved like waves in democratic Spain. On behalf of my past, a practice followed by all politi- an ocean of color, mingling with peo- parents’ generation and my own cal parties, including the left, there ple of all ages and nationalities. (those who fought in the anti-fascist was the belief that people would underground of the fifties and six- barely notice those elders who would hose who were there will never ties), I wanted to let them know how be visiting long-forgotten places in Tforget it. Ay, Carmela and other much they were loved in Spain. Spain. The real surprise to the anti-fascist songs became the most Spanish establishment — including popular tunes for the three days hirty years later, they could see the media — was that the people that the Brigadistas were in Tit for themselves. Their visit to have not forgotten. Thousands and Barcelona, the most left-wing of Spain to receive Spanish citizen- thousands of people took to the Spanish cities. The day after their ship, as promised to them by the streets to welcome them. Never in arrival, the Catalan parliament and Republic they defended, was met recent history have Spaniards dis- representatives of all major political with an enormously warm and lov- played such an outpouring of love institutions thanked them for their ing reception. People in the streets and emotion for a group of people as commitment to democracy, liberty embraced and kissed them with the they did for the Brigadistas. and justice. As Pascual Maragall, same intensity as when they left the mayor of Barcelona, said, “The Spain sixty years earlier. ith thousands of Catalans, I Brigadistas were the best that the In Madrid, the IB veterans were Wwent to the station in twentieth century had offered. Their not received by Aznar, President of Barcelona to welcome the Brig- sense of commitment and selfless- the Partido Popular (PP) govern- adistas. The well-known La ness has been an inspiration to all ment. Although the parliamentary Pasionaria speech bidding them freedom fighters in the world.” deputies of Aznar’s right-wing party farewell was broadcast at the station had voted to grant Spanish citizen- for their arrival. At the point of the Vicente Navarro, professor of public ship to the Brigadistas, the PP speech when La Pasionaria invited health at Johns Hopkins University, is authorities for the most part kept the brigadistas (who were leaving a member of the ALBA Board. Again the cities and the hills of Spain Continued from page 1 from all over gathered in the lobby met. The reporters thought that a where they were collared for count- splendid idea. Cafe Chicote is now with comments or questions, which less interviews in various languages Museo Chicote. Photos of they did to my delight, as we went by media reporters from TV, radio, Hemingway (none in uniform) plas- along: Constance from North- newspapers and magazines. ter the walls and the joint is western, Sam from Boston College, upscale, though the viejo w a i t e r Luisa from Madrid, Carrie from ur celebration coincided with swears, robot-like, that nothing has Middlebury (who will do her term Othe presidential election in the changed. paper on the Brigade) and others. USA. It was clearly an event of After the interview there was There was a repeat performance paramount press interest in Spain, the matter of getting me back to the three days later at the Center for therefore much of what was taped hotel. I had no pesetas on me, so International Studies. Some 18 stu- never saw the light of day. BBC handed me a fistful of coins. dents signed on there for a next-day One incident, however, made My cab driver, a young man in his tour of the Aragon battlefields — the front page of many local papers. late 20s or early 30s, having taken about which, more later. It came about this way: B B C r a d i o note of the Brigadista ID clipped on The Hotel Convención, where asked me for an interview. “Sure,” I my jacket, engaged me in conversa- the IB veterans stayed, is a huge said, “but only if we hold it in the tion about the war, about the IB modern hostelry, efficiently run but Cafe Chicote, Hemingway’s favorite volunteers who came from “so far with little personality. Veterans watering place, where we first had away to give their lives in defense of THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 7

who greeted us with bouquets and medals. We were wined and dined; entertained by high school musi- cians, banqueted and we sat in on a rehearsal of a Verdi opera, before being led to the town hall where poems and speeches were delivered by the mayor and others before a standing-room-only audience. I spoke again as at Jarama, adding only that it was the Spanish peo- ple’s heroism and love for us that inspired us to remain in the “trenches” for 60 years to carry on the Good Fight in the spirit t h e y had shown in their defense of Madrid. When I asked Lenny and Abe to stand, their wives by their side, the people came to their feet cheering. Eric Levenson Greeting the Brigadistas. As I made my way to join them, a grey-haired woman grabbed me, my country,” and more along this called on to speak for l o s saying (in Spanish, of course), line, a theme we were to hear many A m e r i c a n o s . I used this occasion to “Dance with me.” And I did — times. When we arrived at the thank the Asociación for the mar- brought down the house (Seems this Convención, I held out the handful velous job they were doing and to lovely woman had heard that I of coins to pay the fare. No way! thank the heroic Spanish people danced with Dolores Ibarruri at Despite my insistence, the man whose resistance gave us the oppor- Spain’s Communist Party’s farewell absolutely refused payment . tunity to fight by their side. When I banquet for the IB in ’38 and this Well, when I came into the concluded, I called on Mike Pappas was her way of commemorating lobby there were several members to address the gathering on behalf that poignant moment.) of the press interviewing an orga- of those who had fought and died at nizer of the Amigos. I broke into the Jarama, his brother Nick among he main Madrid event took proceedings to tell about this cabbie them, and to speak for all the Tplace in the domed Sports who would not let me pay; I pressed “beautiful Greeks” in our battalions. Palace, a short walk from the hotel. the coins into the hands of the orga- After all, Mike had been there at There were Madrileños lined four nizer. Hombre! So great was the Jarama, I had not. and five deep, creating an aisle a astonishment that a Madrid cabbie block or so long to the entrance. We had turned down a fare that the reporter grabbed me for anoth- walked down it to thunderous story made the front page of several A er interview after I left the applause and saluds. The stadium papers. platform. We walked away from the was packed with cheering people, as speakers and the crowd, seeking a the Brigadistas marched in. Marcus his simple demonstration of soli- place where this could be done. We A n a2 told me that there were more Tdarity by a hard-working found a police squad car with an than 10,000 souls on hand. When I Spaniard stood out in sharp con- armed cop standing alongside. “I congratulated him on the Commu- trast to the IBers’ non-reception by asked him if it would be possible for nists being able to turn out so many head-honcho Aznar and his crowd of the reporter and me to talk quietly people, he assured me that it was right-wingers in the Cortes who inside the car. “Porque no?” he said, the doing of more than the party, were supposed to ceremoniously ushering us inside Ha! this is Spain, that it was a “broad effort, and a present us with a citizenship certifi- I thought, without the butcher diverse political and non-political cate. That job instead was done by a Franco who surely must be turning demonstration.” minor official who perfunctorily in his grave at the sight: The Good It was then on to Aragon. The handed over a packet of the docu- Guys won the war after all!” next day, Harry Fisher and his fam- ments to a representative of each On to Alcorcon, a suburb about ily joined us there for a tour of national delegation — not at 12 kilometers outside Madrid. We, Quinto, the ruins of Belchite, Parliament but in an office of the Abe, Lenny and Jack with their Fuentes de Ebro, Caspe and, finally, Department of Justice. wives and families, were received by On to Jarama where I was the Alcalde and a cluster of citizens Continued on page 22 8 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97

Added to Memory’s Roster

pulled out of the Ebro front in pany One. On the first day, when Morris Brier September 1938. He was twice Oliver Law, the battalion comman- wounded: in the arm at Jarama der, gave the order to go over the he news was telephoned from and in the foot during the Ebro top, Paul was right behind Law. Tthe New York VALB office on re t r e a t s . There were many casualties, but January 6 Moish (never “Morris,” In World War II, Moish distin- Law and Burns came through except on legal documents) had guished himself as a machine-gun- unscathed. died the previous day. It opened a ner in the infantry and, rare for a We went over the top again on floodgate of memories. Lincoln Brigade veteran, was com- July 9th at Mosquito Ridge. Law Moish and I went back together missioned a lieutenant He served had assigned John Power and me over 65 years. We lived two houses in the Pacific theater, picking up as Paul’s runners for that action. apart in Brownsville. We were not another wound in the Philippines. I was amazed by Paul’s calm poor, we just didn’t have any Until reaching retirement age, during the ten minutes we waited mo n e y . Moish was office manager of the to begin the attack. Law had told We played football before we Fur and Leather Workers Union us that there would be no cover fire joined the YCL. That was during Joint Board. from our artillery or aircraft. The the Great Depression. Along with fascists were on higher ground and others, we formed the Brownsville we knew that our casualties would Sports and Cultural Club, where be heavy. we pumped iron and listened to Paul Burns When Oliver Law gave the classical music. order to attack and charged up the When some neighbors were was among a group of some forty hill, Paul raised his pistol over his evicted, the YCL called on us to put I replacements sent to Jarama head and said, “Let’s go fellows.” the furniture back in their apart- from the Madrigueras IB t r a i n i n g He was wounded within seconds. ment — and it was done. Moish base in April 1937 to replace the Law was hit two minutes later and was 19 and I was 16 and we were heavy casualties suffered by the died within the hour. Paul certain- busted together. By then his wid- Lincolns in the battles of February ly would have been chosen to suc- owed mother had died and he lived 23rd and 27th. Even on that first ceed him. with us part of the time — my par- day, I heard from Charles Nusser I next saw Paul, six weeks ents were Mom and Pop to him. and Irving Chocoles about the later at an impressive rest home — I’ll leave others to write of extraordinary courage of Paul the mansion that had belonged to Moish’s record in Spain where he Burns. They told about how he had the magnate Juan March, the preceded me into the International repeatedly gone into no-man’s land wealthiest man in Spain, then Brigades. under fire to bring in wounded. holed up in France awaiting a fas- Farewell, dear comrade, and A couple of weeks later, Pat cist victory. The mansion overlook- foster brother. You came from a Reade, one of the Madrigueras ing the Mediterranean had been very special mold, and I shall miss replacements, introduced me to requisitioned as a rest home for the you and our golden days. Paul who was his company com- wounded. — Abe Osheroff mander. Pat liked Paul for a couple Paul told me that he expected of reasons: he knew he was Irish to return to the battalion in a few oish Brier truly died in action, and he had learned of his bravery. weeks. The severity of his knee Mnot on any battlefield (he had My first impression of Paul wound, however, resulted in his seen more than his share of these) was that he was too gentle to be a repatriation. but as a member of the national soldier. He spoke more like an During the post war years Paul staff/executive of the Veterans of observer than a participant. His and I were colleagues as correspon- the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and voice was low and his stories dents at the UN. I came to know of ALBA. He was treasurer of both stressed the bravery of other sol- him then as the gentlest person I organizations. diers. He had action tales of the ever encountered. One of the original “Jarama”: Flaherty brothers, and of Joe Scott After recent housebound years, Lincolns, Moish arrived in Spain in and Joe Gordon. devotedly cared for by his wife January 1937 and served as a I had little contact with Paul Helen, Paul died in New York City machine-gunner in all the Battal- until the Brunete offensive in July. on December 9, 1996. ion’s campaigns until the IB w a s He was then commander of Com- — Harry Fisher THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 9

Added to Memory’s Roster

After the fascists broke Ruth Epstein through to the sea in April 1938, Harry Hakam the Murcia group was transferred uth Wilson Epstein’s service as under difficult conditions to arry Hakam, one of the origi- R a nurse in the Abraham Mataro in Catalonia. At the large H nal Lincoln Battalion volun- Lincoln Brigade was a part of her hospital, familiar to many of the teers, died in his native Brooklyn unswerving dedication to improv- Lincoln Brigade sick and wounded, on September 5, 1996. A journey- ing the lives of the poor and Ruth was reunited with Jacob — man electrician and union activist oppressed. She died in New York he had become the r e s p o n s i b l é when he left for Spain in February City on December 12, 1996. She is there for the liason between the 1936, he served through all the survived by her husband Jacob, U.S. brigader-patients and the mil- campaigns, from Jarama until the also a Lincoln Brigade volunteer, itary chain of command. IB withdrawal in September 1938. with whom she shared 62 years of When the Catalan front was Harry joined the U.S. Navy in marriage. overrun at the war’s end, the 1943 as one of the first frogmen, Ruth’s commitment to life was Murcia staff and all moveable earning a SeaBee’s rating as Chief continued after Spain in her work patients were evacuated by freight Construction Electrician’s Mate. as a teacher of midwifery in train to the south of France. When WWII ended, Harry Harlem and in her pioneering resumed his electrician’s trade, phrasebooks to improve communi- enrolled in Brooklyn College as the cation among hospital personnel last veteran student under the and patients of various languages W W I I G.I. Bill, and earned a B.A. in U.S. hospitals. in English literature. Ruth sailed for Spain with the A family tribute to Harry con- 6th American Medical Group that cludes: arrived late in May 1937. Her war service was a distinguished one. It Harry … unending intellectu- began in Murcia at the Interna- al curiosity … an avid reader (a tional Brigade hospitals based real bathroom monopolizer), a there. She played a major role in goofy sense of humor, a hooker of establishing on-the-job schools to rugs, a piano noodler (played by meet the Republic’s extreme short- ear), intensely aware, sometimes age of trained hospital nurses. teasing, who could still read the Ruth’s and Jacob’s postwar That was her unceasing dedication New York Times without eye- years together were marked by for the next year. glasses. If you asked him how he persistence in the path that had In January 1937 Ruth recorded was doing, he’d give you a sly, brought them to Spain. a speech at a Barcelona studio for mischievous look and answer, ‘’I’m radio broadcast to the USA. It was For several decades before here,” and that said it all! aimed at raising funds for medical their retirement they were teamed Life was his smorgasbord aid to Spain. In her talk she briefly as highly successful designers and and he never lost his appetite. If described the curriculum that builders of custom office furniture. offered a choice among several became a vital contribution to the A closely knit couple they shared a desserts, he invariably chose “a Republic’s war effort: life enriched by a wide range of cul- little bit of each.” He always tural interests and a warm circle of managed to find a job and was At first the teaching was friends and family. forever ready to reach out to entirely practical but as the tech- — Len Levenson someone in need — a good sol- nique was learned the young dier to the end. When he left women wanted to know the why of winter and age were on his curly everything. At this stage we called head nut spring was eternally in upon the doctors for help and his heart. Our “original Wan- together planned a course of lec- dering Jew” crossed his last tures … designed to teach some- frontier with no regrets and no thing of anatomy, physiology, the backward looks. Shalom, Harry, causes of disease, and so forth. shalom! 10 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 Culling the mail sack

remember of the mostly young and very dedicated peo- The VALB staff has been swamped with scores of let - ple. ters from Lincoln veterans, family members and friends We old geezers sometimes grumbled when things who accompanied us on the 60th Anniversary trip to didn’t go as smoothly; as we wished — for example, Spain. We have selected the extracts that follow. They when Ted and I were wakened at 4 a.m. in our hotel recount the joys of recall and reunion the November days near Barcelona, to be told that we had to be ready with in Spain brought to us and our fellow-travellers. our luggage at 5 a.m. for the return flight to Madrid. But that unhappy flight resulted in one of the happiest encounters of our visit to Spain — a day in the family of Graffiti that lives Angel Escarpa, a founding member of the Amigos a n d owner of the Libreria Miguel Hernandez. This small had last been to the Murcian town of Madrigueras in bookstore is full of treasures, like the memoirs of Lise I April of 1937 when I left for the Jarama front with a London, Roja Primavera, published in 1996. Angel took group of replacements. Our departure was supposed to us to the tomb of Dolores Ibarruiri nearby, and his be secret but the whole town turned out to bid us entire family gave us food and rest and loving care. farewell. People hugged and kissed us and raised their We will always feel a profound gratitude toward all clenched fists in salud. of them. When I returned last November with my children — Lenore and Ted Velfort and grandchildren I wondered how we would be Oakland, California received and how we would be remembered. Of course our reception was tumultuous and touch- ing. But another more profound expression was found in Tears of gratitude the town church. We were conducted there and led into y mother, Hon Brown, and my siblings, Doug, a junk-strewn back room where a ladder had been M Stephanie and Betsy, and our spouses, and I, placed against one wall. went to Spain to honor the Veterans of the Following our host, I climbed into an upper floor, International Brigades. My late father, Archie Brown, illumined only by flashlights. There the beams revealed was a member of the Abraham Lincoln Battalion. antifascist graffiti — Frente Rojo; No Pasaran; names Our large group was broken up into smaller groups and poems in several languages and dated jottings from and 200 of us arrived in Seville from Madrid. 1937 and 1938. As we rode up the escalator in their beautiful train A young man who was conducting us explained that station, there were thousands of people awaiting us on when the fascists took power they attempted to obliter- the landing above. Carrying banners and shouting ate all the antifascist graffiti wherever found. words of welcome and slogans from the past, N o In Madrigueras, in order to preserve the antifascist Pasaran! We were inundated by waves of roaring sound, slogans written on the church, the townspeople had expressing their love and thanks for the Vets. destroyed the stairway to the upper floor and filled the I wish to thank them for surviving, remembering, area with debris to prevent access. The fascists never and for moving toward a democratic Spain. Tears of caught on. gratitude for our reception and the honor bestowed upon Our guide thought that this graffiti might be the the memory of my father and his comrades, flow down only surviving examples in Spain. Whether true or not, from my face now as before in Seville. I will never forget it certainly showed us that in Madrigueras, they this incredible sharing of emotion. Thank you, los gentes remembered. de España! Viva la Quince Brigada! Viva las Brigadas — Harry Fisher Internacionales! South Orange, NJ — Susheela (Susan Brown) Farrell Santa Rosa, California An unforgettable experience The defining event of his youth he heroes of the Homenaje were the Amigos’ volun- Tteers who worked with patience and love long hours. ith six other family members, I accompanied my With no experience and with constant money worries W husband, Abraham Lincoln Brigade veteran they managed to make the Homenaje an unforgettable Leonard Olson, to the site of what was the defining experience for us all: Dolores and Ana, Angel, Raquel, event of his youth. Each family member had a task: the Roberto, Gustavo — these are just some of the names I sons-in-law pushed the wheel chair and lifted it on and THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 11

Culling the mail sack off planes, trains and taxis. Daughters translated, read of his brother, a priest, who had been with them checked on programs, gathered information and made and was killed. friends with the Amigos. The grandchildren kept up I was introduced to a German woman surgeon who with the entourage and with their homework, and served with her husband, also a surgeon, in Spain. After waded in the Mediterranean. I just kept Leonard com- probing a while, I realized that he and a British surgeon pany. had operated on me at the hospital in Mataro. Much Our family has lived with Spain, and we have spent hugging followed. much of our time with people who also shared the Afterward, with Judy Montell and her film crew and Spanish cause. Now, we can properly consign to history, together with Roby Newman we drove to Brunete, with the honor it deserves, the heroic struggle of 1936- searching for the spot where the Brigade’s first aid sta- 1939. tion was located. This was where Roby’s father, — Jeanne Olson Professor Robert Colodny, was brought, unconscious Cleveland Heights, Ohio and bleeding profusely from his head. Dr. Straus and I bandaged Bob and slid him into the uppermost slot, the only vacant one on this 3-tiered vehicle. The ten days that shook our world Exhausted, we closed the doors and the ambulance started off. We gasped as the doors burst open and a stretcher flew out. It was Colodny, but still breathing e will always remember our ten glorious days with and with a slow pulse. The bandages were OK and the the other 400 Brigadistas, and with the Spanish W ambulance again took off with Bob aboard. We thought Amigos and Amigas who accompanied us. Everywhere he would not survive. hands reached out to touch and embrace us, and voices said “Gracias, gracias.” The volunteers who kept the Years later I met Doc Straus and, smiling, he March of the 400 Grumpy Old Men going were truly recalled the event and reported, “Bob is alive and well magnificent. with a plate as part of his skull.” We were on TV and our pictures appeared on the As we were waiting at the Barcelona airport to front page of the largest newspaper in Barcelona. We return home, a couple heard us talking. He recognized met a German from Dusseldorf, the child of two German who we were and remarked, “It has been too, too many volunteers who met and married in Spain. The father years before you were invited back. It should have been was killed and the mother returned to Germany. There earlier.” He is a Catalan, educated in a U.S. university must have been many other stories like this. with an electrical engineering degree. He remained and married there, acquiring dual citizenship. His father These are some of our impressions of the ten days fought in the Republican army and some of his family, that shook the world, at least our world. who crossed the Pyranees when Franco came into — Sandra Cullinen power, are French. Wilmington, Delaware All in all, the trip was very emotional and exciting. — David Smith San Francisco, California Still alive and kicking The legacy is passed on t the time of the first Spanish election after A Franco’s death, Sophie and I spent three weeks traveling by car from Barcelona to Malaga. With one hile I did not myself go to Spain, my friend Karl exception, all of my discussions with individuals stopped WJones (son of of deceased vet David Jones) did. I do or changed subject when I mentioned that I had fought remember the birthday parties held at David’s nursing during the Civil War. home in Dorchester, Massachusetts, attended by Steve Nelson, Henry Grossman and others. In the life of trade On this trip all was the opposite, especially from the union militant Karl, the legacy of the International ordinary person on the street. We never met anybody Brigades is passed on. who turned away after noticing that we were — Kevin Coleman Joyce Brigadistas. Bryant’s Pond, Maine On the trip to Morata, I met Peter O’Connor of the Lincoln Battalion’s Irish Section. Peter gave me his pamphlet, A Soldier of Liberty, and I was surprised to 12 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 News From Abroad

when they volunteered, the Connolly absent friends who had not traveled London Column fighters are today acclaimed — particularly Paul Burns who had in the Irish Republic. Amongst those fought with the James Connolly he 60th Anniversary of the who in recent times have paid them Section of the Abraham Lincoln TSpanish Civil War has been tribute are the Lord Mayor of Dublin Battalion in the 1937 battles of marked throughout Britain on a and Mary Robinson, President of Jarama and Brunete, until invalid- remarkable scale by many varied Ireland. The Irish participation in ed home as a result of war wounds. e v e n t s . The International Brigade Spain was illustrated by the film, Paul was indeed a very special Association has good reason to feel Even the Olives are Bleeding, which type of American who both dug deep pleased with this result for which it tells the story of the volunteers on and grew outwards. Deeply con- prepared well and worked hard. both sides, including the ignomin- scious of his Irish roots, his sense of One of the events was a highly ious outcome of the O’Duffy, pro- internationalism also led him to successful residential school held Franco expeditions. risk his life in defense of the from July 22 to 26 [1996] at the The course also included ses- Spanish Republic, “to try and stem Wedgwood memorial College near sions on the relevance for today of the rising fascist tide.” Stoke-on-Trent. Interest was enor- the Spanish Civil War and on the mous and the course was fully situation in today’s Spain. aylight was yielding to dusk as booked with a waiting list. Among Controversial issues were Dwe revisited the battlefield of the 40-plus participants were five debated, including a discussion of Jarama on November 7. As we veterans, two of them with wives, Ken Loach’s film, Land and proudly stood beside what had been and also the grandson of Dr. Len F r e e d o m, and the work of George the Lincoln Battalion’s trenches with Crome, chair of the IBA. The Orwell. our banner of the Connolly Column remainder included three research The highlight of the course was of the 15th brigade we remembered students from Madrid, the daughter a special keynote lecture, T h e that on May 12, 1937, the 21st of a vet and widow of another. Spanish Civil War in Perspective 60 anniversary of James Connolly’s exe- The program, while inevitably Years On. It was given by Dr. Helen cution, Paul was among those who less than comprehensive, was wide- Graham, a historian recognized as a had organized a Connolly ranging. It included the back- leading authority on the subject. Commemoration behind those lines. ground, both domestic and interna- This lecture was hosted by Stafford- Earlier on the morning of that tional, to the Spanish Civil War. shire University, whose Vice- return visit, we had revisited the Bill Alexander, Secretary of the Chancellor presided. This change of nearby cemetery of Morata de IBA, led sessions on the role of the venue made possible the attendance Tajuña where in a mass grave of International Brigades, with special of a wider audience. 5,000 who fell at Jarama, there are reference to the British Battalion, Throughput the week, the level nineteen Irish dead, including the and the continuation of the struggle of interest and discussion was high. poet Charlie Donnelly, killed in against Franco and after the war. All who participated were enthusi- action on February 27, 1937. And Two sessions, led by specialists, astic and stimulated. It is hoped to again we recall that in the 1938 Dr. Andy Croft and Dr. Dave publish Dr. Helen Graham’s keynote Book of the Fifteenth Brigade, edit- Spooner, were devoted to the vast lit- lecture for general distribution. ed by the Irish commander Frank erature in English and Spanish — Dave Goodman Ryan, it was Paul who ensured that engendered by the war. Professor the memory of Charlie Donnelly Sally Alexander, co-editor of Wo m e n ’ s would be kept alive as an inspira- Voices in the Spanish Civil War, led a Dublin tion by writing of his death in session of women and the war. action. But Paul did more than that. e mourn the loss of our He also wrote for that book a very reland was a subject of particular Wbeloved comrade in arms, Paul vivid account of how, when the I interest with volunteers taking Burns. Last month it was our privi- Lincolns first went into action at part on both sides. The dramatic lege to return to Spain to be hon- Jarama on February 23, both he changes which have taken place in ored as International Brigades vet- and Charlie Donnelly had fought Ireland were the subject of a session erans by the people of Madrid, side-by-side with no more than an led by Manus O’Riordan. Manus is Bilbao, Guernica, Barcelona and olive tree as their protection. the son of Michael O’Riordan who Gandesa. We were indeed delighted Speaking of Frank Ryan, our fought for the Republic in the to renew acquaintance with many return to Jarama also brought us Connolly Column and who has writ- Lincoln vets who had also returned. down the famous “sunken road” ten its history. Spurned at home But we also turned our thoughts to where Frank had rallied the troops THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 13

News From Abroad at an earlier stage in that battle. Here once again our thoughts were TARRAGONA, Spain — A mathematician from the University of led back to Paul — for when Ryan Tarragona, I was privileged to participate in the Homenaje to the had been captured by the fascists International Brigades, one of the most moving events of my life. We and with trumped-up false accusa- Spanish democrats do not forget those who fought for our freedom and we tions was put on trial for his life, it will tell our sons and daughters, who will tell theirs, of this shining example. was an international solidarity cam- At one time I held a Fulbright fellowship at the U.S. Radio paign that saved that life. Astronomy Observatory in Virginia, so I do not consider myself a for- And to the fore in that cam- eigner to the United States. paign was the letter which Now I live in Tarragona, near where the bloody Ebro River battles appeared in the New York Times of took place in the Spanish Civil War. I invite all interested people to May 30, 1938, in which Paul Burns “visit” me there on the web where my address is: and other Irish-American vets of h t t p : / / w w w . f u t . e s/˜ m s a n r o m a / G U E R R A C I V I L / g u e r r a c i v i l . h t m l Spain gave eye-witness evidence of Frank Ryan’s honorable behavior — Manuel Sanroma both on and off the field of battle. The veterans of the Abraham Someone said: But there are those who fight all Lincoln Battalion and the Connolly There are people who fight one day their lives. Column have lost a brave and and they are good. Those are the indispensable ones. noble comrade, recalled with pride There are others who fight for You are the indispenable ones. by those with whom he took his many years and they are Hasta siempre. stand and fought shoulder-to- very good. — Jordi Marti shoulder in order that fascism should not triumph in Spain. That it was the democratic will of the This is a list of books and tapes that are available at the indicated Spanish people which finally tri- prices from the office of VALB, 799 Broadway, Rm. 227, New York, NY umphed over that fascism and 10003-5552. The shipping cost is $2 for each copy of the book or tape. warmly welcomed back the MADRID 1937: LETTERS OF THE LINCOLN BRIGADE FROM SPAIN ...... (cloth) ...... $25 International Brigades last month Edited by Cary Nelson & Jefferson Hendricks is the ultimate vindication of ODYSSEY OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIGADE ...... (pbk)...... $15 Paul’s courageous stand. by Peter Carroll Salud! on behalf of the Irish vet- ANOTHER HILL...... (cloth) ...... $25 erans of the Connolly Column, 15th by Milton Wolff AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE SPANISH ÇIVIL WAR ...... (cloth)...... $30 Brigade. Preface by Robin D. G. Kelley — Peter O’Connor MEMORIALS OF THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR...... (cloth) ...... $31 and Michael O’Riordan Williams/Alexander/Gorman THE ANTI-WARRIOR ...... (pbk)...... $15 by Milton Felsen TREES BECOME TORCHES Selected Poems...... (pbk)...... $10 Barcelona by Edwin Rolfe alud, comrades! I would like to REMEMBERING SPAIN: HEMINGWAY’S VALB EULOGY...... (bklet & audio)...... $15 S say many things to you, so by Hemingway, Nelson and Wolff FROM MISSISSIPPI TO MADRID ...... (pbk)...... $10 many emotions. I was at the Par- by James Yates liament, yelling like never before; I SPAIN, THE UNFINISHED REVOLUTION...... (cloth)...... $15 participated also in the organization by Arthur Landis of the acto at the Universidad PRISONERS OF THE GOOD FIGHT ...... (pbk)...... $10 Autonoma de Barcelona. by Carl Geiser There are no words to express THE LINCOLN BRIGADE: A PICTURE HISTORY...... (cloth) ...... $15 what I feel for you. I listened to the by Wm. L. Katz and Marc Crawford words of some of you, but I didn’t EDUCATION OF A RELUCTANT RADICAL: BOOK 3 — SPAIN...... (pbk)...... $14 know what to say. Today, when you by Carl Marzani FOREVER ACTIVISTS...... (VCR)...... $35 are no longer here, I miss you very Judith Montell much. Surely the best way to be THE GOOD FIGHT ...... (VCR)...... $35 close to you is to continue the strug- Sills/Dore/Bruckner gle that you began. 14 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97

ooking back now, when I set out group. While the Homenaje was far L for Spain on Saturday, Novem- from flawless, the majority of par- ber 2, I probably knew as much A ’97 ticipants and volunteers marvelled about what lay ahead as an a l p a r - at how well things turned out, given g a t a-shod American volunteer scal- the magnitude of the group, the ing the Pyrenees in 1937. Strange Volunteer myriad of ceremonies and many last as it may seem, my sole contact minute adaptations. We volunteers with the Amigos had been through certainly felt honored to have par- fax and telephone from Paris in ticipated in this long overdue trib- order to offer my assistance. That By Robert Coale ute to a stalwart and amazing had been warmly accepted. group of veterans. We wear our I only began to learn about the Voluntarios de la Libertad c o m- Amigos’ evolution and structure hotel shuttle began its operation. It memorative pins as hard-earned during the memorable nine days reached full schedule on Monday, badges of solidarity. that followed — after I had rolled November 4. By then, I was in the up my sleeves started to work. The Hospital Princesa squiring a Mac- eviewing it all, I shudder at complete picture only came when it Pap veteran who had fallen behind R having been very close to not was all over. That was on Tuesday in his insulin dosing. attending the event. I would have November 12, after the staff of vol- missed a very moving experience, a unteers began to unwind in the irst of all, one should keep in truly “once in a lifetime” occasion. Barcelona Airport cafe after most of Fmind that all who helped, Expecting the celebration to take the veterans were safely on their whether behind the scenes or in full place over the summer, convenient- way home. contact with the veterans and their ly coinciding with a stay in Madrid When I had arrived in Madrid, families, were volunteers. Everyone to research my PhD dissertation in all I knew about the Asociación de was a volunteer — from the ener- Spanish literature, I had contacted Amigos was that they had accepted getic youths who carried luggage, Santiago Alvarez through a mutual my offer to help and their office escorted people on buses, ran friend in May. address. That was where I reported errands and even may have served When word got back that the on Sunday morning, November 3. dinner and cleared tables, up to the festivities would not take place Waiting outside a locked door Governing Committee. until November, it seemed highly were three volunteers from Madrid My intermediate group had unlikely that I would be able to take with whom I was to work closely fused spontaneously — each offer- time off from work and get to throughout the celebration. They ing free time or more. We were all Madrid. I let the idea drop. were Pepe and Alberto of the press driven by enormous respect for the In October, however, while tak- committee, and David, who was in Brigadistas and a desire to make ing a break from my thesis research charge of reserving transportation the visit a memorable event. I happened across a copy of Carl I was appointed assistant to the It was no secret that at certain Geiser’s Prisoners of the Good Fight. press committee and promptly went times things did not run as smoothly Devouring it in record time, I then to work — photocopying, stapling as expected. The Asociación was, in re-read my copy of Marion and phoning Toronto to track down fact, beset by its own success. When Merriman’s American Commander missing Mac-Paps. As the afternoon discussion about the celebration in Spain along with other works on wore on, other volunteers reported first began, the attendance estimate the Spanish Civil War. In no time I — Barbara (from Switzerland), was less than one hundred. Seven was hooked again, certain I could Anya (from Germany), and Olga hundred and eighty veterans and not pass this opportunity to meet (from Madrid). Each had her own friends from twenty-nine countries veterans and show my admiration. story of the rush to arrive. arrived, many at the last minute. Although ignorant of what was The three-room office was A small group of volunteers, no in store, the important fact was that stocked with two hand-me-down matter how well intentioned it may I was accepted. With an interest in computers, several telephones, fax be, has serious limitations when it oral history dating from way back, I machines, a photcopier and piles of comes to handling such a large innocently toted along a cassette incoming messages. The atmos- recorder expecting to find the time phere was charged with expectation Robert Coale is a young to interview some of the more talka- of the impending events. American PhD candidate in tive veterans. That didn’t happen. The Internationals and family Spanish literature at the Uni- From a young volunteer’s point members began arriving at the air- versity of Paris. of view it was a great week, not port that afternoon. A Barajas-to- only for my having met the Brig- THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 15 adistas and their families: I route to this entrance would pass ing those veterans and their fami- acquired new Spanish friends, the throngs waiting to buy tickets. lies, who did not speak Spanish, namely, Betina, Alberto, Olga, Unaware and wearing a red communicate with the locals, and David, Pepe, Barbara and Anya. Organización badge, I left the hotel vice versa. The manageable size of Our friendship forged itself amid with group of Brigadistas. My heart this busload and its homogeneity long hours of confusion and an stopped as we encountered the was a contrast to the international- unwavering, almost fanatical, sense unexpected sea of people that ly diverse groups I had sheparded of duty — especially when the going blocked our access to the Sports on all other events. turned difficult. Palace. However, when I loudly The luncheon speech and poem We learned to improvise; to fill requested: “Perdonen, por favor, offered by Spanish Republican planning lapses and respond to last paso para los Brigadistas, (Excuse Veterans was a unique moment to minute requests; to hammer out us, please make room for the make sure that the words of thanks solutions for unforeseen problems as Brigadistas to pass),” alarm gave and recognition spoken by our best we could, becoming battle-hard- way to emotion. The sea of people Spanish hosts were understood by ened through twenty- or even twen- parted, applauding and cheering. more than the linguistically privi- ty-four-hour days and midnight-to- Turning around to herd the first leged few. The unexpected and three a.m. organizational meetings. group through (Swiss and Czechs), I enthusiastic thanks I received from saw them teary-eyed and deeply the Catalans for interpreting into n general, the week of tribute was touched as they were cheered, English confirmed that they were I memorable for all who participat- hugged, their hands shaken and very anxious for their heartfelt ed. It provided a unique opportunity their backs patted by the no-less- gratitude to be clearly conveyed to for veterans from across the globe to veterans so often remembered, even come together once again and to be venerated, yet so infrequently honored by the people of Spain. As As a present-day encountered in the flesh. Professor Gabriel Jackson pointed volunteer, it was out during the evening ceremony in here were many other special Barcelona: many of the ideals wonderful to feel a Tmoments, but every one who defended by the Spanish Republic made the trip can assert similar have been integrated into the part of it all. claims. Speaking unofficially on Constitution of 1978 for present day behalf of a small but hard-working Spaniards to enjoy. This tangible moved population of Madrid — sur- group of volunteers, I can say that result may prompt one to wonder vivors, sons, daughters or grand- our most cherished moments were who were the ultimate victors in the children of the battered city that those rare occasions when we had struggle of 1936-1939. had greeted some of the very same time to spend with the Brigadistas, Being neither a Spaniard nor men sixty years before, almost to be it talking during a bus ride, chat- International Brigade veteran, when the day. ting before dinner, recommending my volunteer duties permitted, I was As a present-day volunteer, it sights to see in town, or resolving in a privileged position to observe was wonderful to feel a part of it all. an unexpected problem. the homage from the “outside.” Suddenly, all of the mistaken We would volunteer, without a On a more personal side, there instructions, the countermanded moment’s hesitation, to do it all come to mind many highlights of orders, and the endless waiting for over again. The exposure to such a my dealings with the veterans. buses, was unimportant, especially unique group of dedicated men and Allow me to recall two: the Madrid after one had seen the brigadistas women, who stood up for their prin- Palacio de Deportes concert/tribute so moved and so warmly welcomed ciples, cannot help but improve our and a day’s excursion in Catalonia. back to Madrid. understanding of this special chap- The first of these provided a ter of contemporary history. moment that itself was memorable emories of the week that fol November 3 to 12, 1996, will long be During a pre-concert volunteers’ M lowed in Catalonia are just a treasured by those people forever meeting, the Goya Street entrance blur of fast-paced situations and devoted to the legacy of the to the Palacio gate was considered more great moments International Brigades. May the the most appropriate for the veter- On the day of short trips from future offer us many more opportu- ans’ entrance. Despite its location on Barcelona to neighboring cities and nities to show our appreciation. a far side of the building, it afforded towns, I was assigned to a bus Many thanks to the veterans for the most direct access to the stage where I had the opportunity to per- making possible an enjoyable, floor and had the shortest stairs. form a task that I had anticipated unforgettable week of volunteer It was not realized that the when setting out from Paris — help- work. Salud! 16 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97

xactly what was I going to see and anguish I cause you and the E in Spain and what was I look- thought that you are thinking of me ing for? I brought these questions Tracking while you read this.” He had never overseas and I brought them home said good-bye to them. Like so many again. others, Dave lied out of love to pro- I am in the midst of writing a a ghost tect them. He said he was going to book about political passion and the Catskills to work. memory. My uncle, Dave Lipton, is As I drove towards you, my its center. He died on Hill 666 on uncle, through the dry waste of the August 20, 1938, and I went to By Eunice Lipton Aragon landscape, you kept eluding Spain for him. And for my father me. But on Hill 666 in Catalunya, I who loved him above all else in the his mother’s brother’s dreams for found you. Those faraway mountain world. But my uncle died before I him, the place to become politically hills — on one side the Sierra was born, and all I know of him was committed. At 15 he was already an Pandols; the pointy ones on the what my father told me. It wasn’t American Communist. He wrote his other — the Sierra Caballs. How even my memories I could hope to uncles telling them he wanted to go like the trip in southern France unearth or conjure. So what sort of to Russia, but they wrote back say- from Mount Ventoux to Cézanne’s hocus pocus was I involved with? ing, “Stay, work in America.” The Mont Saint Victoire. The first an And whose political passions and bronx to Duddy was the Young anomalous desert peak from which whose memories were to be the sub- Communist League, meetings and Petrarch thought he could survey ject of my book? obligations he was eager to fulfill. the world; the other rocky with I drove with a busload of people The Bronx was putting furniture bauxite but forever colored by to the Sierra Pandols. I climbed to back into apartments after it had Cézanne’s oranges, greens and where I could see Hill 666. I didn’t been strewn on sidewalks by land- blues. Two places of wonder, one know how to take in the round lords indifferently evicting the poor. barren, the other pure sublimated misty mountains, the majestic The Bronx was duty, a duty that lust. sweep of beauty Dave saw at the brought Dave to Spain and to the You were a virgin when you last and that he had never seen mountains I’m having trouble talk- went to Spain. You slept with a before. Nothing like it in his life, he ing about. prostitute in Paris that one night who had grown up in Riga, a port you were there, before the journey town on the Baltic Sea. He knew he day he died, what did he South. Bill told me he helped you ship masts and winds, sturdy bour- T k n o w ? Duty? Defending the find someone. He also told me you geois architecture and broad tree- world against fascism? Heartache? didn’t look happy afterwards. But framed avenues. So often the boys wrote home about you wanted it, it was important. As He knew maids and loneliness peacefulness and beauty and com- if sex like that, any sex could mean and spacious rooms emptied of love, radeship and loneliness. And love. something. parents working night and day in Mostly for their girl friends or Uncle, why did you go to Spain their delicatessen, older brothers wives. Nothing like that with Dave. when most didn’t? It wasn’t an who didn’t speak to him even as I never found a girlfriend or even impossible act for you. You sailed they ate around the same table. word of one. the sea. Why? Exactly. Only later did they say how wonder- But he did write tenderly to his It would be so easy to be nostal- ful the boy was. parents, “I am sitting on a moun- gic about the 1930s when good and After Riga, he knew the Bronx. tain among vineyards and olive evil were such stark, uncomplicated He was eleven in 1927 when he trees covered with the blood of poles. Fascism was evil. Period. We entered New York Harbor with his Spain. I am looking at the sunset in the United Sates in recent years mother, holding hands. He loved and weeping. I cry and cry and cry. have stood witness to debacles of her who loved him best of all her six I am crying hot tears that pour from morality, in Bosnia and Rwanda sons, three of whom had already my eyes and I’m not trying to stop most particularly. Had one been died in Europe. Dave, or Duddy as them. I’m thinking of you, my dear sufficiently outraged and decided to he was known then, smiled at the parents, and the thought of the pain go to ex-Yugoslavia, on whose side tall buildings spiking the clear blue would one have enlisted? The sky. He wasn’t a timid boy and he Eunice Lipton is a writer in Serbs? Croats? M u s l i m s ? And in could see. New York City. She would appre - Rwanda? Now that we have more To some the Bronx is a blocky, ciate hearing from anyone who detailed and instantaneous infor- grey place. Maybe fun if you’re a knew her uncle: 201 W. 85th St. mation than we’ve ever had before, boy and a teenager liking the girls (7E), New York, NY 10024; tel: we are unutterably more paralyzed and the street, but for Dave the 212-724-9456; fax:212-724-9299. to act. Bronx became the place to live out So I went to Spain out of respect THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 17

t happened on our first morning in tionnaire they sent all of us before I Madrid. I stood in that spacious the event. “Can you walk 10 meters Spanish bathtub meditating over how Socorro without having to stop?” was one of this would have felt back in 1937-38 the questions we were asked. when cracking lice was a daily rou- Some of the Vets came in wheel- tine. Rojo chairs, and the Amigos were prepared What a change! From our recep- for them. I never expected to be one tion at the airport the night before, to who needed their services but I sure the mingling at the hotel, it was evi- came to appreciate all of that prepa- dent that this was to be a once-in-a- Lives ration! lifetime occasion. The welcome from True, I missed some of the events the Amigos was almost overwhelm- that took place, but there was always ing! I had anticipated meeting the old By Bob Reed the glorious feeling that “this is hap- friends whom I have not seen since pening.” On many occasions, I could the war. Above all, I wanted to meet sit in the hotel lobby and listen to the and enjoy the company of the many comrades in Spain, discussions among those who had attended something I both young and old, who were the hosts for this occa- had missed. I could share the experience through them. sion. At times, being bound in a wheelchair has its Then I turned on the shower … advantages. In Barcelona, I was wheeled to the front In a second I was lying full length on my right side row of the concert in the Palace of Sports, to the foot of in the long unyielding bathtub, trying to assess the the stage itself. damage. I had a large bump on my head and the toes A unique experience for those of us in wheelchairs on my right foot were bent unnaturally against the side occurred in Barcelona. We were pushed through the of the tub. The calf of the leg was swollen and I thought huge crowd honoring the Internationals at the Sports at first that a bone was broken. My knee hurt, as did Palace event. I remember a narrow tunnel, with a my hip and shoulder, and I could not lift my right arm. mass of cheering people on both sides. My lap was cov- My wife, Mildred, and Janet, our daughter, were ered with flowers, presents and printed material from still asleep. I didn’t want to admit that such a thing unions and other organizations. could happen to me, especially on this occasion, so I Photographers crowded the path ahead. Many, struggled out of the tub on my own. Pride then gave many hands stretched toward us for physical contact. way to reality and I had to awaken them. They called Occasionally someone would break through for more for help. Within minutes, an efficient, red-banded, demonstrative action, like hugging or kissing me. first-aid squad was in the room. They arranged for X- Clenched fists ahead would open to hands seeking clos- rays at a local hospital, and Mildred and I spent the er contact. They were of all ages, expressing love and first morning taking care of that. affection for the Internationals who had joined with No broken bones were visible in the X-ray; I was them in their fight to defend democracy. issued a wheel chair and returned to the tour. It was I couldn’t clasp all the offered hands and there assumed that the pain would diminish as the days were many pats on the head from people I could not went by. It didn’t happen. A wheelchair, I discovered, see. There were tears in my eyes in response to this is not a recovery room, especially when a lot of move- emotional greeting ment and traveling are required. The long ride home was a painful one and my hip I’m very thankful for the many volunteers from the was operated on after I returned. Amigos who looked after me. They saw that I a t e , Was it worth it? You’re darned right it was. It was made the buses on time and kept me informed of what the most meaningful experience of my life. I’ll recover was going on. They were of all ages and wonderful! and the memory of the welcome in Spain will be with The care they provided was anticipated in the ques- me as long as I’m around.

Continued from page 16 possibly feel what you, the vets, felt. who have lived, people who will And God only knows what that was, never get old. Only death will stop and longing. I met wonderful vets mediated as it was by decades of you Lincoln Brigade veterans. You and their partners and friends. I your own complicated lives. But dared to hope. And to act. I feel wept for my uncle, my family and there you were and I loved you, not immensely grateful that in my life- myself. I walked the streets of only for what you did sixty years time I had such a model of generosi- Madrid and stared at bullet-strafed ago but for the hard and ty and courage. buildings. I listened rapt and heart- courageous — and I hope satisfying And that’s what I found in broken to the Internationale. But — lives you have led. Spain, all of you, and the man my Spain wasn’t my fight. I couldn’t Yours are the faces of people uncle would have been. 18 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 Forever Activists Seattle’s own Northwest homage By Anthony L. Geist vets home from their trip to Spain. Mike Lowry and a proclamation It was an emotionally charged from Mayor Norm Rice, declaring SEATTLE, Dec. 12, 1996 evening, at which I had the honor November 22, 1996, Abraham he Seattle chapter of VALB and to be the emcee and who read trib- Lincoln Brigade Day in Seattle. TFriends, together with me, dur- utes specially sent for the occasion The highlight of the evening ing last October and November, by Studs Terkel, Ed Asner and was the vets’ account of the events organized a number of activities to John Sayles, as well as greetings commemorate the 60th anniversary from Washington State Governor Continued on page 23 of the start of the Spanish Civil War. The celebration began with four films, shown one each Monday through October at the Seattle Museum of History and Industry: “The Good Fight,” “Ay, Carmela,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Los Santos Inocentes.” Each showing was followed by a panel discussion with local faculty and veterans: Abe Osheroff, Dutch Schultz, Buster Ross and Bob Reed. We attracted a total audience of about 350 and there was enthusiastic discussion after each film. On November 22, some 350 people gathered to welcome the

Anthony L. Geist is a professor of Spanish at the University of Washington. The monument in Jarama to the International Brigadistas who died there. Spain’s media and the Brigades’ return

Continued from page 5 port that soon became evident in IBs 60 years before — when, as the the tens of thousands of people, press expressed it, “Self-sacrificing motivations in coming to Spain in young and old, who came out to and generous men and women moti- the mid-1930s. Articles featuring greet us, to embrace us, to shake vated by idealism offered their lives individual vets appeared. In one our hands and thank us, and to for the Spanish Republic.” trans-Atlantic telephone interview, escort us during our visit. The pes- I was quoted by Barcelona’s El Pais, simists among us who had feared et another aspect of the media’s the story later was picked up by Le that the present generation of Yimpact was evident in the M o n d e in France and L ’ U n i t a i n Spanish youth were totally lost to financing of the trip. And here Italy. Spanish colleges and universi- consumerism and apathy were glad Gabriel Jackson, the noted ties held seminars on the to be proven wrong. American historian of the Spanish International Brigades as a collec- When we arrived in Spain all Civil War (and ALBA Board mem- tive expression of idealism and went into high gear. The media was ber), played a key role. In Septem- international solidarity. full of daily reports dealing with the ber, Jackson, who writes regularly Thus, in addition to contribut- yearning of the Spanish citizens for the liberal Spanish daily El Pais, ing to the revival of political discus- (especially the youth) for the kind of went public with the story of the sion in Spain, the press and the solidarity today that would be simi- schools built a groundswell of sup- lar in sprit to that exhibited by the Continued on next page THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 19

Continued from previous page sometimes it makes things happen. During their stay, the In so doing, it responded to the will Aznar government’s failure to follow of the Spanish people to honor the through on its assurances of support veterans were virtually young antifascists who fought at to the returning Brigadistas who media stars of press, their side 60 years ago against the came to Spain to receive citizenship. fascist menace. Gabe’s letter (below) was picked radio and television. Another example of the impor- up by the rest of the Spanish press. tance of the media came with the More than 100,000 people respond- reports in Spanish newspapers of ed with donations averaging five to no scientific instrument to measure the decision of the French parlia- ten dollars each. It is not an exag- the precise contribution of any sin- ment to award veterans’ benefits geration to say that this sponta- gle factor for the success of a his- (long available to members of the neous popular support assured the toric event. One can designate anti-Nazi maquis during World War full program of the celebration important factors however: In the II, as well as to the regular mili- This letter, reprinted and dis- case of the achievements of the tary) to those French citizens who cussed everywhere in Spain, also International Brigades’ 60th anni- went to Spain in the 1930s to aid caused cities to reverse their earlier versary celebration, the press, of the Republic. It may be that this reluctance and brought the partici- course, played an important role. It will influence policies of other pation of many other localities confirmed that not only does the nations toward their own citizens in Not only did the money that media reflect what’s happening, the future. came in make it possible to pay for local transportation, hotel accom- modations and food for the Brig- adistas and their travelling com- The visit to Spain of the Brigadistas panions, it also stimulated local and By Gabriel Jackson municipal governments to allocate funds. Donations kept coming for his week is the hour of truth for the long-planned visit to Spain of the weeks afterward. Tsurviving veterans of the International Brigades who fought in During their stay, the veterans defense of the Republic during the Civil War. were virtually media stars of press, On November 28, 1995, the Parliament unanimously approved the radio and television. Among the granting of Spanish citizenship to the survivors. This spring a coordinat- Americans interviewed were Milt ing committee decided to invite the IB veterans to come to Spain from Felsen, Lou Gordon, Carl Geiser, November 4 to 12 [1996]. The program included three days each in Chuck Hall, Len Levenson, Abe Madrid and Barcelona with receptions by official and unofficial groups. Osheroff, Abe Smorodin, Hy Tabb, And President Aznar expressed his hope personally to greet them on their and Milt Wolff. visit to Madrid. Saul Wellman received a special There are now between 500 and 1,000 veterans still alive, all octogenari- welcome at Alicante. He found a ans in varying states of health and ability to travel. Since April, the coordi- “Welcome Saul Wellman” banner nating committee has visited 35 countries to determine how many intended straddling the main thoroughfare. to come. Their invitation was based on the commitment by the Spanish He was honored at a banquet that hosts to bear all local costs of hotel accommodations, transport and food. attracted 300 guests. Like many But now serious budget problems threaten to destroy this project. The other vets in the crowded November collection of the needed 120 million pesetas has barely begun. The city days, Saul spent part of his time councils of Barcelona and Gijon have promised 300,000 pesetas. Many crying and the rest laughing. other local governments, trade unions, foundations, universities and political parties have offered food, lodging and receptions, and are prepar- fter the IBers returned home, ing to to make monetary contributions. . . . The Madrid-based Association of Friends of the International Brigades has been working day and night articles continued appearing in A to collect these funds. They have a savings bank account (number the Spanish newspapers. In one of 10076000993095) in the name “Homage 1996” [Homenaje 96]. them, the President of the Parlia- Time is golden. It is hardly necessary to say that the international ment maintained that he had an- reputation of Spain is at stake in the successful financing of this invita- nounced long in advance that he tion, as it follows logically from the grant of citizenship. The veterans are would be out of Madrid on the day immensely emotional over this act of recognition. I have spoken by tele- the citizenship certificates were pre- phone to many of them, and they are eager to participate in the cere- sented. The historic significance of monies that will publicly recognize the sacrifices they made fighting for this explanation is that the person the liberty of Spain and of Europe some 60 years ago. who made it felt compelled to do so. From El Pais, September 28, 1996 There is no yardstick, no scale, 20 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 A new ALBA photo exhibit in preparation n historic photo-art exhibit is being curated by A ALBA Board vice-chair Cary Nelson, assisted by Professor Fraser Ottanelli of the University of South ALBA gets an Florida. Entitled “The Aura of the Cause: A Photo Album for North American Volunteers in the Executive Director Spanish Civil War, ” it will feature black-and-white hen Marvin Gettleman, early last November, pictures taken by the legendary Robert Capa, others Wwas offered the reactivated position of ALBA’s by official International Brigade photographers and Executive Director, he responded: “What an honor.” by soldiers in the ranks. There will be explanatory Long an activist in disarmament, anti-Vietnam War wall texts, establishing the historical context of all and Latin American solidarity movements, he often the pictures on view. marched and demonstrated alongside veterans of Opening shows are planned for this Spring in New the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Now, working with York and Toronto. them and with the folk in ALBA, Marv finds him- The New York opening is Friday, April 25, 1997, self in good familiar company. at the Puffin Gallery in Manhattan. For times and To help him fulfill his role at ALBA, Marv will other information call ALBA at 1-212-316-2353. welcome suggestions from readers of T h e Other dates are open. Readers of The Vo l u n t e e r Vo l u n t e e r. He may be reached at the VA L B o f f i c e may arrange to book either the photo or poster or via e-mail at: exhibits into their locality. (Poster exhibit schedule is on page 22.) For information on how this can be done, [email protected] call ALBA at: 1-212-316-4072.

ver two decades ago a number of veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, along with a group of schol O ars interested in the Spanish Civil War, created a new organization — ALBA, the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. From the outset, one of ALBA’s tasks was to help manage and expand the Spanish Civil War archive housed at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. Explicit in this undertaking was the educational goal to preserve, disseminate and transmit to future generations the history and lessons of the Spanish Civil War and of the International Brigades. To carry out these goals ALBA collaborates on the production of books, films and videos, helps send exhibitions of photographs, documents and artwork throughout the United States and Canada, organizes conferences and seminars on the Spanish Civil War and on the role of the International Brigades. ALBA established the George Watt prizes for the best college essays on these subjects and has designed a widely used Spanish Civil War curriculum. In the coming months ALBA will expand its activity. To do so effectively ALBA must have your support. Please fill out the coupon below, enclose a check made out to ALBA and send it to us. If you are not already on the mailing list for The Volunteer, your name will be added to it.

Fill out this coupon and mail it to the address below.

❑ Yes, I wish to become an ALBA Associate, and I enclose a check for $25 made out to ALBA. Please send me The Volunteer. ❑ I also would like to receive a list of books and videos available at discount. ❑ I would like to have the photo exhibit in my locality. Please send information. Name______Address ______City ______State ______Zip ______Please mail to: ALBA, 799 Broadway, Room 227, New York, NY 10003 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 21

The ALBA/Adolph Ross Project seeks information The names below have appeared on documents from a variety of files as possibly used by Americans who served in the International Brigades. We appeal to readers of The Volunteer to plumb their memories and probe their files for any data that may link these names with service in the International Brigades. Any positive results of this will be deeply appreciated and should be mailed to: The Adolph Ross Project Christopher T. Brooks, 1207 Westminster Ave. Richmond, VA 23227

Esteban Alcove Charles Fragiacona Kimball (surname only) Mercurio Provenzana Theodore Ansaldo Archibald Francis Alexander Kiokas Robert Quinn Mario Aran Herman Francis Richard Keoppel Paul Raguzovic Pascual Areta John Fredericks Augustine Kortright Nicholas Ramirez Villanueva Bernt Arnberg Sam Freeman Abraham Laxyo Justo Rivero Montiel Jack Arnovitz Morris Frisch Reuben Lifschitz Jaime Rodriguez Masjuan Romero Ascui Philip Balboa Joseph Lucien R. Roff Augustino Baccioni Lino Galas Ricardo Luona Robert Bruce Rogers Philip Balboa Samuel Gelfan Stabry Mabrogiamakis John Romins Harold H. Barnett Sven Gahn Peter Machnich Willy Rosenberg Carrado Batelli Rubio Genaro Perez Bill Madejar Boleslaw Savitsky Alexander Bates Luis Gentila Bill Madrigan Isaac Schatz Antonio Boni Paul Gobert Joseph Malusa Maxim Rolf Schneller Abel Bonifacio Ferrero Sylvester Goett Bill Melanson Ramiro Secades Bernard Bucher Ruben Goldberg Karl Melen Thomas Sevian Francis J. Caler Edward Grayson John Mendella Mary Rene Shaboll Morch Cottini B. Guina Albert Merrell Charles Shinson Romano Croce William Halliday Guillermo Montero Hugo Sionger Morris Davies Thomas Marion Hanna Cassimero Mora Guisaob Kennet Smallett John de Felippi Roy Hartwell Stephen Morel Albert Smith Pedro Del Campo Henry Arnold Hayes Benedetto Mori John Edward Smith George Diamatavis Pacid Hefferman Jack Marco Moro John William Snyder Pietro Dione Rudolph Hellmich Charles Morse Carlos Sole Francisco DiSanto Louis Herrara Giacomo Mortola Eugen Soler Alonso Lawrence Dobbs Max Herrsher Charles Muraglia Jose Soriano Dave Ehrenburg George Hines G. Murray Dimitri Sorostiaga Henry Epstein Richard Hoelzner David newman Joseph Starini Ernest Erber Bernard Hoff Ramon O’Farrell De Miguel John Stevens Casimir Ereteo Teddy Honas Pete Oiala George Stoiceff Santiago Escudero Holden Howell Juan Olcimo Taradilly Shevia Stone Alf Esplund James Edward Hughes Paul Orborn Czeslaw Tadler Giuseppi Esposito Simon Iardino Harry Owens James Terry Frank Farina Jose Ibaruche Marquez Eliades Pandella Antonio Texido Pages Louis Felman Earl Ickes Simon V. Pappadopolous Ramon Ugalde Alf Esplund Axel Iklika Jose Pasos Rodriqguez A. Unterman Aro Fernando Calisto Jambrosso Alexander Pawlak Joseph Usiben Harry Finkenberg Frank Jasitis Sol Peel Blagio Valcich Max Fishgold Walter Jennings Fred Peters Gianpaolo Vallou Donald Foley Spartaco Kaiser James Arthy Pierce Nicolai Walter Joseph K. Foster Siegried Kapitz Francisco Pasciencio Stanley White John Walton Foyer Michael Katelich Giovanni Poorchedou 22 THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 Again the cities and the hills of Spain Continued from page 7 And again at Caspe, where I the students gave me addresses, walked with the students on the wanting to keep in touch — future to a height in the Pandols from railway depot platform where, 60 associates of the VALB p e r h a p s . which we could see Hill 666 where years before, the red-tasseled caps (Louisa has since sent me a loving Joe Bianca had been killed and of the fascist troops had been the letter, photos taken in the Pandols Aaron Lopoff mortally wounded. It targets of our guns. And found the and a tape of Spanish songs.) also was where Harry, along with narrow passageway alongside, Alcorcon was the highlight of the Marty Sullivan, had performed through which the Italian tanks trip. It was, en fin, the time we got heroically in keeping our ancient had come seeking out our position. really close to the people, where we telephones working. And we had driven them off, their experienced an exchange of love and flimsy armor no protection against respect, and admiration that was s I climbed this hill, I felt the our armor-piercing ammo. truly mutual. Come back, they said, A presence of one of the students as Dolores had bid us do sixty years by my side. Half way up, I turned to arry and his entourage made off before. We were back, and we will him and asked why he was walking H for Barcelona to join the rest of come back again. After all — we are so close to me. Says he, his smooth the celebrants who were, as I was now Spanish citizens (sort of). young face framed by long brown told later, royally received by the hair, his eyes painfully concerned, Catalans, officials and citizens alike. Milton Wolff, the last commander of fixed on me: “I can’t believe that at My group headed back to Madrid. the Abraham Lincoln Battalion, is the 81 you’re doing this.” Merde, neither Before I left for home, many of author of Another Hill. could I. From the top of this hill in the Pandols we could see, on the plain below, the towns of Corbera and Shouts From the Wall Gandesa, and farther off, the city of Zaragossa. Memories of advance ALBA Poster Exhibition Schedule and retreat became all too vivid: the senseless attack that led to the 1997 1998 killing of Mel Ofsink; the cavalry January 20 — March 9 January 27 — March 13 assault on our hill; the night Art Museum encounter leading to the deaths of Meadows Museum of Art Merriman and Doran, and so many Centenary College Mt. Holyoke College others. In the distance, the silver Shreveport, LA 71134 South Hadley, MA 01075 glint of the Ebro which we had swum across in retreat, and March 24 — May 4 April 4 — May 18 recrossed, in row boats to attack. University Center Galleries University of Wisconsin Texas A & M Madison, WI s for Quinto and Belchite, there Memorial Student Center Nov. 1 — Dec.15 A was nothing there I remem- College Station, TX 77844 bered as it had been. It was only Bucknell University when one of the students stood in Sept. 5 — Oct. 19 Lewisburg, PA the entrance of what remained of a Hamilton College destroyed church, silhouetted in Clinton, NY the afternoon sun, that a bell rang To arrange to show this in what’s left of my memory. It Nov. 8 — Dec.r 22 was the vision of the time when Contemporary Art Museum exhibit in your locality, our machine gun company, com- University of South Florida call ALBA at: manded by Manny Lanser, had met the fascists coming through 4204 East Fowler Ave. 1-212-316-4072 the portal, or one like it in some Tampa, FL 33620 other church in Belchite, that I vividly recalled. Correction 1. Ex marine; longtime Madrileño fam- The Web site of Brandeis University was misprinted in the Fall 1996 ily man; historian. issue. It is: ht t p : / / w w w , l i b r a r y , b r a n d e i s . e d u / s p e c i a l c o l l / s p c v w r / po s t e r s . h t m l 2. Spanish poet and activist. THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 23 Seattle’s own Northwest homage

Continued from page 18 Americans who served in the There are good historical International Brigades, a sizeable in Spain. The audience then reasons for studying the contingent came from the Pacific strolled across campus to view the Northwest; loggers, seamen, long- poster exhibit, Shouts from the war. It produced an enor- shoremen, old Wobblies, students. W a l l , and converse over a glass of mous outpouring of rich Also in Seattle because there is w i n e . a small group of veterans who have Saturday, November 23, a sym- and powerful works of lit- remained active in all the signifi- posium on the WW campus dis- erature and art. Yet the cant social movements of our times, cussed various aspects of the War. Spanish Civil War is also from Spain to Central America. Roughly 100 attended each of four None of what we achieved was with- p a n e l s : Art and Literature of the morally compelling... out the efforts of Bob Reed, who has W a r (Geist), The Historical Context kept the memory of the Lincoln (Peter Carroll), The Veterans’ powerful works of literature and Brigade alive in Seattle for over 25 E x p e r i e n c e s (Osheroff, Schultz and art. Yet the Spanish Civil War is years. Ross, moderated by WW p r o f e s s o r also morally compelling, first as an Joe Botwin), and a workshop for inally, why me? I was born unprecedented example of the com- secondary school teachers, led by sometime after the Republic fell, mon people defending their country, F Osheroff and Carroll. and my generation had its own and as an example of international struggles: the Civil Rights move- solidarity. he exhibit itself, the centerpiece ment and Vietnam. Yet the Spanish The war is morally compelling of all these activities, was enor- Civil War has been an important T for another reason as well. Those mously successful and heavily part of my life. I was raised in a who should have won were defeat- attended. Osheroff, Reed and Ross home in Southern California sur- ed. Albert Camus wrote: led docent tours of the posters each rounded by working people, artists Saturday. For the month that “It was in Spain that my gen- and intellectuals, among them Shouts from the Wall hung in eration learned that one can be many Lincoln vets and Spanish Seattle, the gallery director, Phil right and be beaten, that force can Republican exiles. Schwab, estimates that between vanquish spirit, that there are Many of my parents’ friends and 1,500 and 2,000 people saw the times when courage is not its own comrades fought and died in Spain. show. recompense. It is this, doubtless, They were my heroes and still are. What accounts for this success? which explains why so many, the The example of their courage, sacri- There are good historical reasons world over, feel the Spanish drama fice and solidarity has been an for studying the war. It produced an as a personal tragedy.” inspiration to me, and continues enormous outpouring of rich and Why in Seattle? Of the 2,800 today. An appeal

Yes! I believe that a contribution to the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade has a unique quality. It brings The Volunteer to its readers, free of charge, helps meet the expenses of the office where the persisting Veteran staff carries on; and assures VALB support for causes consistent with its 60- year tradition.

Here’s my contribution of $______

Name ______

Address ______

City ______State ______Zip ______

Mail to: Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, 799 Broadway, Rm. 227, New York, NY 10003 Contributions

Jeanette and Mark Alper, in memory of Norm Perlman, $50 Anthony Alpert, $10 James Benet, $50 Harriet Blair, $25 Mary Blair, in honor of John Blair and the MacPaps, $60 Lisa Blodgett, $75 Sylvia Brown, in memory of Sid Kaufman, $50 Helen Burns, in memory of Paul Burns, $50 Carlos Celaya, M.D., in honor of Pedro Merino, $60 Trudy and George David, in memory of Norm Perlman and Gabby Rosenstein, $100 John De Ruyter, $75 Estate of Evelyn Raskin Dawson, $1,000 Jo Differding, in memory of Frank Madigan, Rudy Corbin, Mel Anderson, $30 Wendy Doniger, $100 John R. Downes, $100 Frank Ehrmann, in memory of Norm Perlman, $50 Harry Fisher, in memory of Ruth, $100 Thelma Frye, in memory of Peter Frye, $100 Miriam Gittleson, in honor of Lester Gittleson, $50 Miriam Goldberg, $10 Charles Hall, $25 Roz Henderson, $5 Marian Iceland, $25 Wendy Joseph, in memory of Harry Hakam, $50 Leslie Kish, $50 Andy Kamaiko, in honor of Moish Brier, $25 Al and Sophie Koslow, in memory of Sophie Koslow Levine, $15 Susan Linn, $50 Robert Lowery, $25 Sylvia Marro, in memory of Joe Gordon, $25 James Nechas, $50 Rita Neri, $25 Edie Newman, $20 Leonard Olson, $25 Abe Osheroff and Bob Reed from the Seattle Poster Exhibition, $900 Walter Philips, $300 Ted and Eileen Rowland, in memory of Steve Nelson, $50 Elaine Ron, in memory of my father, Mark Straus, $200 Max Shufer, $25 Deborah and Ruth Smith, in memory of Moish Brier, $100 George Sossenko, $40 Mildred Thayer, in memory of Donald Thayer, $50 Sylvia Thompson, in memory of Bob Thompson, $25 Ronald Vinez, $20 Harry and Ada Wallach, $50 Paul and Patricia Whelan, $25

The Volunteer c/o Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade 799 Broadway, Rm. 227 New York, NY 10003

(Return Address Requested Please Forward) THE VOLUNTEER, Winter 1996-97 25

Vetting the News

Added to Memory’s Roster

Culling the mail sack

Book Reviews

News From Abroad

Rebels Without a Pause

Contributions