EX-POW BULLETIN - American Ex-Prisoners of War ... Bulletin May/June 2016 6 David Eberly 205 Roger...

EX-POW BULLETINthe official voice of the

American Ex-Prisoners of War Volume 73 Number 5/6www.axpow.org

May/June 2016

We exist to help those who cannot help themselves

Election Issue! Ballot ~ inside back cover

Happy 100thBirthdayto PNC

Jim Cooper!

Tet 2016 ~ Nam Viet Restaurant

EX-POW Bulletin (ISSN 0161-7451) is published bi-monthly (six times annually) by the American Ex-Prisoners of War, 3201 E. PioneerPkway, Arlington, TX 76010. Periodical postage paid at Arlington, TX and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changesto EX-POW Bulletin, AXPOW Headquarters, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy. Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010-5396. Founded April 14, 1942, inAlbuquerque, NM, then known as Bataan Relief Organization, Washington State nonprofit corporation, “American Ex-Prisoners ofWar”, October 11, 1949, recorded as Document No. 133762, Roll 1, 86-392. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. Nationally CharteredAugust 10, 1982. Appearance in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the American Ex-Prisoners of War of theproduct or service advertised. The publisher reserves the right to decline or discontinue any such advertisement.

PublisherPNC Milton M Moore Jr2965 Sierra Bermeja

Sierra Vista, AZ 85650(520) 459-7295

[email protected]

EditorCheryl Cerbone

23 Cove View DriveSouth Yarmouth, MA 02664

(508) [email protected]

Intrepid Staff ReporterAlice A Booher

Deadline for the July/Aug issueis June 1, 2016

Please send all materials tothe editor at the above

address.

officers/directors 4commander/coo 5ceo 6medsearch 7legislative 9andersonville 11civilian/events 12pow/mia 13convention news 14hellmira 16news 18strategic planning 19walt whitman 20contributions 24new members 25taps/chaplain 26voluntary funding 30raffle 31quartermaster 32candidates 33ballot 35

table of contents

Ex-POW BulletinMay/June 2016

3

May/June 2016

© 2016 American Ex-Prisoners of War

UMB Credit CardEvery time a member – or member’s family or friends – signs upfor the new UMB credit card (which features our marching menon the face), AXPOW receives $50.00. That’s like making a $50donation to the organization when you sign up. We also get apercentage of every dollar spent if you use the card each month.You also get benefits from using the card...there is no annualfee and at the end of the year, you’ll receive a statement of yourannual charges, broken down by category. Makes filing your taxeseasier!

So benefits for us and benefits for you. Won’t you take a fewminutes and apply for this card today?

Past National Commander Jim Cooper wasborn on May 16, 1916. He turns 100 years oldthis month!

Jim was National Commander in 2004-2005.During WWII, he was a navigator with the 8th

AF, 448th BG. He was captured and held in LuftIII and VII-A. Jim holds life membership num-ber 7183, and has worked closely with vari-ous civic, professional, and veterans organi-zations, both before and after his retirement.

If you want to wish Jim a Happy Birthday, write:Jim Cooper, PO Box 65, Douglas, AZ 85608

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years.Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditionsof Memorial Day. To remind Americans of the true meaning of MemorialDay, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed onDec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “Tovoluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment ofremembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for amoment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

AXPOW’s National Convention is next month in Arlington, Texas. If youhaven’t made plans to attend yet, we encourage you to do so. It’s a greatopportunity to make new friends and meet up with old ones. Bring yourkids and grandkids - there’s plenty to do in Arlington!

National Headquarters3201 E. Pioneer Pkwy, #40, Arlington, TX 76010

(817) 649-2979 [email protected]

axpow officers & directors2015-2016

National CommanderEd DeMent122 Maroldy Drive, Apt 101Temple Terrace FL 33617 (813) 985-3783 – Home(813) 758-0278 - [email protected]

Chief Executive OfficerDavid Eberly205 Roger WebsterWilliamsburg VA 23185(757) 253-9553 – Home(757) 508-8453 - [email protected]

Cheryl Cerbone -Eastern Zone23 Cove View DriveSouth Yarmouth, MA 02664(508)394-5250 - Home(508) 360-4090 - [email protected]

Senior Vice CommanderMilton ‘Skip’ Moore2965 Sierra BermejaSierra Vista AZ 85650(520) 459-7295 – Home(520) 249-7122 – [email protected]

Chief Financial OfficerMarsha M Coke3201 E Pioneer Pkwy #40Arlington TX 76010-5396(817) 649-2979 – Office (817) 723-3996 – [email protected]

Alice Gollin -Western Zone37231 Turnberry IslePalm Desert, CA 92211(760)610-1271(760)610-1752 faxalgo11736@gmailcom

Chief Operations OfficerClydie J Morgan3201 E Pioneer Pkwy #40Arlington TX 76010-5396(817) 649-2979 – Office(817) 300-2840 - [email protected]

Jr. Vice Commanders

Pam Warner Eslinger -Central ZonePO Box 117Hammon, OK 73650(580) [email protected]

Southeast RegionDavid Eberly205 Roger WebsterWilliamsburg, VA 23185(757) [email protected]

North East RegionCharles A. Susino951 Gates Ave.Piscataway, NJ 08854(732)463-8355;(732)[email protected]

Southeast RegionBenny Rayborn1111 Highway 29Wiggins, MS 39577(601) 928-9200;(601) 270-0678, [email protected]

Central RegionJan Williams4353 Bending PointGuthrie, Ok 73044(580) [email protected]

Directors

Directors - At Large

Edward “Ted” Cadwallader9501 Nut Tree CourtElk Grove, CA [email protected]

Ben Garrido6813 W 60th StreetTulsa OK 74107(951) [email protected]

Judy LeePO Box 56Madisonville, TN 37354(423)442-3223(423)442-4702 [email protected]

National CommanderEdward DeMent


5

It is hard for me to believe that myterm in office is close to the end.

A great year it was for me.

Our By-laws give a description ofpowers and duties of the NationalCommander. He/she is thespokesperson for the organizationand represents the legacy andhonor of the POW and theexperience of captivity to all as theface and voice of the American Ex-Prisoners of War.

The Commander shall be an ex-prisoner of war or former civilianinternee and his/her role within theorganization carries the highesthonor and respect.

I believe I have fulfilled thedescription above.

Two trips to Washington, DC werethe highlights to my term.

The first, for Veterans Day, 2015began with breakfast at the WhiteHouse, then the ceremonies at theTomb of the Unknowns followedby the annual program (this yearhosted by MOAA) at theAmphitheatre. The second was tohear AXPOW’s testimony beforeCongress in March. See picture atright.

I was honored on POW/MIARecognition Day in September at

our museum in Andersonville, GA.

I was the speaker at VeteransMemorial Park, Tampa, FL on Dec. 7th.

I spoke to many veterans at anassisted living facility and was verywell received.

I also spoke at other functions.

I have been invited to the StateConvention in Missouri and havebeen told it will be their last.

We are losing our World War IIveterans at such a fast pace; wereally need our next-of kin to carryon our legacy.

Past National Commanders: PLEASEmake a special effort to come to theNational Convention in Arlington, TXthis June. We need your input.

We have many important issues tovote on and I look forward to seeingyou in person.

God Bless our MilitaryGod Bless AmericaYours in Patriotism

newsfromhq

My son, Ed and I joined PNC CharlieSusino in DC for AXPOW’s testimony

before the Joint House/SenateVeterans Affairs Committees

It’s summer in Texas and you knowwhat that means?

It’s convention time already!

At Headquarters, we’ve been plan-ning for months...for you all it’s com-ing up fast! The dates are June 23-25, 2016.

Check out the convention pages inthis Bulletin and make your reser-vations quickly before the roomblocks fill.

This issue of the Bulletin has theElection Ballot on the inside backcover. You must fill out the originaland send it in to Headquarters foryour vote to count. We also have areport and a request for decisionsfrom the Strategic Planning Commit-tee. That ballot is on page 19. Thechoices are basically to do nothingor to do something. If you havethird options, please let the commit-tee know them as well. You can mailin your response, or email it toHeadquarters or call us. All membershave important obligations to YOURorganization, so please let us knowwhat you are thinking and what youwant for our future.

As always, if you are traveling thissummer, try and see if you can at-tend a state department conven-tion. The next big one is in Augustin Ohio – always a friendly place tovisit and you’ll be warmly welcomedby all.

See you at Convention!Clydie, Marsha, Donna & Sally


6

David Eberly

205 Roger WebsterWilliamsburg VA 23185(757) 253-9553 – Home(757) 508-8453 - [email protected]

from the CEO

David

LAST CALL!We’re putting the

finishing touches on the2016 Convention Booklet

and need your ads in as soon

as possible.Please see page 15

for details.And if you haven’t

yet registered for theconvention, fill out theregistration form onpage 14. You’ll have a

great time making newfriends and greeting old

ones!

1949~2016AXPOW

National ConventionArlington, TX

June 23-25, 2016

A Call to Arms

Throughout history there have beena variety of references to thephrase “A Call to Arms”: In Angelsand Airwaves , the lyrics referencefears and beliefs while in the morefamous 1940 British propagandashort film, the target was women—urging them to sign up for war work.Common to both is an appeal toundertake a particular course ofaction.

As of this writing, we only have twoAXPOW members registered for theannual convention in June. My chal-lenge to you in the theme of thisBulletin article is to carefully con-sider the work of the Strategic Plan-ning Committee reflected in NDCharles Anthony Susino’s articleand determine if you personally areready to take up arms as an activeparticipant in the work of our orga-nization. To stay viable, we needcommittee chairpersons, committeemembers, and volunteers. And, even

as our Greatest Generation basedeclines, we need to continue toexpand our membership.

Consider this: Sixty years ago, rec-ognizing the inevitability of theirnumbers, the Doolittle Raiders es-tablished The Last Man Standing tra-dition. In this tradition, they setaside a prized bottle of brandy tobe opened by the last survivingmember of their historic squadron.In like manner, at our recent 25 yearfreedom reunion, we the membersof The 5th Allied POW Squadronfrom the 1991 Gulf War recentlysigned and set on display in TheRoyal Air Force Club in London, abottle of Grand Marnier Quintes-sence. In both cases, the organiza-tions hoped to establish some sortof legacy—a story line to recognizethe members and to focus attentionon the unit camaraderie and accom-plishment. These symbols, howeverare without sponsorship or bene-factor funds, and decades later thememories and the historic signifi-cance may fade away.

Similarly, several years ago on theFourth of July, I was invited to speakat a VFW celebration. Before beingintroduced, the commander ac-knowledged a special benefactorand the family’s estate gift to theirunit. His acknowledgment specifiedthat now they could build the addi-tion on the bar—how meaninglessthat legacy and how possibly disap-pointing to the next of kin.So, how does this all relate to theAXPOW and our future? Our head-quarters is operating at a significantdeficit, and I as I have mentioned,fewer and fewer members are at-tending our meetings and taking onleadership responsibilities. However,as you may recall from The Bulletinor our meeting minutes, we havebeen blessed with a significantwindfall from the Lemkan family inhonor Joseph Lemkan a WWll POW.This nearly half million dollar gift notonly challenges us as beneficiariesbut creates a unique opportunity togo beyond honoring the last pris-oner of war or expanding a bar.

To paraphrase the eloquentlypenned words of George Peele inhis poem A Farewell to Arms: Hisgolden locks hath silver turned; Hishelmet now a hive for bees. A manat arms must now serve on hisknees; His Saint is sure of his un-spotted heart. And when he saddestsits in a homely cell, blest be thehearts that wish this sovereign well.Goddess, allow this aged man hisright to be remembered as yourknight.

So, I ask you to step forward toanswer this call to arms. What willbe the legacy for your knight? Afaded memory lost in the genera-tions along the road traveled by thelast man standing or a vibrant legacyenjoyed by generations of girls andboys—it’s your call.

pow medsearchMarsha Coke, Chairmane-mail: [email protected] E. Pioneer Pkway, Suite 40Arlington, TX 76010(817) 649-2979

Ruth Powell, Director191 Florence Road

Waltham, MA 02453781-687-2821 office

781-296-6307 cell


7

nso

What is colonoscopy?Colonoscopy is a procedure thatuses a long, flexible, narrow tubewith a light and tiny camera on oneend, called a colonoscope or scope,to look inside the rectum and entirecolon. Colonoscopy can showirritated and swollen tissue, ulcers,and polyps—extra pieces of tissuethat grow on the lining of theintestine. A gastroenterologist—adoctor who specializes in digestivediseases— performs this procedure.

This procedure is different fromvirtual colonoscopy, which uses acombination of x rays and computertechnology to create images of therectum and entire colon.

Why is a colonoscopy performed?A colonoscopy is performed to helpdiagnose:• changes in bowel habits• abdominal pain• bleeding from the anus• weight loss

A gastroenterologist also performsa colonoscopy as a screening testfor colon cancer. Screening is test-ing for diseases when people haveno symptoms. Screening may finddiseases at an early stage, when ahealth care provider has a betterchance of curing the disease.

How is a colonoscopy performed?A gastroenterologist performs acolonoscopy at a hospital or anoutpatient center. In most cases,light anesthesia and pain medicationhelp people relax for the test. Themedical staff will monitor people’svital signs and try to make peopleas comfortable as possible. A nurseor technician places an intravenous(IV) needle in a vein in the arm togive anesthesia.

For the test, the person will lie on atable while the gastroenterologistinserts a colonoscope into the anusand slowly guides it through the rec-tum and into the colon. The scopeinflates the large intestine with airto give the gastroenterologist a bet-ter view. The camera sends a videoimage of the intestinal lining to acomputer screen, allowing the gas-troenterologist to carefully examinethe intestinal tissues. The gastroen-terologist may move the personseveral times so the scope can beadjusted for better viewing. Oncethe scope has reached the openingto the small intestine, the gastroen-terologist slowly withdraws it andexamines the lining of the large in-testine again.

For the test, the person will lie on atable while the gastroenterologistinserts a colonoscope into the anusand slowly guides it through the rec-tum and into the colon.

The gastroenterologist can removepolyps during colonoscopy andsend them to a lab for testing. Pol-yps are common in adults and areusually harmless. However, mostcolon cancer begins as a polyp, soremoving polyps early is an effec-tive way to prevent cancer.

The gastroenterologist may alsoperform a biopsy, a procedure thatinvolves taking a small piece of in-testinal lining for examination witha microscope. The person will notfeel the biopsy. A pathologist—adoctor who specializes in diagnos-ing diseases—will examine the tis-sue.

The gastroenterologist may passtiny tools through the scope to re-move polyps and take a sample forbiopsy. If bleeding occurs, the gas-troenterologist can usually stop itwith an electrical probe or specialmedications passed through the

scope. Colonoscopy usually takes30 to 60 minutes.

What can a person expect after acolonoscopy?After the colonoscopy, a personcan expect the following:• People may need to stay atthe hospital or outpatient center for1 to 2 hours after the procedure.• Cramping or bloating mayoccur during the first hour after thetest.• The anesthesia takes timeto completely wear off.• Full recovery is expected bythe next day, and people should beable to go back to their normal diet.• A member of the health careteam will review the discharge in-structions with the person—or withan accompanying friend or familymember if the person is stillgroggy—and provide a written copy.The person should follow all in-structions given.• A friend or family memberwill need to drive the person homeafter the procedure.• If the gastroenterologist re-moved polyps or performed a bi-opsy, light bleeding from the anusis normal.

Some results from a colonoscopyare available immediately after theprocedure. After the anesthesia hasworn off, the gastroenterologistwill share results with the personor a designee. Biopsy results take afew days to come back.

National Digestive DiseasesInformation Clearinghouse2 Information Way Bethesda, MD20892–3570 Phone: 1–800–891–5389; www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov

POW Photos Order FormThese black & white 8x10” photographs are available

from MedSearch. Please include a donation of $5.00

per picture, or $50.00 for the complete set of 12 with

your order. Fill out the form below with selections.

Fill in the number of copies

of each picture desired in the

blank beside the picture’s

identification number:

1._____5._____9._____

2._____6._____10.____

3._____7._____11.____

4._____8._____12.____

Set of 12 photos_______

Mail to:AXPOW National Headquarters

3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40

Arlington, TX 76010. PH: 817-649-2979; fax 817-649-0109

Name ___________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ____________________________________________________________

Credit Card: MasterCard ________ VISA _______

Card # ____________________________________ Expiration: ___________

Total Amount Enclosed or Charged

($5.00 per picture/$50.00 for set of 12) __________

1. Santo Tomas prison camp

internees Lee Rogers and

John Todd.

10. POWs at Cabanatuan

Camp 3 beaten with clubs.

11. Bilibid POW hospital

ward, Philippine Islands.12. Bataan Death March,

April 1942.

2. Pvt. Robert Collins & M/

Sgt. Woodrow Haines back

behind UN lines, Chechon,

Korea.

6. Private Joe Demler and

another POW are liberated

from XII-A, Limburg.

3. Pfc. Robert Brandon

rations Red Cross parcels,

Stalag IX-B.

4. Nichols Field Detail, PI,

taken at Pasay Schoolhouse.5. An American POW suf-

fering from dry beri-beri be-

ing treated in Bilibid.

7. Survivors of Suchon

Tunnel Massacre, Korea.

8. Three American POWS

released by the Viet Cong

near Tay Ninh City.

9. Nick Mustacchia. 100

days as a POW -- 100 lb.

weight loss. Stalag Luft IV.

Checks payable to AXPOW


8

PNC Charles Susino JrChairman136 Jefferson StreetMetuchen, NJ 08840(732) 549-5775 phone & fax(732) 713-8811 cell

legislative 2015-2016 LegislativeCommittee

PNC Charles Susino, Jr.ND Charles Anthony [email protected]

On March 16, 2016 I had theprivilege of representing all of youand the AXPOW with legislativetestimony to the Senate VAsubcommittee in Washington DC. Iwas joined by Commander Dement,his son Len, and Charles A Susino,Board of Director. The following arecomments we submitted. If youwish to view additional informationregarding the testimony and Q&Asession during the 2 hourhearing, please access them onthe Senate VA subcommitteewebsite. There you will be ableto view the video of the entireproceeding which contains theabridged verbal testimony aswell as the more detailedwritten comments submitted byeach of the Veterans serviceorganizations.

Chairmen and members of theHouse and Senate Veteran’sAffairs committee and guests,my name is Charles Susino Jr.,Past National Commander ofthe American Ex-Prisoners ofWar and Chairman of theLegislative Committee. Thank

you for the opportunity to expressour comments today.

Last year at this time, we publiclystated that we supportedSecretary McDonald’s efforts tochange the VA culture andreorganize to obtain betteraccess, treatment experience,and understanding for theveteran without compromisingefficiencies and accountabilities.Recently, the Secretary outlinedto you his plan to transform theVA into a high performanceorganization. Again, we supporthis efforts but remind you a yearhas passed. Years where waitingfor medical appointments havedecreased only through a one-time costly overtime, but lines arestill long. A year where the

discussion at the top levels haschanged but veterans’ experiencehas not. From our perspective, itis important to empower andleverage the local management atthe VA facilities..I have personally dealt with theNew Jersey VA system for decades.While I have had my share offrustrations with the VA systemand its bureaucracy, I applaud theleadership and efforts of DirectorKen Mizrach. Over the past 2+decades he is accessible, conductsinformative and open meetingswith veterans groups, and takesaction on issues raised by theveterans’ community. Are thingsperfect in New Jersey, no, but wesee improvements largely due tostrong leadership inside achallenging VA environment. Inthis regard, among the otherinitiatives, the Secretary needs toattract and retain top leaders inthese key roles. This local level ofmanagement is the face to theveterans, veterans’ serviceorganizations, the local

community, and policy makersat treatment facilities,impacting staff and patientsalike.

With respect to Memorials inWashington, it is gratifying tohear the progress of the WWImemorial with its targetedcompletion to coincide with thecentennial of the end of “TheGreat War”, where 5 millionAmericans served. As timepasses there are less and lessof us that remember how lifein our country changed insupport of a large scale war.


9

We need high visibility andinformative Memorials tocontinue the public awarenessand education so that historymight not repeat itself.

Regarding legislation, workneeds to continue addressing theneeds of our nation’s veterans.

Please support us:S. 290: Increasing theDepartment of Veterans AffairsAccountability to Veterans Act of2015.

S. 223: Requiring the Secretaryof Veterans Affairs to establisha pilot program on awardinggrants of furniture, householditems, and other assistance tohomeless veterans to facilitatetheir transition into permanenthousing.

S. 627: A bill requiring theSecretary of Veterans Affairs torevoke bonuses paid toemployees involved in listmanipulations, and for otherpurposes.

I ask that you give specialattention to the amendment toThe North Korea SanctionsEnforcement Act. Theamendment aims to protectefforts to recover the remains ofAmerican service members inNorth Korea since sanctionsalone could otherwise hamperrecovery.

H.R. 1670: National POW/MIARemembrance Act of 2015directing the Architect of the

Capitol to place in the UnitedStates Capitol a chair honoringAmerican Prisoners of War/Missing in Action.

H.R. 677: American Heroes COLAAct of 2015 so that the COLAincreases are automaticallyprovided to our veterans and DICrecipients. In addition as I statedlast year, DIC has not beenincreased, aside from COLA, indecades and we ask for yoursupport to correct this longstanding inequity.

H.R. 2974: Veteran Continuity ofCare Act to amend the VeteransAccess, Choice, andAccountability Act of 2014 toincrease the duration of follow-up care provided under theVeterans Choice Program.

H.R. 3980: Veterans Freedom ofHealthcare Act eliminating thesunset date for the VeteransChoice Program of theDepartment of Veterans Affairsand to expand eligibility for theprogram.

H.R. 993: Veterans’ IndependentLiving Enhancement Act to repealthe limitation on the number ofveterans authorized to beenrolled in programs ofindependent living services andassistance administered by theSecretary of Veterans Affairs.

During this election year, therehave been calls from somecandidates to shift VA from itsprimary role of directly providingcare to that of simply payingoutside providers. We ask thatCongress not waver from itsresponsibility to protect anyintrusion that threatens the


10

legislative, cont’d...

You can research the status of anyBill in Congress by accessing thewebsite govtrack.us and search byBill number or subject. Politiciansmust hear from us to take action!

House Veterans AffairsCommitteeJeff Miller, FloridaChairman336 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-4136Corrine Brown, FloridaRanking2111 Rayburn HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-0123

Senate Veterans AffairsCommitteeJohnny Isakson, GeorgiaChairman131 Russell SOBU.S. SenateWashington, D.C. 20510(202) 224-3643Richard Blumenthal, CTRanking2111 Rayburn HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 224-2823

promises made to those heroeswho serve their country.

Thank you for your time andconsideration on these matters.

God bless our troopsGod bless America—Remember—Charles Susino, Jr.Past National Commander/Legislative DirectorAmerican Ex-Prisoners of War

Changes in legislation have the larg-est impact on veteran’s benefits soplease stay active on political issuesby contacting your Congressman!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

andersonville

Andersonville NHS496 Cemetery RoadAndersonville, GA 31711(229) 924-0343Supt. Charles [email protected]


11

As we move into the beautifulspringtime in South Georgia, we con-tinue with the recurring theme ofstaff changes at Andersonville Na-tional Historic Site. As indicated inour last installment, Kevin Bentley,our Acting Chief of Facility Manage-ment has moved on to OcmulgeeNational Monument, just up the roadin Macon, GA. We hope to have aselection made real soon on Kevin’sreplacement. We have made someselections on other positions.James Taylor is our new Mainte-nance Supervisor and he is respon-sible for day-to-day maintenanceoperations in the park. James is notnew to the park as he has served inthe Maintenance Mechanic positionhere for several years.

If you visit the National Prisoner ofWar Museum, you may run into ournewest Park Ranger, Jennifer

Hopkins. Jennifer has worked forus in the past as a seasonal em-ployee, but was recently selectedto fill one of our vacant positions.

Daniel (Jake) Koch is the latest ad-dition to our staff. Jake has ac-cepted the position of Lead ParkRanger, overseeing the POW Mu-seum operations and our VolunteerProgram. Jake comes to us fromVicksburg National Military Parkwhere he has served as a ParkRanger.

We are very excited about theserecent staff changes and look for-ward to filling the remainder of ourvacant positions.

In commemoration of NationalFormer Prisoner of War RecognitionDay, the park held a special inter-pretive program on the Prisoner ofWar Experiences during the VietnamWar and, with the help of the Rob-ins Riders, exhibited the Avenue ofFlags. The parks facebook© pageincluded a posting of an episode ofA Story in Stone. The park’s

facebook© page can be reached atht tps ://www.facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS/

The Living History Weekend was heldon March 12-13 and was a great suc-cess with nearly 70 Civil Warreenactors and 1,000 visitors to thepark and the National POW Museum.The park hosted a memorial servicefor Marine Lance Corporal Squire“Skip” Wells who, on July 16, 2015,was one of five military service menkilled by an active shooter at theNaval Reserve support center inChattanooga, TN. Skip was a CivilWar reenactor who had participatedin Andersonville NHS’s Living HistoryWeekend and was a member ofKennesaw Mountain National Battle-field Park’s cannon crew. Congress-man Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. fromGeorgia’s 2nd District memorializedSkip for his service and unselfishdedication to his country.

The Fort Douglas Military Museum inSalt lake City, UT has extended thedisplay of the traveling exhibit, “Vic-tory from Within” until May 27, 2016.Discussions continue with severalvenues as we finalize its next stop.If you are in the Salt Lake City area,we hope that you visit the exhibitbefore it moves on.

We would like to continue to remindeveryone that 2016 is the year ofthe National Park Service Centennialand we invite everyone to “Find YourPark.” Whether it is AndersonvilleNational Historic Site or any of the409 other NPS units, we hope thatyou are able to visit us over thecourse of our year of Centennialcelebration.

civilians

JVC Alice Gollin, Chair


12

The Importance of

“Talking Story”by Sascha Jean [email protected]

The importance of story-tellingbears great significance and por-tends to release and generate infor-mation germane to any subject wewish to remember and share withothers. They say the art of storytelling has gone by the wayside - it’smagic and wide eyed dreamy stateof adventure and lore replaced bythe raucous hammer of media andelectronic attention. That is sadlytrue, but we, who speak with thegreat knowledge of our subjects,have a responsibility to bring that eraback into focus.

Man is responsible to gather talesfrom our historical past and sharethese with the universe. Who bet-ter, than the American military POWsand Civilians who were prisoners ofthe Japanese of WWII, to do thehonors.

What I am getting at is simply this.When we are asked by schools, mili-tary and business groups to relateour stories of war, don’t decline theinvitation. Anyone can do this. Evenyou can do this. Who better to re-late such an experience than you?Who better to know your own in-teresting story than you?

Forget about the image we have ofstanding at a podium, scared stiff,in front of so many people, withthat terrible light shining up at ourface from below, and our jitteryknees the main focus of attention.Forget about the sweaty palms anddry mouth that seems to be curedby knocking back a quick brandy togive us the strength to make it hap-pen. Let’s try a new tactic – one thatworks every time for me and it isthe best solution of all times.

Think “Talking Story” in the com-fort of your own living room. Youare relaxed, at home with thesefriends of yours and the flow ofconversation comes easy. You sitin a big easy chair and the strainsof the formality of standing in frontof strangers vanish. Now, then. Isn’tthat a lot better?

When you accept the speaking en-gagement, and you will, just make afew requests to benefit your sta-tus as a “story teller” not a “speakeror a lecturer.”

Ask for a big easy chair with arms,to be put on the stage or on thefloor in front of the group. Have themicrophone adjusted to yourheight and curved into your headarena. Leave your hands free to ges-ture and hold items of interest. Nowsit back and make yourself com-fortable. Ask for a small table be-sides you to hold a glass of waterand props.

Remind them to regulate the light-ing to suit your preference – not aglaring spot light. Come early and tryit all out ahead of time.

I tell stories that hold their interests,which gives them a learning lesson.Chronology in story telling is notnecessary. It becomes boring. Smallpersonal tales and vignettes lacedwith some humor keeps their atten-tion and carries the points across,leaving them wishing for more.Leave ample room for the Q&A pe-riod so you won’t be rushed tryingto wrap up your session. Know

your audience ahead of time so youcan gear your topic to suit the lastthrust of your session by incorpo-rating their field of interest intoyour story.

For example, when I “talk story”with teachers groups, I make it apoint to concentrate my storiesabout how the teachers taught theirstudents without school books andhow our subjects were monitoredby the Japs. When I speak to mili-tary groups, my thrust is to let themknow the level of importance theycarry in the rituals of war. This way,they know first hand from some-one like me how much all of us ap-preciate what they did to give usfreedom, and that their chosen ca-reers are of great importance to theworld.

I can’t say enough about speakingto the kids in schools. They are si-lent and focused as I relate my storyas a child when the war began inManila, and what it was like whenthe bombs were falling. They listenintently, wide eyed, as the realitysets in that this really happened tome – a child, the same age as someof them in this classroom.

We need to continue our personalstories to those who have neverheard them. We need to be aheadof the historical revisionists, and letthe world know where we havebeen and how we coped. The nexttime someone is looking for aspeaker, just tell them you know agreat story teller who would loveto do the honors. Then accept withgrace and ease. Have Fun!

Now...you can have that Brandy!


13

pow/mia events

Aug. 12-13, 2016. The Ohio StateAXPOW Convention will be held atthe Drury Inn & Suites ColumbusSouth, 4109 Parkway Centre Drive,Grove City, Ohio 43123. Pleasemake your room reservation by call-ing 1-800-325-0720—Group No2255454 before July 10, 2016. Thestate organization will pay for allfood and rooms, however, you mustreserve your room with your per-sonal credit card. Send your con-vention registration to Patty Myers;[email protected] or mail to1138 Hawthorne Ave, SW, Canton,Ohio 44710-1414.

Sept. 7-11, 2016. The 106th Infan-try Division and 104th Infantry Di-vision Reunion. The 70th annualreunion of the 106th Infantry Divi-sion will be jointly held with the104th ID in Arlington, VA. For details,please visit http://1 0 6 t h i n f d i v a s s n . o r g /events.html#annual or [email protected], orcall Wayne Dunn at 410-409-1141.

Sept. 15-17, 2016. The Ride Home,for National POW/MIA RecognitionDay. Events will be held atAndersonville/Americus, GA. AllPOWs are honored guests of TheRide Home. Room accomodations,Heroes Dinner and Ground Pounder& Fly-Boy Luncheon is included. Formore information, please see pages22-23 of the March/April issue, EX-POW Bulletin or contact: Jim “Moe”Moyer, The Ride Home, 3818Litchfield Loop, Lake Wales, FL33859; Phone: 863-324-7268;m o e h o g @ v e r i z o n . n e t .www.theridehome.com

Accounting Agency“Fully Operational”In the year since being establishedas a Defense Agency on Jan. 1,2015, the Defense POW/MIAAccounting Agency (DPAA) hasaccomplished a critical milestone,reaching “full operational capability”or “FOC” on Jan. 8, 2016. Thisdeclaration signifies the completionof the reorganization of theDepartment of Defense’s legacypast conflict accountingorganizations into a single, unifieddefense agency.

During the reorganization efforts of2015, the DoD never ceased itsefforts to account for missingpersonnel from past conflicts andprovide information to the familiesof our missing, but the fullestablishment of DPAA as a defenseagency now enables the mission tobe done more effectively andefficiently.

”I’m very excited about achievingFOC status as it postures the[Defense] Department’s accountingcommunity in a better position tofulfill our noble and importantmission,” DPAA Director, retiredArmy Lt. Gen. Michael Linnington, said.“Now is the time to sharpen ourfocus, increase our efforts, andmaximize all aspects of ouraccounting efforts to better provideanswers to the families of ourmissing.”

Next GenerationDNA SequencingThe DoD DNA Registry, ArmedForces DNA IdentificationLaboratory (AFDIL), which is part ofthe Armed Forces Medical ExaminerSystem (AFMES) at Dover AFB, Del.,is working with the newest

innovation in Forensic DNA science,Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)Hybridization Capture and NextGeneration DNA Sequencing (NGS).

Utilizing this new technology andprocess, scientists will be able toobtain mtDNA sequencing resultsfrom severely degraded DNAsamples that previously failed withtraditional sequencing methods.

”Over the past 15 years, AFDIL hasbeen working with the DefensePOW/MIA Accounting Agency(DPAA) to sequence mtDNA samplesfrom 100 of 800 unknown KoreanWar service members interred, orburied, at the National MemorialCemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii,also known as the Punchbowl,” saidDr. Timothy McMahon, DeputyDirector of Forensic Services,Contractor with the AmericanRegistry of Pathology Sciences LLC.“The problem is that the mtDNAwithin the cells has been damagedby the environment andpreservation methods used in the1950’s.”

McMahon explained that in 1953, aspart of Operation Glory, NorthKorea turned over 4,167 deceasedU.S. and NATO service member’sremains, 849 of which were notidentified. The remains were sent toCamp Kokura, Japan where theywere prepared for burial usingchemicals that were harmful to themtDNA. Using new instrumentation,AFDIL was able to identify that themtDNA obtained from thesesamples is far smaller than theircurrent mtDNA sequencing testingcapabilities. Once AFDIL was able todetermine the size of the mtDNA,the scientists were able to developa custom testing method using NGStechnologies.

”Since 2000, one hundred of theunknown service members havebeen disinterred from thePunchbowl by DPAA,” said McMahon.“Thanks to NGS technologies, AFDILwill be the first forensic laboratoryin the U.S. to utilize a laboratorydeveloped mtDNA NGS sequencingmethod to conclusively sequencethe smallest, most degradedforensic samples. “

American Ex-Prisoners of War2016 National Convention

June 23-25, 2016Banquet, Saturday evening, June 25

Arlington Hilton(817) 640-3322

2401 East Lamar • Arlington, Texas


14


15

Our Hotel:Hilton Arlington

2401 East Lamar Boulevard, Arlington, Texas 76006-7503Tel: 1-817-640-3322, Fax: 1-817-633-1430Room Rate $122 night/free airport shuttle/free parkingHilton Arlington is located 10 miles south of DFW Int’l Airport in theentertainment district of Arlington.

Attractions:Area attractions include Cowboys Stadium, Ranger Ballpark in Arlington, Six Flags and the Arlington ConventionCenter. Situated in a suburban business area, the Hilton Arlington is located within walking distance of manyarea restaurants.

AD Order FormPage size is 8 ½ x 11/due date May 15, 2016

Black & White ColorFull Page ….. $275 $500Half Page… . $200 $300Quarter Page… $130

Name:___________________________________

Organization: ______________________________

Address:__________________________________

City: ____________ _______State & Zip: _______Telephone: _____________________

Ad Size: _______________________Amount Enclosed $_______________Checks Payable to:AXPOWMail Form with Ad materials and check to:National Headquarters, 3201 E. Pioneer Pkway,Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010

Short Agenda:JUNE 23 THURSDAY

BOARD MEETING

JUNE 24 FRIDAYOPENING CEREMONIESMEMORIAL SERVICELADIES LUNCHEONMEDSEARCH/NSO SEMINARCONVENTION CALL TO ORDERCOMMANDER’S RECEPTION

JUNE 25 SATURDAYBUSINESS SESSION CONT’DNEW BOARD MEETINGBANQUET/INSTALLATION

JUNE 26 SUNDAYCHECK OUT

American Ex-Prisoners of War2016 National Convention

June 23-25, 2016Banquet, Saturday evening, June 25

Arlington Hilton(817) 640-3322

2401 East Lamar • Arlington, Texas


16

The POWs Called It

Hellmiraby Alice A. Booher

At first, there may have been ahandful of folks who thought theplan did not look all that bad: lo-cated on the bank of the ChemungRiver (in the county of the samename) and slightly more than a milefrom the city limits of Elmira, NY andabout 6 miles from the PA border,the potential location was level, hadtwo wells and was seemingly welldrainable, near a canal and railroadfor facilitating transport. In truth,any such positive viewpoint to in-clude these specific observationswas totally inaccurate. The POWsknew the Elmira POW camp wasdreadful from the start, and theircaptors knew it nearly as quickly -but for a variety of reasons, itwould take a hundred years to sortout truth from fiction, deceit, pub-licity and inference; and even today,

150 years later, historians on allsides are trying to assess relativeblame. Many of the better informeddetails that eventually emergedcame from the writings of the POWsthemselves [See, e.g., Janowski. InTheir Honor: Soldiers of the Confed-

eracy, The Elmira PrisonCamp, 2009, NY HistoryReview Press, Elmira).

The initial purpose ofthe land developmentwas to secure a Unionmilitary recruiting depotcalled Post Barracks(one of 4 recruit campsaround Elmira), wheresoldiers would undergobasic training. The plan

quickly morphed into Barracks #3(AKA Camp Rathbun) becoming a“draft rendezvous” site, where allvolunteer recruits from western NYState were processed and then sentto Washington, DC. (See, http://www.wadehamptoncamp.prg/hist-p-eny.html ) Finally, it was convertedinto a Confederate POW camp. Sur-prisingly, for all of the notoriety itwould eventually generate, the POWcamp activity lasted only a few daysmore than a year, e.g., from July 6,1864 to July 5, 10, or 11 dependingon the source, the last POW leavingon September 27), 1865 – nonethe-less an interminable period of timeto those who were held prisonerstherein. [See , http://w w w . c h e m u n g h i s t o r y . c o m /prisoncamp.html ].

It was a 30 acre plus plot of groundsurrounded by a 12-foot wall witha rampart near the top and on theoutside of the wall. Every 100 feetthere was a so-called shelter to pro-tect guards from the wild vicissi-tudes of NY weather. Elmira wouldhave some other similar “natural”geophysical problems to other POWcamps, e.g., like Camp Morton in In-dianapolis, the flat fairgrounds areawas not easily drained and well wa-ter (and also from a nearby canal)was unfit and had to be hauled. [SeeLonnie R. Speer’s Portals to Hell:Military Prisons of the Civil War,

Stackpole, 1997.] A one acre lagoon,the Pond called Foster’s, a river back-wash, served as a latrine and gar-bage dump; prison buildings were inthe northern bank of the Pond, andthe lowest southern area whichflooded easily became the site ofthe hospital and thus a direct con-duit for smallpox and diarrhea. [See,http://www.civilwaralbumn.com/misc12/elmiral.ht,].

The history of how the camp wentfrom a location with barracks readyin July for about 5,000 to housing9,600 by mid-August is somewhatconvoluted, and in part due to lackof chain-of-command communica-tion (or possibly a deliberate lack oflistening). There are myriad storiesof willful and negligent actions thatmade Elmira worse than it wouldhave been anyway, e.g., involvementof Secretary of War Stanton (plusseveral off- and on-site associatesand more remote well-known com-manders as Meigs, Hoffman,Eastman) in retribution or retaliation.

Some 12,122 Confederate POWswere eventually housed there, ofwhom 25%+/- died. The stark reali-ties of this horrific statistic were“glossed over” for decades. [See,i.e., http://www/joycetice.com/mili-tary/prison.htm ] The city residentswould say that they were ill in-formed about the horrors of theplace. However, in July 1864, a firstand then a second observation plat-form were erected across from thecamp; the entrepreneurs who builtthe platform took newspaper ad-vertisements and for an admissionfee of 10 or 15-cents, folks couldsight-see the Rebel POWs. Woodenbooths were built selling lemon pop,ginger cakes, beer and hard liquorwere sold; the shacks and onetower did not last, but one “obser-vation tower” remained throughoutthe war. POW were housed in tentsin addition to the some 35 buildings;there were a few small officer


17

homes. The lack of vegetables inthe POWs diet resulted in 793 casesof scurvy by August. With the coldwinter, stoves were purchased aswere some blankets. The watersources became increasingly stag-nant, the river flooded, the sinks alldumped into the Pond along withbodily wastes, and disease becamerampant. The chief surgeon, MAJEugene Sanger from September-December 1865 was utterly notori-ous (and there had been no medi-cal staff at all until the 5th week ofthe camp’s short life) [See alsoHorrigan, Elmira: Death Camp of theNorth , 2002, Stackpole]. Efforts toget the POWs medicine, clothing(many of the Southerners had beencaptured in stifling heat of summer,and then transported to the freez-ing winter North without adequateclothing, shoes) blankets and otheramenities were undertaken, andseveral public collections were un-dertaken to buy these items (andto buy supplies and ship themnorth), but few of these actuallymade it to the POWs for a varietyof reasons, some willful and somesimply negligent. [As noted by CivilWar buff, and NamPOW Dr. HalKushner, in a note to the author inMay 2015, the South sent bales of

cotton to Elmira for the prison offi-cials to sell and gain money withwhich to care for the POWs, but thiswas stymied by the bureaucracy andit took 4 months to negotiate a very

simple transaction, by which timethe war was almost over and the DixHill exchanges had been reinsti-tuted].

The Elmira POW Camp’s OIC on dutyon July 1, accounted as follows:8,970 of the POWs were released;218 were still in hospital; 2,917 died;and 17 had escaped through a spec-trum of audacious and laboriousmeans. Other figures show that ofthe 12,122 POWs (enlisted and non-commissioned officers) held there,2,963 died of exposure and illnessto include pneumonia, smallpox, ty-phoid, extreme dysentery, etc.).[Gillispie’s Andersonvilles of theNorth, 2008, Univ. of North TexasPress) cites the three leadingcauses of deaths at Elmira as #1,diarrhea/dysentery (1,394); #2,pneumonia (773); and #3, eruptivefevers (388) with the percentage oftotal disease mortality at the campof 87.29% (2,555 of 2,927 POWs)].

A collateral note: many New York-ers and other lawyers, know of theJudge Benjamin Franklin Tracy ofthe NY Court of Appeals (1881-1882) who is better known as theFather of the modern fighting Ameri-can Navy as the Secretary of theNavy for President BenjaminHarrison. However, during his 30’s,Tracy had become a Civil War hero

at the Wilder-ness of Vir-ginia campaignand ended his5-year militaryservice as thecommandantof thetroubled ElmiraPOW camp.[See https://www.nycourts.gov/history/legal-history=new-york/luminar-ies-court-ap-

peals-tracy). His biographer notedthat he had accepted command ofthe 127th Colored Troops, but be-fore he could report to that com-mand, Secretary of War Edwin

Stanton appointed him Elmira com-mandant. The POW camp was, bythen, an underfunded unmitigatednightmare [Tracy was also taskedfor the impossible prisoner ex-change logistics], but he was givencredit for doing the best he couldto remedy the most grievous faultsin the short time before wars-end.

Deceased Elmira POWs were buriedat Woodlawn National Cemetery.[One footnote: 48 more who diedin the Shohola Train Wreck en routeto the POW Camp were also buriedthere). One of the poignant posi-tive stories to come from the hadesof Elmira was that of a former slavefrom Leesburg, VA, John W. Jones,sexton for Woodland Cemetery,who arrived at Elmira via the Under-ground Railroad and lived near thesite. He kept detailed death records(mindful of Dorance Atwater atAndersonville POW camp), and me-ticulously identified and buried orsupervised burial for each Confed-erate soldier who died. Of the2,963 Jones buried, only 7 are listedas unknown. As Dr. Kushner notes,a marker left by a deceased POWfamily commemorates Jones’ ef-forts, one of a very few remem-brances at the Elmira site. In April2014, the Elmira Star Gazette notedplans then underway for some com-memorative reconstruction includ-ing the long disassembled only re-maining POW camp building, to belocated near the present-day Elmiracity water pumping station, a com-memorative plaque not far from thecemetery and the flag pole.

hellmira, cont’d...

NewsBriefs


18

VA Awards Grants toHelp Modify SpeciallyAdapted HomesThe Department of Veterans Affairs(VA) announced the award of$784,421 in Specially AdaptedHousing Assistive Technology(SAHAT) Grants to eligibleindividuals, researchers, andorganizations to develop newtechnologies that would enhanceVeterans and Servicemembers’ability to live in specially adaptedhomes.

The SAHAT Grant Program wasauthorized by Congress to designassistive technologies to expandhome modification options forVeterans who apply for VA’sSpecially Adapted Housing (SAH)benefit. Grants of up to $200,000have been issued to four selectedgrantees.

“We’re excited and expect that thetechnology developed with thesegrants will augment Veteran andServicemembers’ options for livingindependently in their own homes,”said Curt Coy, Deputy UnderSecretary for EconomicOpportunity. “New technology willserve Veterans who currently live inspecially adapted houses and opendoors for more Veterans looking tomodify their homes to fit theirneeds.”

VA issued a Notice of FundingAvailability in January for the SAHATGrant program via the FederalRegister and www.Grants.gov. Inorder to foster competition andbest serve the needs of Veteransand Servicemembers, VA did notlimit the type of entity or individual

eligible to apply. There was norestriction on the number of grantsthat could have been awardedwithin the $1 million funding limit.

VA administers the SAH benefit,which helps Veterans andServicemembers with service-con-nected disabilities purchase ormodify a home. Typical adaptationsinclude ramps, wider halls anddoors, and wheelchair accessiblebathrooms. New technology fromthe SAHAT Grant Program will beadded to the list of home modifica-tion options as they become avail-able.

WASP Eligibility atArlington AdvancedThe U.S. House of Representativesunanimously passed H.R. 4336, intro-duced as the Women Airforce Ser-vice Pilot Arlington Inurnment Res-toration Act. The bill, as amended,would ensure that the crematedremains of Active Duty Designeeswould be eligible for inurnment atArlington National Cemetery. The billwould also require the Secretary ofthe Army to submit a report to Con-gress with recommendations for ex-tending the capacity of ArlingtonNational Cemetery. H.R. 4336 nowawaits consideration by the Senate.

VA Expands Hepatitis CDrug TreatmentThe Department of Veterans Affairs(VA) announced that it is now ableto fund care for all Veterans withhepatitis C for Fiscal Year 2016 re-gardless of the stage of thepatient’s liver disease. The movefollows increased funding fromCongress along with reduced drugprices.

”We’re honored to be able to ex-pand treatment for Veterans whoare afflicted with hepatitis C,” saysVA Under Secretary for Health Dr.David Shulkin. “To manage limitedresources previously, we estab-lished treatment priority for thesickest patients. Additionally, ifVeterans are currently waiting on anappointment for community carethrough the Choice Program, they

can now turn to their local VA facil-ity for this treatment or can electto continue to receive treatmentthrough the Choice Program.”

VA has long led the country inscreening for and treating hepatitisC. VA has treated over 76,000 Vet-erans infected with hepatitis C andapproximately 60,000 have beencured. In addition, since the begin-ning of 2014, more than 42,000 pa-tients have been treated with thenew highly effective antivirals.

In fiscal year 2015, VA allocated$696 million for new hepatitis Cdrugs (17 percent of the VA’s totalpharmacy budget) and in fiscal year2016, VA anticipates spending ap-proximately $1 billion on hepatitisC drugs. VA expects that with theexpansion, many more Veterans willbe started on hepatitis C treatmentevery week this fiscal year.

In addition to furnishing clinical careto Veterans with hepatitis C, VAResearch continues to expand theknowledge base regarding the dis-ease through scientific studies fo-cused on effective care, screening,and healthcare delivery including tofemale Veterans and Veterans withcomplicated medical conditions inaddition to hepatitis C.

Navy Seal AwardedMedal of HonorFeb. 29, 2016 CeremonyNavy Senior Chief Special WarfareOperator (SEAL) Edward “Ed” C.Byers was awarded the Medal ofHonor for his courageous actionswhile serving as a part of a team thatrescued an American civilian beingheld hostage in Afghanistan Dec. 8– 9 2012.

After his fellow Navy Seal and leadassaulter was wounded whenentering the room, Byers burst inanyway. He neutralized two fightersimmediately, shielded the hostagewith his own body, then neutralizeda third fighter before his team couldcome in and take action. Moreinformation about the rescue canbe found on the Navy’s Medal ofHonor website.


19

Strategic Planning Committee Recommendationsand Request for Membership Vote for the Future of AXPOW

The Strategic Planning Committee [Paul Edwards, Pam Warner Eslinger [Board JVC], Ben Garrido [BoardDirector], Charles A. Susino [Committee Chair, Board Director]

Action required: Your input is needed to tell the Board of Directors the course of action for AXPOWCommittee Recommendation: The Strategic Planning Committee has been developing options for themembership to consider for its future. With the declining membership and reduction in active membersperforming the work, AXPOW is at a crossroads. From a practical standpoint, there are two options. Totake action now and establish the lasting legacy of AXPOW during 2016-7 or allow AXPOW to continue itsdecline in participation and services while depleting the remaining funds with administrative and otheroverhead costs. Please review the options below and make your selection and mail to National Head-quarters, 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010.

Option #1: Plan for the future. (check here if choosing Option #1)Plan and execute for the transition of AXPOW to a legacy organization in honor and respect of all POWs,past, present and future. Transition the AXPOW by formally closing the activities of AXPOW, with ceremo-nies, press, etc. at the 2017 Annual Convention. The funding for this option is available due to thegenerosity of the Joseph Lemkan estate

Points to consider in favor of option #1:· Utilizing a portion of the remaining funds, establish ongoing scholarships under the names of exAXPOW Commanders· Potentially establish a documentary of the AXPOW [video]· Provide opportunities for social gatherings for Ex-POWs, NOK’s and all members· While there are still active returned POWs, they can appreciate and be part of the transition, receivethe honor and respect of ceremonies and proceedings, etc· With the current funds, ongoing legacy activities can be funded showing honor and respect to all exprisoners of war· While there are funds and people, perform the work necessary to preserve the documentation andstories of the ex-POWs· Bring closure and pride to the organization that has served the veterans nobly for so many decadesat the 2017 national convention. Document proceedings with pictures and video, and invite military,political guests, and press as appropriate.· Put in place an ongoing legacy housed within the National Prisoner of War museum in Andersonville,GA. Remember the museum is in fact the honor and legacy of the Prisoners of War and is the sole reasonit was created with ongoing funding from the government

Option #2: Do nothing. (check here if choosing Option #2)Continue operating while funds are depleting and active members reduce to non functional levels andAXPOW services expire.Points to consider in favor of option #2:· Attendance at the annual convention has declined dramatically especially the number of EX-POWswhich is expected to be only 10-12 for this year’s Convention· A number of state departments [chapters] close each year

We need to your input on how we should proceed.Please select your option and mail to AXPOW headquarters at the above address.You may also call: 817-649-2979 or email [email protected] with your response.

Surprising Find For

Man Of Lettersby Alice A. Booher

As discussed in earlier Bulletin ar-ticles on POWs and the AmericanCivil War, many “civilians” whowould find fame or fortune in othercareers (e.g., Louisa May Alcott,Clara Barton, Mary Ann Bickerdyke,and Elizabeth Blackwell) often par-ticipated in alternative ways duringthe Civil War: another of those wasWalt Whitman. Every schoolchild isaware of Whitman’s haunting poetryof the Civil War, e.g., “When LilacsLast in Dooryard Bloomed”, writtenduring the summer of 1865 afterthe Lincoln Assassination and war’send in April 1865. This and manyother poems called on Whitman’sprofound knowledge of the painand suffering of that war such asDrum-Taps, O Captain! My Captain!or later editions of Leaves of Grass(first published in 1855, and repeat-edly revised thereafter). But forsome readers, just how and whyWhitman acquired that intimate war-related information was shroudedin a bit of a mystery that has beenpartly resolved by a recent find atthe National Archives and RecordsAdministration (NARA).

Whitman was born on May 31, 1819on Long Island, NY, the second of

9 kids in a poor family; they movedto Brooklyn when he was 4. Waltquit school at age 11 and beganto write the following year, takingjobs as a printer, editor, teacher,journalist and editor of a New Or-leans newspaper, the site of whichbrought him his first brush withslave markets, and was a contrastto the freemen he met in Boston.He also was a nurse, although notformally trained as such, and be-fore the Civil War, had comfortedinjured laborers in NYC hospitals,writing letters for them, bringingsmall gifts. Too old to join-up tofight, early in the War he volun-teered to visit soldiers in thosesame NYC hospitals.

On December 13, 1862, the NYHerald listed his Union officerbrother George WashingtonWhitman as having been injuredand taken POW at Fredericksburg,VA; Walt set out to find and nursehim. According to the Whitman Ar-chives, Walt located his brother ina Union Army Camp nearFalmouth, VA, miraculously havingexperienced only a minor facialwound. He stayed with him fortwo weeks and (as he logged hisnew journal), began medical visitsto the field hospitals and the hos-pital at Lacy House where he wasgreeted by “a heap of amputatedfeet, legs, arms, hands&c, a fullload for a one-horse cart”. In lateDecember 1862, Walt Whitmanwas asked to help conveywounded via railroad and steam-boat to the hospitals in Washing-ton, D.C. (See the article on thosefacilities in the March-April 2016issue of the Bulletin).

During that trip he moved amongthem, wrote letters on their behalf(initially to some whose families heknew in Brooklyn and later foranyone who needed him) and ad-ministered as best he could. Hedecided to remain in Washingtonarea hospitals where nursing peri-odicals described his work as an“advocate for the private soldier”.To pay the rent, he got a part-timejob at the Army paymaster’s of-fice. As reported in the WhitmanArchive, he read Shakespeare andthe Bible, sat with the dying,

dressed wounds, distributed gifts ofmoney clothing and food (ice cream,fruit, brandy, tobacco), all in an effortwhich he later characterized as “thevery centre, circumference, umbilicusof my whole career”. The end of 1864was difficult: George was captured asa Confederate POW; brother Andrewdied of tuberculosis and alcoholism;and Walt had to admit his brotherJesse to a mental asylum. On a brightside, Walt got a somewhat better pay-ing clerk’s job with the Bureau of In-dian Affairs; and in February 1865,George was released from POW cap-tivity and furloughed due to his illhealth. The good luck did not last asWalt was fired in May although he wastransferred to the Attorney General’soffice in July 1865 and stayed thereuntil early 1872.

His love for the soldiers and his workin the medical community was appre-ciated by some but not everyone atthe time; more recently, he has beenrecognized in the naming of manyedifices including D.C.’s Whitman-

Walker Clinic (Walkerbeing Dr. MaryWalker). Whitmancharacterized hisown efforts as “theabstract work ofconsolation and sus-tenance”.

It should also be noted that many ofthe Whitman remaining artifacts, in-cluding letters to him and manuscriptsare now located in the Beinecke Li-brary at Yale University. According toNursing Theory, he had a paralyticstroke in 1883 which required thathe leave Washington and live with hisbrother George. In 1888, four yearsbefore his death, Whitman wrote toa friend about an old leather shoul-der bag hanging on the wall of theirhome in Camden, NJ, with adjustablestrap and decorative buckle, and usedto take his treats to the troops. In1969, the Library of Congress ac-quired the bag and in June 2013, thehaversack went on display there forthe first time. (See Michael E. Ruanein: www.washingtonpost.com/local/walt-whitmans-haversack-to-go-on-display-at-library-of-congress/2013).

Which brings us to a very recent trea-sure trove. According to Ruane in the


20

find, cont’d...March 19, 2016Washington Post,on February 3,2016, as part ofthe National Ar-chives’ preparingfor an exhibit on

Civil War widows pensions to bedigitalized and put online, one of 25volunteers, Catherine Cusack Wil-son, a librarian in Falls Church, VA,was sorting through pension fileswhen she discovered a file for a sol-dier named Pvt Robert N. Jabo of the8th NH infantry. Jabo, married fatherof 6, was dying of tuberculosis inWashington’s Harewood Hospitalseveral months after the war’s end,probably January 21, 1866. Authen-ticated by an expert at the WhitmanArchive at University of Nebraska,it turned out that Jabo’s real namewas Robert Narcisse (AKA Nelson)Gibeau, a French Canadian wholived in Clinton Co., NY. He had en-listed with the 96th NY infantry, wasdischarged after a year due to dis-ability, and joined the NH group as a“substitute”, probably paying about$300 to serve for someone else. Heexperienced diarrhea, back prob-lems, typhoid and bronchitis accord-ing to his files, and while finally dis-charged from the service in Octo-ber 1865, was too ill to go home.Writing to wife Adeline Jabo,Whitman’s words confirmed thesoldier’s disabilities and would beused to support her later claim forpension. Whitman signed the letterfor Jabo as “Nelson”, and below andto the left of that signature, hepenned his own name, “WaltWhitman, friend” as a sort of nota-rization. Eleven months later, onDecember 19, 1866, Jabo died as acharity case at Washington’s Provi-dence Hospital. Seven years afterhis wife first applied in 1867, shegot her war widow’s pension of $12per month. The Jabo letter pennedby Walt Whitman is one of onlythree known to exist [with anotherone in the Library of Congress andthe third in private hands]. Accord-ing to Ruane, the NARA hopes tofind more such treasures as they gothrough the never before examined2 million Civil War pension files.

forummembers’

Cheryl,

I find your Members’ Forum cover-age of the March from Nurembergto Moosberg in the last three Bulle-tins to be of significant interest. Iparticipated in that march and canrelate to the material submitted byother members. I add some com-ments about my experience.

I was the senior member in one ofthe camp buildings with 28 POWs;my friend Al Brown headed up asimilar adjacent camp building/group. We served together in astateside fighter group and wentdown in Germany two days apart.He was an academy graduate, fluentin German. Our groups traveled to-gether on the march.

In the Nuremberg camp we wereoften moved to the bomb shelterwhen the area was under bombard-ment. We would be at the front un-der an entrance metal overhang af-fording a full view of nighttime com-bat actions over the city includingBritish Mosquito and Lancaster at-tacks. Flak fragments could beheard falling on the metal roof.

During early morning hours we weretold the camp was to be evacuatedas the city was targeted that day forheavy bombing. I think we formedup at daylight in one of the lead el-ements and moved out smartly. Theguards were not unfriendly and seta brisk pace for the column. A flightof P-47s spotted us and made straf-ing passes. Later, wave after waveof large bomber formation wereviewed at an estimated 15,000 feetabove broken clouds with contrails

of higher fighter cover. This loudspectacular aerial display continuedfor several hours, bomber groupsin close trail or on crossing head-ings.

In the afternoon of the third daywe encountered a problem at ariver crossing bridge. The bridge wasmined with what looked like 250-pound bombs placed crosswise sothat w had to step over and be-tween them all the while facing thebarrel of a German 88 aimed at usfrom the far shore. This slowed ourprogress and backed up the col-umn.

Progress was generally brisk andthe integrity of our groups wasmaintained. Al conversed exten-sively with the guards and residentsof areas where we stopped. Escapewas discussed but the guards coun-seled against it explaining that thearea we would traverse was pa-trolled by murderous SS troops. Theguards realized that the war waswinding down and they were some-what relaxed. At days-end westopped in the countryside, oftensheltered in farm buildings.

We did not encounter the plentifulfood and Red Cross boxes de-scribed by POW Bob Thompson. Therations provided at Nuremberg hadbeen meager; grass soup some-times with a bare horse bone, aquarter loaf of black bread to besplit 28 ways, and only one RedCross box for five during March. Weknew that the German transporta-tion system was under severe limi-tations; trains, trucks and evenhorse-drawn wagons subject tofighter strafing, limiting food distri-bution even to their own troops.

Clair W. Potter36 Ftr BG, 9th AF9236 Coachman Dr.Venice FL 34293716-450-8354


21


22

American Ex-Prisoners of War


23

National Headquarters3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40Arlington, TX 76010(817) 649-2979

new members

WELCOME!

Suitable for framing, thiscertificate of captivity,printed on 8½” x 11”quality paper, proudlydisplays your history asa prisoner of war. Eachcertificate background ispersonalized to thetheater of operation. Toreceive this certificatefrom AXPOW, pleaseorder from NationalHeadquarters. If you areordering at Convention,you can place your orderin the Merchandise Room.We will need your name,service number, branch ofservice, unit whencaptured, POW number (ifknown), camp names andlocations. You can call817-649-2979 or email:[email protected] may include apicture with your order.

Certificateof Captivity

New Members

SONDRA ANGLETONPHOENIX AZDAUGHTER OF STANLEYANGLETON, ETO

JAMES FRANCIS ‘JIM’ KELLCHULA VISTA CAUSS PUEBLOCOMMUNICATIONS TECHPYONGYANG N KOREA 1/23/68 TO 12/23/68

ALVIN HENRY PLUCKERJEANIE ANNLASALLE COUSS PUEBLOQUARTERMASTERPYONGYANG 11/23/68 TO 12/23/68

JEAN JACOBSONMIAMI BEACH FLDAUGHTER OF JEANDASBURG, ETO

JACOB RAYMOND CORBINECANTON NYGRANDSON OF DONALDCORBINE, KOR

The Legacy of your love canlive on after…An important way you can helpensure that the American Ex-Prisoners of War is alwaysthere for returning POWs, theirfamilies and their dependentsis through your will or livingtrust.

It’s very simple to make abequest to the American Ex-Prisoners of War. Simply sharethis sentence with yourattorney or financial plannerand they can add the followingto your will or living trust:

“I give, devise and bequeath tothe American Ex-Prisoners ofWar, 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway,Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010,the sum of $_______ or______percent of the rest,residue and remainder of myestate.”

Please take a few minutes ofyour time to help.

Thank you!


24

contributions

Please send donations to:National Headquarters, 3201 EastPioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Arlington,TX 76010.

Checks must be made payable toAXPOW or American Ex-Prisoners ofWar You can also make a donationwith a credit card (MasterCard orVisa). Just call 817-649-2979. Thankyou!

GENERAL FUNDIn memory of Angelina Jones, by M/M Diran SimonianIn memory of Anna Chaney, byTulsa ChapterIn memory of Anthony “Tony”Marino, by Rick NickersonIn memory of Anthony “Tony”Marino, by Florence MarinoIn memory of Anthony “Tony”Marino, by Warren Newman

In memory of James A Herbig, bySharon HerbigIn memory of Jim Deer, by TulsaChapterIn memory of Lt Leonard Prosnick,by Paul Thompson, Recon TroopIn memory of Richard Allen Caverly,by Futuramic Tool & EngineeringIn memory of Richard Trocciola, byMaersk Agency (matching fund)In memory of Sara Chandler, by theAntique Study ClubIn memory of Claude D Young, byLex Snider & Davi DyerIn memory of Claude D Young, byTumpie & Joy BullIn memory of Claude D “Pappy”Young, by Ace Drywall, IncIn memory of Claude D Young, bySeay Cove HOAIn memory of Maxine Konechne byPhillip KonechneIn memory of Claude D Young, byBobby Lavisky

VOLUNTARY FUNDINGIn memory of Williams Vaught, byMary Lou VaughtAntonia Tolomei, Aberdeen WAHerman Streitburger, Bedford NHLorraine Corrington, Lynnwood WAMaurice Markworth, Palmyra PAPNC Zack Robert, Tinton Falls NJ

Recognizeanyone?

Blytheville AirForce POWs

shown shortlyafter their

return to theUnited States

in 1973

taps Please submit taps notices to:

Cheryl Cerbone, 23 Cove View Drive, South Yarmouth, MA 02664


25

BESHEARS, James Dixon, 96, ofClemmons, NC died Jan. 2, 2016. JDwas a member of the 454th AviationOrdnance Co., 27th BG. He was cap-tured Apr. 9th, survived the BataanDeath March and 3 ½ years of cap-tivity. He leaves one son, one grand-daughter, two great-grandsons anda host of extended family andfriends. He loved life and will bemissed.

BUNTE, Raymond Charles, ofFloresville, TX passed away Feb. 18,2016 at the age of 91. During WWII,he was captured in Rome, Italy andheld until liberation. His loving wife,Sarah, 1 son, 2 brothers, 2 sisters,nieces and nephews survive him.

CANADAY, Henry Alvin, 90, ofWalterboro, SC died June 13, 2015.He was captured while serving in theUS Army, ETO; he was held until lib-eration. He is survived by 1 daugh-ter, 1 son, 2 grandsons, 4 great-grandchildren and their families.

CHAMPAGNE, Alcide J. “Jim”, 94 ofFort Smith, passed away Feb. 22,2016 at the age of 94. He servedwith the 450th BG, 722nd BS, flyingout of Italy; he was captured andheld until liberation. The last 81 daysof his captivity he was involved withthe forced march. He was a mem-ber of AXPOW. Jim is survived by hiswife Inez, 1 son, 5 grandchildren, 6great-grandchildren and a large ex-tended family.

CHERRY, Fred V. Sr., of Silver SpringMD, passed away February 16, 2016.Cherry was the first and highest-ranking black officer to become aprisoner in Vietnam. He was shotdown Oct. 22, 1965, at the age of37 and badly wounded when hisparachute opened just 200 feetfrom the ground. He spent 7 yearsin captivity and credits his survivalto his cellmate, Porter Halyburton.

Fred leaves his partner and lovingfriend of 24 years, Debra Thomp-son, as well as 5 children, 14 grand-children and 6 great-grandchildrenand their families.

CHISHOLM, Dorothy, life memberof AXPOW, and widow of AXPOWRoss Chisholm, passed away onFeb. 2, 2016. Both Ross and Dorothywere faithful members of Fresno,CA, Chapter #1. Survivors are onedaughter, several grandchildren, anda host of friends.

CLARK, William R., of Port SaintLucie, FL died Feb. 16, 2016 at theage of 92. He served in the Armywith the 84th Inf. Railsplitters, wascaptured and held until liberation. Billwas a life member of AXPOW. Heleaves one sister, two daughters,seven grandchildren and twenty-twogreat-grandchildren.

DeCHANT, Frank R., 92, of Arvada,CO died Feb. 12, 2016. He was a lifemember of AXPOW and member ofthe Mile High Chapter in Denver.Frank was captured while servingwith the 106th Inf. Div. He was heldin Stalags 4B, 8A, 9C. His wife, Mary,4 sons, grandchildren, great-grand-children and 1 brother survive him.

DUNBAR, Robert S., of Charleston,SC, passed away Feb. 6, 2016. Hewas 95. Bob served with the 8th AF,96th BG, 413th BS. He was capturedand held POW after his B-17 wasshot down. Bob was a member ofthe Low Country Chapter, AXPOW.He is survived by 1 son, 3 grandchil-dren and 4 great-grandchildren.

ERNST, Benjamin H. Sr. died Sept.10, 2015. During WWII, he flew B-25sin North Africa; he was capturedafter being shot down over Sicilyand held until liberation. He was alife member of AXPOW. Survivorsinclude one son and one niece.

FERGUS, Edgar W., 94, WWII veteranand German prisoner of war, passedaway January 28, 2016 in Ft. MyersBeach FL. He was shot down offthe coast of Italy while serving inthe AAF; he spent 20 months in vari-ous German POW camps. He is sur-vived by his wife of 63 years Char-lotte, 3 daughters, 1 son, 2 grand-children, 2 great-grandchildren andtheir families.

GREEN, Dominick J., of Frankfort,NY died Feb. 19, 2016. He was 92.While serving with the AAC, his B-17 The Jack Ass Mail was shot downand he was captured. He was heldin two camps for 15 months. Domwas a life member of AXPOW. Hisloving wife of 67 years, Mary, 1daughter, 1 granddaughter, severalnieces, nephews, cousins and theirfamilies survive him.

HIONEDES, Nicholas “Nick” passedaway Feb. 11, 2015, in Dunedin, FL. Nick served in the Army Signal Corpduring WWII and was a Japanese pris-oner of war in Corregidor and Ja-pan for 3 1/2 years. He is survivedby his wife Ann, two children, 2grandchildren. He was a member ofthe Barbed-Wire/Seminole Chapterand later the Florida Gulf CoastChapter, AXPOW.

KILMER, Lloyd W. 95, of Surpriseand Sun City West, AZ passed awayJanuary 6, 2016. He served withthe 8th AF, 448th BG, 712th BS duringWWII. He was captured over Hollandand held in Luft III and 7A. He wasan active member of the Agua FriaChapter, AXPOW and was instru-mental in establishing the Boulevardof American Flags along R. H.Johnson Blvd., Sun City West, AZ. He was inducted as a member of the

taps cont’d....


26

Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in2004. Lloyd is survived by his wifeRuth Natvig Kilmer and two sons. He was preceded in death by hisfirst wife, Marie.

KONECHNE, Maxine Mae, lovingwife for more than 60 years to Phillip(Korean ex-POW) died Dec. 7, 2015in Kimball, SD. She and Phillip wereactive members of AXPOW and theKimball community. Maxine enjoyedher 3 children, 6 grandchildren and9 great-grandchildren. She alsoleaves nieces, nephews and a large,loving extended family.

KOSINO, Arthur J., of Monroe, MIpassed away Dec. 1, 2015. He wascaptured while serving with the305th BG, 364th BS; he was held inStalag 17B, then marched acrossGermany until liberation. Art was alife member of AXPOW. He is sur-vived by his wife of 67 years, Jane,2 daughters, 1 son, 6 grandchildren,5 great-grandchildren and 1 sister.Among the many of Art’s qualitieswere his patriotism and great senseof humor.

LAMAR, Edgar “Lee” of OverlandPark, KS died Jan. 28, 2016 at theage of 94. During WWII, he servedwith the 460th BG; he was shotdown over Croatia, captured andheld at Luft 1, Barth until liberation.Lee was very active in the KansasCity Chapter, AXPOW. He leaves hiswife, Bonnie, 1 daughter and 2grandchildren.

LEACH, Wilbur M. 94, of Surprise,AZ passed away March 20, 2016. He was a member of the Agua FriaChapter, Sun City, AZ. Followingcompletion of Army Air Corp Adju-tant General School and AAF FlyingSchool, he was a pilot during WWII. Bill survived as POW after being shot

down over Bulgaria. He is survivedby Gladys, his wife of 73 years.

MEYER, Vernon H., of Holland, INdied Feb. 19, 2016. He was 97. Heserved with the 83rd Inf. Div., 331st

Reg., Co. E during WWII; he was cap-tured in France and held for 10months. Vernon was a member ofthe Southern Indiana Chapter andlife member of AXPOW. Survivorsinclude 2 daughters and 1 son. Hiswife, Luella, predeceased him.

MILLER, Richard Charles , ofVenice, FL passed away March 15,2016 at the age of 92. He was cap-tured while serving with the 8th AF,303rd BG, shot down overSchweinfurt, Germany and held infour POW camps until liberation.Dick leaves his beloved wife of 70years, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 5 grand-children, 12 great-grandchildren, 1sister and their families.

PAYNE, Harold, 91, formerly ofAcme, W. VA, died Aug. 26, 2015. Hewas an Army veteran, serving withthe 515th Bn. Training Unit, 550th Air-borne Inf. Bn, 17th Airborne Div., the194th Glider Inf., 82nd Airborne Div.He was wounded and captured inthe Battle of the Bulge and held.Harold leaves 2 brothers, 2 daugh-ters, 2 sons, 4 grandchildren, 1great-grandson and many loving ex-tended family members.

PLANTZ, Ernest, of Gales Ferry, CT,died December 19, 2015. While serv-ing on the USS Perch, he and hisshipmates were in Manila Bay at theonset of WWII. His ship was so badlydamaged by depth-chargers it hadto be scuttled; he was captured bythe Japanese and held POW inMakassar on the island of Celebes.He is survived by his wife of 50years, Caroline.

PLATT, Alvar B., 96, of Salton City,CA passed away Feb. 27, 2016. Dur-ing WWII, he served with the 323rd

BS, 91st BG. He was shot down overthe English Channel and floated 30hours in a dingy before being pickedup by the Germans. After recupera-

tion, he was sent to Stalag 17Bwhere he was held for two years.Alvar leaves his wife of 23 years,Leona, 1 daughter, 2 grandchildrenan 4 great-grandchildren.

PORTER, Maurice D. , 93, ofTequesta, FL died Feb. 13, 2016. Hejoined the AAC, serving on a B-17;he was shot down over Germany,captured and held until liberation. Hiswife of 68 years, Joan, 2 sons, 4grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildrenand his beloved Jack Russell,Samantha, survive him.

POWERS, Virginia “Ginny” passedaway Feb. 15, 2016, in PinellasCounty, FL She was the widow ofHarry, who served in the ETO. Ginnyis survived by 2 sons, 2 daughters,8 grandchildren and 5 great-grand-children. She was a long time mem-ber of the Florida Gulf Coast Chap-ter, AXPOW and very active in Chap-ter activities. She was funny, sharp,witty, and a dear friend to many.

RADLOFF, Glenn, of Farmersburg,IA, died March 8, 2016. Glenn wasan AXPOW life member since 1980,and was a member of the NortheastIowa Chapter. He served in the 34th

Division and was held in PG 58.

RATHBUN, Vernon “Bud”, 96, ofWaterloo, IA died Sept. 24, 2015. Heserved with the 333rd BS, 94th BG.His plane was shot down July 29,1943. He was captured and held inStalag 7A for 6 months then trans-ported by boxcar to Stalag 17B foranother 16 months. Vernon tookpart in an 18-day, 225-mile forcedmarch across Germany before be-ing liberated May 3, 1945. He was anactive member of AXPOW. Bud issurvived by his beloved wife, Ginny,1 daughter, 1 son, 2 granddaughtersand 4 great-grandchildren. He alwayslooked on the bright side and wasan inspiration to all who knew him.

SABIN, Howard A., of Longboat Key,FL passed away June 3, 2015. Dur-ing WWII, he was shot down overthe Italian Alps while serving on a B-24. He spent the remainder of the

taps,cont’d...

BennyBennyBennyBennyBenny

ND BennyRayborn

chaplain


27

war in Luft IV, then was force-marched across Germany. He leaveshis wife of almost 62 years, Gloria,1 son, 1 daughter, 5 grandchildrenand 2 great-grandchildren. Howardwas a life member of AXPOW.

SADOWSKI, Harry C., 91, passedaway May 9, 2015. He was capturedwhile serving with the AAC, flyingover Hungary. He spent the remain-der of the war in a German POWcamp. Years later he learned that thecrewmembers who did not bail outmanaged to fly the plane to neutralterritory. Harry was preceded indeath by his wife of 60 years,Bonita; he is survived by 6 children,13 grandchildren and 2 great-grand-children.

STOCKMEIER, Estella “Ruth”, ofSouth Elgin, IL died Feb. 13, 2016 atthe age of 95. She and her husband,Fred were members of the Fox RiverValley Chapter, AXPOW. In additionto her husband, survivors include 1son, 3 daughters, 5 grandchildrenand their families.

TELLER, Abraham, of Yonkers, NYdied in Nov. 2015. He was a lifemember of the Brooklyn “Key”Chapter, AXPOW. During WWII, heserved with the 379th BG, 525th BS.After capture he was held in Pilsen.He leaves one daughter and her fam-ily.

THOMAS, Patsy Yates, 81, ofHenderson, KY passed away Feb. 15,2016. She was a very active mem-ber of the Kentucky Department,AXPOW. Her late husband James was

a POW during WWII. Patsy is survivedby 2 sons, 2 grandchildren, manynieces, nephews and their families.

WALTER, GeraldR., of Orlando, FLdied Dec. 23, 2015at the age of 92.He served in WWIIas an aerial pho-tographer on a B-24 Liberator “TheFlying Junior”. Hisplane was shot down over Germanyand he was captured and held untilliberation. Gerry was an active mem-ber of Central Florida Chapter,AXPOW. . He was also an avid mem-ber of Rolling Thunder organization,last participating in “The Ride Home”,Sept. 2015. He is survived by his wifeof 15 years, Flo.

The usual accepted definition of abully is some one who uses physi-cal, emotional or verbal intimidationor force to control others.

Have you been bullied?

Or worse, have you been a bully?

Are you being bullied now?

Bullies come in all sizes, shapes,colors, creeds and various trap-pings. In fact, there is a bully whois not human, we call him the devil.

In the Bible we find a bully namedGoliath. He had intimated the Is-raelites so greatly that 1st Samuel17:11 records, “…they were dis-mayed, and greatly afraid.” Sosounds like the response of manywho are bullied today.

But David knew that bullies do nothave to be tolerated. David hadfaith in God and because of thatfaith he was able to take a standagainst Goliath.

In the life of our Ex-POWS, the bul-lies were our enemies.

In your life it could be anyone, evena beloved family member. Yourbully may not be a person but amajor problem you are facing, or adisease to be fought. David’s bullywas a giant but he trusted God andwhen victory was his, he gave theglory (credit) to God. David knewit was by God’s help that he wonover Goliath. We can win over ourbullies in the same way.

Second Timothy 1:7 “For God hathnot given us the spirit of fear; butof power, and of love, and of asound mind.”

My prayer for each of you is:

Like David, may all of your bulliesbe overcome by your trust in Godand the exercise of that trust. InHis name. Amen.

The Memorial Service atNational Convention will be

Friday, June 24, 2016, Arling-ton Hilton, Arlington, TX.

Please try to attend this verymoving service.

ALL CHECKS MUST BE MADE PAYABLE TOAXPOW OR AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR

Ex-POW Bulletin

May/June 2016

28

50/50 drawingJune 27, 2015 Arlington, TX

1st Place GROVER MULLINS, MO $322.602nd Place ANGIE SARACENO, AZ $241.953rd Place DOROTHY MURPHY, FL $161.304th Place JACK WARNER, OK $80.65

These drawings help raise money needed for ouroperating expenses. They allow our membersto participate in a very worthwhile project, whilegiving them a chance to win. 50% of the dona-tions will be given to the General Fund and theother 50% are awarded as prizes. The amountsare determined after all donations are received.You do not have to be present to win. Pleasemake copies of the tickets on the other side andoffer them to your Chapter members, familyand friends. We are asking $5.00 for 6 tickets.

These donations are not tax deductible. Fill outthe tickets and send them and your donationsto:National Headquarters ~ 50/50 Drawing3201 E. Pioneer Pkway, #40Arlington, TX 76010-5396


29

The 106th InfantryDivision Association

Organized atCamp Lucky Strike 1945 active

since 1946

If you are a former 106th Infantry Division vet, wereattached to the 106th, a relative of a 106th veteran, you

are eligible for membership in the Association.

The CUB Magazine is published three timesper year. Published since 1946.

Annual Reunions held yearly since 1947.

Jacquelyn Martin, Membership Chairman121 McGregor Ave.

Mount Arlington, N.J. 07856973-663-2410

E-mail: [email protected]

request formembership applicationAmerican Ex-Prisoners

of War

Name: ________________________________Address:_______________________________City/State/Zip:_________________________

Membership is open to US Military and Civilianscaptured because of their US citizenship and their

families.

Do NOT send dues with this requestfor an application

Mail to:American Ex-Prisoners of War3201 East Pioneer Parkway, #40Arlington, TX 76010-5936(817) 649-2979 voice(817)649-0109 faxe-mail:[email protected]

Formed at Camp Greene, NC, on November 17,1917 for service in World War I. The “IVY Division”has a long and distinguished heritage that continuesthrough World War II, the Cold War in Europe,Vietnam, Operation Iraqi Freedom and OperationEnduring Freedom.

Membership in the Association is open to allformer Veterans and currently serving Soldiersof the 4th ID and attached units. The 96th AnnualReunion will be September 9-14, 2014, inLexington, Kentucky.

Check our website at www.4thinfantry.org formembership and reunion information.

“Steadfast and Loyal”

The National 4th (IVY) Division Association

American Ex-Prisoners of War50/50 Drawing

PLEASE PRINTName:_______________________Telephone: ( )_______

Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________

Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing.Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated.

Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of Warand entry to: 50/50 Drawing

3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40Arlington, TX 76010-5396

You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deduct-ible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.Thank you for your support. (6/17)



Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________




You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deduct-ible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.Thank you for your support. (6/17)



Address:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing.

Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated.Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of Warand entry to: 50/50 Drawing


You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deduct-ible. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.

Thank you for your support. (6/17)


PLEASE PRINTName:______________________Telephone: ( )_______

Address:________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________




You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deductible.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.Thank you for your support. (6/17)



Address:________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________




You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deductible.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.Thank you for your support. (6/17)



Address:________________________________________

City/State/Zip:____________________________________Here is my donation of $5.00 for 6 chances to win the drawing.

Prize amounts are determined by the total amount donated.Mail your donation American Ex-Prisoners of Warand entry to: 50/50 Drawing


You do not have to be present to win. Your donation is not tax deductible.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Donation not required to enter.Thank you for your support. (6/17)Ex-POW Bulletin

May/June 2016

30


31

AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WARVOLUNTARY FUNDING PROGRAM

The AXPOW Voluntary Giving Program parallels that of other VSOs, whereby the entiremembership, including life members, is given the opportunity to contribute to the operation

of our organization, based on ability and willingness to contribute.

All contributions are to be sent directly to National Headquarters to be used for theoperation of the organization. A complete accounting of contributors will appear in the

Bulletin each issue.

I am enclosing my contribution to support the operation of the American Ex-Prisoners of War.

$20.00 $30.00 $40.00 $50.00 $100.00 Other

Please circle one category:

Individual Chapter State Department(If chapter or department, please give name)

Name

Address

City/State/Zip

Phone #

Please make checks payable toAmerican Ex-Prisoners of War - Voluntary Funding

Mail contributions to:National Headquarters

American Ex-Prisoners of War3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40

Arlington, TX 76010

AXPOW Vest Order Form(For members only)Name_____________________________________________________

Address________________________________

City, State, Zip _________________________

Size (Men/coat, Women/chest measurement)___________________

Long, Regular or Short__________________

Name on front of vest_____________________________________

Chapter Name (back of vest)__________________________

Price: $55.00, includes S/HPlease allow 8-10 weeks for delivery.

Official AXPOW Cap (specify size) 40.00Vinyl Cap Bag 3.00Necktie w/logo (regular only) 30.00U.S. Flag Bolo Tie 20.00Mini POW Medal Bolo Tie 30.00Brooch pin 5.00EX-POW pin (goldtone) 5.00Logo pin 5.00POW Stamp pin 3.00Past Chapter Commander pin 5.00Past Department Commander pin 5.00Magnetic Ribbons 5.00Challenge Coins 10.00Eagle pin w/Barbed Wire (silver) 8.00Vest Chainguard 8.004” Blazer Patch 4.002” Medallion (for plaque) 6.00Canvas Totebag w/4” logo 15.00 AXPOW Notecards (pkg of 25) 6.00Special Prayer Cards (pkg of 25) 6.00AXPOW By-Laws 5.00

CLOTH STRIPES (specify which title) 3.00Life Member · Chapter Commander · Chaplain ·Historian · Past Chapter Commander ·Chapter Adj/Treas ·Chapter Adjutant ·Chapter TreasurerDept Commander ·Past Dept CommanderDep’t Treasurer · Dep’t Adjutant·Sr. ViceCommander · Jr. Vice CommanderService Officer · Legislative Officer·Past ChapterOfficer · Past Department Officer

QUANTITY ITEM SIZE / COLOR PRICE

For orders up to 4.00, add $3.00; For orders 4.01 to 7.99, add $4.00; For orders 8.00 to 25.00,add $8.00, For orders 25.01 to 49.99, add $13.00; For orders 50.00 to 99.99, add $15.00For orders over 100.00, add $20.00 Checks/Money Order/Credit Card Accepted.

For credit card orders: Card # _________________________________ Expiration: _________

(Check one) Master Card ___________Visa____________Name _______________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________City, State, Zip ________________________________________________Phone _____________________________

Shipping/Handling/Insurance:

Total: $

FOR ALL ORDERS, MAIL TO:AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR

3201 East Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40Arlington, Texas 76010-5396

[email protected]

We accept Master Card/Visa

Name Badge Order Form(for members only)Actual size of badge issize of a credit cardPLEASE PRINT:

Name _______________________Line 1 _______________________Line 2 _______________________

Name Badge with name & chapter andcity: $6.00(includes S/H)Ship to:Street __________________________

City/State/Zip _____________________

12x18 AXPOW Graveside Flag 10.00Aluminum License Plate 5.003” Vinyl Decal 1.003” Inside Decal 1.008” Vinyl Decal 6.0012” Vinyl Decal 10.00AXPOW Prayer Book 2.00Ladies Prayer Book 1.00POW DVD – ETO or Pacific 11.00“Speak Out” Education Packet 6.00

AXPOW Gravesite Medallion AXPOW Challenge Coin

The Medallion is 4", Bronze/Brownwith Lacquer. Hardware formounting is included. Weight -approximately 1.25 lb.

check with your local cemeterybefore ordering to see if medallionsare permitted.

great gifts...great hand-outs...great way to show your

pride in your organizationAXPOW Logo on front/Five

services on reverse

$10.00ea

$75.00plus $15.00 S/H/IShipping costs on two ormore is $20.00.


33

Decision 2016Candidates

For National CommanderPNC Charles Susino, Jr.National Commander 2012-2013Legislative Chair (current)Budget and Finance ChairGrievance & Investigation ChairCommander, Dept. of New Jersey(21+ years)

NSO-18 yearsAAC Veteran, flew B-24 Europeantheatre – hit the silk over Nord,France, March 5, 1944 after being hitby flak and fighters. Pilot gave theorder “bail out” and I was capturedby two squads of German soldiers.After being shipped to Dulag Lufton the Rhine for 7 days of interro-gation, I was sent by boxcar to EastPrussia, Luft 6. In Jan. 1945,I wasforce- marched to Memel, then sentto Luft 4. After being forced ontothe 2 1/2 month-long “Black HungerMarch”, I escaped with five otherprisoners and located a field hospi-tal in the American Zone.

For Sr. Vice CommanderTed CadwalladerI was born in the Philippines and, asa young boy, my family and I wereinterned as civilian prisoners of theJapanese for 37 months (1942-1945) in the Santo Tomas Intern-ment Camp in Manila. I have servedas the Commander, Department ofCalifornia, AXPOW, and have beenthe commander of the 49ers Chap-ter, Sacramento, AXPOW, for manyyears. I am a retired Master Ser-geant, U.S. Army Reserve and amdedicated to the heritage left to usby all former American POWs, aswell as the impressive, important his-torical knowledge and ideals of theAmerican Ex-Prisoners of War orga-nization.

For Jr. Vice CommanderCheryl CerboneI first served AXPOW as National Di-rector- Northeast from 1994-1999.During that time, I also served asChairman of the Ways & Means, Pub-lic Relations (a position I first held

in 1986), Constitution & BylawsCommittees and in 1999 I becameEditor of the Ex-POW Bulletin. Cur-rently, I remain your Editor. I alsoserve as Chair of Ways & Means andPublic Relations, and as committeemember of Civilian, Bylaws and Pub-lications Guidelines.

For Jr. Vice CommanderPam Warner EslingerI have been your Jr. Vice Com-mander for the past 4 years andSouth Central National Directorsince 2008. My dad is PNC JackWarner. I have been coming to theNational Conventions since I was 4yrs. old, so this is like a second fam-ily for me, and I love this organiza-tion, and want it to carry on for aslong as we can make it work, tokeep your legacy going for theyoung people to learn about.

For Jr. Vice Commander

Alice GolinI have been serving as Jr. Vice Com-mander since 2014. I am also chair-man of the Civilian Internee Com-mittee -- fitting because the major-ity of this special group of POWslive in California. I have been work-ing to make claims filing with theDept. of Labor an easier processand feel we have made some goodheadway.

My husband, Mort, was a POW inLuft III and 7A during WWII.

For National DirectorCharles A. SusinoI served as AXPOW as National Di-rector- Northeast beginning in2013. I have participated in severalcommittees including Legislative,Washington DC POW memorial, VAoutreach program, Washington DCspecial events, and medical re-search. I have supported my father,PNC Charles Susino, Jr. over theyears with AXPOW activities at thelocal, state, and national levels invarious capacities. I look forward to

continuing my contributions to theorganization and its transition witha greater participation from theNOKs.

For National DirectorDavid EberlyI seek your support for re-electionas National Director. My experi-ence, compassion, and sense ofduty is rooted in my months as thesenior allied prisoner of war inSaddam’s prisons during DesertStorm—yet, I make no comparisonto the trials of those held in Viet-nam, Korea, or Germany. Today, ourOrganization must hold true to itstenets while striving to preserve thelegacy for all those who lost theirfreedom on the battlefields, on theseas, or from air. Their courage andthe service of their families whowaited must never be forgotten byour National leaders or the Ameri-can people.

For National DirectorBenny RaybornBenny Mark Rayborn is AXPOW’s Na-tional Chaplain. He is the son ofex-POW Mark Rayborn. He has servedone term as National Director forthe Southeast Region. He alsoserves as the Commander of the WJack Cleery Memorial Chapter inHattiesburg, MS. He and his bride, the“Marvelous Mitzi” live in Lumberton,MS.

For National DirectorJan WilliamsI am running for re-election as Na-tional Director for the Central Re-gion. I have been a life membersince October 2006. I would likethis great organization to continueits original purpose; for the mem-ber to come together to visit andto be used for healing. I would liketo continue to serve you as Na-tional Director.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CASTING YOUR BALLOT

Voting for National Officers/Directors. All members who are current on theirdues are eligible to vote. Please follow these instructions.

You must use the original ballot on the next page to vote. Photocopies willbe destroyed and the vote will not be counted.

The names on the back of the ballot (the mailing label) are the memberseligible to vote. The first name listed is Voter 1 and the second name listed isVoter 2 (where applicable).

Place an X in the box next to the candidates name for whom you are voting.

Write-in candidates are allowed. PRINT their name on the blank line. Thecandidate must agree to serve.

There will be no nominations made from the convention floor.

Sign the ballot, place in an envelope and send it to:AXPOW BALLOT3201 E PIONEER PKWY #40ARLINGTON TX 76010

Ballots must be received at National Headquarters by June 15, 2016 to becounted.

Only current AXPOW members are eligible to vote.If you have any questions, please contact National Headquarters at 817-649-2979 or [email protected].


34

Please print:Name____________________________________________________Address__________________________________________________City/State/Zip_____________________________________________Phone ( )___________________ Email _______________________Please allow 4 weeks to make address corrections.

Mail to: National Headquarters, AXPOW, 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40, Arlington, TX 76010-5396Or fax: (817) 649-0109Or e-mail: [email protected]

All orders for products sold byAXPOW National Organization,including dues/subscriptions

should be mailed to:American Ex-Prisoners of War

National Headquarters3201 E. Pioneer Parkway, Suite 40

Arlington, TX 76010-5396(817) 649-2979

e-mail: [email protected] collect calls, please

change of address formInclude your mailing label for address change or inquiry. If you are receivingduplicate copies, please send both labels. If moving, please give us your newaddress in the space provided.

Thank you for supporting the AmericanEx-POWS with your purchases of National

Merchandise.

Challenge Coins!great gifts...great hand-outs...great way to show

your pride in your organizationAXPOW Logo on front/Five services on reverse

$10.00ea

EX-POW BULLETIN - American Ex-Prisoners of War ... Bulletin May/June 2016 6 David Eberly 205 Roger...

Documents

Transcript of EX-POW BULLETIN - American Ex-Prisoners of War ... Bulletin May/June 2016 6 David Eberly 205 Roger...