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The Voices of Veterans
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Posted by lward Mon Nov 8, 2004 11:33:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments On the shelves sit a diary from 1945, yellowed newspaper clippings, numerous black and white photographs and letters worn thin as a butterfly's wing from re-reading.

"My grandson said to me, "Everything you have is old. I said, ‘That's right. Even my wife,'" said 82-year-old Ben Dunkin, chuckling.

Not only is everything "old" at Ben and Lou Dunkin's house on Lindalee Lane off Calloway Drive -- it's red, white and blue.

"Blue is for their courage
White is for their honor
Red is for the blood that they shed," reads a plaque in the living room.

The pair, who have been married 28 years, are charter members of the Rosedale/Greenacres VFW Post #10859, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

Natives of Texarkana and Oklahoma, they've turned their golden years into extremely active years, with Ben, a WWII vet, acting as post commander for a number of terms and Lou, equally patriotic, serving as president of the Women's Auxiliary until last year when she began to lose her sight.

Their phone rings frequently with calls from fellow VFW members, and the weeks and months are filled with VFW meetings, parades, dedications, fund-raisers, funerals and out-of-state conventions.

Lou pointed out that the VFW raises millions of dollars for cancer on a national level, and post members are doing their part to help the local community, as well.

They spent seven weeks working concession stands at baseball games this summer and will host this season's Santa's Breakfast at Greenacres Community Center, where they also hold their meetings.

"The veterans do so much for us here at Greenacres. It is amazing," said Greenacres Community Services Supervisor Lisa Walker of the Dunkins, Commander Rex Haddock, Auxiliary President Janet Manning and the other nearly 100 members. "They are truly great Americans."

Some might ask, "Why all the fuss when it might be easier to forget and move on?" But for Ben, the past is still alive, and it should be treasured, not tossed aside.

"I bet you've never seen one of these before," he says as he goes through his plethora of keepsakes, which includes a heavy, green army helmet complete with sweat stains, a box of matches from Italy, where Ben spent a good deal of time serving in the 34th Infantry, rifles, a German shoulder pin, a Russian honor medal, which a man had to kill 29 men in order to earn, carefully folded and packaged VFW hats and gloves and two Purple Hearts.

His pride and joy -- a restored WWII 46 model combat Jeep complete with "All gave some, and some gave all" plates -- sits outside and is a favorite at VFW parades. "It'll only go about 40 mph, but I drive it to the grocery store sometimes. And it's been driven on the highway," said Ben.

And what about the wallet-sized headshot of the pretty girl, signed "Love, Mildred?"

"I don't think they ever really went together," said Lou. "I was happy just to get a letter, no matter who is was from," added Ben.

There are less pleasant memories for Ben, who spent his early 20s on the front lines. Explosions caused the loss of his hearing and he can still feel shrapnel in his legs. Still, he believes war is a necessary evil.

"It's horrible, but it has to be done -- even today. Some of these guys in Iraq are worse than Hitler," he said.

The Dunkins took a trip to Italy in 1992. They saw row after row of soldiers' graves in Anzio, Italy, visited the restored Abbey of Cassino, which Ben saw being bombed from his foxhole, and formed special connections with visitors from other countries.

But they've found the most healing right here at home, over a cup of coffee at the center.

When the post was founded, its members were strangers. But over time they've become true comrades, learning to find peace together on an invisible battlefield.

"Men who were in the service used to not talk about hard times among family and friends. They held it in. But thanks to the VFW they can talk among themselves, and it draws the stories out so their families can learn more about their service experiences, repeat them and pass them down," said Lou.

Here are some additional remembrances of veterans contributed by Northwest residents.

In honor of B.W. Peterson
By Kyrstee Thompson
Fourth grade student, Norris Elementary

My great-grandfather, Boyce Peterson, is a veteran of WWII.

When the war broke out, he was almost 19 years old and remembers it well. He was working chopping cotton, making 10 cents an hour, and he got the news by radio.

Most all of the boys volunteered for the Army Air Corps and my great-grandfather was one of them. He said that he felt like he had to go and defend his country -- and he did.

He was first sent to Lubbock Army Air Field, where he stayed for about one year maintaining twin-engine training airplanes. After Lubbock, he went to Augusta, Ga., to Daniel Field, where he was trained for chemical warfare. He was only there for two months. Then he went to Fresno, Calif., and to what is now known as the Fresno Air Terminal, where he was taught how to attach chemical tanks under the wings of fighter aircrafts.

He spent about two to three months there and then, in September of 1943, he moved to Sacramento, Calif. At the base, they formed the 95th Depot Supply Squadron. Thanks to his mechanical ability, my great-grandfather was given a job as motor pool sergeant.

After getting organized, the squadron was shipped to England with a convoy of about a hundred ships carrying supplies and equipment to Liverpool. They had to go out of their way to avoid German subs, called U-boats. They reached England in December of 1943 on a very cold and foggy day. They left Liverpool in a convoy of trucks with their supplies and equipment and arrived at an airfield south of Oxford, England, about mid-January.

My great-grandfather received a Bronze Star for his efforts in the war as well as a Good Conduct Medal.

His brothers also received awards. His younger brother, carol, received a Purple Heart for his 999 days as a prisoner of war. My family is very proud of my great-grandfather for his bravery and service.

Report from Kwang Ju Air Base in South Korea
By Sean Anderson

I was born on Dec. 24, 1983, which makes me 20 years old. I am the son of Robin and David Anderson of Rosedale and the husband of Jessica Anderson of Rosedale, and I have four siblings: 22-year-old Kristle Gillette, 18-year-old Robert Myers, 14-year-old Anthony Myers and 5-year-old Taillor Anderson.

I graduated from Centennial High School in 2002. I joined the Air Force shortly thereafter on Sept. 9. I went to San Antonio, Texas, for six weeks of basic training, after which I attended the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy. After graduating from the fire academy in March of 2003, I went to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. I am set to be there until March of 2006. After leaving Alaska I am hoping to be stationed in Germany.

Right now I'm at the Kwang Ju Air Base in South Korea, where I'm responsible for protecting the lives of more than 1,000 people, providing fire protection for all Air Force facilities, and providing protection for more than 75 million dollars worth of aircrafts. I also volunteer on the base to help with morale.

An average day consists of roll call and shift change, then we check out our rigs (fire fighting vehicles), run the pumps to make sure that they are working properly and check out the tools and equipment to make sure that it is all operational and nothing is missing. Then we have station details like washing trucks and conducting training pertaining to the fire service. We always respond to emergencies, whether it be for an aircraft, medical emergency or fire.

The culture in South Korea is a lot different than Northwest Bakersfield, and I'm trying to learn and experience as much as I can. The people here are very trustworthy, and the word "freedom" means more here than in America, if you can believe that. Most of the Korean people welcome us with open arms and are quick to do whatever it takes to help us out.

I have been in the Air Force for a little more than two years now; currently I am an E-3 and I will be promoted to E-4 in February. I joined the Air Force because I take pride in my country.

I also have a decorated family military history. My uncle, Robert Reed, has been in the Air Force almost 28 years and is currently serving as a weapons superintendent; my grandfather, David M. Anderson Sr., served in the Marines in the Vietnam War; my other grandfather, Robert D. Reed, served in the Army during the Korean War; and my uncle, Delbert Reed, drove a tank in the Army.

I wouldn't give up being a fireman in the Air Force for all the world.

Husband returns from Iraq
By Jill Lynk

My husband, SFC Robert Lynk, has been in the military now for eight years. We have family in the Northwest, but I live on a base in Germany with our children. Robert recently returned from Iraq.

"I did area security and stabilization operations consisting of raids, cordon and searches, patrols and traffic points. It was life-affirming," he said.

He's proud to serve in the military, but he does miss one thing badly about home -- Quizno's sandwiches!

He's currently with Charlie Company, 2-6 Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, stationed in Baumholder, Germany.


A poem in honor of Jack Rhodes

Northwest resident Jack Rhodes served in the 5th Airforce 43rd Bomb Group, 65th Bomb Squadron in WWII. He flew 55 missions in the Philippines and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944.
His children gave him and his wife, Laura, with a special gift last month for his 86th birthday -- a trip to Washington D.C. to visit the National WWII Memorial. His daughter, Jody Watson, wrote a poem in honor of the occasion and her father's service:

Hooray! Hooray!
For the good old U.S. of A!
Pack your bags Dad,
‘Cause you're on your way,
To visit an important part
of the U.S.A.
War memorials, the Smithsonian,
national symbols, and monuments galore!
You'll need to pack your shoes, camera,
and so much more!
‘Cause the two of you will soon
Be headin' out your front door.
A sight-seeing trip,
With all expenses paid,
for you, Dad, is in store!
Washington D.C.
Here you guys come!
Happy Birthday to you, Dad!
You are our #1 hero!
We love you dearly Dad,
All the Rhodes kids.

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