Bob Novell was the first of our speakers for Veterans’ Day.  He started by saying that on the day he graduated from college, he along with fifty of his classmates spent part of their morning at a ceremony where they were commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.  All of them had been part of the ROTC program in college and were now committing to at least six years of military service. Thirty days after graduation, he had received orders and had driven cross country to Fort Eustis, VA to report for duty and attend an officer’s basic program for the Transportation Branch of the Army.

Several months later, he was deployed to Aschaffenburg, Germany and was responsible for civilian transportation services for a mid-sized military base. 90% of the people under his command were German and were involved in driving and maintaining the vehicles, and handling the movement of household goods for the servicemen and their family at the base.

His last assignment was for six months at Nuremberg Germany, a much larger base with more people and equipment. Again, he had good people to work with, and in short time, transportation services in Nuremberg became even better.

He finished by saying that he benefited from his experience in the Army, he was given responsibility at very early age, his time in the Army gave him the opportunity to meet many servicemen which helped to learn about America, and also his time in Germany working with Germans exposed him to another culture. He finished by saying that he was proud to say, “I am a veteran”.

Next up was Specialist 5^th Class Tony Parrille, U.S. Army Reserve with a six year commitment. After his 1963 Loyola graduation Tony signed up as a Transportation officer and shipped out to Fort Ord for his basic training. He was assigned to the 63^rd Admin Company where they had experienced an outbreak of spinal meningitis. While the base had already had twelve cases, Tony had to wake up nightly and open all the windows in the barracks for air circulation and still report the next morning at 5:30 a.m. down at the beach for training. Having to guard the motor pool he inquired about what rifle to use and was handed a broken mop. (Welcome to the U.S. Army soldier!) Working in the S-3 Section, Tony would coordinate retirement parades on the air field dealing with bands, honor guards, etc. He especially remembers the day of 11/22/63, when all were ordered to forget the retirement parade and report directly to the landing field. It was announced that our then President John F. Kennedy had been shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. By February of 1964 Tony went to his reserve unit at the 349^th General Hospital at Hazard Park and finished his tour.

Jim Helms, U.S. Army, and Rank: Major, Infantry, was assigned to guard 1000 Japanese prisoners in Hawaii at the young age of twenty years old. Back then the Army only paid soldiers $21.00/mo. It was later raised to $30.00/mo., which must have been rough. Jim recalls when he was just sixteen years old, a Junior High School student at Riverside High School; he had built an amateur shortwave radio that he used to communicate with other kids from all over. On 12/7/41 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, which was a total shock to our nation. It sent complete fear throughout Southern California because we were so unprepared for a war. They immediately assigned “Block Wardens” who made sure there were no lights on at night in fear of another air attack. Gasoline was rationed, meat rationed and victory gardens were started, growing green beans. Santa Anita Race Track was used as a “Relocation Center” to house those of Japanese decent. And during that time the Selective Service was started. Jim was assigned to Fort McArthur and Camp Roberts in the U.S. Army 63^rd Division.

Ken Mallory, U.S. Army, WWII, began his presentation by fitting into his original Eisenhower Jacket, medals and all, which still fits him. Ken shared his experience in the “Battle of The Bulge”, one of the hardest fought battles in history. The Germans were very prepared with tanks, artillery and mortars. Ken had been assigned to his unit, part of the 3^rd Army under General Patton, just two weeks prior to the battle. His unit was told to go up a hill and advance on the German position but later Ken’s flank was open and they took so much fire they had to withdraw down the hill. Another soldier who was struggling asked Ken to carry a mortar, Ken handed him his rifle and took over carrying the mortar down the hill dodging heavy fire. Once Ken made his way down he noticed a pile of rifles, he found his, the one had given to the other soldier asking for help. The sling had been cut and it was bloodied, but no sign of the other soldier.   His company suffered 50+ casualties the first day. In one month these were some startling statistics: U.S., 20,876 killed, 40,800 wounded, Germany, 15,652 killed, 42,600 wounded. The other enemy was the piercing cold, snow, and wet conditions. Frostbite on your feet meant certain pain and suffering, delay and special care. Sock’s that were dry were the one thing that kept our G.I.’s moving. General Patton, himself, ordered trucks full of dry socks to be dropped on tarps delivered to his men. He knew the value of keeping feet dry and avoiding frostbite.

Thank you for your service to these and all our veterans!

(Pat Dolphin)