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EDEN’S
Featuring The R O C K I N G H A M
County
Local Information County Wide Vol. 12, Num. 1
Star
• FREE
JANUARY 2011
Left behind by nation at war
TWO RIVERS PLAZA Only 2 - 1000 sq. ft. Suites Available Best Deal In Town!
336-627-1050 Join Two Rivers Plaza with...
H MalTaviDor’s Unique Styles Salon - Suite D H My Friends Place Consignment - Suite C H Total Illusions Tatoo & Body Piercing - Suite A 307 W. Meadow Rd., Eden (Beside Ray’s Bait & Tackle)
Harris Lawn * Landscape
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Imagine it’s 1944, you’re 17, and have been dropped off in the Marshall Islands, hostile Japanese all around, with no food or water, supplies, ammunition or mail access. A nightmare, right? But part of an all too real memory to Eden resident Bethel Griffith. The experiences of the group of 150 souls inadvertently left behind for months now called “A” Lost Company, is recorded in a book by Griffith, published in 2008, which explains the adventure and misfortune of Company “A” 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalion in World War II. Griffith was born in Woolwine, Sirginia in 1925, and moved to Leaksville as a child. Shortly after hearing of Pearl Harbor, 17-year-old Bethel lied about his age, and became a member of the United States Marines in 1943. The book goes through his boot camp memories, and several assignments prior to being sent to the newly created Company
“A” 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. This group left San Diego in December of 1943 and sailed west in the Pacific, no one knowing the destination. They later landed on Kwajalein Atoll, a tiny spot of land in the Marshall Islands, 6000 miles from his home. It wasn’t a peaceful landing. No waving palm trees and soft winds to enjoy^ just angry Japanese soldiers so close they were wading into the water throwing knives at the amphibian units landing to deploy Marines. Being the 1st conquest of Japanese property during World War II, the Marshall Islands included valuable real estate, even though they were only tiny dots of land peaking above the water from and undersea volcano^ some barely the size of a football field. Griffith’s book takes you through some of his most memorable boot camp adventures^ his time with the “Lost Company” and the times afterwards when he made his career
Griffith trail through Guadalcanal, and Aget Beach, Guam. Readers enjoy flipping through the photographs from the ordeal and other adventures of the war, as well as excerpts from letters to his sister, maps, and letters from other members of the company.
Continued See War... Page 12
Join the American Red Cross in celebrating National Blood Donor Month Throughout the month of January, the American Red Cross celebrates the contributions of thousands of volunteer blood donors in our area who give the gift of life with every blood donation. January has been designated National Blood Donor Month to raise awareness of blood donation during the time of year when blood supplies often fall to their lowest levels. Donations traditionally decline during the post-holiday season, due to busy schedules and inclement weather which can prevent people from keeping donation appointments. At the same time, the need for blood remains constant in the early months of the year. Giving blood is a way to support the community by helping to ensure that a stable inventory is available for premature babies, cancer patients, or the many people who suffer accidents and other illnesses which may require transfusions. National Blood Donor
Month not only honors those who give blood each year, but is also a time to educate and encourage new donors about the importance of giving blood. Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days, and, therefore, must
continually be replenished. Donors can give blood every 56 days, or up to six times a year. This year, you can make a difference. All it takes is your willingness to help someone in need and a pint of your blood. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds,
are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirement. Schedules for the upcoming Month - Sunday, January 2, 2011, 12 noon – 4:30 pm, Rebecca Carbone Bloodstock, First Baptist Church, 1010 South 1st Ave., Mayodan, for an appointment call the church office 548-2565 - Wednesday, January 5th, 2:00 – 6:30 pm, Reidsville YMCA, 504 South Main Street, Reidsville, for an appointment call the American Red Cross at 349-3434 - Thursday, January 6th, 2:00 – 6:30 pm, Eden YMCA, 301 Kennedy Street, Eden for an appointment call the American Red Cross at 349-3434 - Friday, January 7th, 10 am – 2:30 pm, NC DOT, 191 Hwy 65, Wentworth, call Brenda Joyce 6345642 for an appointment
Conintued on page 17