11062009

Special Veterans Day Edition

November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

Volume 2 - Issue 21

organic rice growers sought by sage V foods

COMING EVENTS November 10 Traveling memorial arrives November 11-16 american traveling veterans wall will be on display next to colusa casino November 12 opening ceremony for veterans wall USO Show November 14 veterans activities Arbuckle Williams Colusa See our website for full detials November 14 oll pheasant festival November 21-22 Holiday Craft Faire Colusa Fair Grounds November 20 Holiday farmers market November 21 FWA Hot Cajun Night See our Next Issue for • Sonny Turner • Colusa Casino Chili Cook-off

What’s Inside This Issue Section

Page

Opinion ............................... 4 Community Breifs............ 5 Classifieds ...........................5

WILLIAMS PIONEER REVIEW 317 Fifth Street Colusa, CA 95932 Direct: 530.383.4861 Fax: 1.530.458.2675 SUBMIT STORIES TO submissions@ williamspioneerreview.com ADVERTISING graphics@ williamspioneerreview.com EDITOR & PUBLISHER publisher@ williamspioneerreview.com

(Photo By Elizabeth Kalfsbeek) Lance Glassgow is a familiar face in Colusa County and is the Organic Rice buyer for Sage V.

By ELIZABETH KALFSBEEK Writer & Contributor

S

age V Foods, LLC., is looking for a few good growers, local organic-rice growers to be exact. The company specializes in producing rice-based ingredients for use in processed foods and has developed a complete line of rice products. One popular product is organic frozen rice, which Sage V (pronounced Sage Five) sells to Trader Joe’s, Raley’s and Safeway. “The cooking and the freezing process is hard on the rice, so we need to start with extremely high quality rice,” says Lance Glassgow, Sage V rice buyer based in the Northern California office located in Princeton. “You can’t find the quality of rice in southern states that we can get here, which mostly has to do with the weather. In the southern states it rains quite a few times in the season and that can break the rice or make the crop fall in the mud,

which can affect quality and taste.

That’s where Northern California comes in, and that’s why Sage V buys organic rice for this particular use from Northern California only.”

The number of organic rice growers has changed in the last couple of years due to the skyrocketing prices for conventional rice. In turn, many organic farmers transferred their fields from organic to conventional. “The challenge for Sage V hasn’t been the marketing and selling of the rice, that’s exploding,” Glassgow says. “The challenge for me here in Northern California is to get enough acres to supply the demand.” Glassgow is seeking new organic rice growers, or land to rent, from Sacramento to Red Bluff areas. According to Glassgow, a good organic field is acreage that has had cattle or sheep on it for 10 to 20 years, or ground that hasn’t had water on it. Any land that has been idle for three years is an ideal candidate for organic rice fields.

Sage V Foods is the brainchild of Pete Vegas (Sage V spelled backwards), who has a degree in agribusiness from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. In 1986 he became the vice president of marketing of Comet Rice, which owned large mills in Maxwell, where he gained an appreciation for the high quality of Northern Californian rice. Vegas eventually resigned his vice presidency to start Comet Rice Ingredients, a speciality rice division and a subsidiary of Comet Rice. When Comet Rice went bankrupt, Vegas acquired the speciality rice company from American Rice, Inc., and renamed it Sage V Foods in 1998.

The company has developed an extensive line of rice flour, modified flours, instant rice, frozen rice and is developing a line of crisp rice. Headquarters for Sage V is located in Los Angeles, with processing facilities in Freeport, Texas and Stuttgart, Arkansas.

103 years of love and life

By TAMI CODER Writer & Contributor

O

n October 4th, 2009, one Colusa County woman hit a milestone that less than one person per 3 million can ever hope to achieve. With a big celebration at the Maxwell Inn, attended by family and a huge outpouring of friends and admirers, Pauline Wilsey of Colusa ushered in her 103rd birthday.

Born in 1906, Pauline entered the world in turn-of-the-century Colusa County, born to parents Ernest and Augusta Frank of Williams. Now Pauline lives in another turn-of-the-century world, with over 103 years of life and love under her belt. Still living on her own in the Lurline house she once shared with late husband Harold Wilsey, this Colusa County native enjoys her garden, her friends, the many organizations to which she

still belongs, but most of all, she enjoys her life with a love and zest not seen in many people half her age.

On September 30th, I was invited into Pauline’s home by herself and her friend and companion, Carol Dickens. Although there to conduct an interview with the centenarian plus three, in no time at all I was a rapt audience of one, listening to her many stories unfold. Soon I was transported back in time to a much different Williams, one of horses and buggies and hard packed dirt roads scarred by wagon ruts. A town lighted by oil lamps, with nighttime skies so clear, deep, and dark the Northern Lights could be seen every now and again. As I listened, scribbling furiously in my notepad, a common thread seemed to run through every memory and facet of this amazing woman’s life: love…

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November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

Special Veterans Edition 2009

festival of lights

Williams pioneer review

sage V foods

(cont.)

to spread holiday cheer

(Staff Photo) This is a sample of the finished Organic Rice product that can be found in the freezer sections across the country.

Completed this year in the Port of Little Rock, Arkansas is a new $30 million frozen rice facility, which cooks and freezes the organic rice sent from Northern California.

“The company has grown exponentially in the last 10 years and I think that the future of organics is strong,”

Coming Soon!

The Festival of Lights will be held on December 12 at 6:30 PM in Williams. This much anticipated event will also include a get together at the Sacramento Valley Museum after the parade.

Businesses and home owners are encouraged to enter the “best decorated” business and residence contest that will be judged one week before the parade. To place an entry or find out more on the event – call 682-1614. So start planning your entry now and join the Citizens for a Better Williams who host the event, to meet new friends and visit with your neighbors on the second Saturday in December and don’t forget your mittens!

olde tyme christmas nears

By ELIZABETH KALFSBEEK

Writer & Contributor

T

he 13th annual Olde Tyme Christmas street fair is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4 on Market Street in Colusa. The event is a top draw for locals and visitors alike.

“It’s a way to keep people here to really see what (Colusa County) has to offer, to have a good time, see people you haven’t seen in a while and get into the Christmas spirit,” said Olde Tyme Christmas founder Susan Gibbs.

The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. when Santa Claus arrives on horse and buggy to light the Christmas tree in front of the courthouse.

Live entertainment begins at 6:15 on the outdoor stage next to the courthouse where local schools, churches and townspeople will perform songs, dances and more.

Anyone is welcome to perform as long as they register in advance for a time slot.

“We keep it short and sweet so people can’t wait until next year,” Gibbs said.

“It’s real, not phoney.”

Gibbs is working on getting more businesses to stay open late for the event and hopes more people will dress in theme – 19th and early 20th century costumes – hence the spelling, “Olde Tyme” Christmas.

Highlights of the festival include free buggy rides on Market Street, a live nativity scene in front of the courthouse, pictures with Santa on a fire truck on 5th Street, a town crier in costume ringing a bell, live entertainment, food, vendors and more.

Vendors set up on the actual street, so not to block the sidewalks and business entrances. There is no charge to be a vendor, and people come from a 100-mile radius to showcase their wares.

“We don’t charge anything because we’re just trying to promote Colusa and help support the economy,” Gibbs said. “The purpose of the whole event is to have people stay in Colusa County and shop in Colusa County.”

The types of vendors vary dramatically, from people selling wares, to schools

fundraising to information booths of different community services offering free coffee.

“We’re open to anything new,” Gibbs said. “We never know each year what we’ll have.”

A sampling of vendors include: crafters, baked goods, car dealerships, candied apples and popcorn, homemade and professional jewellery, candles, thermal hoods, aprons, tri-tip sandwiches, Colusa Tractor, tamales, Indian tacos, Mary Kay cosmetics and others.

Schools, 4-H, Colusa County Department of Education, Jr. Guide Puppies of Yuba City, children’s services, Knights of Columbus and others will be on hand with information on the group or selling items to fundraise.

“Just come and have a good time, get in the Christmas mood and support vendors and businesses,” Gibbs said.

To reserve space as a vendor or to reserve a time to perform on the outdoor stage, contact Susan Gibbs at 458-5479 or 415-1633.

Glassgow says. “So many of our growers are looking down the road long term. It’s like a magic word: organic.”

To contact Lance Glassgow about growing organic rice, call 559-9106.

For more information about Sage V Foods, LLC., visit www.sagevfoods.com.

WWW.WILLIAMSPIONEERREVIEW.COM

Special Veterans Edition 2009

103 years of love and life What follows is Pauline’s story, a love story, told in the only way that mattersher own words.

Her love of her family: “I was born and raised in Williams.

My parents had ten children, nine girls and one boy. They were German immigrants who first settled in the town of Delevan. My father got a job working for Mr. Williams (the town founder) as a gardener, so they moved to Williams. Oh, we used to go over to the Williams House when we were children to “play in the park,” we called it. That brick house was surrounded by grass, trees and flowers, and it looked just like a park! Of course, we weren’t allowed on the grass, so we would just go there and stand on the walk, looking at all that color.”

Her parents love for one another: “My parents were married in Germany.

Weddings in Germany lasted five days, filled with non-stop eating and dancing. Since they were married around Christmas, my parents would always, every year, clear a space in the living room, and they would dance together. We children would sit around them in a circle and watch them dance together every Christmas.”

Her love of school and athletics: “I attended Williams Grammar School, and I graduated from Williams High School in 1924. I used to play high school basketball. We were pretty good!

We even won the championship. Our coach was Miss Love, who was also one of my teachers. We had our names on a brown and gold felt banner, and

November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

3

(cont.)

one day I looked for it in the museum and it was filled with moth holes! Can you believe it?”

Her love of technology: “My two favorite inventions: electricity and aviation. When I was a little girl, after school my job was cleaning the oil lamps in our house. I would take old newspapers, crumple them up and wipe out the black soot that gathered inside the glass chimneys every night. I really did not like that job! So, that was one reason I think electricity was one of the greatest inventions ever (chuckling). I remember when we got our first electric light. We children would be out in the front of the house playing right up until dusk every day, and my momma would call out the front door, “Kids!

I’m gonna turn the light on!” Well, I’ll tell you, all us kids would come running in fast as we could, and we’d pack our way into the living room. In those days, there was just this hole in the ceiling that one big thick cord came out of, with the light bulb dangling on the end. All us kids would stand in a circle around her, and then she would take this switch and turn on the light. It was amazing, watching that light come on.

It seemed like magic to us.”

“I remember being completely fascinated with airplanes from the first time I heard about them. One day my Uncle Karl drove me in his motorcar up to Grass Valley where there was supposed to be an airplane on display. Of course I had never seen one before, and I was so excited! Well,

we got there, and there was a really big turnout, because nobody there had seen one before either. Well, they brought it out, and it didn’t look anything like I thought it would. It looked like a big crate with these flimsy looking wings.

It did fly, but only about tree level, and only for a short distance. I remember crying when I saw it, telling my Uncle Karl, “That’s not an airplane! That’s a kite!” Of course, later on, after I met my sweetie Harold, we flew all over the world. We used to take the train across the country to New York, and then we would fly to Europe. Once there we would take bus trips, because you could see so much more of the countryside that way. We went to Alaska three different times, too. Oh land, we loved to travel together!”

Her love of Northern California: “There was this one time, when my mom and I were out in the back yard late one evening, bringing in sheets from the clothesline, and there was no moon, and we could actually see these moving, shifting shapes of colors way off in the northern skies. It was beautiful. We finally figured out that we were seeing the Northern Lights all the way from Alaska!”

“One other time, I saw Mt. Lassen erupt when I was a girl. My mother took me out to the backyard to watch.

It rained ash everywhere! It was an amazing sight.”

Her father’s love for his horse: “My father worked very hard six days a week, but every Sunday he would hitch up our horse Barney to our surrey with the fringe around the top, and all us kids and my mother and father would go driving around town. Sometimes we would head out to the countryside and visit friends for lunch, or we would just go about the town.”

“I remember when an anthrax epidemic swept through Northern California, and if any of your animals died, it was a state law that you had to burn the bodies to prevent the disease from spreading. Well, when our horse Barney died of the disease, my father could not bring himself to burn our old horse, so he dug a big deep hole out behind our barn and buried Barney out there in the middle of the night.

He then leveled the ground off so no one could tell there had been anything buried there.”

Her love of community: “Williams was a very small town, and everyone helped each other out. When I was ten years old, I came down with measles and smallpox at the same time.

I was so sick for so long. I had it so bad it made it so I could never have children.

I remember laying on my stomach, not moving because of the pain. There was an army nurse that lived down the road, Amy Dyke, and she was home on leave.

She would come over, and she would take this big turkey feather, and dip it into some sort of potion, and then she would very lightly rub that feather all over my back and arms. To this day I don’t have a single scar!”

Her love of learning and teaching: “After I graduated from high school, my Uncle Karl paid for me to go to college.

I went to a private school in Berkley called Western College, and then I passed the teachers test. Eventually I was teaching at a “demonstration

school” in Oroville. I had 20 to 30 kids of all grades, and the school was open to the public. Anyone could walk in at anytime and observe us, and I was not allowed to stop or acknowledge the visitors in any way. I taught for 17 years, and then Uncle Karl died, and I moved back to Williams to be with my mother.”

Her love for her husband: “After I moved back to Williams, I got a job working in Colusa at Production Credit and Federal Land Bank. I worked there for 20 years. That’s where I met my best friend, who years later would become my husband, the love of my life.

I had been married twice before. My first husband wanted to have children, and since I could not have them, I gave him a divorce. He then joined the navy and went off to war (World War 1). My second husband was a drinker, and although we were married quite a while, that one ended as well. But, I met Harold Wilsey and his wife Cleo, and they became very good friends of mine.

After Cleo died, Harold and I just got closer and closer, and finally, in 1971, I got to marry my best friend. We retired and traveled the world together. We were married 25 years, until he passed in 1996. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him.”

As Pauline finished her storytelling, the world shifted, time spun out, and it was once again 2009. Big trucks roared by on Lurline Road, and horses and buggies became shimmering ghosts and slowly faded away.

Pauline Wilsey spends her days exercising her still sharp mind with crossword puzzles and solitaire. She loves watching TV, keeping up with the ever changing world around her by watching the news, and following her beloved sports teams- the Giants, the 49ers, and the Kings. Although she voluntarily surrendered her drivers license at the age of 100, she still gets out of the house frequently, attending church every Sunday, and “going to town” with friends (Yuba City). She has never smoked, other than one time in high school with a boy she was going with, which left her green and gasping and swearing off smoking forever. Not a teetotaler by any means, Pauline enjoys a cocktail now and then, favoring her long time favorite drink of vodka and cranberry. When asked what her secret is for reaching the fine old age of 103, Pauline just shrugs, saying, “I wish I knew.” After pondering a moment, she adds with quiet conviction, and a slow, sweet smile, “I have had a good life, a full life. I have always loved life.”

To be continued……….

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November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

OPINION Special Veterans Edition 2009

Williams pioneer review

Shed for a flag

thank you!

I

O

n November 11th the nation will passed away on Veterans Day, 2001. pause to honor all of our fighting men

Tami Coder Writer & Contributor and women, veterans of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish- American War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Remembering…

Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Enduring Freedom and all conflicts that have spilled Flags, rivers of American blood. That blood is Small and proud, forever immortalized in the wide stripes of Crackling and rippling red running through our flag, Old Glory In the November breeze. itself. We honor the vets who have passed, we honor the vets still living, and we honor Grass, the young men and women still fighting a Fragrant and mown, dangerous game in dangerous lands.

Covering and protecting

Old mounds of sod.

Years ago, when I was 17, (told you it was years ago!), I wrote a poem for Memorial Stones, Day. Although this is, of course, Veterans Large and small, Day, the heart of the poem remains the Worn smooth from the elements, same. I dedicate this brief smattering of Solemn and wise. words to my father, Sgt. Jess D. Turner of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Blood, Team in Korea, who still runs the firing Dark and red, squad every Memorial Day at the Williams Staining old battlefields, personal note: Recently the Colusa Casino Resort cemetery services; and to my late father-in- Shed for a flag. hosted its first concert in the Legends of Music series, law, Sgt. Billy Wayne Coder of Kansas, who featuring the former lead singer for the Platters, Sonny served his country in World War II. Bill May 1980 Turner. I have to admit I was a little skeptical about my expected enjoyment. We, Aaron and I, had a total blast!

Sonny Turner was an unbelievable showman, talented singer, and the orchestra was phenomenal. We were so glad to attend, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The theory behind the Legends in Music Concert series is to help keep music programs alive in our schools and to offer students and teachers a special behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on a musical production. The brainchild of Dr. Keller Coker, Associate Professor of Music at Western Oregon University, and Don Kennedy, Marketing Director for Colusa Casino, it’s an excellent program, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to see everyone in action! ’ll begin by expressing my appreciation to the Sacramento Valley Museum and Patricia Ash for their contributions to this special Veterans Day issue. Thank you, Pat, for your hours of hard work and dedication to offer the readers of the Williams Pioneer Review a look back into Colusa County’s history, not only in this ANDREA MOORE special edition, but in every issue.

Publisher Thank you, members of the Sacramento Valley Museum board and supporters, for keeping Colusa County History alive for everyone to enjoy. It takes a group of special people to volunteer their time and energy in an effort to restore and maintain the historic treasures the museum has to offer. Williams is lucky to have those of you who care enough to do it!

But, most of all, I thank the men and women who have fought valiantly for our country so that we may enjoy the freedom we often take for granted, and we express appreciation to their families for their sacrifice. And thank you to those who continue to serve our country. We would be lost without you.

A

Andrea Moore can be williamspioneerreview.com

reached

at

publisher@

WWW.WILLIAMSPIONEERREVIEW.COM

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Colusa county breast cancer fund The Colusa County breast cancer fund will be holding meetings the second Tuesday of every month at mcNary-moore from 4Pm - 5pm. for more information please contact Sherry burns at (530) 458-2111. ***************************************** Catholic Church of the Annunciation 627 8th Street Williams “Meet & Greet Coffee Club” Every Third Sunday of the Month after 9:30 a.m.

Mass Join us for refreshments and conversation ***************************************** CCEDC community garden.

Plots 4’ x 16’, come and be apart of this great community activity. Grow your own produce! take it ome or sell it at the colusa farmer’s market. contact Lynda Reynolds at 530.458.3028 for any questions email lyndareynolds@ colusaedc.com. ***************************************** WILLIAMS COMMUNITY CENTER ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES Veteran’s Hall - 9th & ‘C’ Street, Williams, Ca. Monday Night BINGO: Everyone Welcome! .

Early Bird Games Begin at 6:30 P.M. Regular Games Begin at 7:00 P.M. Refreshments Available at Reasonable Prices, Home Made Desserts. Just a reminder that in the month of December, there will be NO Bingo! We will see you all in the New Year. Happy Holidays. Game Day: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. There will be no Movie Day the Months of November and December. ***************************************** CELEBRATE RECOVERY meets every Friday night at 6:30 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church (north annex building) at 4th & Jay Streets in Colusa. CELEBRATE RECOVERY is a free program that addresses issues of alcoholism, codependency, drug addiction, and other hurts, habits and hang ups. CELEBRATE RECOVERY is open to anyone who is experiencing pain, brokenness, or just wants support and encouragement. We are an anonymous program. For further information, please call 458-2802. ***************************************** second annual festival of Lights celebration The event will be held December 12th in Williams. ***************************************** make a difference in your community the citizens for a better Williams hold meetings the 4th Thursday of every month beginning at 6:00pm. meetings are held at the Sacramento Valley Museum. everyone is welcome!! ***************************************** Pacific Flyway Quilters The county’s quilt guild. monthly meetings will be held the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Meeting starts at 7:00pm located at the Colusa Masonic Hall 311- 5th street. ***************************************** Home & Business Decorating Contest Show your holiday spirit by participating in a home and business decorating contest. December 5th, between 6pm and 8pm. There is no fee for entering. Pick up your entry form at the Williams City Hall or

CLASSIFIEDS

November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

Special Veterans Edition 2009

Shear Class. ***************************************** Holiday farmers market The Colusa Business & Visitor Center is hosting a Holiday Farmers’ Market (2963 Davison Ct., Colusa--Off Hwy 20) (530-458-5525) November 20th, 2009 from 8 am to 3 pm. We will have Gift Baskets Available- Made up of Locally Grown & Packaged Commodities.Holiday Wreaths, Fresh Baked Breads, Fresh Produce, Eggs, Local Gouda, Cheeses, Cleaning Supplies, Photography & More.

Please Come and Join in our Holiday Fun. ***************************************** Read All about It! Williams Elementary SchoolBook Fair. Come to the Book Fair and support your child’s school! Join us in sharing a love of reading with our students at Williams Elementary Scholastic Book Fair on Tuesday, November 10th and Thursday, November 12thfrom 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.at our school. It is a great way to connect your kids with books they want to read! Parents and family are so influential that we hope you will join us on our quest to encourage young readers. The profits from this event back into our school. We appreciate your dedication to creating lifelong readers. See you at our Book Fair! ***************************************** 14th ANNUAL HOT CAJUN DINNER Saturday, November, 21st, 2009, the Family Water Alliance cordially invites all to join them for the 14th Annual “Hot Cajun Night” Fundraiser Dinner to be held at the Maxwell Veterans’ Hall, 250 Oak Street in Maxwell. This event is held in an effort to raise funds to support FWA’s efforts to continue to protect private property rights and rural agricultural communities.

This annual event is a night of good spirits, food, and fun, featuring a cocktail reception, dinner, raffle, door prizes, and an auction. No host cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. Our famous dinner menu is served at 6:30 p.m., which includes barrel cooked marinated tri-tip, Cajun seafood rice, salad, and cornbread with honey butter. This year’s theme is “A Night on the Red Carpet”.

Tickets are $25 per person. Everyone attending is eligible for the Grand Prize, $1000 Christmas Shopping Cash, donated by Butte Creek Farms, and the First Prize, a Traeger Pellet Grill, donated by Pacific Gas & Electric. Tickets purchased prior to November 7, 2009, are also eligible for the “Early Bird Prize”, a Beretta 3901 Shotgun donated by Kittle’s Outdoor & Sport Company. Must be present to win all door prizes. Come support Family Water Alliance!

REAL ESTATE Exclusive 27.33-acre home site west of Corning with more than 1,275 feet of Thomes Creek frontage.

Ample acreage for a home, barn, stable and more. Access to three county roads.

Magnificent views of Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen and Pacific Cascade Coastal Range. Priced to sell at $120,000. Contact owner at (530) 8482315

FOR SALE Firewood for sale: mixed hardwoods, very dry $100 1/2 cord, $180 full cord call 476-2948 for more information.

Alfalfa hay. by the bale or by the ton. loading & hauling available. located in Williams. please contact dennis at 701-4158

Walnut dry, cut firewood for sale. $25./pickup load. All proceeds benefit the Colusa Co. Yuletide Dinner.

Call Juliann at 4587446

NOW ONLINE WILLIAMS ALUMNI: INTERACTIVE WEBSITE PRIVATE & FREE Make new contact with old classmates and browse the site for class pictures and candid pictures from 1912 to about 1970. New reunion and candid pictures posted continuously.

Sponsored by a Williams gal! Email: sundee@sbcglobal. net NEED TO SELL YOUR CAR OR TRUCK? LIST YOUR VEHICLE IN THE WILLIAMS PIONEER CLASSIFIEDS .

CALL (530) 458-2675

WORK WANTED

No job too small... electrical wiring, fan installation, carpentry, picture hanging, dry wall, light bulb changing, etc.; “honey do” lists done in a flash!

Reasonable rates that are sensitive to today’s economic woes. Call Michael Coder at (530)2308479 for all your handyman needs!

SERVICES ARBORIST & PRUNING Professional and expierenced. I can prune anything.

Still time to prune roses, shrubs, fruit trees, shade trees & top aries. Contact Curtis Pyle Arborist (530) 476-2948

HELP WANTED Spanish Translators wanted. Please send resumes to WPR - 317 Fifth Street. Colusa, CA 95932.

M.C.’s Hammer: “Hire-a-husband”

ADVERTISE WITH US Call (530) 383-4861 Monday through Friday. 9:00AM to 5:00PM. and allow one of our friendly and helpful staff members to help you place your ad or download the classified form from our website williamspioneerreview.com

5

ADVERTISING DEADLINE

We publish twice a month and distribute over 2,100 units per issue. We have conveniently placed our advertising deadlines below. for our next two issues.

PUBLICATION DUE Nov 20...........................Nov 13 Dec 4..............................Nov 27

Advertise in our upcoming Christmas Guide!

Early Bird Special Ends Soon!

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6

November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

Special Veterans Edition 2009

PG&E Offers Storm Preparation Tips for Customers Special to the WPR

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

W

inter storms can be dangerous and damaging if you are unprepared. When the temperature starts to drop, it’s time to think about getting ready.

During a storm, the combination of strong winds and heavy rain could result in trees, tree limbs and other vegetation coming into contact with overhead power lines and interrupting electric service to customers. If customers experience a power outage, they should call PG&E’s outage information line at 1-800-PGE-5002 to report the outage or to get updates on power restoration efforts in their area.

PG&E electric crews and emergency personnel are on alert and ready to respond to outages when they occur.

Through extensive preventative maintenance and an award-winning tree trimming program, PG&E works hard year-round to prepare for and minimize storm-related outages.

Your safety is our first concern. Here are a number of suggestions and tips from PG&E to help our customers before and during a storm: • Have battery-operated radios with fresh batteries ready for updates on storm conditions and power outages.

• Have battery-operated flashlights with fresh batteries on hand.

• Have a cell phone or hard-wire telephone on hand. Cordless phones will not work without electricity.

• PG&E recommends that customers do not use candles because of the risk of fire. If you must use candles, extreme caution is urged. Do not use candles near drapes, under lampshades, or near holiday trees. Keep candles away from

small children, and do not leave candles unattended.

• Fill used liter-size plastic soda bottles with water and place them in the freezer.

During an extended outage, transfer them to the refrigerator to prevent food from spoiling. Open the refrigerator only when necessary, keeping warm air out and cooler air in.

• If you have a generator, call PG&E’s customer service line at 1-800-PGE5000 to let us know. Make sure your generator is installed safely and properly. If it is not, you risk damaging your property and endangering yourself and PG&E line workers who may be working on power lines some distance from your home. Information on the safe installation of generators can be found on our website at www.pge.com/ generator.

• If you see a downed power line, assume it is “live” or carrying electric current.

Do not touch or try to move it – and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines and other electric emergencies immediately by calling 911 or 1-800-743-5002, PG&E’s 24-Hour Emergency and Customer Service Line. During and after a storm, please keep away from flooded areas and downed trees, as these areas could be hiding an energized power line.

• If your power goes out, turn off or even unplug all electric appliances.

Otherwise, when power is restored, several appliances may come back on at once and overload your circuits or hot appliances may come on while you’re away or asleep and pose a fire hazard.

Leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.

4-H Club news

By Mary Marsh

4-H Contributor Arbuckle The Arbuckle 4-H Club held its annual Achievement Night on October 19th to honor members for last years’ many achievements in their projects. Pins and stripes were given to each member for years in 4-H. Awards were given for record books, leadership, livestock judging, public speaking and being skilled in different projects. In 4-H stars represent extensive involvement at all levels.

Bronze stars were awarded to Hilary Brainard, Jessica Croxson, Wyatt Croxson, Molly Doherty, Josh Lohman, Madisyn Lohman and Sarah Marsh. Silver stars were earned by Sarah Driver and Cody Murphy.

Designs were submitted for the T-Shirt Design Contest sponsored by the Leadership group. The winning design will adorn t-shirts and sweatshirts to be sold to raise funds for leadership conferences.

Many members wore pink while conducting a penny drive to benefit breast cancer awareness.

Maxwell October 4 was Achievement Night for the Maxwell 4-H Club. Members were honored for their dedication and success in 4-H projects during the preceding year.

The National 4-H Week window display, depicting how the club will “Meet the Future,” was installed at the Cy Hawkins Insurance Agency.

Participation was sought for the Community Service Clean-Up project, scheduled for the football field after the game on October 23, and members were reminded of the upcoming Christmas Wreath Fund-Raiser, the club’s only fundgenerating project.

Member Bryce Perry reported the progress of his Emerald Star project, Adopt-A-Troop, collecting personal items to be sent to our military personnel. He is also collecting old cell phones for recycling, and with the proceeds purchasing pre-paid calling cards for distribution to the troops. More information may be obtained from Bryce at 438-2589.

Williams pioneer review

November trainings help local nonprofits survive

C

hico, California (October 19, 2009) – Local nonprofit leaders have the opportunity to participate in two trainings in October provided by the Nonprofit Leadership Institute, a program of North Valley Community Foundation.

On Tuesday, November 3, the topic will be “Grassroots Fundraising Practices – Doing More With Less” On Monday, November 16, the topic will be “Keys to Community Relations – Maximizing customer service & volunteerism.”

The instructor for the November 3 session will be Laura Cootsona, consultant to nonprofit organizations and Director of the Nonprofit Leadership Institute. The instructor for the November 16 session will be Roseanna Galindo-Kuhn, Director of Volunteer Services at Enloe Hospital.

Both of these classes will help nonprofits to respond to the current economic difficulties. Board members and executive staff of nonprofits won't want to miss these trainings. The full day Grassroots Fundraising class on November 3 guarantees a good overview of what is needed to begin or continue to raise money for your cause. This class is suited for the executive director, fundraising staff, chair of

the fundraising committee, board members or for those thinking of making a career in a nonprofit.

With revenues declining, this class can help nonprofits maximize their fundraising effectiveness.

The half day session on Community Relations emphasizes the importance of a positive experience for anyone interacting with a nonprofit organization. Satisfaction is the basis for developing organizational capacity by making the most of the customer and volunteer experience.

Any organization depending upon public interaction and volunteers can benefit from this class. This is especially important during the current economic downturn, as public support and volunteers become a more valuable asset.

Both trainings are in Chico, at the Training Placeon the Chico Campus of Butte Community College, 2320 Forest Avenue. The half day training on November 16 takes place from 8:30AM-12:30PM and costs $60 per person. The full day training on November 3 will be from 9:00AM-4:30PM and costs $100. For further details and registration, contact NVCF at 8911150 or register online at www.nvcf. org. Reservations should be made in advance, as registration is limited.

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Special Veterans Edition 2009

Lady Jr. Jacket New Businesses Jamboree Kicks Despite Economic Slump Off Round Ball By ELIZABETH KALFSBEEK it’s a new business. It’s slow right now.”

Writer & Contributor Season

By TAMI CODER Writer & Contributor

A

lthough county high schools are still deep in football and volleyball season, Williams Junior High gets ready to start its basketball program with the Second Annual Lady Jr. Jacket Jamboree. Slated for November 14, this countywide girls’ tournament gets underway at 9:00 a.m. at the Williams High School gym.

Eight teams have been invited to the tournament, with 7thand 8th-grade teams from Maxwell, Colusa(Egling), and Arbuckle( Johnson), joining teams from the host school, Williams Jr. High. A nominal admission will be charged, $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children under the age of 12. Coaches and players may enter free of charge, but players must be in uniform. A snack bar will be available throughout the day.

The emphasis for this tournament is fun and participation, with each team playing twice during the day.

Players, coaches, and spectators alike are encouraged to show good manners and sportsmanship. Any player or spectator becoming irate or hostile will be asked to leave the gym, with the possibility of being escorted off school property.

Egling and Maxwell 7th-grade teams will start the day facing off at 9 a.m., followed by the 8th- grade teams of the same schools at 10 a.m.. Williams and Johnson 7th graders will play at 11 a.m., followed by their 8th-grade counterparts at noon. Playoffs will continue through the afternoon, with the 7th-grade championship game at 3 p.m., and the 8th-grade final game at 4 p.m..

So, come out for a Saturday full of competition and fun, cheering for your favorite team and supporting the young female athletes of Colusa County.

I

n a time of economic turmoil and uncertainty, it seems Colusa County, which has seen the highest unemployment rate in the state more than once, is enjoying an economic boom. At least eight businesses have opened in the county within the last year. While some are having more success than others, knowing what’s open now is another way to remind the community to think local.

Fastenal, an industrial and construction supply company, opened in May in Williams. Previously, Fastenal had no stores from Red Bluff to Woodland on the Interstate 5 corridor, and the central location of Williams made the most sense.

“There is a lot of projected growth over the next five to ten years in this area, and we are reaching untapped markets for our company,” says Zed Vigil, manager.

“We’re like the WalMart of Williams for industrial and construction customers,” says Fastenal employee Ryan Jackson.

“Our location makes it easier for our customers who don’t want to travel to our locations in Yuba City or Chico, or the Wal-Mart in Willows.

We’re surrounded by a lot of small agricultural businesses. There’s a lot going on in Williams.

It’s a nice, small town – a perfect spot.”

According to Vigil, business is “excellent” since opening. “(Business has) met and exceeded our expectations,” Vigil says.

“We’re very impressed and excited. There’s definitely a lot of buzz.”

Just down the street, Aly’s Furniture opened in late August. Owner Angel Bribiesca worked as a furniture delivery person, but, with the economy, work had slowed tremendously. “It’s the only way I could get a job right now,” Bribiesca says about using his savings to open his own furniture store. “(Business) is not really good right now, but

Granzella’s added a Gift Shop to its business empire of restaurant, deli and inn just over a year ago. “After the fire (in 2007), we moved our deli across the street in a temporary location,” said Granzella’s co-owner Tami Jenkins. “After (the restaurant and deli) reopened, we owned this building and had talked about opening a gift shop for years. The opportunity presented itself and we’ve been very fortunate.”

Granzella’s Gift Shop has a large gourmet selection, including Granzella’s label olives, jams and preserves, oils and vinegars, sauces and other speciality items.

Other store items include Italian pottery, home décor, gardening gifts, spa items, crystal and china, jewelry and more. “So far we have been really fortunate,” Jenkins says of the success of the gift shop. “It’s turned out to be a great thing.”

Garrison’s Army Navy Surplus re-opened the beginning on June, renamed Garrison’s Vestiges and the King’s Ransom. Shop curator Pamm Garrison Stadick co-owns the store with her sisters, Cricket Razo and Belinda Titus.

The shop has “vintage” and “gift re-sell” items for sale, as well as new, unique gifts, all at affordable prices. Currently, only 500 of the 1,500 square feet of the store is open. Stadick hopes to eventually revitalize the entire building, including the four apartments upstairs.

Lifelong Colusa resident Blanca Dahlstrom and her husband Michael opened Sew N Things in Colusa the end of June. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Dahlstrom says. “I was given the opportunity to do it and I did it.” Sew N Things sells sewing machines, fabric and everything needed to quilt.

Dahlstrom is a certified Viking/Husqvarna sewing machine dealer, and the shop provides machine service and repair on all makes and models.

November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

Open in County According to Dahlstrom, business has been going well, and the community has been supportive. “(The community) is happy to see a new quilt shop,” Dahlstrom says. “Everyday a new customer comes in and is grateful I’m here, which is a good thing.”

Dahlstrom offers project classes (tote bags, pillow cases, etc.) once or twice per month. She plans to offer sewing and quilting classes in the future.

After a closure of at least five years, Quest Diagnostics re-opened in August in Colusa. “Our prices are competitive and we are able to offer our patients a lower rate because of the size of the business,” says Debbie Kellogg, phlebotomist.

“The doctors asked us to come back.” Quest Diagnostics is a patient service center that draws patients’ blood according to doctors’ requisitions.

Analysis of the blood is sent to the main office in Sacramento via courier.

“It’s been a little slow,” Kellogg says of the pace of business. “It takes a little while to catch up. A lot of people don’t know we’re here.”

Carolyn and Tim Hulbert, both thirdgeneration Colusa residents, opened Red’s Cookhouse in March. The couple previously owned Hog Heaven Restaurant and Catering, and, after a 10-year sabbatical, decided to get back in the business.

“We missed the business and we missed working together,” says Carolyn.

“We like working with the public and cooking and serving food, which is only about one percent of the restaurant business,” she jokes. Despite the possible superstitious ramifications of opening on Friday, March 13, Hulbert said business is steady. As of July the couple now offer catering services. Tim Hulbert is best known for his smoked barbecue ribs, tri-tip and pork sandwiches.

Dollar Plus opened in Colusa the beginning of July. “I figured the town needed something that would allow them to have

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more purchasing power,” says owner Jack Barrett.

“I had a vacancy in my building and decided to make a go of it.” Dollar Plus has more than 2,000 items, including a large supply of essential party supply items. It is a onestop shop for birthdays, weddings, showers and other special occasions. “(Business) is progressively growing every month,” Barrett says. “There’s not a lot of money for advertising because we put it into inventory, so a lot of our business comes from word-of-mouth.”

Business Directory: Colusa: • Dollar Plus: 210 6th St.; 458-7717 Open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

• Quest Diagnostics: 1025 Bridge St.; 4587676 Open 7:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday • Red’s Cookhouse: 627 Market St.; 458-7337 Open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday • Sew N Things: 661 Main St.; 4584474 Open Monday through Saturday Williams: • Aly’s Furniture: 527 7th St.; 473-5710 Open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday • Fastenal: 534 7th St.; 473-2220; www. fastenal.com Open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday • Garrison’s Vestiges and the King’s Ransom: 611 E St. Open seven days per week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Granzella’s Gift Shop: 464 6th St.; 473-5244; www.granzellas.com Open seven days per week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

Special Veterans Edition 2009

“Culture Change” At Valley West Care Center

café-style dining program has been just one of the changes made. It has been a huge success and has received positive feedback from the facility residents as well as family members.

The center has also implemented consistent staffing assignments to promote closer relationships among residents and staff.

Also new are activity or household/taskoriented boxes which focus on Alzheimer’s residents who may wander or are agitated.

Williams Elementary students have a frightfully good Culture change may require adjustments time at the Valley West haunted house. (Courtesy of to organizational activities, physical Tami Coder) environments, and relationships at all levels, ith a new national “culture-change” leading to better outcomes movement for nursing homes, for consumers and direct-care staff without Valley West Care Center is making subtle inflicting detrimental costs on providers. adjustments to promote a more persondirected home-like environment for the residents of the facility. A new Hollywood

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world pro wrestling in colusa

By ELIZABETH KALFSBEEK

Writer & Contributor

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orld Pro Wrestling is gearing up for its fourth event at Colusa Casino Resort slated for 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 20. It will be the biggest pro wrestling affair to date.

Headlining the show will be five-time heavy weight world champion Diamond Dallas Page, who has been seen in more than 10,000 plus venues, television and WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).

For the first time he will be wrestling in Colusa Casino’s more intimate surroundings, allowing fans an up-close and personal experience.

“Diamond Dallas Page will definitely be there,” said “Golden Boy” Jerry Grey, World Pro Wrestling coowner and wrestler with more than 28 years experience.

“Fans will get to see him in a way they’ve never seen him before.”

Doors will open at 7:00

p.m., and guests will be able to meet Diamond Dallas Page and the other wrestlers, take pictures with their favorites and ask for autographs before the show begins at 8:00. The wrestlers will also be available after the show to meet fans.

Diamond Dallas Page will be partnering with Honky Tonk Man, known as the world’s greatest intercontinental champion of all time. He still makes frequent appearances on WWE. The pair will be tag-teaming against current World Tag Team champions LaPark and Doink the Clown, in an effort to take the title.

Another highlight of the show will be the first-ever World’s Strongest Midget competition, starring Pit Bull, a little person with big muscles,who will be wrestling against a mystery six-foot, 250-pound competitor.

There will be six matches in all, with wrestlers Diamond Dallas Page,

Honky Tonk Man, LaPark, Doink the Clown, Pit Bull, former WWE road warrior Heinrich, Golden Boy, legend Santana and more in attendance.

“Wrestling nowadays is a lot of hype on television,” said Grey. “Out of a two-hour show, there’s maybe 30 to 40 minutes of wrestling. People are getting tired of that, from what fans are telling me. They love what we do.”

World Pro Wrestling, which puts on a minimum of 100 shows per year worldwide, is a believer in the ways of “old school” wrestling, where there is more hard core action and less talking or flexing muscles. “(Our shows) are mainly action, and people are sore at the end,” Grey said. “Fans will get more of what they come to see; wrestling, not talking.”

For more information or to get tickets visit www. colusacasino.com, or call 458-8844.

first christian church celebrates 140 years (Staff Photo) On November 1, members of the Colusa Historical Society and the First Christian Church (725 Jay Street in Colusa) came together to celebrate the Church’s 140th Anniversary with a special plaque donated

by Frank Davison.There will be an historical commemoration at the Colusa Court House Gazebo on November 15 at 12:30 p.m. Festivities will include special guests, music and refreshments following at the church.

Williams pioneer review

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Special Veterans Edition 2009

Study habits pay off at Arbuckle Elementary

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ducator Donna Green of Arbuckle takes a break from preparing for her upcoming Scholarship Workshop for high school seniors to demonstrate to a much younger audience that successful study habits can pay off in the end. Using dominoes and monopoly money, Green demonstrated how a history of good grades, attendance, leadership development and involvement in youth organizations such as 4-H, FFA, FBLA, music programs and athletics, can lead to a well rounded graduate most likely to win scholarship support. The young elementary students in the picture have already started that journey to success by qualifying for the Gifted and Talented Education (G.A.T.E. ) program at Arbuckle Elementary School.

On November 16th, Green will repeat her message on how to successfully navigate the Scholarship application process during a countywide Scholarship Workshop sponsored by the UC Cooperative Extension Office/4-H Council. The event is a one time only opportunity, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM in the 4-H conference room at 100 Sunrise Blvd. in Colusa. Green notes that directions to the workshop are included on all the registration forms. The workshop is open to ALL seniors in the county, not just those involved with 4-H. Each area high school has been notified, given posters to advertise the event and registration forms are currently located in each counseling office throughout the county. Green is a selfproclaimed “Scholarship Junkie”--- and has turned her hobby into a service to seniors and their families statewide. The cost of the workshop is $15, which pays for the materials participants will use to develop their own scholarship system during the event. Students also receive handouts, examples of application materials and planning guides, not to mention raffle prizes. For more information, interested parties are encouraged to check first with their local high school counseling office or contact the 4-H office at 458-0579.

November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

9

Villanueva wins in Roseville

At a recent fight in Roseville, nine year old Diego Villanueva-weighing in at 62 pounds, kicked off his amateur boxing career.

Diego scored a knock down in the first round with a perfect right hook. Great Job Diego!! (Photo Courtesy of Merced Corona)

The Lady Crusaders Capture Third

On October 23-24, St. Isadore’s School in Yuba City hosted a seven team volleyball tournament for the Small School’s Athletic League. Our Lady of Lourdes seventh and eighth grade Lady Crusaders volleyball team won their first round match against Twin Rivers with only four players. They played their second round match against Nuestro with five players, but lost in a tie breaker. The LC played against Grace Christian Academy for third place and won in two straight games.

Pictured left to right: Kendra Hester, Emily Corriea, Emma Tullis, Coral Imhoff, and Ashley Ornbaun. Not pictured: Ximena Moreno. (Courtesy Photo)

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November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

Special Veterans Edition 2009

Williams pioneer review

think pink october was a success

(Staff Photo) The Breast Cancer Awareness Car was driven by Donna Phelan (the winner of the raffle was Jennie Green who chose Phelan to drive in her stead) in the recent Fire Fighter’s Demolition Derby. The car and dozens of hours of mechanical labor were donated by Bruce and BJ Wilkerson. The Wilkersons also acted as the pit crew the night of the derby. The tires were donated by Les Schwab Tire Center of Colusa and the paint detail work was donated by Selover’s, and the ribbon detail was donated by North Valley Signworks. Realtor turned derby car driver. “I was honored to risk my life, my and pride for a great cause,” laughed Donna Phelan, Realtor turned derby car driver “I now have the derby bug.”

(Staff Photo) Let the walk begin. Approximately 100 people walked for the cause; each sharing a memory or supporting the fight of a loved one.

1108 Market Street - Colusa, CA

(530) 458-3803

(Staff Photo) Left to right: Angie Roy, Mary Burleson, Eva Meraz-Robey (who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer) and her daughter, Jessica Hernandez.

(Staff Photo) BJ Wilkerson, Bruce Wilkerson, Donna Phelan and the Colusa County Breast Cancer Fund Coordinator Sherri Burns, take a moment to pose after a successfull heat.

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Special Veterans Edition 2009

November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

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remembering our veterans Courtesy of the Sacramento Valley Museum

Contributor’s note On behalf of the Sacramento Valley Museum and myself, it has been a profound honor to bring the following news stories to you, the readers of the Williams Pioneer Review.

It is our goal that stories such as these are protected and passed on for future generations and that none of “Our Boys” will ever be forgotten.

It is only with contributions of stories, photos and letters of your ancestors can this goal be assured. Soon we will be adding a special room dedicated to local men and women who have served our country.

To those of you who would like to contribute either copies or originals to add to our collection of early Colusa County history please notify the Sacramento Valley Museum.

Patricia Ash-Contributor ______________________ Williams Farmer May 25, 1917.

To All Whom It May Concern: Every male person between the ages of 21 and 30, inclusive, whether citizen or alien, must register in the precinct where his permanent home is located on Tuesday, June 5,1917, for military service. Neither sickness, absence, physical disability, public office or anything else, except the fact that the man is in active military service of the United States, is a ground for exemption.

Failure to register is subject to heavy penalty involving jail sentence. The duty of registration rests with the individual, and it is not the duty of the registration officers to look him up and register him. ______________________ Williams Farmer, September 14, 1917.

Over 500 Soldiers To Eat Here September 22!

On Saturday evening, September 22nd, there will be 541 of Uncle Sam’s soldier boys here for their evening meal. Word was

received here on Wednesday by the Red Cross Society and Civic Club asking that arrangements be made to feed these boys. They are to be en route for the training camp at American Lake and are expected to arrive here about 5 p.m. The ladies of the Civic Club and the local Red Cross Auxiliary are now starting arrangements to have everything in readiness for a big barbeque supper for the boys in khaki. ______________________ Williams Farmer September 28, 1917 Colusa County Boys “Leave” With a big crowd of friends and relatives waving them God-speed and best wishes, the second unit of the Colusa County quota of drafted men departed from Williams on the noon train Monday. They joined some 45 of the drafted men from Yolo County, who arrived here on the same train and all eat dinner here at the hotel. W.A. Vann, President of the local exemption board, appointed Harry Guy Manor, a local man to take charge of the local boys. After the roll had been called it was found that two were absent, another was given permission to remain over and a substitute to take their places. Almost at the last moment another place was vacant and W.A. Vann stated that a substitute was needed and Elmer Hildreth, who was present, stepped briskly forward and stated that he was ready to go, and receiving permission, boarded the train with the rest. ______________________ Williams Farmer October 3, 1917 Williams To Feed Another 1,000 This coming Saturday and Sunday evening Williams will be host to another 1,000 of Uncle Sam’s big draft

army. Word was received here on last Friday that this town was wanted to duplicate the success of a week ago.

At first many of the local people thought that some of our neighboring towns should have this allotment to feed, but the government and the railroad insisted that if it were possible they would rather have Williams do the honors as it made the stops for the trains come at the right time and the government was so well pleased with the satisfaction of the men here before.

Mr. Fouch, secretary of the committee, in explaining why this bunch is to be fed here stated that the S.P. officials called up on the telephone and stated to him that unless the people of Williams absolutely refused to feed the liberty boys, no other town would be chosen, as the town of Williams had shown such good hospitality. Under the circumstances, Williams could not refuse. A meeting was held at the Airdome on Friday night and the people decided that the same committee should again have charge of the event.

They expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the feed was handled here on the 22nd and 23rd. Those in charge of the big feed will be W. G. Carpenter, chairman, J.F. Fouch, secretary, H.W. Manor, E.A. Blevins, Mrs. S.S. Eakle, Mrs. W.L. Tedford, and Mrs. C.K. Sweet. It was decided that proceeds from the barbeque go into the fund of the cemetery association.

Stamped post cards will again be handed to each man present, as well as a box of cigarettes. H.C. Stovall has donated two big beef and G.A.Ware has given one sack of beans. W.B. Brown will give the same amount of grapes again and a number of ladies have offered to

Show your support of our Veterans and the Traveling Veterans Wall by lining Hwy 20 as the display comes into town. Tuesday, November 10th 10:30-11:30 a.m.

By Cheri White

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is coming to the Colusa Casino Community Center November 1016, 2009. As a show of respect and support for our Veterans and the display being in our community, we are asking that residents grab a flag and line Hwy 20 as the AVTT travels from Williams to Colusa on November 10th. Flags will be available at Memorial Park, Market & 10th Street in Colusa and Redinger Park located at 9th and F. Street in Williams.

Please stay as far off the road surface as possible, we want this to be a safe and memorable experience for everyone. Keep the vehicle between you and the road, pull off and back on safely and continue in the direction of traffic.

Information Courtesy of Cheri White, Economic Outreach Services For a full listing of Veterans tribute events please visit our website at www.williamspioneerreview.com

bake cakes. There will be many cakes needed for this feed. ______________________ [Contributor’s note: This article and the one following are in reference to the trains that carried men to Camp Lewis (to be designated later as Fort Lewis), Washington, for training in WWI. In all, Williams fed almost 2,000 soldiers, all by volunteer citizens.] ______________________ Williams Farmer October 3, 1917 And Williams Completely Won Their Hearts The following is taken from a long article written for the Newman Index (Stanislaus County) by one of the San Joaquin Valley boys who passed through here with the liberty boys on the 22nd: The place that will always have a special little warm spot in the boys’ hearts though, is the town of Williams in the Sacramento Valley. We stopped there for the first meal Saturday night and the whole county was there to receive us. Three rows of tables, each a block long, were laid on the main street and a band played while the boys were stuffed so full that they could hardly walk back to the train. It was not only good food ---other towns have given us that--- but the (Courtesy of the Sacramento Valley Museum) 1918-The open-handed hospitality that won the fellows completely, Citizens of Williams with a population of 500 fed soldiers and no other place has quite that stoppped in Williams on their way to Fort Lewis reached the same mark since.

Washington. They fed 2,000 Soldiers total. ______________________

Williams Farmer December, 1917.

Taken from the Colusa Sun. Editor Sun: Lieutenant Grimshaw, acting captain of our company has requested me to write you stating that he is trying to make it a Merry Christmas for the boys of his company at Fort Lewis. There are many Colusa and Woodland boys in the company and these two towns are being asked to look out for the soldiers this Christmas when everything is cold and dreary. It is the first Christmas away from home and the captain thought that perhaps some lodge of your city would gather up what they could; maybe some warm clothing or knitted goods to us over this winter. Hundreds of men have their death of cold for lack of clothing. If individual gifts cannot be sent to the men a community box to the captain would be more than acceptable. I am writing at his request and you may be sure it’s hard for us to have to ask this season.

Eddie Reid ______________________ Colusa Boys Not Bound For France Soon.

A letter from Grover Wallace of this place, to his mother here, states that nearly all of his company are in quarantine owing to some disease of the eyes affecting some of the men at Camp Lewis. He states that both he and Warren Tallman, another local boy,

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November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

are in the light artillery and as far as he can ascertain there is very little likelihood of any of the Colusa boys being sent to the front in France, at least for another six months. ______________________ July 5, 1918 First Colusa County Boy To Die On Battlefield A telegram was received Monday from Washington announcing the death in France of Henry V. Traynham of College City.

Young Traynham went out from Colusa County last autumn with a draft contingent for Camp Lewis, but had been in France for several months. He was the nephew of H.V.Traynham, Sr. of College City, where he had made his home since coming to California from North Carolina about six years ago. ______________________ Williams Farmer August 30, 1918 Harry Harlan writes from “over there” that they have been eating bread made out of Williams flour, and it sure was a treat for them. ______________________ Grover Wallace sends letter from France! [This is an excerpt of the original letter.

Grover and “Bunk” were brothers] Dear Mr. Fouch, Got your welcome letter today and was sure glad to hear from you. For it’s the second letter I received for the Great Old U.S.A. You spoke about the boys in the next draft-the ones over here are sure doing their part.

The only one I got to see was Bunk and I have seen him four times since the 12th of May; he had only been one mile from me so you can see how well we keep under cover. The last time I got to see him was last night and he was looking fine and dandy; I had not seen him for three weeks and from what I saw, I was beginning to think I would never see him again, but I happened to see a body of troops coming out of the woods so I ran over and it happened to be the company he belonged to. He was sure glad to see me and I was certainly glad to see him. I did not see the rest of the boys-Paul (Franke) Harry (Harlan) and Elmer (Holdson) but I hear from them often.

Well, dear friends, I hope everybody is as well as this finds the two Wallace boys at this time. Hope that all the farmers have their crops harvested. If I had a machine over here we could harvest lots of grain that the French planted and the Huns took away, and we are going over those same fields every day.

Special Veterans Edition 2009

Well, Mr. Fouch, I thank you for your letter. I will close for it is getting dark and a light means your grave, so will say good-bye with best wishes to Mrs. Fouch and all my dear friends in the little town of Williams.

Your Friend, Grover Wallace Battery, 101 U.S.F.A. Am.E.F. France ______________________ Williams Farmer September 13, 1918 Walks Five Miles To Register T.J. Jeffries, who lives on the P.L. Jefferies ranch east of the Central School house, walked over five miles in the rain on Thursday to get to the register’s office at Williams to register for the selective draft. Owing to anthrax, the dreaded disease now so prevalent in this section, he could not take a horse from the ranch and was unable to make connection with an automobile. ______________________ Williams Farmer October 11,1918 Mrs. Anna Danley of Maxwell has been officially notified of the death of her son, Vernon J. Danley in action in France. Two older brothers are also in the service in France. It was but recently that Mrs. Danley was expressing to a Williams friend, for the safety of Vernon, who was the youngest of her ten sons.

Colusa County is proud of such a mother and in her affliction she has the tenderest sympathy of all. ______________________ Williams Farmer December 13, 1918 Elmer Price And His Smoking Cook Stove A Hun’s Machine Gun Target [letter in part] My Dearest Sister- Received your most welcome letter some time ago so will try and drop you a few lines to let the big sister know that her long legged brother still has his health. Now sis, I will give you an idea of what a person has to contend with. Under in condition don’t jump for nursing over here. One in the family is enough to worry the old folks at one time. Use a little judgment. Now I will tell you just what I have to do over here. I cook for the colonel and his staff of nine officers, and when our boys go in I get a cart and a small stove and go right up behind the first line, not in rifle range but between that and artillery fire, with shells whistling over my head, and, believe me sis, it is not very pleasant, especially when Fritz sees your smoke and gets the idea that something is in there.

Well, the morning of the third, the boys went over the top. Of course I loaded up and went too. The square heads got next to us and I being so darn long legged, had a long ways to fall to hit the dirt. One thing about these big shells, you can hear them coming.

They sing a nice little songzis-siz-zis-bow! And when you hear that “zis” you want to hit the ground, and get darn close. And I can do that, or I have so far.

I was riding on the side of an ambulance, talking to a guy when the first one hit about 250 feet from us. I just stooped down and a piece of shrapnel the size of my hand tore a hole two feet long in the ambulance. All jokes aside, when the next one hit I was sure on my belly, and flat at that. I had to plow up the grounds eight times before the devil changed his range. We have been on the go the last three months. My division is known as shock troops. They use us when it is a tough job.

We have been the length of the western front, hitting in several different sectors. We get about three or four days rest and then start all over again, sleeping in mud one night, some burned out house or barn the next, or standing up sleeping, or not sleeping at all. Walk!!! I have never walked so much in all my life.

When we are not walking we are in box cars half the size of ours with 40 men in the darned things. They can talk about France. I have seen enough.

Belgium is little better, so we are sure up against a tough lot.

What does it amount to, after all? I had just as soon miss it all. Give me California, my liberty and I am satisfied.

Army-life is a joy killer-takes the joy out of life everyday.

Write me with all the news.

Lots of love from Big Brother Cook Elmer T. Price 364 Inf., 91 Div. Supply Co ______________________ Local Boy Receives Sargeant’s Stripes Guy Manor, the Williams boy who left here with the last unit of Colusa County draft men, has been made a sergeant in his company at Camp Lewis. In letters to friends here he speaks very enthusiastically of the camp and their work there. ______________________ Williams Farmer December 13, 1918 My Dear SisterWell, this is the first time I have had a chance to write to you since the 26th of September, as that is the morning we went over the top. We had quite an exciting time, as we were all green about the ways of war, but believe me, it didn’t take us long to get on to them. I

was lucky, for I went through eight days and nine nights without a scratch, although I saw quite a few of the boys get “knocked off” and not a few get badly crippled. Some of them may die and others may not, but even if they do not they will be in their own.

I tell you I saw some terrible sights on that little journey.

At one time I was standing twenty feet from where two boys were lying in a shell hole when the Germans sent one of their big shells loaded with pieces of iron. This shell lit right on top of those boys and in one-quarter of a minute you couldn’t find a piece of either of them as big as your hat. We took our places in the front line trench at midnight on Sept. 26, and at 1 o’clock out artillery began on the Germans and at 6 a.m. the infantry started over the top, and believe me, there was a scared lot of boys that morning, but they held their heads pretty well and fought like a bunch of veterans. The first two hours the Huns put up a pretty hard fight and then we got them on the run, and sure did keep them going all that day, driving them back about five miles. When night came we lay down and slept all night, and next morning started at them again and did the same thing. About the only way they fight is with artillery and machine guns, but at times they put up a pretty hard scrap at that. We were on the front line eight days and nine nights, and say, we were all so tired when we came off we could hardly move, and now we are at a rest camp, and the way things look we will never see the front again. I have had all the front lines I want and I feel that I have “done my bit” towards making the world a fit place to live in.

I have not seen Warren(Tallman) nor Roy (Steckter) since we came across and have heard from Warren but once.With Love, Corp. Lilliburn Tallman-Co. H,364th Inf. A.E. ______________________ Williams Farmer April 20, 1928 E.S. Merry, one of the 53 survivors of the “Lost Battalion,” gave an interesting account of the experiences of the battalion at the Tuesday meeting of the Kiwanis Club. Merry had drawn from memory the positions of the French, American, and German troops and explained the actions for the six-day battle that finally brought relief to the battalion that was cut off from food and contact with the main force. Many questions were answered

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regarding smaller details that were not asked Colonel Holderman when he gave his local address. ______________________ [Contributor’s note: I found this blip about E.S. Merry, known to all of us as Ernie. I remember this man sitting on the window ledge of the Williams Meat Market when I would walk home from school. He wore striped bib overalls and a gray fedora scrunched down over his shock of white hair.

One day I made mention of “that funny old man” to my mother, and she, in no uncertain terms, made it clear that I was never to speak ill of him again. It wasn’t until years later that I learned his story.

Ernie was quiet and unassuming, and the fact that he was a war hero went unnoticed by most.

What he saw and what he went through can only be imagined. You see, Ernie was a member of the Lost Battalion.

On October 2, 1918, units of the 77th “Liberty Division” from New York, advanced in the dense terrain of the Argonne Forest in France. Trapped behind enemy lines, history was made over the next six days as this unit refused to surrender even though they were completely surrounded, had no food, access to shelter, and limited access to water and were shelled by friendly fire as well. Of the over 700 hundred men first trapped in the “pocket,” less than 200 walked out. They received three Congressional Medals of Honor, and many Distinguished Service Crosses along with other awards. Two airmen were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for trying to make the first air supply drop in history, and communication was made by carrier pigeon. I have been told that Ernie was mentioned in a book written about the battle, and he once addressed the local high school. He was a member of the audience at the fire hall when an officer from that battalion was a guest speaker. The speaker looked out into the audience and recognized Ernie.

It’s stories like these, of a quiet man who was truly a hero, that have me spellbound. If you can help in my effort to help recognize the small town hero, please contact me. I would love to add it to my patchwork of memories.] ______________________ Williams Farmer, 1919.

Austin George Returns

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Home From Overseas Service. Williams Boy Arrives in New York on the Same Ship as General Pershing!

A telegram received Monday

by Mr. and Mrs. C.H. George announced the safe arrival of their son Austin in New York Sept. 8 on the Leviathan after thirteen months overseas service.

Austin was one of the first Williams boys to enlist in the great world war and is the last to return home. After the armistice was signed, he was near Coblinz with the Army of Occupation until the first week of May, when his company was transferred to the Composite regiment.

There he remained until he sailed for home. He sailed for home on the steamship Leviathan on which General Pershing also returned, after two and a half years at the head of the United States Army in France. It will be with great joy that Austin will be welcomed home by his many friends of Williams. ______________________ Williams Farmer, September 19, 1919. Williams Boy Home From Overseas Duty Crossed Ocean Eleven Times Serving the United States.

Charles F. Peters, who enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 12, 1917, received his discharge September 12, 1919 in Vallejo. He is now home with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Ben Peters. During his enlistment he crossed the ocean eleven times and served on three different vessels. The last one a mine loading vessel, which alone dropped 5,600 mines. So we know that Charlie had some service and we are glad to see him home again. ______________________ Williams Farmer, May17, 1940.

Last Civil War Veteran Is Called Colusa County’s last surviving veteran of the war between the states died Saturday, only a few hours after Glenn County’s last veteran, M. J. Cheatham of Orland, had passed on.

Both had been Confederate cavalrymen.

John L. Jackson was 91 at the time of his death Saturday in Colusa. A native of Missouri, he had come to Colusa after the war. In the early 1870s he had managed Colusa’s thriving river freight business for years and had been county treasurer in 1886. He founded a prominent Colusa County family. ______________________ Williams Farmer, September

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E. S. Merry Invited to “Lost Battalion” Banquet In New York E. S. Merry has recently received an invitation to a banquet to be held in New York on September 28th, when a reunion will be enjoyed in honor of the survivors of the famous Lost Battalion of September 1918 during the World War. Mr. Merry is a member of that notable battalion. The feature of that banquet and reunion will be the decoration with medals of all the boys present, a recognition which has taken twenty three years to attain.

While Mr. Merry will be unable to attend, he has high hopes of receiving the much-coveted and merited medal. ______________________ Williams Farmer, September 11, 1942.

Hundreds of sorrowing friends from all sections of the Sacramento Valley paid final and fitting tribute to the memory of Captain Jack Nissen who met tragic death Sept. 2 in a mid-air collision of an Army and Navy training plane off Coronado Beach.

Impressive and beautiful were the services conducted for this splendid American youth, the first to give his life in the line of duty while serving in the armed forces. Pall bearers included Vernie Engrahm, Charles Myers Jr., Fernand Smith, Bud Price, Kenneth Zumwalt, and Dr. Albert Worsley. ______________________

transferred several months ago. Mrs. Bailey received word from her son recently, and at that time, he could not state his position, but said he as a long way from the Hawaiian Islands. Yvon had been in the Army for about two years. He was married in Honolulu early this year, his wife later returning to San Diego to live. Mrs. Bailey, who has had more than her share of suffering, has the sympathy of her many friends in Arbuckle. In World War I Mrs. Bailey lived in AlsaceLorraine district, which was heavily attacked by the Germans. The family home was laid to ruins. It was in France that she married A.H. (Bill) Bailey, who was with the A.E.F. After the war they returned to the United States and settled in Arbuckle district where they raised a family.

Mr. Bailey, before passing, conducted a store in Arbuckle, and was also at one time manager of the Shell Oil Company in Arbuckle and Williams districts.

Early in World War II, Mrs. Bailey’s mother and brother again found themselves in a zone heavily attacked by the Germans. Her brothers were captured and are now in a German concentration camp. ______________________ Williams Farmer, October 12, 1942.

Soldier Glad To Hear From Brother In Japanese Prison Camp [in part] Dear Mother, I received your most welcome

(Courtesy of the Sacramento Valley Museum) “Victory Boys” Circa 1918. Camp Lewis Washington. Top Row: Henry Holson, Fred Smart, Henry Cauzza, Slim Dunning, John Smart, Louis Highstreet, Floyd Sites. Bottom Row: John Hall, Al Hasting, Gilbert Allen, Vernon Inghram, Edgar Boyd, Chester Taylor, Hugh Clark.

Williams Farmer, September 25, 1942.

Yvon Bailey Missing In Action Arbuckle.

Mrs. Yvonne Bailey received a telegram Wednesday from her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Yvon Bailey in San Diego, that Yvon, her son, is missing in action.

Bailey was stationed at Pearl Harbor for sometime, but was

letter also the home town paper with Cecil’s photo and letter in it from the prison camp. I certainly was glad to hear from him. I have been thinking a lot about him lately these dark nights. Thinking how little I have been able to help free him for the camp, after leaving my babies just to try and help him. It seems as my year of service has been wasted altogether and I am

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so disappointed in England.

You could never guess what it is really like without seeing it. Our impression of the back-woods of Arkansas is a credit to what I’ve seen of this country. Well, Mom, will close.

From a loving son to a sweet loving mother, Sgt. George Irwin.

Editor: Good luck, George, and may your efforts to free your brother bring success in the near future. God bless you and keep your chin up, is the word from your many friends in the Williams community. ______________________ Williams Farmer March 26, 1943.

To the EditorThree months ago I sailed through the Golden Gate out into the Pacific, to where, I did not know. I knew only one thing and that was that I would be able to visualize that beautiful scene for a long time to come and that on the day that I sailed toward that same scene again, it would be far more beautiful. Tonight, as I write this letter out here in the Pacific, I can still see those towering legs of the Golden Gate Bridge and only wish that the vision was the real thing.

My experience during the last 3 months have been numerous and varied. I have not had the fortune of being present at one of our victories but I hope that I do in the near future. However, I have the great pleasure of talking to some who had, and I have learned a great deal from them. Due to the fact that a description of, or reference to any actual naval engagement may disclose military secrets I cannot say anything.

Nevertheless, I will endeavor to tell you a little about the boys that are out here fighting to protect something that is beautiful and worth protecting-The United States of America. As a line officer I come into contact with a great number of men both from my own ship and other ships.

Men who have been in the Navy as long as 30 years and men who have only been in a few weeks. There is a great difference in the knowledge these men possess, but no difference in the real great things-spirit and morale.

Being a censor I have the not so desirable task of going though 50 to 150 letters a day.

In these letters I see what is in the minds of these boys.

Nearly every letter expresses one desire-to be home with their loved ones. These boys however know that it will be a long time before their desires will be fulfilled so they merely express it and continue to

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write letters. These boys have no regrets that they are out here and that they won’t be back until the war is over.

They have no complaints to make over the fact that they often lose their sleep, stand for hours in the sun, or the cold rain, and go weeks without putting their feet on solid ground. They all realize after being deprived of the beauties of home, that what they want most of all to preserve these beauties for their families and themselves. The morale of the men is marvelous considering what they have to contend with. When mail comes aboard the ship, there is a great change among the men and the news rapidly runs though the ship. On behalf of the millions of boys in the armed services I wish to make one plea to all of you at home, write frequently to all of your relatives and friends who are away from home, no matter how distant they may be. Don’t write once a month or once a week as a matter of policy but make it part of your duty toward winning this war to write every time you can. It isn’t much trouble to write and the tremendous help mail has in keeping up morale rewards the writer generously.

I certainly enjoy reading about the rest of the boys who are in the services in the Maxwell Tribune. I hope all the boys write often so we can stay in touch even though we may be far apart.

Until the next time, Very truly yours, Leon Etchepare ______________________ “Bill” Crawford Writes From England To the Williams Farmer, At last I’ve found time to write the long promised letter.

However the censor won’t let me say any more than that.

I’m somewhere in England.

Everything is black as Hell here at night. I enjoyed the boat ride over very much and didn’t get seasick. We took a short hike yesterday and saw some nice country and farmers are all busy getting in their potato crops. Well- tell everybody hello for me. Bill C. Editor’s note: It must be H---, Bill, for you not to be able to say what you want.

We join with your many friends in sending best wishes and all the luck in the world. ______________________ Williams Farmer, April 30, 1943.

Merry Awarded 500 Hour Service Pin By U.S. E. S. (Ernie) Merry is proudly wearing a pin he received the first of the week as a reward in recognition of serving 568 hours on the

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Williams Observation Post.

The pin is an attractive design for the A.W.S. and the Fourth Fighter Command, with a bar bearing the number of hours for which it was awarded.

Williams Farmer, August 13, 1943. First To Die In Action Is Honored At Ship Launching Herbert Calcaterra, first Colusa County boy to give up his life in the war, will be honored when the destroyer escort USS Calcaterra is launched in Houston, Texas next week.

The hero’s mother, Mrs. Sam Stites of Stonyford will christen the ship and she left Monday for Texas to take part in the impressive ceremonies of the launching of the ship that will bear the name of her son. Young Calcaterra attended the Maxwell Union High School prior to his enlistment in the Navy. He was on submarine duty and was taking part in a surface engagement with a Japanese freighter when he met his death ______________________ Williams Farmer, September 17, 1943. Destroyer Named In Honor Of Former Local Man The U.S. Destroyer Escort “Hemminger” was launched last Sunday in San Pedro, in honor of Ensign C.F. Hemminger who at the time of his death was serving on the Astoria when it was lost in the battle of Java.

Ensign Hemminger was the son of Frank Hemminger of Healdsburg and the late Carrie Goodin Hemminger, who lived with their family formerly in Williams. Mrs. Leone Turner and Mrs. Virgie Murphy of this city and Vryl Goodin of Lodi, who are all first cousins of the navel hero received invitations to the launching of the ship. ______________________ Williams Farmer, October 1, 1943.

Lieut. Lem Schaad Dies When Bomber Crashes The extreme horror of war is being keenly felt in Williams this week as relatives and friends mourn the tragic and untimely death of Lieutenant Lemuel Schaad, 21, who, with ten others, met death when a huge Liberator B-24 bomber plane, based at Lowery Field, crashed near Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tuesday afternoon. This dreaded news reached his bereaved parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Schaad Tuesday evening, Mrs. Schaad being alone when the terse message came by telephone.

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Exact details of the crash are still unavailable and little is known, except that Lt. Schaad was co-pilot on the new gigantic bomber which had been assigned to the crew of which he was one only last Saturday, and which at the time of the crash was on routine mission to March Field, Southern California. According to the news reports of the ship, piloted by Lt. Drumm circled the field apparently in trouble, but endeavoring to affect a safe landing and “winged over” just before the crash. One member of the crew, the turret gunner parachuted out, the only one saved.

To the bereaved family is extended sincere sympathy in this, their darkest hour, and may they find comfort in the knowledge that the sweet memory of Lem will long be treasured in the hearts of many Williams friends. ______________________ Williams Farmer, October 22, 1943.

Sgt. Dutch Minor Home From Guadalcanal Fighting Zone Sgt. E.L. “Dutch” Minor stated that he arrived home Sunday and is looking fine despite the reports circulating in from outside centers, to the effect the “Dutch” had suffered major injuries. While the Sarge stated that he was unable to tell much of his experiences due to military regulations, he did relate a few very interesting happenings while in the South Pacific War Zone. He was in the thick of the fight with the Marines on Guadalcanal. Out of some 1200 men in his outfit, who fought it out with the Japanese in one particular early engagement, only 127 Marines, including himself, came back alive. ______________________ Williams Farmer, May 12, 1944.

With Our Boys…

Mr. and Mrs. Nate Crawford enjoy regular letters from their son, Cpl. Bill Crawford with the U.S. Army in North Ireland. Bill is enjoying the best of everything and typical of his disposition, is in high spirits. Recently, Mrs. Crawford received a “prized package” from Bill containing first and foremost two photographs, so like him, that it is almost like talking to him; a beautiful Irish linen handkerchief, with the inscription “To My Dear Mother From Ireland” embroidered in red and yellow in one corner. War mothers will know the joy experienced by Mrs.

Crawford in receiving these lovely gifts from her dear son so far away.

Williams Farmer, July 21, 1944. In Switzerland On Monday, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kintana received a telegram which stated that their son, Staff Sergeant Frankie Kintana, was placed in an internment camp in Switzerland, but was O.K. and not to worry. The message coming through the Red Cross was signed

by Frankie. Further details, as to his internment there were not stated but it is thought the Flying Fortress bomber on which Frankie is a gunner went down over Bern, Switzerland. Upon receipt of the message the Kintanas were naturally very much upset and disturbed, but after thinking it over, they are somewhat relieved that their son is in Switzerland rather than in a German prison. He will probably remain there for the duration and will at least know safety and comfort in the neutral country. The many friends who were concerned with this news also hope that Frankie will remain in Switzerland.

Another son, Joe, with the U.S. Marines, is in combat in Saipan ______________________ Williams Farmer, September 24, 1944.

Sgt. Joe Kintana Writes From Pacific Battle The Farmer is in receipt of this letter from Sgt. Joe Kintana, who has seen much action in the Pacific War theatre. Joe says, On the two years that I have been out here in the Pacific, your paper has been reaching me as regularly as could be expected. I am sure the boys from Williams, who receive the Farmer enjoy and appreciate the paper as much as I do. (We) have been busy lately, as our outfit was in on the battles at Saipan and Tinain. Was quite a battle at both places for a while and the loss of these two islands was a costly one to the Japanese.

Not much space so I guess I had better close. Thank you again.

As Ever, Joe ______________________ Williams Farmer, September 29, 1944.

With Our Boys…

15AAF ITALY Technical Sgt. William R. Keegan, 25, gunner on a B-24 Liberator has recently flown his 25th combat mission in the Mediterranean Theater of operations.

Keegan is a member of a veteran Liberator group commanded by Col. Robert L Eaton of Belleville, Illinois.

The group has flown more than 110 combat missions against enemy oil refineries, rail installations, aircraft factories, and other strategic targets in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, France, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and others. He holds the Air Medal with one cluster.

He is a graduate of Williams High School, and a former student of Washington State College. Sgt. Keegan received his training at Scott Field, Ill., and Harlingen, Texas. ______________________ Williams Farmer, November 10, 1944. John Gobel Awarded Bronze Star Bill Abel who recently returned from the Hawaiian Islands, where he has been employed in the mechanical department of the U.S. Navy reports that John Gobel was recently awarded a Bronze Star for heroic action during one of the offensives in the Pacific. He rescued a wounded comrade under fire and was recommended for a silver star by his superior officer. Mr. and Mrs. Abel’s home in Hawaii was a “Mecca” for many of the former local boys.

Floyd and Lyle Wescoatt, Leonard Bowen and several others of “Our Boys” from this county visited with the Abel’s during their stay in the islands. ______________________ Williams Farmer, January 6, 1945. Prisoner Of War Writes A letter was received this week from Cecil Strickland, who has been a prisoner of war since the fall of Wake Island in 1941: August 1, 1944-It has been a long time since I received your only letter of June 1942.

I was so glad to hear things were going so well with you, and I enjoyed your letter very much. It was so full of news.

I have hoped of hearing from your again. There isn’t much I can tell you as you know. I am feeling fine, that’s about all. I sure would like to walk in on you this year. Send my love to mother and all. Hoping this finds everyone well.

You’re Loving Brother, Cecil [Contributor’s note: Cecil was the brother of Rose Bascochea of Williams] ______________________ Williams Farmer, February 16, 1945.

Fred Rosel Writes Home Dear Dick and Harry- A few lines to let you know I’m still getting your paper now and then. We just got some of our mail after three weeks and there were three Farmers in it. They are about three months old but they are new

Williams pioneer review

to me. Time goes so fast we don’t realize what year it is most of the time and the rest of the time we don’t give a darn. I’ll be 47 years old on February 8th. This is the third birthday I’ve spent over here.

I was lucky enough to have one Christmas home. We are still giving the Japanese their half of the ocean,(the bottom half). This is one place I wish I was paid by the mile. I mean we would have made plenty.

But I feel better at sea. I’m in the bake shop yet I like it fine.

The best job I’ve had and that includes money as well. We bake about 40 loaves of bread daily then cake or pie or both and sometimes cinnamon rolls for breakfast and lots of cookies.

When the sea is rough sometimes the cakes run to one end of the pan and stay there so we try to arrange something else if it is to rough.

We have to lock the oven doors so they won’t fly open and the works slide out on the deck.

The equipment we have is all electric and we sure have a fine galley. Haven’t been ashore for about six months; except for more than a couple of hours. I have stayed with this pig iron wagon for 30 months and hope I can until we get liberty in Tokyo. I received some mail from Marie [Rosel] and she says things are about the same in Williams. I have applied for the job of washing dishes at her place after the war. I got a letter from Seymore Vann. He says he is going up for 1st Lieutenant and seems pretty well satisfied. Max Vann tells me the weather and feed has been fine so far around Williams. All we see is sand, jungle, coral, and coconut trees. They seem to grow right to the waters edge.

They either grow in salt water or have some way of filtering water. I’m out of news, thanks for the paper.

Fred Rosel ______________________ Williams Farmer, April 13, 1945.

Lt. Franklin Fouch Tells Of Iwo Jima Invasion Battle The following letter of keen interest to many friends was indeed a relief to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Fouch, parents, after a month of no word from their son Franklin.

Fortunately it came to them before official word from the War Department telling of his being wounded at Iwo Jima. The letter follows: Dear Mother, Dad and Annette: This is the first opportunity I have had to write in quite some time. I am well, safe and sound and in one piece feeling fine. I imagine you received my letter some time ago telling

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you that I was in combat on Iwo Jima. Censorship allows us telling about our personal experiences and nothing else.

You will notice from my address that I am in B Co. rather than A. Living conditions haven’t been too good, but could have been worse. We usually had plenty of chow and water, but the chow was always cold rations and they really get tiresome. My bed was always on the ground, the bottom of a fox hole, with my helmet as my pillow. In over thirty days I didn’t shave, changed clothes about three times, and had my shoes off five times.

I washed in the sea once during that time. We always had plenty of cigarettes and matches, and get canned fruit juice and candy quite often.

I was working on the beach at first and did not go up to the front lines until after Mt. Surabachi had been taken. It certainly was a beautiful sight to see the flag go up on that mountain. I was on line for about twenty days. The day I remembered most vividly was the second day on the line. That was the day I was creased by a bullet. I was in a shell hole with several other fellows in front of our lines. Snipers were firing from all directions and a man had only to raise himself up a couple of seconds to get shot.

Well, I didn’t have my radio with me and had to get word back some way. I decided to make a break. I decided that it was a poor place to spend the night. I decided that if we all went at once we might confuse the snipers so we all got rid of our gas masks and all took out like a bat of Hell.

It worked pretty well. Only one shot was fired and that was the one that hit me. It just caused a slight flesh wound and it didn’t bother a bit. I had it fixed up by a corpsman and didn’t even have to bother to go back. It is about all healed up now. I was lucky that time and my luck held out. About five days later a mortar shell hit about three yards from me while I was sitting down. Not one piece of shrapnel hit me.

All I got was a bloody nose from the concussion and a few scratches from flying dirt. My runner was right beside me and all he got was a dent in his helmet. I figured the reason I am well today is because of the Grace of God. I had plenty of luck and thankful that I have a good pair of legs. I have gone many times thru places I know were being fired on by snipers. I would go alone or with one other person, keeping my body low, and run like heck. That way they would never have a chance to aim. I have been in quite a few tight places and been plenty afraid

Special Veterans Edition 2009 more than once. I believe any man will admit he has been plenty afraid at times. For some reason though, a person just carries on and does what is supposed to be done. I certainly have some fine men under me. They are the best.

Even when the going gets rough there was still a sense of humor. We would find something to laugh about.

We had memorial services the other day at the cemetery.

They were short and very nice. The chaplains are really fine men. They say the things we want to hear because they were right up near the lines most of the time. I don’t have many souvenirs as wasn’t much interested in getting any at the time. I have some money, both coins and paper and some cigarettes. The Japanese cigarettes are lousy.

I tried one and I’ll stick to our brands. Well! The fighting is over now. I didn’t shoot any Japanese because you hardly ever see one. I probably killed some with hand grenades but you never know. It really feels swell to wash up again. My clothing roll was lost, but I have been issued all new clothes. I also shaved today.

I left my mustache and have been trimming it up all day.

You would be surprised how good it looks. I am surprised myself. We get good hot chow now and it is really wonderful.

I have received about forty letters in the last few weeks and will answer them as soon as I can. Stationary is very scarce.

I’ll close for now.

Much love, Franklin ______________________ April 20, 1945.

Leo Kintana Awarded Bronze Star The following report appeared recently in the Martinez paper and was received by Mrs. Ramona Hilliard. Cpl. Kintana is a former Williams boy and the item will be of special interest to his many friends.

Corporal Leo Kintana, U.S. Army Medical Corps, former Shell employee and husband of Adele Kintana, has been awarded the bronze star medal under the direction of the president “for heroic achievement under fire”.

Corporal Kintana entered the service in October 1943. In May 1944, he went over seas and has seen active service on several fronts in the Pacific theater.

The award won

by Corporal Kintana was received before his promotion a short time ago and reads as follows: “For heroic achievement in connections with the military operations near (censored) on (censored).

Private Kintana was leading two wounded men when the

column was cut in two leaving Private Kintana and the two wounded soldiers without protection from friendly troops.

Private Kintana, without hesitation, exposed himself to enemy sniper fire in order to move the men form the line of fire. Although in the action that followed, one of the men was fatally wounded, Private Kintana led the other man back to safety, where he could give him more medical treatment.

Private Kintana’s actions in risking his life to save the life of his fellow soldiers reflect the highest credit upon him and the military service.” Corporal Kintana was a second baseman of the Refinery League here, and previously for the Oaks in the Pacific Coast League. ______________________ Williams Farmer, April 27, 1945.

The following letter is from Sgt. Bill Crawford “Somewhere in Germany” to his parents: We are getting along with the war and I’m predicting it will be over here May 1, 1945.

The boys all laugh at me, but it begins to look like the end is in sight. I came to Germany on the 13th of March. I didn’t cross the Rhine until later and it was a very uneventful crossing on a well constructed pontoon bridge, which was invented by an English fellow by that name. We see plenty of German civilians and most of them want to be friendly, but we have very little desire to smile at them. On the roads we see hundreds of liberated people from other countries heading for relocation centers to get book for passage back home- they seem to be mighty happy, tired and hungry.

I’ve seen plenty of houses blown up and they are really beautiful. Of course it’s nice to find good ones to move into.

Well it’s getting near bedtime so will close.

Love, Bill ______________________ May 11, 1945.

Ashley Sanders Awarded Purple Heart Mr. and Mrs. Claude Sanders recently received a letter from their son Ashley, who has seen much active service in the Pacific war.

Ashley was picked out of his company, with a few others to be on a scout and patrol unit. He left the company for about four days and was up and around the front line. He came back to the company for a day and then was sent out on some other detail, when a terrible explosion occurred about four feet from him. It knocked his rifle from his shoulder and his helmet off his head. He

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picked himself up about twelve feet away. He got some stuff on the left side of his face; some skin knocked off his left hand, something in his left eye, a concussion of his head, and hurt his left ear. They took him to the hospital for treatment and wanted to keep him there, but he induced them to let him go back to his company.

The doctor didn’t like the idea, but he finally let him go, but told him not to do anything and to take it easy.

This happened on the 14th of March. He is back in a rest camp now. They had a very nice ceremony for the boys, and gave awards for events that happened on Iwo Jima.

Ashley received the Purple Heart. He said it sure is pretty, and he is so proud of it. As soon as they have his name engraved on it he is sending it home. When the General pinned on the medal he shook hands with him and asked him if he was ready to go again. After the awards they took his picture which will be sent to the “Hometown Paper.” Ashley said words could not begin to tell how terrible the battle was on Iwo. A person has to be there to see it to realize what our boys are going through.

Sgt. Frank Kemp To Be Home For Mother’s Day T-Sgt. Frank Kemp Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Kemp of Williams has arrived in the United State on a furlough from the European Theater of Operations, where he served 10 and one half months with the 8th Air Force as radio operator and gunner on a B-24. He completed 30 missions totaling 213 combat hours. A telephone call from Sgt. Kemp in New York the first of the week brought happy word of his expected arrival in Williams this weekend.

What a wonderful “Mothers Day” present is in store for Mr. and Mrs. Kemp. ______________________ Williams Farmer, May 25, 1945.

News Of Our Soldiers--Wounded A Second Time Mr. and Mrs. George Beal, Sr. of Williams received a letter from their son, Sgt. George Beal of the 165th Infantry, this week stating that he had been wounded in action on Okinawa and that he would write more particulars later. Sgt Beal was shot thru the thigh during operations on Saipan, and was returned to action after he was hospitalized for some time. He has been in the Army since June 17, 1941

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and three years of this time has been spent overseas.

Contributor’s note: On February 16, 1945, word was received that Sgt. Beal was given the bronze star and citation for gallantry in action. He had been with the “Fighting Irish” unit invading the Philippines.

The incident for which he was cited was following being wounded in action and he refused to permit members of his unit to expose themselves and come to his assistance. ______________________ Williams Farmer, May 25, 1945. News Of Our Men And Women In Uniform Letter to the Editors: Dear Dick and Harry, Just a few lines as we all feel fine since Germany made up her mind to quit. I’m on the wrong side of the world to see this. We were about three hundred miles from France on a convoy the last time.

Everything is fine and I feel swell. A little beefy, but I can get rid of that. I am up to 205 pounds be we have little exercise. I eat, sleep and work in about the width of the ship on two decks and nearly three years of it. I am writing to thank you for the Farmer. It seems as if the further I get the more of them I get. I got nearly all of them now. But I hardly get any mail. We refuel anything that floats. We participated in the first and second battles of the Philippines and the taking of Palau. We picked up several prisoners of war and took them to Manus with us. We were in Emiwetck too. I went ashore and had several hours to hike over the hills of Manus.

I was at Leyette, and it seems like a pretty place. The natives came out in side riggers and traded souvenirs for eats and clothing mostly. By the little I’ve heard it seems as if the Japanese showed them a bad time. We were one of the first group tankers to enter the China Sea. It is a rugged body of water and that made our work hard and dangerous.

We saw some Japanese planes shot down and participated in activities at Iwo Jima for several days, and saw the U.S. flag put out on Mt. Suribachi by the Marines February 23. I saw plenty of intense and continual naval bombardment. They kept the island lighted at night with star shells for night fighting.

We had a small Japanese attack and the anti aircraft fire was heavy and spectacular.

It looked like all the fourth of Julys rolled together and hell broke loose besides. We were close enough to see the Marines inch their way on the island with tanks and flame

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throwers. I’m glad I’m not a Marine. We are still getting good eats and anything we want. There is plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. A good show, ice cream twice a week with our meals and we can buy it as we want. We are not in need of anything. We sure have a fine bunch of officers and men. The best in the fleet.

I can come out now as I am over 42 years old but hate to do it as I’d like to see more.

Still, I mean this three years is getting old: What’s life without a wife? Guess I’ve said plenty, can’t say anymore.

Wish all my friends the best of luck, Fred Rosel ______________________ Williams Farmer, August 17, 1945.

Williams Celebrates V. J. Day The announcement of the cessation of hostilities between the Allied Nations and Japan was received in Williams with varied emotions. Whoops and tears of joy, sirens and car horns were to be heard and seen in abundance. Immediately after four o’clock, the fire company organized a parade and the four engines headed by patrolman A.G. Matzka and followed by private cars, bicycles and motorcycles paraded the streets of Williams and joined in general rejoicing.

After about two hours, the restaurants and bars closed to remain closed until Wednesday evening.

In compliance with the statement by President Truman that a holiday would be enjoyed, most places of business remained closed all day Wednesday. On Wednesday, members of the Ladies Auxiliary of Williams Legion Post organized a free dance to be held at the Women’s Clubhouse on that evening. These good women, who have loyally supported every patriotic enterprise since the beginning of the war, advertised the dance in Williams and surrounding towns. A very large crowd assembled to celebrate the close of the war and dance to music donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Silva.

Let us not forget in our joy all those valiant boys who gave their lives, their limbs, their sight and their health to make this day possible; but let us “take increased devotion to that cause which they gave their last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain and that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the

Special Veterans Edition 2009

people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.” ______________________ Henry Minor Commended For No.1 Job with Navy Mariners---Plane Shot Down---Narrow Escape William H. Minor Aviation Ordinance man Third Class U. S .N. R., of Williams, California has returned to his country on leave after a tour of duty in the Philippine area during which he made 39 flight missions as gunner of a Navy Mariner with Patrol Bombing Squadron Twenty.

The number one job of his land based air group was to search out and report any movement of Japanese ground, air and sea and air force, but he and his squadron mates occasionally participated in direct strikes at the enemy, bombing and strafing shipping and installations.

His most harrowing experience “out there” came during a night mission when he and his crew mates attacked a force of enemy ships, including a battleship, two cruisers and five destroyers, which were approaching the Mindoro beachhead after it was taken by the Yanks. Struck in an enemy attack, his plane was forced down in the sea, where it was strafed by enemy aircraft until it sank. One member of the crew was fatally wounded.

The rest of the crew floated about in their life jackets until they were picked up by a Navy rescue plane the following morning. Minor, 40 years old, saw nine months of combat service with another squadron in the Pacific before joining Patrol Bombing Squadron Twenty.

His mother Annie B. Minor lives in Williams. Henry is now on leave and is leaving for Norman, Oklahoma on July 5th for instructions on a new aerial gun, which has been perfected. ______________________ June 1, 1945.

Word Comes From Other Liberated Son Early yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Dena Burrows had a telephone call from her mother, Mrs. Adda Kalfsbeek of Arbuckle bearing joyful news that her other son T-Sgt. Elmer (Shock) Kalfsbeek had been liberated from a German prison. Shock is reported fine and is now with his brother Hiram, liberated last week.

The exact location of the brothers was not disclosed.

Expressing her relief and pleasure, Mrs. Kalfsbeek rang her large “one hundred year old bell” which hangs

in her attractive yard and which was the Christmas gift of her family, three long joyful rings immediately upon receipt of the word yesterday. The bell rang twice for Hiram’s release and once on V-E- Day. It will ring again…..” says Mrs. Kalfsbeek “when victory is won.” May we rejoice with you, Mrs. Kalfsbeek and Dena, in this wonderful news and trust that Hi and Shock will be home soon.

(Courtesy of the Sacramento Valley Museum) World War I Veteran Daryl Carpenter at 20 years of age of Williams. ______________________ Williams Farmer, September 22, 1945.

Pvt. Briscoe Died Feb. 3rd On Honshu Nephew of School Head Was Prisoner since Fall of Bataan.

Private Lawrence Lee Briscoe, son of J. L. Briscoe of Woodland and nephew of Mrs. Sadie Ash, county superintendant of schools, died in a Japanese prison camp on Honshu on February 3, 1945, it was learned today. Young Briscoe, a former Arbuckle resident, where he attended school, and a resident of Orland for a time, was taken prisoner on May 6, 1942, following the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, in the Philippines. In 1943 a 50-word message came from the soldier who was then in a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines, saying that he was well and requesting food and vitamins. Mr. Briscoe’s efforts to get supplies through to his son via the Red Cross proved fruitless. It is believed that Private Briscoe was among those Americans who made the infamous March of Death to Camp O’Donnell, and that he may have been on the “hell ship” which carried Major Bob Scholes to Japan. The Colusa officer died in the Japanese prison camp on Honshu eight days after the death of Briscoe.

No other word ever reached Mr. Briscoe, brother of Mrs.

Ash, during the long anxious wait. A part of his son’s fate during the long silence from 1943 until his death was told to Mr. Briscoe by one of the former Arbuckle boy’s fellow prisoners, James Cowen of Sacramento, who was liberated and is now at his home. He told Mr. Briscoe that he and his son had served together as cooks in the prison camp and that they had been moved to Honshu last January, as was Major Scholes. Mr. Briscoe had two other sons in the service. ______________________ Forty Four Veterans Of Recent War In Yountville Home Forty four veterans of World War I already have been admitted to the state home for veterans at Yountville, Calif. the home announced today. Large scale additions are planned to care for hundreds of additional veterans of the recent war.

Men at the home include veterans of all wars in which the United States has engaged since the Civil War, it was disclosed. Included are eight veterans of the Indian Wars, 301 from the Spanish American war, 785 from the WWI and 44 from WWII. ______________________ Williams Farmer, October 12,1945.

Back From Europe Bill Crawford arrived home last Saturday from Europe where he served under General Patton during the European Campaign. Bill looks fine and is surely glad to get back. We can’t tell you what he has to say regarding the Army but if you see Bill, he will tell you in words that would be impossible to print. ______________________ Williams Farmer, 1945.

Ens. Myers Escapes Injuries After Air Battle, When Plane Crashes Off Flat Top. Pictures in the Examiner!

Ens. F.C Myers, son of the late Clifford Myers and Mrs. Marie Myers of Arbuckle, was given prominent picture space in the San Francisco Examiner this morning.

More than half the page was devoted to the young pilot and his plane. Young Myers was returning from an engagement in an air battle and his plane, which was evidently damaged in the fight, hit the flat top deck and it rolled over into the ocean. The pictures show Myers going through the air as he is thrown from the plane. Several scenes of the plane action were pictured in the paper. Myers swam to

Williams pioneer review

the flat top and was picked up by the crew members, unhurt. The pictures were most vivid and the many friends of Ensign Myers in Arbuckle and throughout the county were very much excited over them. ______________________ In South Pacific A recent letter from George Marengo, to his parents Mr. and Mrs. Pete Marengo, it was learned that George is now on a mine sweeper in the South Pacific and that he is a machinist. Since leaving San Pedro, George visited Hawaii, Eniwektok, Saipan and was last heard from at Guam. That good looking sailor sure gets around. ______________________ Colusa Sun Herald, September 22, 1948.

Body of Hero To Arrive The body of Private Laurence L. Briscoe of Dunnigan, who died in a Japanese prison camp February 3, 1945, is being returned to this country aboard the U.S. Army transport Sergeant Morris C. Crain. John L. Briscoe of Woodland, father of the deceased, was notified by the Department of the Army of the impending arrival of the ship. Private Briscoe was captured by the enemy when Manila and the Philippines fell in 1942. Taken prisoner on May 6 of that year, he was one of the survivors of the bombing of the Japanese ship Oryoka Maru on Dec. 15, 1944 in Luzon Bay when it was presumably bound for Japan with 1,600 Americans on board. Private Briscoe’s death the following February on the island of Honshu was attribute to injuries he suffered in the bombing.

Prior to his enlistment he attended Woodland elementary school and Pierce Joint Union High School. He was living in Dunnigan before he joined the service.

Survivors other than his father are Inez Briscoe of Upland California and an aunt, Mrs. Sadie C. Ash of Colusa. ______________________ Williams Farmer, July 20, 1951. Hank Rhoades Writes Of Korean Fighting The following paragraphs were taken from a letter which Mrs. Henry Rhoades received from her husband, who is with the U.S. Infantry in Korea. Lt. Rhoades was in World War II in the Pacific Theatre and was recalled to active duty few months ago: The peace rumors fly, but up here it is still death, wounds and bloodshot eyes that greet each day- the dead have no case for the new day-the

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wounded look forward with new hope, for the sunlight means they can be carried down the torturous paths to the first semblance of expert medical aid. The bloodshot eyes close and they sleep as they pray for and end to all this. I haven’t written in two days and if I had they should have been postmarked a day and a night in hell. We ranged out 9,000 yards into the unknown in a down-pour over steep mountains and twisting trails. Then there stood the mountain-the one I had patrolled before. Our mission was to take it, remain twenty-four hours and return to our lines. We had many more men this time, but the Chinese had bunkers and the high ground. When the day was through and the hill was ours, the helicopters wouldn’t land because they couldn’t find a place. Then they were two hours late when they did find a place and so several of wounded were carried far down into the valley and back up to our perimeter to moan and cry through the night as Chinese mortar rounds burst around us. We left the next day- my platoon as rear guards-the Chinese behind us and mortars still falling.

We carried our dead and wounded out-of that I have some stories to tell-some good, some disgusting. We won the battle- the Chinese are back on the hill and we are on the line again. The war still goes on with all its stupidity.

People are such fools. I hope the pictures I have taken turn out and I’m home to tell of them and to show people how stupid it all is. ______________________ Williams Farmer, September 28, 1951. Hank Rhoades Writes From Korea [Contributor’s note: The Smiths referred to in the letter were Dick and Harry Smith, editors and owners of the Williams Farmer at the time.]

Dear Folks- This letter is meant for all the Smiths responsible for my receiving the Williams Farmer. Some of them get lost and others arrive on the mountain top quite beaten be readable. Magazines and newspapers are passed one man to another and by the time the platoon reads it, a good many pages have been used for lighting fires and under blankets to keep the dampness out. The Williams Farmer pages are strewn on many ridges and mountain tops here in Korea. Some of the hills we own and a few the Chinese still have. My job is that of a rifle platoon leader in Easy Company of the 21st Infantry Regiment. I have the 2nd platoon and according to

Special Veterans Edition 2009

the book, it should consist of three nine-man rifle squads with an automatic rifle team in each and a fourth squad consisting of a light machine gun and a 3.5 bazooka team.

The two medics and four litter bearers make a total of 42 men. Platoon headquarters consists of me, a platoon sergeant and a runner. This makes a total of 47. The platoon since I have had it has ranged from 52 to 19 men.

The present moment finds us back to full strength and attached to a tank company as armored infantry. We have been on one mission with them. And despite some 200 mortar rounds the Chinese threw, we are still able to tell about it-thanks to the tank company commander. We are a miserable lot in the infantry, for all we own, we carry on our backs. Each night we dig in on ridge lines and pull foxhole guard, which means one man on guard in each hole all night. The least noise down the slope usually has one of my men tossing a grenade.

If there happens to be a squeal, everything opens up.

Morning finds us thankful for the light and for a ridge line that is still ours. I don’t know when in my life I have been subjected to such physical strain as the mountains and weather in Korea have placed on me.

This, plus sleepless nights, early morning attacks and patrols which go on day in and day out, make me wonder if it isn’t hell on earth. The war in Europe saw the C-rations along the roads. This war finds the C-rations along the ridgelines. The tanks are far below and the artillery two mountain ridges behind. The air corps is usually flying around overhead, waiting for an AT6 plane to point out their target by firing white phosphorus at or near the bunkers. We are thankful they are here and only wish they could win the war without us.

It’s hard to believe that after seven battalions of artillery have shelled a hill, the air corps has dropped napalm and the tanks have put in their licks that you would have over a hundred Chinese to gain its top. The Chinese are small but with a rifle, he is a tough customer. It gives you a strange feeling to find you have fought up a mountain all day your own against and enemy armed with your own equipment such as machine guns, M1 rifles, carbines, automatic rifles and mortars.

My grandfather fought for the South, my dad in WWI and has been in WWII. I have been told this may be the war may be the turning point in civilization. Dad told

me he fought the war to end all wars. I’m a bit confused about the principals for whom we fought all these wars, but I am not one bit confused about what will happen if I should fail to keep the high ground for this country. I have met a number of people in the last war and it isn’t uncommon to hear the remark “It’s another war, but still the same people”. The army says six months of combat duty and I will be rotated. I’ll have that in another month and a half, I wonder-? Thanks so much for the paper, but best of all thanks for the spirit behind it.

As Ever-Hank ______________________ Williams Farmer, April 19,1957. Our Boys…

Riley J. O’Bryant, Jr., fire apprentice, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.J. O’ Bryant of Arbuckle, formerly of Williams, aboard the attack aircraft carrier, USS Bennnigton, participated in the largest amphibious operation to be held in the Far East since Word War II. The powerful armada of 60,000 men and 75 ships took part in the “Beacon Hill” operation from March 14 to April 1. ______________________ Williams Farmer, November 10, 1966. William “Buddy” Denman Killed In Battle In Vietnam Mrs. Bessie Denman was advised Monday by an Army officer that her son had been killed in action in war zone C Vietnam on Saturday. He was the first Colusa County boy to be killed in action in the Vietnam conflict. Mrs. Denman was advised that her son’s body had been recovered Sunday afternoon.

PFC Denman was with Company A, second battalion of “Wolfhounds” Saturday when an attempt was made to link up with another unit that was under heavy fire in the Tay Ninh border. Mrs. Denman received a telegraph about her son’s death just after the visit from the officer. Buddy just turned 20 in August and was a graduate of Maxwell High School with the class of 1965. ______________________ Williams Farmer, March 23, 1967.

Posthumous Medal Is Given Bessie Denman Mrs. Bessie Denman of Maxwell was awarded the Bronze Star with ‘V’ insignia (posthumously) by Colonel Tracy of UC Davis, last week.

The commendation letter was as follows: For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Private first Class Denham distinguished himself by heroic actions on 5 November, 1966, in the dense

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jungles near Dau Tiang, Republic Vietnam. On this date company A was engaged in a search and destroy operation.

Moving through the thick underbrush the company was hit with a heavy volume of enemy fire from concealed enemy positions in front. The initial volume of fire wounded the point man, and pinned up and pinned down the main body of the company. Private Denman started to return fire and began to rush to the aid of the wounded man, but before reaching his destination he was killed in a burst of automatic weapons fire from several directions. Through his bravery and complete disregard for his own safety, Private Denman, made it possible by drawing the enemy’s fire for the remainder of his company to destroy the enemy’s position and reach the wounded point man. “Private Denman’s outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division of the United States Army. ______________________ Arbuckle American, September 14, 1967. Soldier In Vietnam Helps At Orphanage More than 400 Vietnamese orphans have improved facilities at the Vien Hoa Dao orphanage because of Army Specialist Four Alfred D. Olivares, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arturo T. Olivares of Grimes and other members of Support Command’s 64th Quartermaster battalion, stationed at Long Binh, Vietnam. He and more than 100 other battalion members have completed lavatory and washing facilities and an eight-stall shower room and have installed new wiring and light fixtures in the Buddhist orphanage. Specialist Olivares is a truck driver with the 538th Transportation Company. ______________________ Williams Farmer, November 16, 1967. Mike Pappa Gets Service Awards Mike Pappa, former star athlete at Williams and Marysville high schools, was recently awarded the purple heart and silver star for meritorious service as machine gunner on a helicopter in Vietnam and is now on 30-day leave.

Mike has served his year in Viet Nam and will report to Fort Stewart, Georgia, for further helicopter training.

He is due out of the service next May. Mike finished one semester at Sacramento City College when he was called to the service. His father, John Pappa, who left his coaching

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position at Williams in 1962 to coach at Yuba City for three seasons, then went to UC Davis where he is now head track coach and coach of the freshman football. ______________________ Arbuckle American, November 30, 1967. Colusan Killed In Vietnam Paid Highest Honors Funeral services for Sgt. Monroe W. Cross, 21, first Colusan to be killed in the Vietnam War were held Tuesday afternoon from the Assembly of God Church with internment following in the Colusa Cemetery.

Full military honors were accorded the 1964 graduate of Colusa High School with a military guard of honor and the traditional blowing of taps and the volley of rifle fire over his grave. Sgt. Monroe, known to his fellow classmates as ‘Butch’ was killed in an ambush in South Vietnam. A native of Big Springs Texas, born June 18, 1946, Sgt. Cross had lived in California since 1959 and in Colusa since 1961. ______________________ Maxwell Tribune, December 28, 1967.

Sgt. Shearin To Begin Another Vietnam Tour Sgt. Jon Shearin, 27, son of Postmaster Evelyn Shearin of Maxwell, has re-enlisted in another tour of duty in Vietnam. He is a sergeant first class and was a member of the famous Green Beret Special Forces section. He will leave on his next tour of duty on January 6. Shearin first served in Vietnam and was a radio operator with the A team at that time. After his return home in 1965 he again went to Vietnam for another year, this time with the Green Berets. ______________________ Williams Farmer, January 11, 1968.

Two Williams Boys Hurt In Vietnam Word has been received that two former Williams High School students, Michael Martini Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Martini, and Rick Goodwin were wounded in Vietnam recently. Mike, who is in the Signal Corps, was hit be fragments of a helicopter that exploded while Mike and his mates were loading another helicopter. Thirty stitches were required to close the diagonal wound across his forehead and seven more stitches where taken to close the cut on the back of his head. Rick Goodwin was wounded in Marine Corps action at Con Thien and during hospitalization was given the Purple Heart. He returned to action the latter part of December.

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______________________ Delevan Lad Killed In Vietnam Mr. and Mrs. Williams Saunders were notified that their son, Williams Saunders Jr. 19, was killed in Vietnam on January 13. He went to Vietnam last November and was with the Marines at Quang Tri. He was one of eight in the family and was born June 5, 1947. He was a graduate of Tulare High School and had spent much of his life in that area. A military funeral will be held in Tulare in the future.

His parents live in Delevan and have been in this area since 1962. They came here from Tulare to work for Sharp Farms Trucking. ______________________ Williams Farmer, July 18,1968.

Robert Caldwell Is Army Medal Recipient Army Warrant Officer Robert B. Caldwell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Caldwell, Williams, received the air medal June 26 in Long Binh Vietnam.

W.O. Caldwell earned the award for combat aerial support of ground operations in Vietnam. A pilot in the 195th assault helicopter company, WO Caldwell entered the Army in 1965 and was last stationed at Ft. Rucker, Ala., before arriving in Vietnam in December.

The 23-year-old warrant officer attended Pepperdine University and is a graduate of Williams High School. ______________________ Williams Farmer, December 19, 1968.

Allen Lawrence Receives Awards Allen Lawrence, Williams High school graduate with the class of 1966, has returned after serving a year in South Vietnam where he received the purple heart and bronze star after being wounded in action at the battle of Hue. He is staying with the Dale Dunlaps until January 5, when he will leave for Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Allen was reticent about telling about his experiences in the battle for Hue, second largest city in Vietnam, but did say that the struggle for the city was of gigantic proportions. He was with a mortar company when he was struck by a shell. He said that even though the Viet Cong had more troops, the Second Brigade of the Second Air Force division, which had been stationed in Saigon, went into action to assist the belabored marines in action.

He was forward observer in Echo company mortar platoon. He said nearly all of the men in the armed forces in Vietnam realize they have a job to do for their government and they are doing it, gaining

Special Veterans Edition 2009

everywhere in South Vietnam in military actions, as well as in better programs of civilian assistance to people. He also said that, more and more, the people of South Vietnam are realizing the Americans are there to help them and the Americans treat them respect. ______________________ Williams Farmer, October 10, 1968.

Services Pending For Frank Baggett, Vietnam Casualty Services for Frank Baggett, who was killed in Vietnam October 1, are pending with the date for the military service dependent upon arrival of the soldier’s body

by McNary Moore, Colusa.

Mr. and Mrs. Baggett received notice of the death of their son, Frank, Saturday, when a representative of the Army called at the family home on Sixth Street in Williams. Frank was a senior in Colusa High School last year, enlisted on December 26, 1967 and went into active service in Vietnam in May of that year as forward observer in company D, First division, 26th infantry, at an outpost 30 miles west of Da Nang. The army officer informed Mr. and Mrs. Baggett that their son had been killed in an air accident indicating he probably had been wounded in action and was being taken to a hospital at the time the plane was downed. Press reports show there were three planes lost in action the day the young man is reported to have died. He would have been 20 years old on October 4th. Several days before his death, his parents received a letter in which he implored his parents not to be dismayed. He said that if it is God’s will he would return to the ones he loved.

He wrote that he was proud to fight for the right of freedom and to die for it if necessary.

His final words were, “Have faith, Mother, and don’t cry.”

P.F.C .Baggett is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Baggett; brothers Bill Baggett, Jr., and Dennis Baggett; sisters Rosemary Baggett and Mrs. Dorothy Brock.

The Baggett family suffered another tragedy several years ago when their small daughter died in a fire at their home on Carson Street. ______________________ Williams Farmer, October 16, 1969.

High Tribute To Submarine Hero Leonard Bowen Hundreds paid final tribute to Leonard Bowen, 48, at a service held in the Masonic Temple in Colusa Monday afternoon. He was a World War II veteran and a member of the crew of the submarine that entered Yokohama harbor

in 1942. The sub torpedoed three Japanese battleships. He was a prominent farmer and life-long resident of Maxwell.

Bowen had undergone his second open heart surgery and the operation was successful, but complications which followed caused his death.

He was born January 1, 1921, in Nebraska and had farmed in the Maxwell area most of his life. His death occasioned deep regret throughout the county where he was so well known. ______________________ Williams Farmer, April 5, 1971.

Larry Suedmeyer Killed In Action Lawrence Suedmeyer of Arbuckle received word of his son, Sp-4 Larry Suedmeyer III, US Army, died while serving with American forces in Vietnam. Larry, well known in the Arbuckle area, had served in the Army for a year, was a member of the Green Berets and had requested duty in Vietnam.

He lived in Arbuckle and attended school in the Johns area for a year and visited in the Arbuckle area during the summers. In addition to his father he is survived by two sisters, Monica Suedmeyer, who is serving in the medical school with the Waves of the US Navy at Great Lakes Naval Station, and Mrs. Margaret Reap. ______________________ Williams Farmer, August 4, 1971.

Sgt. Danley In Thailand U.S. Air Force Sergeant Chester Danley, son on Mr. and Mrs. Harry Danley of Williams, is on duty at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. Sergeant Danley, an air traffic controller, is assigned to a unit of the Air Force Communications which provides global communications and air traffic control for the USAF. He previously served at Miswa AB, Japan. Chester is a 1968 graduate of Williams High School. ______________________ Williams Farmer, August 25, 1971.

Local Lad Part Of Apollo Recovery Navy Petty Officer Second Class Bradley M. McGeoghegan phoned his parents, the Bob McGeoghegans of Delevan, to report thrill he experiences in being part of the Apollo 15 recovery crew.

His ship, the Okinawa, was the primary recovery ship of the space ship, carrying divers, helicopters and other necessary equipment for the historic recovery. ______________________ Williams Farmer,

November 17, 1971.

Maxwell Youth Gets Commendation Sp/4 Charles Fox, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fox of Maxwell, has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam during the period of March, 1971, to October, 1971. Fox, a graduate of Maxwell High School, has been in the Army since October 1970 and in Vietnam since March of this year and is still stationed there. The commendation, which was directed by the Secretary of War, declared that Sp/4 Charles Fox, U. S. Army Vietnam advisor school, “has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service in connection with military operations in Republic of Vietnam. Fox served as the transportation movements’ coordinator for U.S.A.U.R. advisor school, in which he arranged the movements of between seven and sixty students from DiAn to various military regions throughout Vietnam. Through his close coordination and careful planning, all means of transportation, to include fixed wing aircraft, as well as ground convoys, were always at the right place at the right time. All students were deployed with a minimum of delay. He was able, through his knowledge, leadership, and tact, to oversee a large operation and to make highly significant contributions to increase the service and efficiency of his U.S.A.R.V. advisor school. Sp/4 Fox’s ability and willingness to constantly perform to the utmost limits of his capabilities and the superb example he consistently maintained are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects credit upon himself and the United States Army.”

Honoring our Fallen Heroes Civil War 1861-1865 Killed in Action • Jasper Dunnigan, Company G, 13th Kansas Infantry.

• Julia N. Ufford, Company G, Y Infantry • Charles Stone, Corporal, Company C, 13th Illinois Cavalry • John B. Moore, Major, Confederate States of America • Tarleton Smith, Company B, 6th Missouri Cavalry • E.W. Chambers, Company b, 7th California Infantry

Williams pioneer review

• A.J. Haukins, Sgt., Company A, 15th Main Infantry • Patrick K. Mullen, Company D, 21st Connecticut Infantry • Turner McGee, Company G, 12th Missouri Cavalry • S.H. Stewart, Company D, 2nd Oregon Volunteers • • Spanish American War • 1898 • Killed in Action • James Johnson, Company K, 8th California Infantry • Augustus Millard, Company G, 8th California Infantry • John J. Reckers, hometown Maxwell • • World War I • 1914-1918 • U.S. Army • Killed in Action • John Ohm, Company G, 12th Infantry-Arbuckle • Blackburn W. Ballard, Company A, 1st EngineersColusa • Henry Traynham-Colusa • Arthur Miller-Colusa • Vernon J. Danley-Maxwell • Antonio Mochino-Colusa • Jefferson L. WinnPrinceton • George Smith-Colusa • Bert C. Miller-Colusa • Reed C. Davis-Colusa • Wesley A. Nelson-Maxwell • Brooke Powell-Colusa • • U.S. Navy/Marine Corps • Harold F. Farnsworth • Albert Anderson • Jasper N. Estes World War II 1941-1945 U.S. Army KIA • Yvon W. Bailey-Arbuckle • Buster K. Baze-Grimes • Louis E. Berlin-Arbuckle • James H. Byers-Arbuckle • George B. Collins-Colusa • Alma H. Day-Colusa • Julius B. Ferraiuolo-Colusa • Andrew A. Garcia-Colusa • William D. GibsonMaxwell • Henry Gutierrez-Colusa • Ellis D. Kilgore-Colusa • Carl J. Mahan-Princeton • Theodore L. SimpsonArbuckle • Francis L Vedo-Colusa • Williams E. Wells-Maxwell • Delbert E. Aldrich-Colusa • Albert O. Dokken-Colusa • Robert B. Greene-Colusa • Carroll A. Heldlind-Colusa • Lemuel M. SchaadWilliams • Robert D. Scholes-Colusa • Lester V. Calbreath-Colusa • Robert L. Du Vall-Colusa • Lawrence L. BriscoeArbuckle • Clarence T. HarrisArbuckle • Lawrence E. GoforthColusa • Elmer L. Betterton-Colusa • George Paget-Colusa

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• George E. Mapes-Colsua • Garnett D. Schulze-Colusa • Hollis Keith PowersCollege City • Andrea A. Russo-Colusa • Glendon F. Danley-Colusa • Williams G. Lewis-Colusa • William Landrus-Williams • Joe Martinez-Stonyford • Lawrence Ruff-Colusa • Terrance Ruff-Colusa • James W. Butler-Afton/ Princeton • Robert F. Martin-Colusa • George BlanchardArbuckle • Nelson Madden-Colusa • Fred Wroten-Colusa • William P. BurgessArbuckle • Dean Atwood-Williams • Walter Rouke-Colusa • Richard Grubbs-Colusa • Henry Staple-Colusa • Robert C. Phelps-Colusa • Floyd Addy-Colusa • Floyd Stallions-Colusa • Thomas C. Hunter-Colusa • James R. Lindsay-Arbuckle • Edward West-Arbuckle • Cecil Strickland-Williams • Richard C. Lunt-Colusa • Jack Stowell-Colusa • Robert Duvall-Arbuckle • Jules Danley-Maxwell • Jimmie Taylor-Colusa/ Winters • Albert Lee Eibe, Jr.Arbuckle/Sacramento • Owen Mayberry-Colusa/ Fair Oaks • Hartson LeventonPrinceton/Butte City • U.S. Marine Corps/Navy • Alfred Berton BruggmanColusa • Herbert Andrew CalcaterraStonyford • John Clifford FrielArbuckle • Robert Nicholas Watt • Louis J. Nissen, Jr.Williams • Robert L. Watson-Colusa • Raymond HansenArbuckle • Fred Meischke-Colusa • Lowell C. Krammer-Colusa • Marion J. Viney-Colusa • Lloyd G. Lane-Colusa • Tom Williams-Colusa • Kenneth Pence-Maxwell Vietnam War 1960’s-‘70s • Williams Luther DenmanMaxwell • Monroe Ward Cross-Colusa • Michael Alan PogueColusa • Robert J. Lorenzo-Colusa • Frank Allen BaggettWilliams • David Allen MaddenArbuckle • Krag Colt Bullis, Sr.Colusa All the above names (for Vietnam) are listed on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D. C. and on the Veterans Traveling Memorial.

Special Veterans Edition 2009

(Photo Courtesy of Pete and Wanda Peterson) Tianan, July 1945, Capt. H.L. Peterson of Arbuckle, standing at the nose of “Lucky Eleven”, the B-29 Superfortress he commanded during WWII The following story is by H. L. “Pete” Peterson from Arbuckle, a former Colusa County Supervisor for District 1 for 12 years and the owner of a crop-dusting business in Arbuckle for many years.

Pete flew a Boeing B-29 Superfortress with the 1st.

Squadron, 9th Bomb Group I in World War II. With his permission, I have included his story from the book “THE GLOBAL TWENTIETH, An Anthology of the Twentieth Air Force in World War II, Volume VI,” by Chester Marshall.

It was a profound pleasure to talk with this gentle man with a repertoire of stories that held me spellbound for hours, and I left inspired and hungry for more. It is indeed an honor and a pleasure to share one of his stories with the readers of the Pioneer Review.

THE KOBE PREMONITION

BY H. L. PETERSON

A quotation once suggested “Truth is stranger than fiction!” Occasionally even truth is characterized by additional dimension. For the crew of “Gods Will” the Kobe strike became a twenty four hour period of progressive unfolding.

Until the battle order of 5 June 1945 was posted, 4 June 1945 started as any other day on the island of Tinian in the Marianas. Upon reading the terse information relating to the upcoming strike, this

writer felt a physical sickness akin to a haymaker to the gut.

The order included crew 11-B directing a daylight formation strike on Kobe. Never in the writer’s life, before or since, has there been the need to deal with such an apprehension. 4 June 1945 stood front and center suggesting particular precaution with every combat detail.

This narrative acknowledges other crews in combat suffering greater trauma and violence.

Portrayed in this story is the certainty of impending crisis.

Briefing assumed proportions of startling clarity.

Each piece of information was questioned—“Is this the part that could be the base of the feeling that prevailed?”

Preflight enjoyed the same of intensity—“What is there about the ship or crew that would offer a clue?” What about the take off? Many crew felt half the mission was complete with the success of getting the heavily weighted Superfort into the air.

After pulling the props through plus all the necessary chores- and checklists prior to engine start, we taxied in our designated position to the runway indicated on our flimsy for takeoff. Without incidence we became airborne.

En route to the target fuel transfers, navigational duties, cruise control and other myriad duties took place without a hitch. Approximately an hour from the Japanese landfall the guns were check-

November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

fired assuring that there were no malfunctions.

All through the flight ran the thread of thought and conversation relating to double and triple checking all preparations. The last chore came in the form in the form of each crew member having all personal gear in place— gloves, steel helmets, jackets, Mae Wests, laminated flak vests, crash harness and safety belts secured, et cetera. Often times not many of these things were attended to –a guilt that I shared. But today with my conviction of foreboding, I particularly had everything in place.

After joining formation at about 16,000 feet altitude it was business as usual from the IP (initial point) and into the target area. Immediately after bombs away, the bombardier, Lt. Don Dwyer, identified “Fighters-12 O’clock level!”on collision course. Explosives machine gun fire erupted and continued during which time the cockpit area was flooded with smoke. Upon cracking the windows, drawing out the smoke, we were able to assess the damage. A gaping hole in nose above the bombardier’s head quickly caught our attention as did #1 and #2 engines which had to be feathered. The smoke was the result of materials in the cockpit being ignited by projectiles fired by the fighters.

The junction box above the pilot’s heads was pulverized creating a loss of communication with the crew members. In spite of this, it was later determined the firing accuracy of the gunners had accounted for two definite and two probable enemy fighters destroyed-a testimony to the discipline and training exercised by these men.

As we crossed land fall and administered first aid we maintained a comfortable air speed with a minimum of gradual loss of altitude to Iwo Jima, and the incredulous realization that in spite of our problems I felt great weight had left my shoulders.

Our approach to Iwo was somewhat obscure by weather plus water spouts.

After making a two engine “go around”, which you’re not supposed to do, we found a hole in the undercast and sighted the old Japanese strip which ran by Suribachi.

Touching down halfway down the 5,000 foot runway the brakes were applied blowing the tires on the left wheels causing the plane to veer into a volcanic ashen bank beside the runway.

Climbing out of the plane, I reached for my old bellows type Kodak camera, wiped off the blood and took snap

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shots of the ships exterior. An astounding revelation took place as we looked at #4 engine which had three spent shell hits in the prop bladed within the radius of the engine, three shell holes through the blades and one prop tip missing a piece of metal as big as your hand. All this having taken place with one of our two remaining engines which we thought was a healthy power plant. As the crew removed my equipment from the cockpit area they amazed to find my flak suit pulverized by shrapnel and with the removal of my parachute they found the shrouds falling apart and the rip cord was severed and fell to the floor. A large piece of shrapnel was found embedded in the armor plate at the back of my seat which had severed both the shrouds and rip cord.

My stay in the hospital in Iwo Jima lasted for three or four days after the crew had flown back to Einian on a C-47. Upon my return to the base I asked for my camera and was informed it had been stolen. The camera was of no consequence –I would give a fortune for that roll of film.

It is anticlimactic that twenty years later while playing golf that a noticed a lump. Of s size to be concerned about, developing in my shoulder.

Seeking medical attention the doctor suggested cutting an elliptical piece the size of finger and to further consider a biopsy. He hesitated-took his scalpel and opened the specimen-producing 3 pieces of shrapnel-two with threads common to a 20 mm caliber or thereabouts.

The premonition identity which endured for so many years has recently changed to the recognition that on 5 June 1945 the good Lord was saying “Today is the day to take care!”, In conclusion may it be fitting to share with you a very private matter.

Through the years wince the experience over Kobe, there have been occasions during the subsequent years when things were not as hoped for. I have opened the drawer of the filing cabinet, taken out my rip cord and am refreshed that things aren’t so bad after all!

EDITORS NOTE; During a recording session at the 9th BG reunion at Dayton, Ohio, 15 October 1988 Pete Peterson related this story on video tape for posterity. We are happy to include this very unusual experience in our 4th volume of The Global Twentieth in order that future generations may read and understand better how the youth of our era withstood many hardships of World War II. Chester Marshall

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November 6, 2009 - November 19, 2009

Williams pioneer review

Special Veterans Edition 2009

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