Preserving the History of World War II
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Copyright © 2007. Joseph Bradley. All Rights Reserved.
Address: 201 Main Street P.O. Box 273 Eldred, PA 16731 | Phone: 814-225-2220
Address: 201 Main Street P.O. Box 273 Eldred, PA 16731 | Phone: 814-225-2220
| News Archives |
The Eldred World War II Museum
| December, 1999 June, 20001 April, 2003 December, 2006 |
| June, 2000 March, 2002 July, 2004 January, 2007 |
| January 2001 Russian Artifacts On Display and Other News There is much to see at the museum if you have not visited us recently. We have many new displays on both floors of the museum. Our newest display features artifacts from Russia. Constantine Charov of the Moscow Military Museum has generously donated many artifacts from World War II. Russian medals, commemorative medallions, a Russian uniform and a winter overcoat are just a few of the items from Charov's collection on display at this time. Last November, Mr. Charov, as an honored guest of the museum, spoke to students at St. Bonaventure and University of Pittsburgh-Bradford on his war experiences. In addition to our new Russian display, we also have requests from Russian veterans of World War II who have expressed an interest in corresponding with American veterans. These men would like to share their experiences and offer their gratitude to the Americans who served with them during the war. Anyone interested in this type of correspondence should contact Kurt Pfaff, Director, or Susan Black, Curator, at the museum (814) 225-2220. Artifacts previously donated by individuals have been organized into several themes and are currently on exhibit in cases located on both floors of the museum. Several cases are devoted to the Army, Navy, Army Air Corps and Marines. There are also display cases honoring both men and women who served on the home front during WWII. As donations continue to arrive at the museum, we have begun to rotate our items on display. We continue to encourage the donation of artifacts from the war years and are pleased to be able to display them. One of our goals for the year is to videotape the personal accounts of World War II veterans to add to our current collection of over 500 written statements. If you know a veteran with a story to tell, please let us know so we can make every effort to record these valuable testimonies. Welcome to the newly elected members of the Eldred WWII Museum's Board of directors- Carl Closs, a retired businessman from Kenneth Square, Pennsylvania who visits schools throughout the nation portraying George Washington and Charles Curley, a retired teacher in the Allegany School District from Olean, New York. From The Director In each publication of our newsletter we endeavor to include an article about a local veteran of the WWII years. This edition presents the odyssey of Donald J. Walker of Olean, New York. Although assigned to a ferrying division which flew missions over the dangerous "Hump" in the C.B.I. Theater, Don was proud to serve his country and had many pleasant opportunities during his time in the service. Don was inducted into the Army Air Corps at Fort Niagara, NY in September of 1942. Forty-two months later he received his discharge at Fort Dix, NJ. The intervening 3 1/2 years represented a true travel adventure in a young man's life as he crisscrossed the United States in preparation for his future duty station in Karachi and Gaya, India, and his eventual return trip home by way of the Holy Land and France. Following his induction, he took basic training in Atlantic City. During the Depression years the resort hotel business had fallen upon hard times, which would become a blessing for many servicemen. As General "Hap" Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Corps, struggled to house thousands of airmen, he decided to utilize the empty rooms of these hotels all along the eastern and gulf coast seaboard. Don's travel ticket after basic training included armored school in Denver and advanced training on duty in Dallas, Cincinnati, Wilmington, Long Beach, before being sent overseas. In the Middle East, Don felt privileged to be able to visit Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Libya and the Holy Land. His sense of adventure was intensified when he rode a camel and toured an ancient pyramid. His arrival in Paris was during the height of winter. Don and his fellow airmen arrived wearing clothing suited for the C.B.I. Theater minus any winter clothing. Through the efforts of General Chennault, the group of airmen finally received their issue of winter clothing. While recalling his time in the service, Don also suggested another reason for feeling fortunate. Whereas many servicemen went through WWII never meeting an old acquaintance, friend or relative, Don seemed to have the opposite good fortune of meeting such people wherever he was stationed, even when he was far away in the China, Burma, India Theater. Several times he crossed trails with friends and relations from western New York. Don also had some pleasant experiences as an M.P. for General Tunner, Commander of the Army Air Corps Ferrying Division; meeting Jackie Cochran, Commander of the WASPS in WWII was one of many memorable experiences. When working on machine gun maintenance, Don stood within five feet of one of the top-secret weapons of WWII. While guards armed with submachine guns and other technicians mounted and dismounted the super secret Norden bombsight, Don repaired machine guns in close proximity to the Norden. Even though he was within just a few feet, he was never permitted to view the bombsight. Only after 56 years did he receive his first look at the Norden, and this occurred at the Eldred World War II Museum! The museum appreciates Don's devotion and relationship to its operation and vision. Wherever he travels he distributes hundreds of brochures on behalf of the museum. Don, thanks for your years of service to our country and for being the Eldred Museum's roving ambassador. |
