A Vet’s Impression

To the Editor:

I have just reviewed your very moving Newtown Bee website article, “Middle School Students Present A ‘Star Spangled’ Day for Veterans.” The pictured Navy vet Gordon Johnson with his grandson, Chris Segovia, brought a warm smile to my face. As one of the 23 vets remembered at the Newtown Middle School Veteran’s Day program on November 10, I felt very much touched by the great effort put forth by so many people — students, teachers, and parents. After driving 350 miles the night before in response to my grandson Herlof Sorensen’s invitation, the ensuing day of tribute given to us vets was unexpected and overwhelming.

Everything was done with such detail starting with a smiling welcome at the building’s door entrance. The breakfast table spread of foods was mind boggling. How could these people have prepared so much of so many things! There were quiches, rolls, croissants, deviled eggs, lox on bagels, fruits, juices, coffee and tea, special homemade cakes, and much more. These were topped off finally by large red/white/blue iced sheet cakes. We had special vet placemats with inscribed welcome phrases by each of our student table companions. Another table placard listed by full name the attendees at the table. A small delicate floral decoration bedecked the table with the use of an old Coke bottle vase.

All sorts of lively discussions occurred at the breakfast tables:

First student Scott Simon visited our table wearing his grandfather’s Navy work blues outfit. Scott’s grandfather had to be small in size because he was a belly gunner on a Navy Avenger torpedo bomber during WWII. As an aircraft carrier (USS Randolph, CV 15) firecontrolman with battle station up on top of the carrier’s “island,” I watched many Avengers take off from the flight deck with those brave men cramped into their small spaces. I asked Simon to somehow let me know the name of his grandfather’s ship.

Next table visitor was Gordon Johnson of the website picture. Gordon related to me that his repair ship, Argonne, was moored near my ship in the Leyte Gulf, Philippines. He related how he saw an Air Force P-38 fighter plane in casual maneuvers accidentally crash dive on the Randolph’s forward flight deck (killing 14 sailors, injuring many others) and destroying several planes. He said that the pilot was not a US Air Force pilot but a Japanese pilot that had stolen a P-38! This was totally shocking because such news had never been released aboard the Randolph! Imagine, to hear this out-of-the-blue at the middle school breakfast — and 50 years later.

A final table visitor was Evan Pitkoff, superintendent of schools, taking his time to sit and chat about things including personal family events related to wartime.

After breakfast the formal program, managed by student moderators, and performed by students, was completely captivating with original poem and lyrics, duet singing, narratives, narrated color film clips, and Cluster 7 Purple group song. The hall of posters by the students was a delightful original presentation of meaningful themes of military service and war memorabilia. Vets left the building with gift glasses of candy and smiling thank yous from the hosts.

All in all, this Vet’s Memorial event at Newtown’s Middle School shall be warmly remembered by all the attending vets, and we shall share the moment in silent thoughts of our many departed comrades. Thank you to Shari Oliver for the concept and stimulus to teach remembrance to students, and to all of the many annual teacher/parent workers who have participated for us vets. From what I have observed in my visits to other school activities in Newtown, reading its local newspapers, and talks with my daughter Brigette Sorensen, it strikes me that this is an exceptionally fine community filled with community spirit to accomplish solid youth educational development goals and cultural achievements for older youth and adults.

It’s a sheer pleasure to have been treated so considerately.

Thank you,

William Glendinning

South Bristol, Maine                                              November 22, 2004