| Honoring the Brave |
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by Karl Sisson, Director of Development
At Heritage Village Retirement Campus (Gerry, NY), we are privileged to count several of these brave veterans as residents. I recently had the opportunity to sit down and listen to remarkable memories with two such men – Charles “Chuck” Hallberg and Robert “Bob” Clark. Although they didn’t know each other at the time, Chuck and Bob both served in the 398th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force 1st Air Division based at Nuthampstead Air Force Base in England during World War II. Over sixty years later, they now live in the same community and took the opportunity to share their personal experiences with each other and with me. Chuck Hallberg – Squadron 601 Chuck Hallberg was 20 years old, married, and living in Bemus Point, NY when he was drafted in 1942. His squadron trained in locations such as Pyote, TX, Alexandria, LA, Rapids City, SD, and Bangor, ME before flying to England via Scotland. Chuck’s squadron made its first flight on May 6, 1944, over the coast of France. Their B-17 Bomber could be equipped with five different bombs, depending on the mission and the target. From May through August, they successfully completed 32 daytime missions (England flew the nighttime missions) over France, Germany, Austria, and Holland. This included D-Day (June 6, 1944) when Chuck remembers, “The sky was absolutely filled with airplanes!” Chuck will never forget where he was when the war started. “We were entertaining guests when the six o’clock news announced that Pearl Harbor was attacked,” he says. “The next day, while working at the Stow grocery store, I listened to the radio all day.” One of the toughest things Chuck ever had to do was deliver a telegram to a mother whose son had died at Pearl Harbor. “It was at that moment that the war became real for me.” In the months that followed, the family-owned grocery store suffered through rationing. “Everybody was doing something to support his or her country,” he remembers. “We accepted the fact that we all had to make sacrifices. Today, that wouldn’t happen. I think people reject the war today because of how the media presents the war. I have personally spoken to some soldiers who have served in Iraq and they assure me good things are happening.” Chuck will also never forget the flight which left the United States bound for Europe on April 19, 1944. Over their Bemus Point home, he dropped a handmade parachute from the plane with a special message for his wife, Irene; a story that was documented by Manley Anderson in The Post-Journal in May 2004. Bob Clark – Squadron 602 Originally from Clarks Summit, PA, Bob Clark was only 18 years old and attending Chesbro Seminary (now Roberts Wesleyan College) in Rochester, NY when he was drafted in 1943. His squadron trained together in locations such as Fort Niagara, NY, Miami Beach, FL, Salt Lake City, UT, and Rapid City, SD, before sailing on the USS Wakefield across the Atlantic Ocean. Bob remembers, “It was not a direct route as we had to avoid German submarines and bombs all along the way.” Bob was originally scheduled to be a tail gunner, but his height (5’ 3”) precluded him from doing so. So, he became the 1st Cook in the Officers Mess at Nuthampstead Air Force Base. Bob explains, “This role was very rewarding as I was able to serve pilots and their crews as they prepared for some very important missions.” Bob still has many vivid memories from the war years. “Believe it or not, all the young men were gung-ho to be drafted.” He believes much of this had to do with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Germans sinking merchant ships, and the persecution of Jews. “When you look at the United States today, there is a completely different attitude about the war.” He suggests. “I don’t believe patriotism is as evident. I remember everyone voluntarily making sacrifices and contributions, even as simple as saving the foil off their gum wrappers, to support our soldiers. We had a common vision, and that’s what allowed us to be successful.” When asked about the War in Iraq, Bob believes it is a war we can win. “If our leaders let the military do what they need to, and not make everything political, we can be victorious,” he explains. “I think most Americans have the wrong perspective on the war, and that can be blamed on the media and politicians who are more concerned for their political careers than those serving overseas.” Having served our country well, and demonstrating their willingness to pay the ultimate sacrifice, these two veterans are at least entitled to their opinions. They served to defend that freedom. Let’s celebrate these two brave men, and all our veterans this Memorial Day. Yesterday, Heritage Village Retirement Campus staff and residents gathered together to honor Chuck, Bob, and the community’s other brave veterans. During this special Memorial Day ceremony, Lisa Onink, Administrator, unfurled a new American flag donated by the family of Reid Pierson that will now wave proudly in the center of campus. |
May 2007 - What does Memorial Day mean to you? Have you stopped to think about the sacrifices so many brave men and women have paid and continue to pay to defend the many freedoms we often take for granted? Did you know that 1,200 veterans are dying in America each day? Today, maybe more than ever, it is vital that we continue to honor and pay tribute to those who have fought and continue to fight for the noble cause of freedom.