Attic expedition yields quite the historical treasure trove

Part of the routine in preparing to move from one house to another includes clearing stuff out of the attic. That ritual usually brings on a flood of memories.

During their preparation for a move later this year, Wade and Betty Weisman of St. Charles know the feeling well. They have gathered letters and artifacts from Wade's grandfather that result in a history lesson regarding America's little-known invasion of Russia in 1917.

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, it is a perfect time to reflect on the love letters Capt. Chauncey C. Wade wrote to his family at home and the photos and artifacts he left behind from the "Polar Bear Expedition" into Archangel, Russia.

"I always say my grandfather was in four wars because he was in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and part of this Russian Expeditionary Force, and then after he retired from the military in the mid-1930s, he enlisted right away after Dec. 7,1941," Weisman fondly recalls.

Weisman said he has always had the letters and other materials documenting his grandfather's role in the 339th Infantry North Russian Expeditionary Force from August 1917 to August 1919.

"I knew my grandfather fairly well, as he didn't pass away until 1953 at the age of 76, when I was a junior in high school," Weisman said. "So he always gave this stuff to me and this material has gone from basement to attic in a few places."

Weisman finds it intriguing because this military action is not well-documented and, even to this day, its mission and purpose remain unclear.

"The letters from my grandfather carried a few consistent themes," Weisman said. "The first was that the soldiers were really wondering why they were there in northern Russia off the Arctic Ocean. They were wondering why they were still there after the Armistice ending World War I was signed.

"One of his letters said that he had hoped to get stationed in sunny Italy, but here he was going to the 'frozen north' and he felt they were booked for a long stay," Weisman added. "He also mentioned many times that the food was not very good and the living conditions were terrible for the Russian people, and the soldiers did not have the proper clothes for the weather conditions."

The American troops, actually a National Guard unit, were part of an international force that was told to protect the railroad lines in Russia, which were extremely unstable at the time, while also fighting Bolshevik forces, Weisman said. The Allies, at that time, were fearful that Bolshevik troops would spread Communism throughout the region.

Weisman said that books and other documents about this part of American history reflect the differences of opinion about whether the United States should have been involved.

"Winston Churchill made the comment that we had a chance right then and there to stop the spread of Communism," Weisman said. "Obviously, we did not do that, and the Russian leaders and people ever since then have remembered that we invaded their country."

Weisman is not sure what he will do with his grandfather's materials, though a history museum near Detroit, Mich., where his grandfather's unit was from, has shown an interest.

Timely recognition: The Daily Herald published a feature story and an editorial proclaiming the accomplishments of West Aurora High School students in being the first in the country to stage "Rent" as the spring musical. But they are also getting some national fanfare.

Under the direction of longtime instructor Donna Letzter, the show got rave reviews from critics and parents. So much so, that it is being featured in Time magazine and its Web site this month. The article notes how more ambitious productions are in store for high school students, as the trend moves from "Oklahoma" and "Guys and Dolls" to plays like "Miss Saigon," "Les Miserables," "Cats" and "Rent."

The national recognition is a nice way for Letzter to exit stage left, as she retires this year after 30 years of directing plays and musicals at the high school.

A diner with a cause: Fundraisers and food have long been a potent combination. The fundraising committee for Batavia's new Early Childhood Center outdoor learning area has that in mind this week.

Anyone who visits Daddio's Diner (formerly Kathy's Diner) at 134 W. Wilson in downtown Batavia this week will benefit the center on the Alice Gustafson School campus.

Scott and Terry Beltran, the owners of Daddio's, are donating 10 percent of their sales back to the center to help buy specialized playground equipment for the outdoor learning area.

The center serves children ages 3 to 5 who have special needs, so Daddio's is the place to be this week.

dheun@sbcglobal.net