Former POW's ordeal recalled
Some readers showed great interest in the recent history note related to the St. Charles High School Class of 1958 reunion.
They were not aware of the story of Capt. Bob White, a 1958 graduate who went on to serve his country in the Army and was a Vietnam POW from 1969 to 1973. White was in town celebrating with his classmates a few weeks ago, but he has rarely spoken to the media about his ordeal.
Even though this year marks the 35th anniversary of his safe return, I decided not to ask him about it while he was having a great time with his friends from high school.
Published reports in 1973 about White's return indicated he was the last American POW to be released. At that time, he spoke briefly with reporters, talking about his ordeal and mentioning the severe effects of malnutrition that were going to take time to overcome.
I have read White's account of his captivity in excerpts from "We Came Home," a 1977 book by Capt. Frederic A. Wyatt and his wife, Barbara.
White was born in Geneva in 1940 and grew up in St. Charles. After high school graduation, he attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., and volunteered for the Army in 1960. He re-enlisted in 1965 and attended aircraft maintenance officer courses before being assigned to Vietnam in the 1st Calvary Division. After that yearlong assignment, he was back to the States for more training for an assignment with the 1st Aviation Brigade in Vietnam in October of 1969.
A month later, while flying a visual reconnaissance mission in an OV-1 Mohawk, he was hit by enemy fire, but ejected safely from his burning plane. He was captured on Nov. 15, 1969. He spent the next four years in various camps, a full year or more in a small cage.
He saw only one other American, for about a year, and never saw another until he was released.
Through a serious illness and extreme conditions, White was determined to survive. He mentions that his reconnection with faith was extremely important.
St. Charles welcomed White home on May 5, 1973 with a parade down Main Street, a luncheon at Pheasant Run and an open house at the high school, then located at Seventh and Main (now Thompson Middle School). A few weeks later, President Richard Nixon honored him at a White House dinner.
A historic party:
Batavia isn't going overboard with hype for its planned 175th birthday celebration over Labor Day weekend, but the posters around town promoting the activities sure are interesting. I spotted a small one posted at the Depot Museum, and the photos of the "City of Energy" from yesteryear featuring downtown parades and kids lined up for a day of school are fun to look at. There will be historic exhibits, a picnic, music and fireworks among other events throughout next weekend, including a rededication ceremony of the Donovan bridge on Wilson Street.
No place to knit:
They can knit you a pair of socks in no time, but they can't find a place to meet to talk shop and knit. Eileen Hoesly, vice president of the Fox Valley Knitter's Guild, sent a note to explain her club's dilemma of feeling like nomads.
"We are a very nonprofit group of ladies - although men are very welcome to join - of all ages and skill levels who meet monthly to promote the art of knitting and fellowship," Hoesly said. "We are in need of a meeting place."
Hoesly said the group has grown so much it has run out of space at its current location at the University of Illinois Extension office on Randall Road. The club can't pay much to rent space, but is willing to pay something for a room large enough for 80 people, with tables and good lighting. Ideally, nearby parking that also is well-lit would be a big plus. The group meets from 6:30 to 10 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. If anyone has an idea for these ladies, contact Eileen at (630) 443-7666.
They're all partying:
Last Wednesday, I mentioned the annual Paddyfest celebration at St. Patrick Church in St. Charles this weekend. The other Catholic parishes are partying Sunday as well. St. Peter in Geneva has its church picnic at noon, and Holy Cross is having a celebration to signal the opening of its new school at 11:15 a.m., followed by the parish picnic.
dheun@sbcglobal.net