Veterans recall combat service

John Turner and his wife sat in the second row of folding chairs in the cafetorium, waiting for the November 8 Veterans Day Celebration to begin.

"I was just a kid of 18 when I joined the air force. I saw it as a great adventure for me," said Turner, his eyes twinkling at the memory of his youthful enthusiasm. "But all that changed after two or three flights over Germany..."

Turner enlisted with the Army Air Corps during World War Two, stayed with the Army after the war and served there for twenty-five more years.

He deeply appreciated the recognition of veterans' service from Sisters students.

"I came last year and this assembly is one of the greatest things I've ever seen," Turner said. "You (schools) need to bring us in to speak to the students. Kids these days don't have an appreciation for what we've done. And it's hard for people my age to even communicate what if felt like to go through war. That's something each generation must learn on it's own."

Wally Rietz sat three rows back. He fought with General George S. Patton's Third Army, in a cavalry squadron.

"I saw a lot of action at the Battle of the Bulge," recalled Rietz. "I was a lieutenant in the cavalry -- we are the Kit Carsons of the military, spearheading divisions to break through enemy lines."

What was it like serving under General Patton?

"Patton didn't believe in foxholes," said Rietz. "He trained us to charge ahead at all costs. Even though we may have lost more men initially that way, the overall casualties would be much less. I really liked the way he thought. In my opinion, if Patton would have had more authority, the war would have ended much sooner."

Marvin Smith, accompanied by his wife, Virginia, attended both the morning and evening ceremonies.

Smith, who fought on the beaches of Normandy as a company commander of the 30th Infantry division, is deeply grateful that veterans are honored and remembered in this community.

"This gives me a sense that people remember us," he said. "It's important that people remember what the soldiers did."

Smith then motioned to his fellow veterans, who were scattered throughout the cafetorium.

"And I get to see old friends... That's important, too."