Evergreen Outreach
By Charlene M. Jett
I hardly know where to start – our Veterans Day speakers were so inspirational!
But let me do some housekeeping first. Pastor James Fackler was our leader and Donna Smith our pianist. We sang our regular welcome and Outreach songs, and need to give special thanks to Donna for not complaining about our out-of-tune voices. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Tonya Stout and Hope Holffstatler. We welcomed a newcomer, Beulah Nichols, and were saddened to hear about Marvin Stall of FAYCO becoming ill.
Pastor Fackler reviewed our U.S. armed services and some of what they do for us – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard. We must remember our veterans!
Miles Filer, (90-plus) our first speaker, was interviewed by Pastor Fackler. We learned a little about what Miles – who is originally from near Carlyle – did in the 82nd Airborne, 508th Parachute Regiment, during World War II. He joined the Army in October 1942, was a chauffeur for August Busch and parachuted in to France on D-Day. General Ike Eisenhower said, “Good Luck, Boys,” before Miles got on the C-47 plane heading to France from England. Enemy planes shot at them, his parachute got caught in a pine tree and a dog barked at him. He carried TNT in his jumpsuit pocket – just enough to blow up a tank or two.
He was a scout when the Germans killed his Lt. Gillespie, leaving him in charge. The machine guns missed Miles, but four German soldiers captured him and about 25 others the day after D Day. They all became prisoners of war and were sent to Czechoslovakia to work in a coal mine for the Nazi’s for nine months. Miles traded his Red Cross cigarettes for bread and ate kohlrabi soup made from horsemeat. He made about $100/month.
In May 1945, the war was over and the Russians came from the East and the Americans came from the West. Miles was put on a ship and sent home – at last! I’m certain his daughter, Ruth, is thankful!
Herb Woolsey, 80-plus, works at Woolsey Brothers and helps get the fertilizer trucks out. He has six kids and runs a business. He spoke about all the different ways that God helps us, and especially those in combat. Herb was in the Army and operated heavy weapons. He was sent to officer training school, at Ft. Benning, Ga., and other locations before he was sent into the Korean War. He became an instructor in chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and also taught map reading.
He was in the reserves for 34 years and rose to become commander of a tank company. Herb referenced the Bible and John 15:13-14, in which Jesus says, “Greater love has no one, than one who lays down his life for his friend.” Herb read a “Tribute to our Armed Forces” and two poems, “No, Freedom isn’t Free” and “What is a Veteran?”
The veterans’ gift to us is the blank check they write on their life, for our benefit. Their sacrifice may include life, liberty, body or mind. Never forget that FREEDOM isn’t FREE. Herb shared a great story, “God and the Spider,” which conveys the hidden ways that God can protect us. In this story a soldier wanted a brick wall, to help protect him as he but was hidden in a cave, but his enemies didn’t look for him there, because a few strands of a spider web made the entrance look like no one had entered it.
Now, Herb has a very humorous side too and shared a VERY good joke about an old soldier with a heart murmur and being careful! Just ask him about it! We were all bent over from laughing!
Brenda showed off her hat-making endeavors, and Pastor Fackler modeled one that was a Panda. Brenda has made more than 300 baby hats. Robbie showed us his hidden quarter trick, which he promises to practice more!
The pinochle table was listening carefully to Herb’s jokes as Richard Kruenegel/Susan Meador lost to Mary Woolsey/Rosamund Hobler.
Next week, EO will not be at the church, but stay tuned for calls or the radio for our meeting place.
The Rev. James Fackler, left, was the leader of the day at EO on Monday, and he is shown with two veterans who spoke that day, Miles Filer, center, and Herb Woolsey.
