Oregon Area Historical Society & Museum

October 1951

Town Crier – Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear Ye!

Mrs. Culver

As the students of OHS started back to school, we noticed many new faces among not only the students, but also the new teachers.

Mrs. Culver, the new biology and physical education teacher, was born in Belmont, Wisconsin, November 13, 1927. She went to high school in Belmont and took her college training at Platteville State Teachers College and at the University of Wisconsin. Her favorite color is red. Dancing is her favorite sport while T-bone steak is on the top of her list of favorite foods. Thus far she likes Oregon but is eager to get to know the people better. We are sure that the people would enjoy getting to know you too, Mrs. Culver!

Mr. Smith

Have you met Mr. Ray Smith, who teaches physics, algebra, general math, geography, boys’ gym and is also the assistant coach?

He was born in Chippewa Falls. He went to high school at Eau Claire and attended the State Teachers College there. He has done graduate work at Northwestern University. We asked him what his favorite food was. After thinking for a while he said, “Just food.”  His favorite beverage is milk while his favorite sport is football, although he also likes to fish and hunt.     

He is 5 feet and 9 inches tall.

He has been married for four and one-half years. His wife’s name is Carol Smith. You have probably met her. She works in the high school office.

Last year Mr. Smith taught at Evanston, Illinois, where he was also assistant coach.

He served in the United States Navy for two and one-half years.

Mr. Smith likes music very much and at one time played the trumpet in a dance band.

We asked him how he liked Oregon and he told us he liked it very much. 

Welcome to Oregon High School, Mr. Smith

Christmas Gift Mailing Date for Service Men Near

The U.S. Post Office Department set the dates October 15th to November 15th as mailing dates for Christmas gifts for the Armed Forces and employees of the Armed Forces overseas.

It is now time to select an appreciative gift to mail to those who cannot be home for Christmas this year.

Items for your consideration include:

      Identification Bracelets

      Toilet Kits (leather or plastic)

      Billfolds

      Hard Candy

      Lighters

      Shaving Sets

      Shaving Lotion (non-breakable plastic bottle)

      Electric Razors

      Watches

      Pens and Pen and Pencil Sets

All these items and others are available at Lawson Drug Store. The Postal Department requests that no perishables be included in your Christmas mailing.

C.A. Hanan Dies

C.A. Hanan, 92, resident of the Oregon village since 1911, died at his home, 420 Jefferson St., Thursday afternoon. He had been in good health, working in his garden in the morning and walking downtown in the afternoon. He was ill only for a short time.

Clarence A. Hanan was born in the Town of Rutland to pioneer parents, Henry S. Hanan and Louisa A. Tipple Hanan. He was the last of nine children. His twin sister, Mrs. J. A. Paul of Sparta, died at the age of seventy-three.

For many years an Oregon and Dane County civic leader, Mr. Hanan was formerly president and secretary of the village, chairman and assessor of the Town of Rutland, clerk of the Tipple school board, (now Oak Hill), treasurer of the Dane County Fair Association and chairman of the Dane County Board of Supervisors. A former insurance man, Mr. Hanan retired as president of the Middleton Fire Insurance Co. in 1943 after 25 years in the insurance business. 

At the time of his death Mr. Hanan was still a member of the Oregon drainage committee. He was proud of the fact that he never missed voting in an election. Even at 92 he read three daily papers and several weekly papers and periodicals and never wore glasses.  He was well informed on current events and an ardent sports fan, listening to all types of sports events.  Until recently he attended games of various sorts held in Oregon. 

Always interested in fire prevention he decided to do something for the Oregon volunteer firemen.  After talking the matter over with his family and obtaining a donation from his fire company,  he solicited aid from other active citizens and a group furnished the banquets for the volunteers for many years.  He declined to accept an office in the group so many did not know that he originated the idea.

He married Eunice Danks on May 16, 1918.  She died August 18, 1942.  Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Mona Paulson, and a granddaughter, Florice Pauson, Oregon.  A daughter Bernice C. Hanan, died Sept. 4, 1949.

Mr. Hanan had been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 52 years and served as Worshipful Master.  He was presented with his 50-year certificate with fitting ceremonies two years ago.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 in the Presbyterian Church with Reverend Oscar Stanke of the Waterloo Methodist Church officiating.  Edward Owen sang with Donald McGill at the organ.  The Masons attended in a body and the Masonic rites were read by Louis Sprague of Madison, a past master of the Oregon Lodge. 

Sophomore Class News

This year there are 47 students in the Sophomore class.  Officers elected for this year are:

     President – Marilyn Kellor.

     Vice President – Marion Feggestad.

     Secretary – Marlen Markham.

     Treasurer – Esther Hoffman.

     Reporter – Bob Jones.

Subjects for the Sophomore class are English, typing, world history, biology, homemaking, agriculture, algebra and general math.  Marion Feggestad was chosen as a candidate for Homecoming Queen by the Sophomore class. 

Kindergarten

The kindergarten has seventy-four pupils.  Thirty-six children come in the morning and thirty-eight in the afternoon.  Miss Evearts is the kindergarten teacher.

They started to drink milk last week and have been drinking it every day.  It is not compulsory but is advisable for them to have it.

They have a nice collection of butterflies, caterpillars and other insects.  They also have a collection of unusual stones that the children have been bringing in.

They are talking about the different activities that are going on outside their classroom.

The children have been doing easel painting for two weeks.  They are now bringing old clothes that they will use to play with in their playhouse. 

Random Shots

-In a recent tribal election on a Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona, the original Americans voted for the first time under the system so long enjoyed by their paleface brothers.  And in so doing they should have made some white American faces red—for more than 75 percent of them turned out to cast their ballots, even though some had to go as far as 60 miles by wagon or horseback to do it.

(Note: In last November’s election only a little more than 60 percent of us paleface registered voters took the trouble to go to the polls!)

-American taxpayers are putting up funds to build a $9,000,000 housing project near the city of Bonn for the personnel of the United States High Commissioner’s office.  The project includes 458 furnished apartments, ranging from one to four rooms each, in addition to a clubhouse with snack bar, dance floor, billiard room and swimming pool, as well as a 500-seat movie theatre.  The project also includes a magnificent view of the Rhine—for which American taxpayers will not be assessed. 

-Mothers have a better chance to rest while on vacation if they can get away from the rest.

-Tomorrow is the day that always gets here when you have today’s problems all figured out.

October 1976

OHS Band Takes Top Honors at LaCrosse

The Oregon High School Band traveled to LaCrosse on Saturday, October 2 to compete in the annual Oktoberfest activities and came back victorious! The band, under the direction of Steven W. Spiwak, performed in Class A in Parade and Field competition and received the following honors:

1st: Parade Competition (there were 26 bands entered in Class A for Parade)

1st: Field Competition with a score of 87.2 of a possible 100%

Best Color Guard

Best Drum Major (Teresa Doyle) 48 out of a possible score of 50%

Bands were entered in Classes B, A, and AA. The Oregon Band received the best overall combination of Parade and Field scores in all classes declaring them 1976 Oktoberfest Band Day Champions. 

A total of 54 bands competed in the parade before a crowd estimated at 250,000 viewing the 5.2-mile parade route. The band returned home at 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning, tired but proud of knowing that the 1976 Oktoberfest in LaCrosse can now be added to their list of accomplishments.

Band Boosters’ Chili Supper

The Oregon Band Boosters will sponsor a Chili Supper this Friday, October 8, in the Oregon High School cafetorium. Admission is $1.75 for adults and $1.00 for children under 12. Serving time is from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. This Chili Supper precedes the Oregon-Evansville football game to be played here Friday night.

Kindergartners in HMC School Building

During this 1976-77 school year, the children in the kindergarten classes of Mrs. Fanning and Mrs. Miller are enjoying their temporary quarters in the education unit of Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church. 

Daylight Savings Question 

The politicians tell us that the Daylight Savings issue may be settled soon, once and for all, after being “in” and “out” and “partial” for several years.

Arguments have been made for all of the proposals, from no DST to eight months DST, or back to the present six-month plan. Every one of the arguments is good, depending upon what an individual likes, but there is no way it can be settled to please everybody.

For example, many would like to see it year ‘round, to eliminate the switching back and forth. Arguments against this are led by those who see dangers to pedestrians, especially schoolchildren, who would be going to school in the morning while it is still dark, for two or three months. This is a strong and valid argument as one lost life is not worth all the Daylight Savings in the world.

Some would like to see it eliminated entirely, as it disrupts nature in the summer months, especially in the field of agriculture. They also claim it is a “sleep-robber” because it is an hour later before retiring, while still getting up to get to work at the usual hour. This, again, is an argument that no one can deny. Others like it the way it is now, May through October, and they argue that from that point on it does not help any, and they have points to back it up.

However, the plan that seems to be getting the strongest consideration is one that would extend the present six months to about seven or eight, perhaps cutting it off about the middle of October and starting again in the middle of March. This may be the ultimate solution to keep everyone happy. True, it would eliminate the hazard of early morning darkness in the short daylight months. Then, for those who enjoy the benefits, for lawn work, recreation, or whatever, it would help them and perhaps might conserve a little energy too.

At any rate, we hope that when it is settled, it will be on a nationwide basis, and not hit-and-miss, with some states having one schedule and other states having another. This causes total chaos in matters of transportation such as plane, bus and train schedules, as well as shipping problems. Let’s get it decided, once and for all.

Homecoming

This weekend is one of the biggest events of the year for the school and for the football team and its supporting student groups, parents, and the Oregon High School alumni.

Not only will the Oregon Panthers square off against Lake Mills to maintain their hold on first place (shared at present with Milton) in the conference, but three-day activities will highlight the big weekend.

Here’s to a big victory for Oregon, and a welcome to all alumni as they gather for the annual reunion to cheer their old Alma Mater on to success and meet with old schoolmates and friends.

No autumn is complete without a Homecoming, and this autumn is no exception.

A full schedule of activities has been set. The three-day activities include a pep rally, record hop, parade, dance and, of course, the Homecoming Game against Lake Mills. Oregon students have already spent most of this week engaged in activities at school as well as painting slogans and murals on downtown business windows after school.

Activities start tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 with the annual Homecoming Pep Rally in the High School gym. The cheerleaders will provide their usual crazy cheers and spirited enthusiasm. Each of the classes will present a skit during the rally.

The 1976 Varsity football team and coaching staff will be introduced by head coach Cal Callaway.

Also speaking will be Chamber of Commerce president, Louie Fahey, and High School principal Henry Appel. Following the introduction of the Homecoming Court, Fahey and Miss Oregon Pam Jensen, will announce the names of the Prom King and Prom Queen. 

Each member of the court will receive a gift from the Chamber, and the Queen will receive one dozen roses. Selected by each of their classes, this year’s court representatives are Freshman representative, Terri Zorko; Sophomore representative Patsy May; Junior representative, JoAnn McCarthy; and Senior representative, Jean DiMaggio. The girls’ escorts are selected from the senior members of the football team. 

Members of the Homecoming Court and their escorts will be in the parade, along with the mighty Panther football squad, the cheerleaders, many colorful floats and the great OHS Marching Band. Following the parade, the windows will be judged. Prizes, along with paint and paint brushes have been provided by the Chamber of Commerce. 

(In a post-Homecoming Observer edition, an article revealed the names of the escorts for Homecoming court as John Statz, Bruce Christensen, Brett Nelson, and David Stiklestead. Also announced was John Statz as King and Patsy May as Queen. The Observer also ran a number of pictures from the Homecoming Game, Parade, and Dance in that edition of the Observer)

Smith Opens New Electric Service in Oregon

ABLE Electric is the name of a new service available to the Village of Oregon and its neighboring communities. The owner and operator of the new electrical business is Allyn Smith, a resident of Oregon since 1959. Al has been an electrician for 16 years and a journeyman electrician since 1966.

His experience in the electrical field is widely varied, ranging from commercial construction to all aspects of house wiring, boilers, furnaces, and air conditioning units of all kinds.

Halloween Party Plans are Made

Mark your calendars for the big Halloween Party on Oregon’s north side on Friday, October 29th. This is a repeat of last year’s big fun-filled get-together by the community, when hundreds turned out to enjoy the fish fry and entertainment, together with customer participation in a costume contest and other innovations. This year the event, sponsored by the Oregon Chamber of Commerce retail committee, which also underwrites the downtown promotions at various times of the year, will be held in the Erfurth building on Braun Road, directly across the highway from the cemetery.  Extensive plans are being made by participating Oregon businesspeople to put on the program which starts at 4:30 p.m. with a big fish fry, and all types of refreshments. Following this will be a costume contest with cash prizes, entertainment by the Chamber Booster Band, Rich the Banjo Man, and many others.

Lord’s Acre Auction Sale

On October 23rd, the first annual Lord’s Acre Auction Sale will be sponsored by the Methodist Men’s group of Oregon. The auction will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Junior High gym.

Many people have put their talents to work to produce articles to be sold. Some of the items which will be available on the 23rd are homemade quilts, cap and mitten sets, pillowcases, and numerous other handmade sewn articles. A complete stroll-a-chair set, hassock, caned chairs, and many, many other crafts, art, and hobby items are being made. All kinds of garden produce from pumpkins to homemade pickles will also be up for sale.

Mr. Joe Stratman, whose hobby is woodworking, has taken some of the old church pews and shortened them to be very useful in the home. He has also made some oak dishes from different parts of the old pews.

There will be a lunch stand and various other items of interest at the auction sale, so bring your friends and neighbors and come out on October 23 at 3;30 p.m. to the Junior High gym.

Oregon FFA Citrus Fruit Sale

Help your local FFA in this fund-raising drive when they call at your door. FFA members will be taking orders until November 1. Delivery will be in the 2nd week of December. They have the following citrus items available:

  Ruby Red Grapefruit – Full Box, $7.00; ½ Box, $3.50; ¼ Box, $2.00

  Juice Oranges – Full Box, $7.50; ½ Box, $3.50; ¼ Box, $2.00

  Navel Oranges – Full Box, $7.00; ½ Box, $3.50; ¼ Box, $2.00

 Champions Travel to West Coast

Village president and Mrs. Norman Champion , 241 Hayler Court, left September 9th on a vacation trip to the west coast to visit relatives.

At Longmont, Colorado, they spent a few days with former Oregon residents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Gransee and Mr. and Mrs. David Gransee. Leaving there, the Champions traveled to San Diego, California for a reunion with her brother and wife, the Rev. and Mrs. Louie Gransee and family, spending several days.

En route back the couple stopped over in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they were welcomed by other former Oregon residents, Dr. and Mrs. R. J. Grosse and family and were their guests for a couple of days. Sightseeing was also on the agenda.

Reaching Wisconsin again, Norm and Pauline immediately departed for their cabin at Solon Springs, where they enjoyed a two-week outing. The Champions are now home, arriving here on October 7 following a wonderful holiday.

Flight To and From Cincinnati

Mrs. Jack (Dottie) McManus, Route 1, spent ten days last month in Cincinnati, Ohio with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Kasson. Mrs. Kasson was hospitalized at the time.

Due to inclement weather, when Atty. Jack flew down to accompany Dottie home over the weekend, they were forced to fly back commercially. The following Tuesday, Dottie boarded a plane to Cincinnati and safely brought back their own aircraft. It had to be done as Jack was busy. Dottie has held a pilot’s license for several years and is a seasoned flier (as is her husband). She was a bit hesitant about the flight, but everything turned out fine.

Pole Fire Causes Power Outage

A total of eight Wisconsin Power and Light Co. men and a variety of equipment was marshalled out Sunday noon when a fire was discovered burning on top of a light pole, heavily laden with many wires and insulators at the north end of Jerry’s Midland Station. The smoldering fire practically toppled the top of the pole and cross arms off, and the power lines which were concentrated thereupon. The mishap caused power outages in downtown Oregon for a time, and longer in the area west of the highway, as workmen hurried to install a new pole and rewire the circuits. They were hampered by cement foundations from old structures that had been there years ago and had to chisel and fight through the obstacles to get the pole set in again. Some of the outages were back in operation in an hour or two, most of them by 3:30 and some out on Jefferson Street and into the Town of Oregon, a short distance was out until about 4;30. 

Return from Northern Woods 

Mr. and Mrs. James Hansen returned home on Monday of last week after spending the past month at their cabin in northern Wisconsin.

For them, this is a very enjoyable time of the year. After that first touch of frost, the leaves turn their vivid colors, then fade and later cover the ground. The underbrush, which was so dense, dries and disappears, revealing so many things one hadn’t seen before.

They were happy to have friends stop to visit them – Pastor and Mrs. Immanuel Peterson, who were enroute to a short stay at Nelson’s Resort at Hayward; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Schnitker of Ft. Atkinson, who spent a weekend with them; Mr. and Mrs. Archie Masters, Packwaukee; Mrs. Ann Hoffmeister and children of Ely, Minnesota; as well as their daughters and families, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Westlin, Cook, Minnesota, and Mr. and Mrs. Ted Masters, Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Mr. Hansen will return to the cabin at deer hunting time to spend a few days then.

Retirement Party For “Jerry”

Last Thursday, October 21, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Booth attended a “Coffee Hour” held by the Dane County Traffic Department at the City-County Building in honor of Jerry’s retirement after 24 years on the force. His retirement was effective August 13 of this year.

Chamber News and Comments 

Information Center: The Chamber will sponsor the Oregon High School DECA Club’s community project this year. The DECA Club will construct and place an information rack in a central downtown location displaying brochures of local area businesses that would be of interest to tourists and newcomers to the vicinity.

Open House: Wisco Industries will hold an open house in their newly remodeled plant on Saturday, November 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. The public is invited to tour the facility.

Community Development: Mr. Dennis Domack, University of Wisconsin Extension Community Development and Resource Agent of Dane County, spoke at a recent Chamber meeting explaining the services of his agency. The program is an in-depth study and survey of schools, shopping trends, and the general pulse of the community to determine business improvements. A public meeting will be held Thursday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tentative location will be the Oregon High School cafetorium. All area businesspersons and residents are urged to attend.

Xmas Decorations: The Chamber will again this year decorate the monument and the Triangle Park with Christmas lights and roping. Some $700 will be spent by the Chamber to provide decorations that were damaged last season. 

Member Transferred:  Urban Johnson, area director for Wisconsin Power and Light and chairman of the Chamber Industrial Development Committee has been transferred. The Chamber publicly thanked Urban for his work and leadership and wish him well in his new position. 

OHS Musical, “Annie Get Your Gun,” Nov. 11,12,13

It is nearing the final weeks of musical practice which makes it time to start considering purchasing a ticket for the OHS musical “Annie Get Your Gun.”

A new method will be used this year for ticket sales. Tickets may be purchased from cast members, who each have a supply of 20 tickets, or tickets may be purchased at the door on each night of the performances. There will be no seat reservations, only general admission tickets by sections, therefore you must arrive early for a good seat.

Golden passes are acceptable, but it is asked that a reservation is made in advance by calling the high school office, 835-3161. Performances are Thursday, November 11th, Friday the 12th, and Saturday, the 13th beginning at 8 o’clock. Ticket price for adults is $2.00, students $1.00.

October 2001

Youth Center Director Faces Challenges

The Oregon Youth Center welcomed Gabe McGaughey as its new director on Sept. 3 Since the previous director’s exit last March, the center has experienced difficulties due to a lack of unified guidance.

Maggie Schmelzer, president of the Youth Center Board, stated her concern. “It’s very difficult not having a director.”

She cited disorganization as a fundamental problem.

“When we didn’t have a director, we had several different people trying to run the center at one time, and the result was no consistency with rules.  The children were told to follow a different set of rules on a daily basis.”

Despite the facility’s recent problems, it seems to be thriving. 

“We have always had a great following of kids with or without a director.  When the kids stay away, that’s when the problems really start.” Schmelzer said.

With the hiring of McGaughey, the Center Board hopes to see certain key changes occur that will help increase the center’s effectiveness in the prevention of teenage delinquency.

“We hope to implement recreational programming such as Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) training for both parents and kids.  We also hope to begin some type of peer mediating.” Schmelzer said.

Although McGaughey has not yet begun to address these issues, he has taken important steps towards combating the center’s structural problems. 

Under his personal guidance McGaughey entertains high expectations for the facility’s future. 

Main Tap the latest business burglarized

Rosie’s Main Tap was the latest burglary target in the Oregon area.

Burglars pried open the back door and entered the building sometime between 2:50 and 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 24.  An undetermined amount of money was taken from a video poker machine, which was pried open and flipped over, but nothing else was missing.

Police took pictures of the tool marks and were able to get fingerprints and one long hair off the poker machine.  That evidence has been sent to the state crime lab, but test results are not back yet. 

Police also canvassed the neighborhood but were unable to find any witnesses or gain any additional information. 

The burglary bears a strong resemblance to a similar break-in at Maria’s Pizza on Sept. 18.

“I would be very surprised if they weren’t connected,” said Sergeant Craig Sherven of the Oregon Police Department.

The back door was also pried open in that case.  A carton of Winston cigarettes and $8.25 in quarters were taken.  All the cupboard doors and drawers were open, but nothing else was missing. 

An attempted burglary was reported at the U.W. Health building on South Main Street earlier in September as well.  Screens were removed and pry marks were left around two windows in the rear of the building, but entry was not gained.

New Scoreboard

Oregon High School dedicated its new scoreboard at the Homecoming football game on Friday.  Four men who made the structure possible are John Cuta, Jerry Luebke, Scott Krueger, and Tom Kirchdoerfer.

Flag etiquette

Since Sept. 11, there has been a resurgence of patriotic pride.  The U.S. flag can be seen flying everywhere to honor those who died and as a symbol of unity.  Many individuals asking questions about proper flag etiquette have contacted the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and we appreciate the questions. 

To assist in displaying our nation’s symbol, I would like to share a few guidelines: A flag displayed on a car should be fastened to the right-side bumper antenna or to the window.  If displaying a flag on a wall, the blue field should be in the upper left corner, and it should never touch the ground.  When displaying an all-weather flag outdoors, 24 hours a day, there should be light near it so it’s not in complete darkness.

Above all, when the flag becomes worn, please replace it.  For additional flag etiquette information visit the VFW website at www.vfw.org or contact your local post commander.

Remember, Old Glory has been flying for more than 225 years and will be flying for many, many years in the future. Thank you for showing your patriotic pride.

God bless America.

Steve Lawrence

VFW State Commander

Oregon

Frautschys to Celebrate 50th October 28

Leland and Gladys Frautschy will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Oct. 28 with an open house at the Brooklyn Community Building from 1 to 4 p.m.

They were united in marriage Oct. 27, 1951, at the Brooklyn Lutheran Church.  They have been farming all their married life in the Brooklyn area.  Their children are Russell and Roger of Brooklyn and Ann of Oregon.  They have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

WWII Veterans share tales of their great generation

The dusty pages of history textbooks on World War II came to life in the stories of local veterans at the fall meeting of the Fitchburg Historical Society.

The stories of seven area World War II veterans were the focus of a panel discussion on Sunday afternoon at the Fitchburg City Hall.  Kristin Gilpatrick, Monona writer and author of the books The Hero Next Door and The Hero Next Door Returns moderated the discussion.

Oregon resident Robert Keenan, a panel participant served in the Army’s 9th armored division from December 1944 to January 28, 1945. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the largest land battle of WWII in which the United States participated.  About 19,000 Americans died in that battle, many from the harsh cold. 

“It was hard because it was so cold and also there were a lot of enemy actions trying to keep us out of there,” Keenan said, “We had to sort of live off the land when we could because chow wasn’t always there.”

The Sept. 11 terrorism attack on the Word Trade Center was nothing, he said, compared to the number of people who died during the war.     

Fitchburg resident Al Bach wore his service cap and beige military jacket decorated with rainbow stripes and shiny medals.  From 1944 to 1946 he served in Europe in battalion intelligence in the 79th division.  

However, his admission into the military had one small hitch: he wasn’t a U.S. citizen.  He was born in Switzerland and immigrated to America with his parents at the age of three.  The military labeled him as a “neutral alien” for two years.

Bach recalled the food he had to eat during the war.

“Spam was a big part of our war effort,” he said.

While Bach knows he’s a war hero, he’s thankful for his predecessors too. 

“I am proud of the fellows who went in before me that really took the beating” he said.

What Leon Slauson, a Fitchburg resident remembers most about the war was falling from an Air Force B-17 bomber and landing in an Iowa cornfield.  With the help of a parachute and a friendly family in a nearby home he and his crew survived and were taken to a hospital. 

He later took a long boat ride to Italy and served at Mullsworth Air Force Base in London England.

World War II should be in every single history book so people can understand its significance, he said.  Like Bach, he brought some of his medals and an artist’s rendition of the B-17 bomber.