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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2004)
The 51st salute The 51st Army Air Forces Technical Training Detachment recalled its history this weekend By Moriah Balingit News Reporter When the 240 members of the 51st Army Air forces Technical Training De tachment arrived on the University campus in May of 1943, they weren't ac companied by tearful parents or mini vans full of belongings. Members of the "Fighting 51st," as the unit was called, wore ironed uniforms and marched to class in formation. They hadn't even chosen to come here, but were rather sent by the Air Force to take prerequisite courses for a meteorology program. Unlike many of today's freshmen, they weren't "undeclared." Ihe year in cluded an intensive course of geography, physics and math to prepare the men. In addition to the burdens of school work, they would have military drills and physical education. "Most of us took four years of math in one year, so it was pretty intense," Charles Cable of Flight A said. At their 60th reunion Sunday, 26 of the 100 or so surviving members of the Fighting 51st gathered in a small room at the Phoenix Inn to remember their days at the l Iniversity. Bob Grorud of the 51st said that the program was just as strict and regiment ed as what one might find at the presti gious West Point Military Academy. "We didn't have the entertainment as pect (of college)," he said. "It was very much regimented." The men lived in Hendricks Hall, which was formerly a women's dormi tory, displacing the residents. In addi tion, Howard Cook of Flight C said they had "very good cooks." "1 think we had the best army duty of Tim Bobosky Photographer At the Phoenix Inn on Franklin Boulevard during the first reunion of the Fighting 51st in 60 years, Gail Myers (left) and Phyllis Ross (center) crack up over Jim Arndt’s monologue about his poem on the meaning of "going 60." anyone that year," he added. The campus also had women, an en vironment that most servicemen didn't have. In a pamphlet put together by the Fighting 51st, a dedication reads, "We dedicate this book to the girls... for they made this year different from other army years." The women, according to some of the men, were equally appreciative of the Fighting 51 st's presence. Ihe war had deprecated the male population at the University because many of the men were serving in the war. "We were their salvation," Grorud said with a chuckle. The women offered them relief from their strict, regimented days in class. Sororities held parties and dances most weekends. "We had a dance band called Father Bailey and they played for dances every weekend," Cable said. While the men had no spare time during the week, taking several classes during the day and compulsory study sessions at night, their weekends — which started Saturday morning and ended Sunday evening — were free. Some used that time to study, but Bob Williams of Flight C occasionally didn't. "I was old enough to buy liquor. I would buy champagne and we'd go be hind a bush and drink," he said. "But I think a lot of the time we would ... study." That year at the University changed the lives of the men of the 51st forever. Many returned to college and their classes at the University guided their courses of education. Harold Summers expressed his grati fication for the education that the Uni versity provided him. "They expanded our minds and our appreciation for the world in which we live," he said. Contact the people/culture/faith reporter at moriahbalingit@dailyemerald.com. REAGAN continued from page 1A Jacques Chirac. "Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his great ness and won its love with his good ness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom." Shortly after Reagan died, the American flag waving above the White House was lowered to half staff and official Washington began planning to pay tribute to a man who was to many Republicans what lohn Kennedy was to Democrats. "He took a party of accountants and added some heart and soul to it," said Gary Bauer, a conservative leader who served in the Reagan ad ministration for the entire eight years. With Reagan's death there are now four former living U.S. presi dents. Two of them competed with Reagan for the GOP presidential nomination: Gerald Ford in 1976 and George H.W. Bush in 1980. Speaking from his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, the elder Bush said: 'The finality of all of this is going to hit the American people very hard." Ford called Reagan "an excellent leader of our nation during challenging times at home and abroad." Former President Bill Clinton of ten said how much he admired Rea gan, particularly his buoyant man ner. "Hillary and I will always remember President Reagan for the way he personified the indomitable optimism of the American people." It was that style that allowed Rea gan to maintain strong friendships with the likes of Democratic lions such as the late Thomas 'Tip" O'Neill, the former speaker of the House from Massachusetts, and for mer Illinois congressman Dan Ros tenkowski. "Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious," said Sen. John Ker ry, D-Mass, the presumptive Democ ratic presidential nominee. "Even when he was breaking Democrats' hearts, he did so with a smile.... De spite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5 p.m. we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends." "President Reagan was bom in the heartland of America, and his life will always occupy a place in the hearts of the American people," said House Speaker Dennis Hasten, R-Ill. Many were the politicians who said that they were pulled toward public life by Reagan's inspiration. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said, "He was a hero to me.... Ronald Reagan always inspired me to be a leader, to do what 1 can do to make our country stronger." "1 grieve today for the loss of my modern philosophical hero," said Sen. George Allen, R-Va. (c) 2004, Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services. Correspondents William Neikirk, Michael Tackett, Michael Martinez, Rick Pearson and Richard Wronski contributed to this report. I Your Health Center is open in the summer UNIVERSITY OF OREGON \ Health Center 13th Ave. ik Agate St. h ttp://hea It hcentet. uoregojn.edu Call 346-2770 for appointments or stop by. Summer Hours: Zero Week (June 14-18) Urgent care and pharmacy only 10am - 2pm, Monday - Friday Summer Session (beginning June 21) All departments open 8am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday (9am Tuesday) Closed weekends Patient Comments “I have used every clinic in the last three years.This place gets an A+.” I hank you for excellent service: polite, highly efficient, compassionate, friendly and professional staff. Everyone, without exception, has gone the extra mile to assure my good health. “I am thrilled that such quality healthcare is available to students in such an affordable price.” I think, in all seriousness, that the Health Center is the best thing going here at the U of O.”
