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About Portland inquirer. (Portland, Or.) 1944-194? | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 1945)
PORTLAND INQUIRER Pag» t Why Is A WAAC? By Flora Faulk These are some of the questions that I have been pondering over. After a visit with the Wacs at Fort Lewis, Washington, a few days ago who are stationed there on military duty, having an inter view with them, seeing them at their daily tasks, and inspecting their quarters, these and other questions are very clear to me now. The life of a wac and the parts they are playing to help win the war is well worth while to know. Capt. Irma J. Wertz, command ing officer of Company F. Wac Engr. Training Sec., is a very charming and interesting person to talk with. She can relate some exciting experiences she has had Adequate home nursing care, service wives, like the one shown during her three years of service. combined with a program of edu- here, have been visited by the While there she gave us this short cation in caring for the sick is Association's registered nurses to but interesting part of her life: one of the services provided for date this yeavr. Visiting Nurse “These Wacs have the deepest wives of servicemen by staff Week is being observed Septem- interest in their work, so much nurses of the Portland Visiting ber 2-8 by proclamation of Mayor so that they do not go in for Nurse Association, a Community Earl Riley. social activities at all. Since they Chest agency. More than 2000 (See story on page 2) have been stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., they have had sev authority, she declares: “Ingenui F, WAC Engr. Tng. Sec. last eral invitations to parties and ty in preparing a meal is the army week. Among the first to volunteer dances, including Seattle, Wash, mess sergeant’s greatest asset. In and the U. S. O. in Portland and the two years and eight months for the Women’s Armyl Auxiliary these along with others they have I have been in the army, I find Corps Capt. Irma J. Wertz was constantly declined. When asked women are just as particular selected as one of the first 36 why, they say they are too busy about the things they eat as their Negro women to be commissioned in the Corps. Arriving at the with their army work to take time civilian sisters.” Acting as First Sergeant of the first WAC Training Center, Fort out for social functions. Their work is much more important company is S/Sgt. Frances R. De- DesMoines, Iowa, 20 July 1942, than parties and dances. Then, Courcey, a graduate nurse. She along with approximately 500 too, they would be tired and un was formerly on duty at Harlem other patriotically inspired wo men. On this date three years fit to perform their duties the Hospital in New York. One of the most popular girls ago these women in thfe words next day. Therefore they give up their social life for the much in the company is the mail or of the Wac director “gave up needed work to be done in army derly Cpl. Georgia Cheatam of silks and satins and put on khaki Indianapolis, Ind. She majored >n in answer to their country’s need.” life to help win the war. They do go in for sports and physical education in Indiana \ The Captain comes from Chi-1 their most favorite game seems University before enlisting and cago, mid-west bivouac of many to be basketball. Some time ago established a reputation as a free progressive Negro citizens. You they played in a basketball game lance commercial artist, having can add her name to that long in Seattle, Wash, and believe it or studied at the John Herron A r list of midwestern progressives, not, but they came back winners. tists’ Studios at Indianapolis. who have contributed in no small Most of these girls are married Samples of her work adorn the way by their achievements to race progress. and husbands are in the service company orderly rooms. Many have learned new skills Born in Brunswick, Georgia, and overseas, so they are very anxious for the war to end so since entering the service and the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. R. their husbands along with the some are utilizing knowledge ac N. Jackson, Capt. Weertz has rest of the boys can return home. quired in civilian life thereby had the advantages of culture That makes them very ambitious adding invaluable experience to and education. Her father was a their future recommendations. Captain during the last war and about their work. The group also includes truck army life is, therefore, not com It is also interesting to know that most of these girls have had drivers, typists, warehouse clerks, pletely new to her. She has at tended Fisk University graduate from one to three years of college and hematologists. The Wacs daily routine is sim- and undergraduate schools at training and the rest have com ilar to that of a soldier in train- Nashville, Tenn., The Atlanta pleted high school. This includes Pfc. Emily Harris of 4305 St. ing. They start the day at 6 A. M. School of Social Work, The Chi- Louis Ave., St. Louis, Mo., who and work straight through until cago Academy of Fine Arts, Chi- has completed three and a half 5 P. M. Then they dress in their cago’s Bryant and Stratton Busi- years pre-medical training at Lin uniforms and are ready for re- ness College and has to her credit research in the fied of Authropo- coln University, Jefferson City, treat at 6 P. M. Three Years In the Army logy at the University of Chicago. Mo. She is now a medical Wac in the hematology laboratory at that was the proud boast of the During the summer of 1939 Capt. Madigan General Hospital, Fort Commanding Officer of Company Wertz studied low-cost housing in Scotland and England. She Lewis, Wash. “As a civilian,” was vacationing in Paris when states Pfc. Harris, “I had the Poland was invaded and can training but not the experience. Ceads GreafCombination never forget the experience of Now I am getting the experience o f JTalenled “ Jump/? being one of two American ci and intend to complete my neces Musician»^ vilians aboard the last train from sary half year in college after Paris prior to official declaration the war.” of war. T/Sgt. Marguerite Wallace of Prior to joining the Army Capt. Monmouth, 111., a professional Wertz has been employed as a dietician before joining the Wacs, social worker in her hometown, is appropriately enough Mess Brunswick, Georgia and later in Sergeant with Company F. She Chicago in the specialized field holds the B. S. degree in do of child placemenet. Upon her re mestic science from Bradley turn to the States in 1939 she Polytechnic Institute at Peoria, resumed her duties at Children’s 111. With professional dietician’s and Minors’ Service, Chicago, but soon gave this up in favor of volunteer defense work. It was EAT WITH US not surprising then than she You are always should be among the first volun welcome— teers for the Corps. Enthusiastic on the subject of the value and the necessity of Negro women aiding in all de fense efforts the Captain feels = Exclusive to Ted Y a te» P u blica tion « that opportunities offered enlist Tab Smith (above) is a sensation with^his ork, a combination of ees in the Corps provide them eight* musicians at Newi York’s with many necessary essentials Savoy Ballroom where also another required to fight the battles of "we never close'/ great maestro (Tiny Bradshaw) is swingin’ out nightly. Tab who hails life. Discipline, education, sacri Short Orders our from Kingston, N. C. started music fice and cooperation fit these at the early age of 14 and comes women in more ways than one specialty from a musical family. You will soon be dancing to the tunes of this for their future in the Ameri talented artist and his “jump” can scheme of affairs. 1621 N Williams Ave. musicians who are on the upbeat “Furthermore", she added, “if with the downbeat. Petite Betty Mrs. H a Johnson, Mays is an added attraction in the we of the Negro race hope for a M anager place in the world picture of the vocal deoartment. The KEYSTONE LUNCH August 24, 1945 democracies when the total peace is established, we must by our untiring efforts sacrifice and toil, do all that we can to help win the peace, so that we shall have the right to demand and enjoy those privileges granted to all liberty loving peoples. I joined because I felt it my duty as a citizen and have never re gretted it. Full credit goes to my fine staff and members of my company who have always whole heartedly supported me and this idea. My experience in the Corps has been as Special Service Of ficer, First Wac Training Center, one of the first staff members with the Director in Washington, D. C. and the first Wac officer assigned with a company to re port for duty on an army post. Two weeks later in 1942 Fort Huachuca, Aricona turned out 10,000 strong to welcome the first WAC companies in the field under the command WAC offi cers. It has been my privilege to serve with the same unit until we were separated in November 1944. During our stay at Huachuca these valiant women prepared and shipped to their destinies the two Negro divisions now serving their country on foreign soil. This within itself is worth any sacri fice which we have made. These same women have brought to Fort Lewis a new life and in terest, their value to the post speaks best for itself in the many stripes they flourish so proudly. True, we have sacrificed for this effort but shouldn’t we all?” BARGAINS IN HOMES FRANK L. McGUIRE—3 houses First and Pacific—just across the Steel bridge. All 3 bedroom, 6 room houses with full cement basement warm air pipe furnace. Must all be sold at once. If you have two friends that will buy the adjoining hous es, we are open to do business. One house is $3650, one $2990, and the other $2900. Reasonable terms down, balance less than rent. Ask for A -194, A-198, F-178. FRANK L. McGUIRE—Fine income—one 5-room apt. down, complete bath; one 2-room apt. up with bath. Good condi tion. Tax $23.60. 50x100 lot. Priced at only $3500. A real bargain price on nice income property. Ask for Key No. A-56. FRANK L. McGUIRE—Two bedroom, nice condition, close to bus and school, only $2350, easy down payment $750. Lot 150 dep, has garage, 2 extra bedrooms in attic. Part cement basement. Ask for C-146. FRANK L. McGUIRE—Income $110 per month, plus 4 large rooms and bath for owner. Double plumbing, cement basement, fuel furnace, 2 fireplaces, double garage. It’s on bus line and 4 blocks to school. Gas water heater, ven. blinds. Located on paved street, has cement sidewalks. One of our best for only $4500—terms. Call Mr. Morris, ask for E-95. FRANK L. McGUIRE—FURNISHED—2 bedrooms down, complete bath, 2 bedrooms up, utility room, good condition. Owner occupied, Vz blk. to bus. A lot of property for only $3300, terms. C-191. FRANK L. McGUIRE—FURNISHED— 1 bedroom with in closed porch—may be used as extra bedroom—only $1990, terms. 1 Vz blks. to bus. Owner occupied, corner lot, op portunity to own your own furnished home for very little money. Ask for C-134. FRANK L. McGUIRE—Three bedroom home, 2 baths, fire place, 2 kitchens, all on one floor. Piped fuel furnace, gas water heater. All furnished including El. range. Full size lot, nicely landscaped, 2 lbks. to bus, 6 to school, owner occupied. Only $4500. Ask for H-222. FRANK L. McGUIRE—One bedroom down, partial plumb ing, 3 bedrooms up, with full plumbing. Full cement base ment, paint good, sawdust water heater. Basement garage, good looking, American Colonial type and priced furnished $5500, terms. Ask for G-79. FRANK L. McGUIRE— Only $2500 for this 3-bedroom shake exterior, owner occupied. 3 blocks to bus and school, full bath. A fine bargain. Ask for E-139. FRANK L. McGUIRE--$3250. Albina Heights, 3 bedroom, 6 room home. Corner lot—sitely property. Close to Eman uel hospital. Garage. 421 North Knott. Reasonable pay ment down, balance like rent. Ask for B-193. • FRANK L. McGUIRE—Nice income plus apartment for owner. Property has five room apartment with bath down. Large, 2 room apartment with bath up. In 50x150 lot. Good condition and only $3500—terms. Call AT. 7171, Mr. Morris ask for A56. Frank L. McGuire “AMERICA’S LARGEST HOME SELLER” 328 S. W. WASHINGTON ST. ATwaler 7171 HI