Vol. 1
No. 23
CAMP ABBOT, OREGON
Saturday, October 23, 1943
STRETCHES A LONG WAY
Col, Besson Urges
Fund Drive Support
“Giving is fighting, too,” declared Col. Frank S. Besson,
ERTC commander, as he made the first contribution from
Camp Abbot to the Deschutes County War Fund Drive, i
opening the campaign in which it is hoped that every soldier :
and civilian here will contribute.
“A thousand services—a million kindnesses are wrapped
up in your single gift to the Deschutes County War Fund,
which is a section of the National War Fund,” Col. Besson
said in a prepared statement, ‘It will cover a federation of
agencies stretching around
the w orld, and w ill reach
into the lives o f all fam ilies
oi those who fight the war, our
Allies and their families.
‘‘Giving is fighting, too! What
you may give will do good right
in your own home neighborhood
for these funds will go to all
local relief agencies.
‘‘Our enemy strikes with no
regard for international coven
ants or agreements. He strikes
— not where our defenses are
strong—but wherever a foot
hold can be gained at our weak
est point. I hope every soldier,
every civilian employed at Camp
Abbot, will contribute to this
worthy cause for a speedier vic
tory'. A friendlier understanding
will come because American
people care enough to give vol
untarily. And I repeat: Giving
is fighting, too!”
Full organization plans have
been made for the solicitation of
funds here. Special committees
will arrange for canvassing all
units down to, and including,
squads. Every soldier and civi-
lian on the post will be given
an opportunity to contribute, Lt.
Col. F. M. Bedessem, chairman
of the drive committee, said.
National organizations such
as the U. S. O. and various na
tional relief societies will be aid
ed by the drive, as will state and
local agencies.
The campaign is under the di
rection of Lt. Col. Phillip M.
(Continued On Page 3)
New Chief for
Camp Abbot's
Song Program
Lt. Albert P. Willis, director
of the 52nd Battalion’s sensation
al orientation show of a couple
of weeks ago, has been named
- - I ’ hoto by Vincent, 1 ’«w*t Photographer*
music supervisor for Camp Ab- j
Students of Camp Abbot’s Baker and Cook’s school get practical experience in preparation of do
bot to succeed Lt. Carl Volz of hydrated food, much of which is included in the supplies shipped overseas to conserve shipping
the
Training
Division,
the space. This demonstration was for student cooks from Company l>, .Ytth Battalion. It was conduct
Special Sendee Office announced j ed by T/Sgt. Rudolph Peta.ja, senior instruetor, le ft; S/Sgt. Claude Johnson, (with arms fold ed );
this week. As chief of non-pro S/Sgt. W illiam A. Frost, (at the stove), and Tech. 3rd. John Kealim, (second from right). In the
foreground are samples o f dehydrated foods.
fessional music activities, Lieut
enant Willis will be in charge of
pocket instrument and song lead
er programs and will play an im
portant role in the staging of
variety and orientation shows on
the post.
in discussing the music pro-,
gram, Lieutenant Willis cited the
growing demand for musical en
Col. Frank G. Crandall, Jr., commander of Cant]) Abbot
tertainment overseas and point
Station hospital since its activation, leaves today for a new
ed out that Camp Abbot’s
post. He has been ordered to a general hospital in Modesto,
courses of instruction will pre
Calif., for duty.
pare trainees to take a major
------------------------------------------
Col. Crandall, a vetran of tii ■
The Post theatre sported new
part in music activities abroad
first World War, established In
from the time they step o ff the stage equipment this week and
a few months a hospital which
boat.
! was ready to put out the wel
won commendation from inspec
To stress the importance of come mat for USO productions.
tors both of the Army and th'
such a program, he quoted Ernie
U. S. Public Health Service. On-
New trappings installed in the
Pyle, widely-known war corres-
inspector noted i» was the only
theatre include a main proscen
(Continued on Page 2)
hospital within the confines ol
ium curtain and valance border
the Ninth Service Command
1 of Maharam cardinal velvet,
which flew the Red Cross flag
beige eyclorama drapes of rib-
in front of the medical institu
1 bed repp fabric, a close-in cur-
The old Company B, 55th En tion.
i tain known as an olio and used
While at Camp Abbot Col.
for shallow or middle-distance gineer Training B a t t a l i o n Crandall was active in state med
stage settings and a title curtain < known as Co. C, 56th Bn., since ical affairs. He was principal
of rayon silk. Equipment was in the transfer of units resulting speaker before the annual meet
stalled by representatives of the from the addition of two new ing of the state medical society
Northern School Supply Com
battalions to the ERTC roster) at Portland and he was in close
pany of Portland. A spotlight
terminated its first training collaboration with the Central
with vari-colored filters has been
cycle here by smashing two Oregon Medical society. When
ordered and is expected to arrive
ERTC records and walking away the Poliomyelitis o u t b r e a k
within a few days.
with a battalion championship in threatened Central Oregon he ar
With installation of the cur
ranged for a meeting of all civ
the twelfth week of training.
tains, Camp Abbot became eli
On the night of October 14, the ilian doctors in the area at which
gible to receive the largest pro
second platoon, commanded by measures were discussed to pre
ductions sponsored by the USO. Lt. John E. Wainwright, spanned vent it spreading.
Accordingly, the Post Special the Deschutes river with an in
Although the colonel is reti
Service Office notified Lt. Col. rantry foot bridge in 35 minutes, cent on th*1 subject, his war
William M. Beveridge, chief of breaking a 60-minute record es record was outstanding. He serv
the Special Services Branch for
tablished by Capt. E. H. McGar- ed with distinction as a memiwr
the Ninth Service Comma.id, ity’s Company A of the 55th two of the 35th division in the first
that the theatre is ready for its nights perviously.
World War. He was one of the
quota of USO shows and requ?st-
On the following day, the old first medical officers to he or
ed the post be included on the Co. B, 55th Bn., unit shot its dered to Guadalcanal when
USO circuit. Once a schedule way through the combat firing American forces clash<“d with
has been arranged, shows will be course to emerge with a score of the Japs in the Southwest Pad-
presented here at a rate of ab >ut 50.9, nearly six points above the fic. He established the first base
two per month.
previous record. Not satisfied hospital in the Solomons end
liaison agent b< -
with breaking two E R T C
y and Navy In
records, the unit commanded by
iute to the Solo-
Capt. Alvis O. Byrd, went out
x>rt on which h-
W inter has arrived— o ffi and won the 55th Battalion box
rr was attar:-
ing championship.
cially.
arine, but qu
One
of
the
most
music-con
The issue of one additional
scious groups on the post, the
blanket. Wool, O.II.. on Mein/K
unit uses a trombone and guitar,
w as authorized this week on
together with pocket instru
the basis of one per individual.
Nature backed up Post o ffi ments to provide music on the
march and accompaniment for
cials by covering the ground
This week's study of the better things in life is provided by Carole with a thin blanket of snow.
singing.
Landis. Don't strain your eyes, brother.
Post Theatre Chief of Hospital
Set for USO
Bound for
Productions
Company Breaks
Two of Center's
Training Records
NATURE STUDY
IT S HERE