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HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL Martin Beeland Martin Beeland lives in Perry. He served in the U.S. Navy from Jan. 28, 1955 to Jan. 27, 1959. After comple tion of Avionics Technician School, Beeland was assigned to an anti-submarine squad ron. It wasn’t long after that, the squadron was on an air craft carrier and on its way to take part in a Far East “cruise.” “We visited Hawaii, sever al ports in Japan and Hong Kong, China,” Beeland said. During this time, the aircraft he was on made the 78,000 th arrested landing aboard the boxer. “We were behind the air craft that was to have made the landing,” he said. “But they got a ‘wave off” and we got the honor.” Kneeling: Radar opera tor, Martin Beeland, ECM. MAD Operator M.E. Evans. Standing: Co-pilot Lt. JG R. Becker, plane captain H. Miller, pilot Lt. JG D. Stechman. Submitted * I i m a*mmS viSßßHk-' ¥ 'f .. u&£hß». .WIBk laMr Submitted Pictured is Eidson in uniform and in his shop in Iwakuni, Japan, taken around 2000. CUMMINGS From page lC Cummings did not see Tokyo. The war ended and he was release back home to become a family man. While he served in Naval operations, his family also answered the call. Many members of his immediate family even made "Watson Boulevard was a two-lane road with ditches big enough to drive tractors through them. So much has changed. Sixty years is a long time to spend in one place" - Buford Cummings NORRIS 2 Front page iC like grotesque scarecrows over upright steel girders that protruded from the water. “Yet, I never saw a sin gle soldier trying to return to the safety of his landing craft. I didn’t feel much like a hero myself that day. They were all below me. “When my part was over, I headed back to my base in England. “Later, after a warm show er and a change of clothing, I walked to the bar for a couple of cool drinks, then on to the officer’s mess for a nice warm meal. “When I finally reached my quarters that night, I climbed into my warm bed, between nice cool sheets ... and wept.” i ■■■■■ ■■ wi'wpwjwjwww' HB jmam s Bb| flj ■ % ‘ i .''"a: j 4 *’■ v ,/!? \ HH Daniel Eidson Eidson lives in Centerville. He served in the Marine Corps from 1996-2001 as an F-18 RADAR technician. He spent most of his time, he said, between Beaufort, S.C. and Iwakuni, Japan. “My biggest accomplish ment,” he said, “was being meritoriously promoted twice - to lance corporal and then to corporal.” When Eidson got out in 2001, he took a job with Northrop Grumman in Warner Robins, where he still works today. “He is also a full-time stu dent at Mercer University School of Engineering, studying electrical engineer ing. ammunition in a place called St. Julian’s Creek. Cummings later settled down to life in Warner Robbins. He and his wife raised four sons here: Buford Jr., Christian 8., Mark F. and Glenn R. Of these four men all followed in their father’s steps and were active duty Navy. t/S/K BBtB fIIHF ■HHHHHF fIHHV 1 SAVE OVER 50% Off THE COVER PRICE \ Just Fill Out & Return The Form Below Or Call Our Office At 478-987-1823 Name: Phone: - ft : . ' ' . ' ; ■'■Vr; ' \ *? «:> P Address: City: State: Zip: Email: - $19.26 - $38.52 - $66.34 (Above prices include tax) Credit: CU Master Card CU VISA CZD Discover - Card #: Cummings, however, also wasn’t finished with the military. He was recalled to active duty at the beginning of the Korean War and worked as an instructor training young officers in the man agement of LSTs and other amphibious craft, While working on the base now, however, he mused over Jiausimt Hally Journal P.O. Box 1910 • 1210 Washington Street • Perry, GA 3106 9 478-987-/823 SPECIAL Fred Baker, a lifetime resident of Middle Georgia - in particu lar Warner Robins - served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946. As a motor machinist’s mate aboard the Fighting Midget USS LCS-130, he fought in World War 11, and his tours of duty included Japan, Hawaii and the Philippines. Writes his daughter Jennifer Jackson: “For his 80th birthday this year, we had a special party filled with surprises that also included 40 of his friends and family and with a theme of red/white/blue to honor his service during WWII.” “While sailing from place to place,” Jackson writes, “he had kept a handwritten journal during this time, along with many black and white pictures to remember the fun times - the beautiful Pacific Ocean scenery, along with the hor rors of the battles he fought in. “For years he has talked frankly the changes he has seen in Warner Robins. “Watson Boulevard was a two-lane road with ditches big enough to drive tractors through them,” he said. “So much has changed. Sixty years is a long time to spend in a place. He adde: “It is sadder now since my wife Carolyn passed just two months ago.” Fred Baker ifil ’ f■ & f . f *'%*,{ about the long days and nights in war, the fighting from sun up to sun down, the places he visited from See BAKER, page 5C FiI UTOPAY! *1 And Bill Your Credit Card Quarterly For Your Subscription 'll m All The Hassle! IBjMl FRIDAY/SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10/11, 2006 • BAKER Corner ' • SMonognamming • Oil Uhinlinfjs • Qifts (Susfom SJuiminff 918 Carroll Street • Perry, GA 478-987-4079 "Wa were rescued by the Navy” - Carlton Griffin GRIFFIN From page tA “We received word from General MacArthur that we would be out of Korea for Christmas and that’s exactly what hap pened,” he said. “My tank crew was the last to leave because we had to make sure that the last man and vehicle crossed the bridge and also that the bridge was destroyed. “We were rescued by the Navy,” he added. Griffin’s stint in the Army ended January 31, 1953 with an honorable medical discharge. He was discharged medically due to injuries he sustained June 16, 1951 in Korea. Once out, Griffin returned to Perry where, he said, he rekindled his romance with his high school sweetheart and fel low Perry native, Rebecca Eleanor Grace. He was obviously successful because they were mar ried Sept. 1, 1956. From Perry, the couple moved to Indianapolis, Ind., for a few years but we returned to Perry in 1968. “Perry has been home for me ever since,” he said, but mournfully added: “Unfortunately, my loving wife passed away Oct. 15, 2000. “But, I would have to say that falling in love with her and marrying her was my greatest accomplish ment. She was the main reason I wanted to get out of Korea alive and return to Perry. “Although my military career was brief, it was an honor to have served these United States of America. And if the truth be told, I would do it all over again.” Exp: 3C U 0026