1917*
The Class of 1917 is particularly fortunate in that it owns a complete album of Sunny Sanborn's Silver Jubilee Reunion pictures. The author, whose likeness appears herewith, is photographer extraordinary and super reunion enthusiast, as witness the trophy awarded him by the class last May. His one-man Reunion art exhibit has been on view in Boston and New York for the past few weeks where the largest concentration of our number could see it. It is now ready to take to the road. So if you in the hinterland will let your humble servant know of your interest, we will route the album to you at the earliest date. You will revel in the pictures of your classmates, particular buddies, and familiar scenes. If you wish some for your very own, just send us the numbers of those you wish, with check to cover, and we will do the rest. Copies are available at a dollar each. Just remember that the album is the property of the class and part of our permanent record. Take good care of it so we may all enjoy it for time to come whenever '17ers are fortunate enough to get together.
The most recent addition to the armed services from '17 is Harlan Scott who reports himself a lieutenant. Harlan gives his address as 106 South Main Street, Wolfeboro, N. H., only, so we are unable to give you his present station.
Although there are probably a number of promotions in the services, word of only two have reached us this month, but they are of interest. Commander Waltman Walters must now be addressed as Captain, and Lt. Comdr. George Currier as Commander. Capt. Walt's assignment remains the same, as Chief of the U. S. Naval Hospital, Corona, Cal., but Comdr. George has been transferred to the U. S. Naval Training School, Hollywood Beach Hotel, Hollywood, Fla., where he is Executive Officer—a seasonable transfer we would say, the northeast snow being what it is as this is being written. George's transfer actually took place in mid-December. The Miami Herald carried a number of frontpage pictures of "Florida's Largest Resort Building taken over by the Navy in Simple Ceremonies" in which George undoubtedly took part. In fact, it was Comdr. George who was "on the bridge" beforehand and made the advance preparations.
Gene Towler forwarded a letter from Capt. Chuck Norby, dated Dec. 17, and headed "Somewhere in Egypt" which we are taking the liberty of quoting at some length:
"We sailed in mid-September and after forty-four days at sea arrived safely out here in the Middle East. I slept the first night on the sand in the desert, and the second night on a concrete floor. It is a long time since I have had to punish myself this way and my hips are still sore. However, after arrival at this station we quickly made ourselves comfortable and cannot complain now about anything but the slowness of the mail. We are at a permanent post in a large oasis so we have a few trees and the remains of what were gardens. We have American rations, laundry, and bathing facilities and can buy a drink. Scotch and Canadian Club at twelve cents a drink or $2.40 a fifth—so we manage. American beer in cans at 32 cents each. Plenty of English cigarettes but no American ones as yet. Right now I am down to my last package of Chesterfields and am hoping that our Xmas packages arrive soon.
"There is no romance to this country. It is a filthy place and the natives are worse. Apparently life has not changed a bit since the Pyramids were built. Goats, donkeys, sheep, hens and people all occupy the same dirty quarters and the smell is proportional.
"As you might imagine we are the wet-nurses for a Bombing Group, responsible for all service maintenance and supply. There is nothing brilliant about it, just plain work and no glory—which is as it should be. If you find my hand-writing difficult it is not hang-over—nor palsy—but just cold. I am shivering so that I can hardly hold my pen. It never rains here but it certainly does get cold. That song about 'Till the sands of the Desert Grow Cold' is the bunk, for it is very cold here as soon as the sun goes down, and even during the day woolens and overcoats are wanted."
Vic Smith writes that daughter Virginia is a senior at West Chester (Pa.) Teacher's College. Vic Jr. worked all summer in an engineering capacity on a large aircraft engine factory under construction nearby. "He is now back at Hanover, and reports that they are really laying on the work. He got a big kick out of our '17 Reunion, and all the sons and daughters of '17. He thinks they are a swell bunch, and I agree. Larry, 13, is in junior high school. I see Heinie Wright and Art Jopson at lunch nearly every week, and talk with Bruce Ludgate occasionally."
Heine Wacker, whom we last saw at a pre-reunion dinner in New York last spring, was the subject of John Kieran's column "One Small Voice" recently in The Sun. Mention of books for service men sent Mr. Kieran to the bookshelf to look over an old book with something of a service recordsmall, somewhat tattered and torn, but still serviceable. "It was obtained by way of straight barterone book for another—from Private Henry Wacker, Company A., Eleventh U. S. Engineers, a little over twenty-five years ago, on the Somme, near Peronne, in France. This Private Henry Wacker was a former Dartmouth varsity pitcher who enjoyed a brief trial with the New York Giants. He volunteered quickly on the outbreak of war and soon became a sergeant in the Eleventh Engineers. Stout fella, Henry." He then goes on to recount some of Heinie's war experiences, and says that he has long forgotten the book which he traded to Heinie, but the one received in return, still a treasured volume, was Thoreau's Walden. He quotes a column of passages which Heinie had marked, "in case some of the modern soldiers are interested." A very nice tribute to stout fella Heinie Wacker.
A newsy letter from Dan Harris says he is optimistic and believes we will all be sailing on an even keel again before too long. "I'd like to tell you what I am doing but it is a hush-hush job and best discussed when past. Dan Jr. '40, is a lieutenant in the Air Corps, pilot and navigator with a bombing squadron on the Pacific. Chet is an Air Corps cadet at Mather Field, Colorado. Wife Polly is Senior Hostess at the Stage Door Canteen in Cleveland and daughter Margaret is a WAAC." Dan has seen little of family and friends for the past year, the part of his current activities which is hardest for him to take.
The engagement of Ruth Wight Ogden of Natick, Mass., to Raymond Gerry Sault Jr., son of Ray and Pearl, was recently announced. Ethel Sanborn's picture recently appeared in the Boston Herald as chairman of the membership drive of the Woman's Republican Club. We are all for Ethel's activity and hope you feel the same.
The following paragraph is from the pen of Class Agent Karl Koeniger: "The College reports that this year's Alumni Fund is more important to Dartmouth than probably ever before. Due to the sharp falling off in student revenue and the necessity of keeping up the college plant it is necessary for all good men to come to the aid of their college. The sharp drop in regular student revenue is only in part made up by the Naval Training Unit sta- tioned there. It would save valuable time and expense if each classmate would send in his check early—sooner the better."
RALPH SANBORN 'l7 Holding the "Reunioner No. 1" Trophypresented to him by the Class of 1917 atthe Twenty-fifth Reunion, May 1942.
Secretary, 57 Chestnut St., Dedham, Mass
