1911
The war continues its ravages on 1911 sons, the latest to be killed being Sergeant Richard M. Qua, who was killed in action in Germany on December 11. This was Francis' third son, who would have graduated from Bowdoin in 1946. It is fitting to quote from a letter from another, and one of the first fathers of the class to lose his son, who wrote: "Were it possible to do anything about it, I would pray that my son would be the only '11 son to make the sacrifice. As it is, about all we parents can do is to dig in and try to deserve being the parents of these fine lads who give their all for us."
Francis Qua's two older sons have also been contributing their share. Robert, Bowdoin '43, a lieutenant (jg) USNR, after having taken part in the invasion of France, is now in this country preparing for further service in the Pacific. The second son, Alan, Bowdoin '44, is a second lieutenant of paratroopers and is, presumably, somewhere on the Western Front. The youngest son, James, after serving some months on the Atlantic run as a cadet midshipman in the Merchant Marine, has received a medical discharge and is now a Sophomore at Northeastern University.
It was stated recently that Bob Keeler had moved to Houston, Texas. He is with the South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston. The following indirect word concerning Bob Jr., a lieutenant (jg) in the USNR, is of interest. He joined the Navy in May 1943 and went to Harvard Supply School for officer's training, which he left as an ensign to enter the Indoctrination School. He has seen service in the Aleutian Islands as a Seabee and testifies to the great inventive ability of the Seabees in arranging comfortable facilities for themselves on these islands. Except for the terrible weather, he stated it was otherwise very comfortable there. In fact, it might even be preferred to the tropical islands in the Southern Pacific. Last May he was ordered back to the States for rehabilitation and is now on the U.S.S. as assistant to the supply officer. During his service, he has had opportunity to use his legal training as defense counsel for servicemen in court martial trials. His wife and two children are keeping the home fires burning in Cincinnati.
Two reports have come in of Burt Burbeck's playing the generous host to 1911 sons and nephews in England. One was Dick Wheldon's nephew Frank, who had just returned from the Normandy invasion and who is now a paratrooper in Holland. The other was Paul Ayer's son Bill, a pilot of a Mustang P-51, who was stationed near London. Both boys reported back the great enjoyment Burt had given them. Throughout the entire war period, Burt has been extremely modest about the part he and his family have played in the war, although it is a record of which to be proud. I am sure, however, no confidence will be violated in giving you a few words written to one of his friends:
Everything is the same as it has been for the war years with Ellen and Edith You probably have some idea of what life here has been. Although it has not been what one would pick from choice, at least we can feel we have participated in sticking it out and doing such jobs of work as are possible for a civilian, and, after all, it has not done us any harm to know we can stick it as thousands of others have had to I won't go into any details about the war, but I still continue optimistic, as I have from the first that eventually we will win and possibly the postwar world will be a better one for everyone, if individually and nationally we have learned our lessons.
The George Morris family continue to be one of the most active households in Washington, where it is no secret to Washingtonians that they are recognized as one of the outstanding families in the city. Miriam is active in a number of civic undertakings, her principal one at the moment being in connection with the A.W.V.S., in which she has been a leader, as chairman of the bond sales for Washington. Buddy is now a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps somewhere in the Pacific. Hilles graduated from Vassar in December and is now training as a Nurse's Aide. Patricia, likewise engaged in civic duties, is in Washington with her husband, who is with the General Staff of the Army Air Corps. George, although supposed to be practicing law, has been giving much of his time to both the American and Inter-American Bar Associations, involving many speeches and long trips, the latest affair of this sort being a trip to Havana, Cuba, as chairman of the executive committee of the InterAmerican Bar Association. He addressed the opening session of the Academy of Comparative and International Law in the Cuban capital, along with President Grau and the Secretary of State. This was an important state affair at which all the diplomatic corps were present. On a recent trip from California, George was in Denver long enough to talk to the better half of the Fred Long family, who reported Fred was fine and carrying on as usual.
A recent report on the Emerson boys is that Bob is a first lieutenant in the Army somewhere on the fighting front. For nearly two years he was instructing in advanced pilot work on the B-26 bomber at Barksdale Field. Hugh has nearly finished his training and is about ready to go out.
A Christmas card just received from Col. Russell Patterson conveys the information he wants to send his best regards to the class from "Somewhere in Belgium" where it is pretty hot, and he is not talking about the weather.
It has just been announced that Bob Barstow has accepted appointment as director of the Commission for World Council Service under the American Committee for the World Council of Churches. An announcement states that the immediate activities are focused particularly on stricken Europe. The projects include the rehabilitation of churches and congregations, work among prisoners of war, the provision of Christian literature to replace destroyed stocks and libraries, the _ training of new leaders, work among Christian refugees, and other similar types of service. The new commission is designed to be the nerve center _ for the integration and promotion of this practical ministry of brotherhood and helpfulness, working with and through all the denominational agencies and interdenominational organizations, in the projected investment in revived and expanding religious enterprise of many millions of dollars contributed by the church people of America as an expression of their respect and love, especially for their brethren who have endured such perils and destruction. As to family matters, his office is at 297 Fourth Ave., New York 10, N. Y. His new home is in Stamford, Conn., on the Old North Stamford Road (after March 1). Teacher Bob Jr. is at Manumit School, Bristol, Pa., with his wife Margaret and wee daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Farmer John is with his aunt and uncle at Naples, Maine. Corporal Paul is chaplain's assistant with an infantry regiment at the moment en route to the fighting front.
Secretary, Harvard Hall, Apt. 705 1650 Harvard St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Treasurer, 631 Walden Road, Winnetka, Ill.
