DOGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

            They are known as “Olympians” but these highly trained athletics don’t compete in high jumps, pole vaulting or running a mile race—even though they have four legs! But their training is just as demanding as their two-legged counterparts according to Alice Collingwood who heads up Summit Assistance Dogs located at Anacortes, Washington State.

            These dogs are specially trained to aid folks with disabilities. Some are victims of spinal injuries and confined to a wheelchair or by an accident that leaves them unable to function without aid or perhaps they may suffer from a genetic handicap. Regardless of the affliction a service dog can provide immeasurable help, and Collingwood’s pups help fill the need.

            The non-profit company was founded in 2000 by Sue Meinzinger who just loved dogs. She had a friend who was disabled and this inspired her to look into specialized dog training and that is how “Summit Assistance Dogs” came into being. Since that time the company has grown and now has several volunteers helping. Also included on staff are two professional trainers who specialize in this type of dog training. In the past 15 years since its inception the company has trained and provided 81 dogs to grateful clients. But it hasn’t all been easy.

“Not all dogs make it through training,” Collingwood said. “For those that don’t work out we find a ‘forever home’—none are ever returned to a shelter.”

The process in acquiring and training these special animals is extensive. Collingwood said that their chief dog sources are from shelters or donated and others from their own breeding pool. One would think of “Lassie” as a perfect candidate but ironically collies don’t make good service dogs, she said. “We find that Golden Retrievers and Labradors make the best dog for training,” she explained. The natural instincts of these breeds fit in well with training.

This arduous training can take up to two years. The company works with both pups and older dogs for service. During the final part of training the dog lives with the trainer 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Only about three out of 10 dogs make it completely through the program. But for those who don’t meet the training needs some family will have the delight of getting the perfect “family” dog.

Many dogs are acquired within the limits of Washington State but there are others that come from as far as California. Regardless, if a dog shows any inclination of meeting the demands of a service dog Collingwood is willing to make the trip to check out the pup.

The most important part of the training is matching the right dog with the right client. “We do an assessment of the person and match the dog specifically to meet a person’s need,” she said. Sometimes there is a problem with placement. One hitch can be the prospective client may be allergic to the dog. Consequently no match can be made. What Collingwood wants to make sure is both the animal and new owner is compatible and happy with each other.

And what can a service dog do? Just about everything. They can open doors, pick up articles—including change, retrieve a telephone-- you name it. In fact, Collingwood recalled, she knew one disabled person who had his dog trained to go the refrigerator and get him a beer!

Now that’s training!

To prepare a dog for service work is long and demanding. They must be taught do disregard interference by other animals or people and concentrate only on their charge. That’s why it takes so long to prepare a dog for their special job. Once placed the client and dog are also provided follow-up care.

Taking a year or two to train a dog is also expensive. Adding in veterinarian bills, shots, food, housing and a trainer’s salary the cost can reach up to $25,000 Collingwood said. Trainers aren’t free. As professionals they have to be paid and what they receive in salary doesn’t even come close to what an average person makes at a steady job. All of this is a based on altruistic love. As for the person selected to get a dog they aren’t charged a dime. All income is derived from donors or fund raising activity.

Over the years Summit Assistance Dogs has grown beyond imagination. The company is now looking for property to set up a larger facility. As Collingwood explains, “We’re currently looking for a home of our own.” And with the help of donors it will be a dream come true. For those who wish to help they can reach her at www.summitdogs,org. or mail Summit Assistance Dogs, P.O. Box 699, Anacortes, WA 98221. All help is more than welcome.

JUST WHEN YOU THINK THINGS ARE GOING WELL

            Following World War II a lot of returning servicemen put to work new vocations they learned during their military experience. Many of these were those who learned how to fly. One such airman was Wayne Clevenger who started a crop dusting business at Salinas, CA.

            During the war Clevenger was a fighter pilot flying the famed North American P-51 Mustang. He saw a lot of action in Europe and at the end of the conflict he returned back to the United States, was discharged and with cash in his pocket he decided that the nearest thing to being a fighter pilot was becoming a crop duster. Buzzing across the ground at breath taking speed and only a few feet off the ground he put his “strafing” experience to good use.

            Settling near Salinas, he took advantage of the surplus airplanes that were on the market. Most newly formed crop duster operations settled on the bi-wing Stearman trainers what were sold at ridiculously low prices. At that time you could by a beautiful low time airplane for as little as $500. Other planes sold for even lower prices. Often times the gas in the airplane was worth more than the airplane.

            But for Clevenger he had a different plan. Rather than buy the famed Stearman he decided to buy used Stinson L-5’s. Why no one could figure out. If there was any airplane not adapted to the spraying industry it was the L-5!

            The airplane was a single inline engine high win, tandem two place aircraft that was used chiefly by the Army for observation, ferrying personnel and general use. It was not designed for combat fighting. None of this interfered with Clevenger’s plans however.  For what he would have had to pay for the more valued Stearman he could buy two of the Stinson’s.

            He bought 16 of them and started his spraying company.

            How he was going to utilize such an airplane as he had bought defied the imagination. But he had ideas of his own. The first thing he did was removing the inline six cylinder engines and replacing them with 220 horsepower Continental radial engines. Next he fitted Aeronca wing panels below the high wings making the airplane a “bi-wing.” Following this he took out the rear seats and put in spray tanks. But the final touch was the installation of air driven fans on each lower wing which broke up the material into a fine spray.

            Of the 16 remodeled airplanes no two flew alike. Some handled gently and others were a work in progress! One particular plane had the nasty habit of when you pulled off the power to land the nose would drop and no amount of back pressure on the elevator helped. You quickly learned that to land this “new and improved” gem it was necessary to lead with power until the wheels had touched the ground. An unwary pilot would quickly be initiated.

            The military pilots of that era were probably the best in the world. And many of them adapted to the crop dusting industry with ease. One such pilot Clevenger hired fit the bill with extraordinary talent. His name was Charlie King.

            Charlie could fly anything that had wings. Added to this he had no fear. Flying one of Clevenger’s planes for him wasn’t a test it was an adventure and he made the most of it. But he did have one flaw—he loved hard boiled eggs!

            It wasn’t unusual for Charlie to pack a few eggs in his coverall pockets when he flew.

           

When he had finished spraying a field he would climb to the dizzying altitude of maybe 50 feet and ferry back to the field satisfied and good humor. It was then he would take out one of his hard boiled eggs, crack it on the top of the control stick, peel it and take a bite. Unfortunately it was on one of these occasions that things didn’t go as planned.

Work usually started early in the morning with the sun just breaking from the east. The pilots would have their loaders service their planes, fill them with the required spray material and then take off for their assigned fields. Some of these fields were several miles from home base and by the time they arrived at their destination the fields would be aglow with morning sunshine.

On this particular morning everything seemed perfect. The temperature was comfortable and only a mild gentle breeze added to the beauty of the day. According to the law any wind over five miles per hour would shut down the application of an herbicide. But this morning Charlie was putting out an insecticide compatible with the surrounding crops.

Reaching the field he took the precaution to make a turn around the field to locate any hazards as telephone lines, irrigation stand pipes or power lines. Satisfied he gently lined up his first pass and dropped into the field. After putting out the load he pulled out of the field and headed back to home base. This is where the adventure began.

Sitting in the cockpit with the dependable engine humming, he climbed to an altitude of about 50 feet. Using his knees to steady the control stick he reached into his shirt pocket and took out an egg and gently cracked it with the aid of the stick. Looking down he peeled the delicacy and just as he looked up to put it in his mouth he flew into a tree! This was somewhat disconcerting. He managed however to swallow the egg so not too much was lost in the incident.

It was sometime in the morning that Clevenger started to get a bit nervous. His prize pilot should have been back at least two hours earlier but no word had arrived about his lateness. Then a California State Patrolman showed up in his police cruiser, stopped and Charlie stepped out. Going to the back of the patrol car the officer opened the trunk and Charlie took out an airplane battery. Rushing over to the two Clevenger asked what had happened.

Then the story came out. The patrolman said he spotted Charlie hitchhiking down the road with the battery on his shoulder and asked if he could help. Charlie said, with little embarrassment, that he was a crop duster and had hit a tree—he prudently didn’t mention the egg incident to the officer!

What baffled Clevenger most was the battery he brought back. The airplane was totally demolished, Charlie’s coveralls were tattered, and yet he took the airplane battery, hoisted on his shoulder and started walking down the road looking for a ride back the airfield when the patrolman came along. So when Clevenger asked “why” Charlie had the perfect answer.

“…Hell,” he said, “you know how those damn field workers are—they’ll steal anything!” and with that Clevenger shook his head and walked off. There was nothing else to say.

A SOLDIERS STORY, CONCLUSION

Conclusion

By DELL ARTHUR

            Now it was time for a final push into Germany itself. Gitts now assigned to the 17^th Glider Squadron, along with his outfit pushed towards the Rhine River dividing France with German. The fighting had been intense and American, English and Canadian forces were seeking a bridge that would allow them to cross into the Rhineland. The Germans successfully managed to blow up the major bridges denying Allied forces access to the homeland.

            Then at Ramagen an unforeseen opportunity happened. The bridge that had been mined with explosives failed to go off allowing American soldiers to make it across. Now holding the bridge the 17^th Division poured across before German artillery fire finally caused the bridge to collapse. But it was too little and too late.

            Gitts was assigned as a Jeep driver and the chief objective was a push to Berlin. He recalled that one of the “tricks” the Germans used was to stretch piano wire across a road. The result was an unknowing driver would easily be decapitated.

            But as a paratrooper Gitts would also fight as a regular infantryman. This nearly caused him his life. He recalled a town his outfit had just entered still contained enemy fighters. He recalled working his way along a sidewalk and when he stepped out into the open space a German sniper took aim and hit him in the back of his head. If he hadn’t been for his steel helmet he would have been dead. Falling to the ground unconscious he was bleeding copiously from the wound.  Quickly a medic came to his aid and pulled him to safety and treated him as best he could. He was then transferred to a medical aid station where doctors were able to stem the flow of blood and stabilize him. Still unconscious Gitts was loaded into an ambulance and sent off to a major hospital at Paris.

            The wound was so severe that doctors had to insert a metal plate in his skull which remained for the rest of his life. He was confined in the hospital for a month. Just before being discharged from the hospital and returned to duty, Gitts was visited by a Captain who said that he needed a Russian speaking interpreter. His knowledge of the language made him perfectly suitable for the job. He was ready to go back to work and was switched permanently to the 82^nd Airborne and put on light duty.

            And then the big disappointment; General Eisenhower made the decision to let the Russian army capture the German capital.

            By now the war in Europe was quickly nearing the end but there was still Japan to be reckoned with. On April 30, 1945 Hitler put a gun to his head and along with his new bride Eva Braun who he had just married, the two committed suicide. Shortly after surrender document was signed by the last of Germany’s high command and the war was officially over. But now the occupation forces had to divvy up what was left of Berlin.

            Berlin was divided between the American, English, Russian and French forces. Gitts recalled that the American headquarters was located only a block away from the Russian command. The Russians made it very clear that their territory was “off limits” to the
Americans. The “cold war” had just begun.

            Berlin was devastated. Gitts said that over three-fourths of the city was rubble. Allied bombers had leveled many historic buildings but the damage was necessary to war. But now it was a time for rebuilding. Assigned to the 325^th Glider Infantry office, Gitts was able to get a pass to roam throughout the western section of the city.

            By now his European duty was winding down. As a consequence of his head wound he was sent to Bremmer, Germany to await shipment back to the United States. Waiting orders he and some friends took the opportunity “to do nothing” but relax. The danger and sound of gunfire was now in the past. Not having to wake up after sleeping on the cold wet ground, hearing the whistling of shells overhead, not having to dodge being shot at and seeing close friends die in front of your eyes, the change was welcomed.

           

But the wound to his head plagued him with severe migraine headaches. The rifle and bayonet that the German soldier had stabbed him with was recovered and successfully sent home where it remained a life-long souvenir. The rifle was a German  Mouser Karabinger 98K. When he finally got home he had it converted into a hunting rifle and he used it for years hunting deer and elk.

Finally the day came when he was put aboard an Army hospital ship, the John S. Meany for shipment back to New York. So, on October 31, 1945, the ship left for America and Gitts left the horror of memories behind him. Because of a storm the trip took 16 days to make the crossing. Finally on November 15, the ship docked at Boston and he was transferred to an Army hospital. After five days Gitts was aboard a train for Washington State and a stay at Madigan Army hospital at Fort Lewis. Here he was evaluated to determine if he would receive a medical or honorable discharge from service. Because of his head injury and the migraine headaches he went under observation of 60 days before being allowed to take a furlough and go home.

After arriving home to the joy the family his mother and father was hit with hard news. His brother Victor, who had enlisted in the Coast Guard, had fallen ill with lobar pneumonia. His parents were advised that he most likely would be okay but four days later a Coast Guard officer and chaplain came to the front door to inform the family that Victor had died. Because of his brother’s death Gitts was immediately discharged.

In all Gitts served two years, fifteen days in the service of his country. He underwent horrific battles and was wounded three times. His record showed that he received three Purple Hearts, the Belgium Fourrangere, the Netherlands Orange Lanyard, a Good Conduct Medal, American European Middle Service Eastern Service Medal, Marksman Pin, Infantry Combat Badge, the Bronze Service Arrowhead, Paratroop Wings and certificate of Merit for outstanding bravery in enemy fire—all of this before his 23^rd birthday.

And now with Veteran’s Day ahead the accomplishments of men like Gitts who were once boys, have indeed proved to be our “greatest generation.”

A SOLDIERS STORY, PART 2

                                                     By DELL ARTHUR

Now that the end of fall was at hand the weather was turning miserable. By the middle of December the Germans were preparing for a last ditch assault with everything on the line.  This battle would earn the famous name as “the Battle of the Bulge,” and Getts and his 17^th Division comrades would be exposed unimaginable horror and danger.

When the Germans invaded Holland the unprepared American forces were pushed back along the entire front and nearly collapsed. One town, Bastogne was a major target since it had seven roads leading out from it. Holding this town was of most importance—losing it to the enemy would give Hitler a vital victory.

Moving up on the line the paratroopers found streams of American soldiers in full retreat. All, including his outfit were completely unprepared to take up battle. They didn’t have sufficient clothing, weapons, ammunition or food. Yet they were expected to defend the town. But being paratroopers Gitts and his buddies didn’t hesitate. Once entrenched they quickly found themselves completely surrounded. Adding to the danger and misery was the weather. Temperatures usually fell well below zero. The fighting raged for eight days before the skies cleared and American transports were able to fly in much needed supplies. In addition General George Patton and his armored division were finally able to reach the embattled town and help drive the Germans out.

Once the town was secured Gitts and his outfit continued to push on taking one town after another. The bitter fighting took the lives of many of his friends but there was no letup to the advance.

In the wintertime he recalled, the dead froze quickly just as they died. Consequently there was no odor to foul the air. But when the weather started to warm it was a different situation. The stench was overwhelming and it was an odor that never left your nostrils he said.

And it was at this time Gitts nearly gave his own life.

He and a partner were dozing in their foxhole one night when a German soldier managed to sneak up. With a bayonet attached to his rifle he spotted Getts’ foxhole and as he raised his weapon he made a thrust at Gitts. Alarmed by his partner, Gitts started to roll out of the way but the bayonet pierced his side. The only thing that saved him was the blade was deflected by an ammunition clip attached to his belt. His partner quickly killed the German but the damage had been done.

Seriously wounded Gitts was taken to a field hospital where he received emergency treatment. Following this treatment he was transferred to a major military hospital at Brussels where he remained for four days. Following that brief stay he was moved to a hospital in Paris where he continued to recuperate from the wound. Finally after a few weeks rest he was sent to Cannes, France for a week of “rest and recuperation” and then back to England.

After Gitts returned from “R and R,” he was given an extraordinary opportunity. The colonel in charge of this facilitity called him to his office and told him he qualified for reclassification as a result of his disability. He was told that there was the possibility that he could receive a medical discharge or sent back to the United States for evaluation if he was fit for combat duty. Gitts said he preferred to remain with his outfit. But since his injury prohibited his “jumping” again because of the shock of a parachute opening and reinjuring his stab wound, he was assigned to the 17^th Glider Division.

In comparison to the battle of the Ardennes Gitts recalled that combat in the Huertgen forest was worse. He cited that the constant snow, aided by the cold damp air, accounted for the misery and depression. The goal he said was to keep the Germans from securing a stronghold. Fighting in the forest was hampered by the inability of the American’s to use their armored forces. The roads were too narrow for tanks to operate and in addition the Germans had trained their artillery to selected spots where they knew the paratroopers were dug in.

Following the battle corpses of American soldiers littered the area—frozen, mutilated by German cannons, lying in grotesque positions, many missing arms, legs or heads. There were also soldiers lying dead on stretchers who were left when the Germans over ran them. According to one General who surveyed the fight, the battle should have been fought around the forest rather than through it. The result was thousands of Americans died needlessly.

(To be continued)