Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /home/stparch/public_html/headmid_temp_main.php on line 4394
Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
November 8, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
PAGE 4     (4 of 20 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
 
PAGE 4     (4 of 20 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
November 8, 2012
 
Newspaper Archive of Shelton Mason County Journal produced by SmallTownPapers, Inc.
Website © 2025. All content copyrighted. Copyright Information
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Request Content Removal | About / FAQ | Get Acrobat Reader




JOURNALEDITORIAL KOMENCOMMENT Shelton resident drafted at age 13 "e's 82, a veteran of three wars,, and lives in Shelton. But unlike .most members of the Greatesti Generation, James R. Clark's service in the military had a surprising begin- ning. He was drafted at age 13. And he is quite proud of it. So proud in fact that he titled his autobiography "American Soldier at 13 Years Old: WWII." With engaging chatter, he sells his book at swap meets often repeating his mantra "I was drafted at 13" as he talks with curious passersby. As he tells it, he was 13 in 1943 when he followed a buddy's example and reported to the draft board in McK- eesport, Pa.. His friend had told him how he had listed his age as 18 and was soon drafted into the Army. So that's what Jimmy Clark did. He lied. By JOHN "A week went KOMEN by and I received a draft notice from the draft board telling LETTERSTOTHEEDITOR me that I was being drafted and I was to go take my physical in Pittsburgh," Clark writes in his book. Soon in uniform, the grade-schooler found himself in happy circumstances. "The pay for a private was fifty dollars a month," recalls Clark. "That was the most money I had ever made. Since I was 13 years old, I felt rich." He volunteered for Parachute Train- ing School at Fort Benning, Ga. Soon he was jumping out of airplanes, a 13-year-old soldier in the U.S. Army. He served a year before the Army found out it had drafted a sixth-grader. Called before a board of embarrassed officers, chagrined at having a now 14-year-old on their hands, he was confined to quarters. Two weeks later an Army attorney assigned to defend Clark told the boy the Army wanted to court-martial him for fraudulent enlistment. Obviously wanting to shed themselves of their 14-year-old prob- lem child, the attorney convinced the officers to let him go without punish- ment and to grant him an honorable discharge. At home, he became known as "the youngest veteran ever to b,e discharged from McKeesport, or any other place in the United States." "They put my picture in the newspa- per, and my picture was also in some popular magazines," he relates. "With that, the fan mail began." Youngsters from all over America wanted to know "how I had fooled the U.S. Army. They wanted to know so that they could try to get into the ser- vice too." He discovered he missed the Army life, so he joined again at age 17, this time with his mother's permission. World War II was now over, but en- listed man James Clark served in West Berlin during the Cold War, in the Korean War and in the Vietnam War. He escaped serious injury until he re- turned to Vietnam as a civilian employ- ee for a contractor and wound up badly wounded when the contractor's work boat was blown up by the Viet Cong. After months of difficult recovery and years suffering from Post-Trau- matic Stress Syndrome, James Clark survived to write his memoirs and cel- ebrate his life in the military. 'Tin proud that I was living during the great generation during World War II when patriotism in America was at its highest and the young men and women wanted to stand up and fight for this country," says Clark on the back cover of his book. The front of his book proudly dis- plays the American flag, and under the flag it says "Freedom Is Not Free." Neither is his book. It will cost you $20. • John Komen, who lives on Masoni Lake, was for 40years a reporter and ! editor, TV anchorman, national TV net- work correspondent, producer, colum- nist, editorial writer and commentator. His column, Komen Comment, appears each week in the Shelton-Mason County Journal. Media panel gives staff a chance to educate seek it and report on it. We do PIOs in training to meet with local media named by the media before their fam- everything in our power to en- members to chat about a variety of top- ily was notified. The ensuing discussion sure its accuracy. Sometimes our ics, including common hang-ups, miscon- touched on common me.dia practices -- sources try to withhold it. ceptions and effective strategies for both some outlets will report a name of, for It's information, and we at the Journal sides to better work with each other, example, a drowning victim immediately, are in the information business. Along with Journal editor Adam Rud-while others will wait until they officially Our day-to-day duties require us to nick and reporter Natalie Johnson, the hear the name from authorities. make phone calls, conduct face-to-face media panel included reporters from lo- We thought the panel was an excellent interviews and request data and docu- cal television and radio stations, way to talk shop about our industries. ments for the stories we write. If that in- The approximately 30-person class We do our best to maintain an oPen line formation we require comes from a local, was not just state patrol PIOs -- indi- of communication with our sources and state or federal agency, we might need a viduals from outside agencies such as the the public. public information officer -- or PIO -- to city of Puyallup Police Department and It's great to be able to have a session help us find what we're looking for. the Washington Corrections Center also where we can be open with what we call On Nov. 1, Journal newsroom staffattended the one-hour event. "gatekeepers" of information. members took part in a WashingtonThe panel provided both sides with an Thanks again to Bob Calkins, media State Patrol public information officer opportunity to learn. At one point, a class and community relations officer with the course at the State Patrol academy in member asked the panel about a specific Washington State Patrol, and all attend- Shelton. The course was designed for instance where a victim of a crime was ees of the panel. Ministry is or any other organization's same road we've been on, concern. It is a community then God help America, be- concern and as members of cause the government will in the community it is impor-eventually run out of resourc- tant we work together to help es to do so. Editor, the Journal solve, or at least mitigate I am making a plea on be- in some degree, this situa- Katie Groves half of the Shower Ministry tion. As Thanksgiving ap- Shelton at St. David's Church. The proaches, I ask all to consider Shower Ministry is for any-what they have and what one whoneedsashowerand they can share. I believe it is Kudos to is available weekdays, except just common decency to do so. Thursday, from 10 a.m. until ~4 2 p.m. We are in need of the Ann Baker .. a n s e n s small hotel shampoos, con- Shelton ditioners and soaps. In addi- Editor, the Journal tion, we also are in continual I would like to express my need of disposable razors, Thanks for sincere appreciation to John deodorants, toothbrushes, and Rachel Hansen for their toothpaste (small tubes) extraordinary community and other personal hygiene C 0 m m e nt service over the past three items. For more information years. Their efforts were the people can call the Parish Editor, the Journal primary reason that this corn- Hall Ministries at 462-4439 I wish to comment on the munity enjoyed fair events in (please note the 462 rather letter submitted by Lorilyn 2010, 2011 and 2012. Without than 426). Rogers Nov 1. Thank you, the Hansens' talents, devo- I am also making a plea on thank you, Lorilyn. At last tion and financial sacrifices, behalf of the Cold Weather there is a woman with a voice those fairs would not have Shelter, which is also a part of reason willing to speak out. happened and this commu- of St. David's Parish Hall Your letter was clear, concise, nity's youth would have been Ministries. Our shelter oper- to the point and of maturedeprived of the experiences ates on winter nights when thought. I only wish the ma- and development opportuni- the wind chill factor is 35 jority of women in this coun- ties that fairs generate. degrees or less, to allow area try shared these opinions.Without the encourage- homeless adults a warm, safe In a nutshell, Lorilyn ment and facilitation pro- place to be out of the cold. We believes women (and I add,vided by John and Rachel, operate from Nov. 1 through men) should be accountablemany other events, including April 30. About 25 percent for their own lives, support a OysterFest, would have been of our operating funds come government that lives within made much more difficult from grants; the remainder its means and not piling debt or not happened at all. The comes from fundraisers and on future generations, or forc- improved facilities and orga- private donations. At this ing its secular agenda on re- nizational accomplishments time, we are looking for sup- ligious institutions, that cou- concerning fairgrounds man- port from the community as ples (and I add, of any age) agement and operations will we have only enough funds take full responsibility in be greatly missed. to operate through the end of their sexual relations to what Thanks again to a hus- the year. consequences may arise from band-and-wife team that set The causes of homeless- such acts, not asking others an example for all to emulate ness are many, but they to provide, or seek means when it comes to doing good aren't important. What is to destroy the life that may things for the community and important is that no one have been created; to leadmaking things happen in sup- should die of hypothermia by example and show futureport of youth development. when help is available and generations how to be inde- when the rest of us have a bit pendent and self-accountable. Jay Hupp to contribute. If every family Lorilyn, I remember a time Shelton in Mason County donated $5, when this was our country, we could operate the shel- and was our way of thinking. ter for three years - three There was a time when the Donations years! To make a donation, majority of women thought as checks can be mailed to St.you do. help David's, PO Box 339, Shelton, By now we should have aca n with the notation "Shelter."president declared. To me, it For more information, call me was a no-brainer who would i n at 432-1678. be best for America, some- And finally, I urgeev- one who would know how to Action eryone to support United overcome the financial mess Way. As a former board mem- we are in, to correct the wel- ber, I can tell you that all fare mentality and Greece-Editor, the Journal the money donated in Mason like road we are on, to boost Many of us would rather County stays in Mason Coun- manufacturing and produce deny it, but we are getting ty unless otherwise specified jobs, to make us strong byold. by the donor. A person can supporting our military, not And as we age it becomes designate their donation to a cutting it. My wishes may or harder to do the things we specific organization or can may not have been fulfilled, used to take for granted. also exclude an organization I have tried to be fair and It starts with getting out of a from receiving any of the evaluate both candidates, but chair (when did we start mak- money the person donates. As whatever our current admin- ing noises when standing up?), a recipient of United Way istration had for a platform, and goes downhill from there. funds (in the form of grants the message of women's re-On the good side, we have to the Cold Weather Shelter), productive rights and right gained wisdom, a more real- I know how important public to choose (choose what, mur- istic perspective on life, and support is. der?) far overshadowed anyif we are lucky, a really good The question of homeless- message it may have had tosense of humor about our- ness is complex and the prob- make America better than it selves and others. lem is widespread. However, has been the last four years. If it just wasn't so darn it is not a St. David's concern If we continue down the hard to get around, maintain 1~ Shelton-Mason County 1~| She~ton-Mason County doumal is a member of Karl Sleight, publisher Advertising: Dave Pierik, St. Acct. Executive USPS 492-800 Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. Newsroom: Maggie Burdick, ad representative POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Shelton-Mason SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Adam Rudnick, editor County Journal, P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. $37 per year for Mason County addresses, Natalie Johnson, reporter Front office: Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper Published weekly by Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc. $51 per year in state of Washington but outside Gordon Weeks, reporter at 227 West Cota street, Shelton, Washington Mason County, $61 per year out of state. Emily Hanson, sports reporter Rene6 Chaplin, circulation Cricket Carter, mailroom Mailing address: P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584 supervisor Telephone (360) 426-4412 * www.masoncounty.qom Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington Owned and published by She~ton-Mason County Journal, Inc Page A-.4 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012 our house or drive. This is where Faith in Ac- tion comes in. Since 2001, we have helped the senior and disabled residents of North Mason, South Kitsap and Key Peninsula. Our mission is to "Support Independent Living for our Senior and Disabled Neighbors." We do this through providing free, non-medical, volunteer-based services such as: escorted transportation, mi- nor home repairs, respite care, yard work and more. We also operate a free medical equip- ment bank, conduct workshops, provide advocacy and referrals, and help with emergency fi- nancial needs. For many years now, an im- portant partner in helping Ma- son County senior and disabled residents has been United Way of Mason County, through their direct grants, and through their workplace donation pro- gram, they have enabled us to honor and help our aging neighbors and friends. A small donation, taken from your paycheck pain- lessly (before you even see it); can help seniors such as Mary, a 90-year-old that has been getting daily rides to her radiation appointments from a team of five Faith in Action volunteers. She's a delightful woman, with a rich and inter- esting past, and an amazingly sharp mind. She has no other way to get to her treatments. ~ears of gratitude came to her eyes the other morning as she expressed her gratitude for our help. You can be a part of help- ing Mary and other seniors through your donation to Unit- ed Way. Please participate in their workplace campaign. Patti Kleist Allyn United Way: the voice good will Editor, the Journal United Way of Mason County is the silent savior of both young and old among us. The generosity of our citizens is a masterpiece of empathy and caring for those in need in our community. Food banks, health care, emer- gency housing, special needs services, warm clothing, and a friend and mentor when life seems hopeless often provides a lifeboat in a stormy sea. Thankfully, Mason County United Way is a major force in ensuring that we are our brothers' keeper -- the silent voice of good will. Doug Sayan Agate Composing room: William Adams, graphics Pmssmom: Kelly Riordan, production manager Travis Miller, press operator Mary Northover, press assistant