Ts me - i Dh Sete SNE 6. Ee Bh ede A te RT BR oe - Ne a ER a ed TR REY Ln i TmARrEUNSL S- PRE EE I i aide 2 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, June 22, 1994 POW (continued from page 1) | Br Division. ‘They fought against the wily Field Marshall Rommel, and the ‘German air force at that time was ‘able. to strafe and bomb them at ‘will: They got through that win- ter, complete with frostbites, and were pulled out after Christmas for 10 days leave in Naples. Then came bloody Anzio, and next, “almost” Rome. Eddie said, “We ‘could have made it but we were ‘held up. I think it was political, ‘but they said a superior force of eight divisions faced us.” During that stalemate, Eddie ant seven others took cover in a deserted house for the night. Their company was scattered and they knew German tanks were nearby. They had tried to get an anti-tank unit to help but failed. At daylight they heard the sounds of two Tiger tanks coming to a halt in front, then all was silent until a voice called out in English, “Come out now! You will not be hurt.” And that was that. They filed outside, were lined up between two Germans armed with burp guns and nasty looks, told to strip, and lost all their cigarettes and candy, although Eddie was left ‘with, as he remembers it, a half- pack of Philip Morris. (He smokes to this day and has no intention of quitting.) + Soon February 22, 1944, PFC ‘Eddie Smith became POW #12059. His captors marched them to the rear of the German lines, and on the way there they ‘were fired on several times. “Probably,” says Eddie, “by both sides!” Their {irst destination was the notorious “Studio”, a sort of POW processing plant which must have been an efficient facility, for in six days over 2,200 soldiers were captured and assigned: to camps in Germany. On the way there Eddie is cer- tain they drove through Rome but saw nothing of that city because of canvas coverings on the trucks. “At the next changeover point they were herded into the infamous (from WW I) “40 x 8" boxcars, so named because the held 40 men and eight horses. Their final destination, Stalag VIIA, held thousands of prisoners from all over: Britons, French, Belgian, Italian, Yugoslavian and even a few Serbs. The camp had areputation for being quite strict. In Camp VIIA, Eddie's weight went down from 160 pounds to under 130, not surprising when considering their ddily fare - half a loaf of brown bread and “grass -soup,” a mixture of some vege- ‘tables and water. There was sel- “dom any meat, and when there ‘was it called for deep mistrust “because no dogs or cats were ever seen anywhere around. Camp discipline was rigid and strictly obeyed, even to speedily following the morning command to rise, dress and attend roll call. If any laxity showed, the guards unleashed the dreaded “Deutsche Schaferhunde,” German Shep- herds bred for the task. Guards were both surly and quick-tem- pered. Eddie says, “They would shoot at a prisoner's feet just because they felt like it.” Eddie and a dozen others were taken to a little town called Aga- want - population 300 - and “farmed out” to farmers who were short of field hands. They were locked up at night but reined loosely during the day, and - best ofall - the food improved for they ate whatever the farm family ate. These people, says Eddie, “showed absolutely no animosity to us, and would tune in English broad- casts for us to follow the war's progress.” In August 1945 a return to the main camp brought a welcome visit from the 10th Armored, and in the liberation ceremony follow- ing Eddie had his first taste of cognac. They then swapped places with their ex-guards, who became POW'’s themselves. Vegi EN Shr Se 4 c. i | & GIFTS ‘Il SALE many items up to 50% Off 0 New Merchandise arriving daily I Phone L (717) 477-2886 1 Now Open 5 Days A Week Wed. - Sun. 11 AM. - 5 PM. 1 Mi. South on Rt. 29 from 118 at Pikes Creek LA Sa = 288-3500 Mark Plaza, Edwardsville, Rt. 11 586-6000 Rts. 6 & 11, Clarks Summit N.E. Penna's Renowned Spot For Great Food & Entertainment Steaks + Chops « Seafood Over 100 Entrees "open for Lunch & Dinner 11:30 AM. - 2 AM., 7 Days a Week ENTERTAINMENT Fri., June 24 3 | Justus Sat., June 25 Mystique THEN AND NOW - PFC Edward B. Smith in uniform, above, and today at left. Eddie reflects that out of his original company of 200 men only 20 were left. He has no regrets, except he says, “I still think we could have taken Rome!" Wife Doris, whom Eddie met on a blind date, said, “I didn't think too much of him that first night.” She puffed reflectively on a ciga- rette and said, “I stilldon't.” Then she laughed when Eddie grunted and replied, “Neither do 1.” It would not be fair to write about Eddie and Doris without mentioning their attempts to in- crease the population of Harveys Lake. Reading from top to bot- tom, their results were: Terry, 43, a Tech College Instructor; Barry, 42, a tavern owner in partnership with brother Joe, 31; David, 41, an elementary school teacher; Garry, 40, at Royer Foundry; Sandy, 37, a market cashier; Thomas, 35, at General Paper; Mark, 34, Shared Medical Sys- tems manager and Edward Jr., 24, KFC manager. Another son, Bradley died at age 2 1/2. So far, there are seven grand- children, and their pictures are beginning to cover up the front of the Smith refrigerator. While writing down all the above, Eddie said, “If you run out of notepaper I've got more." And he still has his sense of humor. Shavertown Shopping Center Shavertown 675-2555 Sliced Vienna Bread SPECIALLY PRICED AT = 99¢<.. Price $1.10 Obituaries ROSA DAVIES Rosa B. Davies, 83, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died June 5, 1994 in South Port Nursing Center, Port Charlotte. Born in Forty Fort, she moved to the Port Charlotte area in 1970. She was a retired bank teller and a member of First Presbyterian Church, Port Charlotte. Surviving are a sinster, Mamie Coursen, Forty Fort and two great- nieces. Arrangements were by Rober- son Funeral Home and Crema- tory, Port Charlotte. ISABELLE CHILSON Isabelle H. Chillson, 68, of Eliza- beth Street, Dallas, died June 17, 1994, at home. Born in the Hudson section of Plains Township, she was the daughter of the late John and Helen Puk Kolesar. She resided in Dallas for the past 41 years. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as plant manager by Lori-Charles Inc. Luzerne. She was a member of Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas. She was preceded in death by her sister, Antoinette Sedor. Surviving are her husband, Stanley J.; son, Stanley J., Har- risburg; sister, Celia Polachek, Wilkes-Barre and two grandchil- dren. Interment, Mount Olivet, Ceme- tery, Carverton. GEORGE MAURER III George J. Maurer III, 67, of South Avenue, Harveys Lake, died June 16, 1994 at Nesbitt Memo- rial Hospital, Kingston. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Violet Vice Maurer and George J. Maurer II. He was educated in New York City schools and was a U.S. Navy vet- eran of World War II. He was employed as a dis- patcher for Gotham Sand and Stone Company, Port Washing- ton, Long Island, NY retiring in 1984. Since retiring he had resided at Harveys Lake and was a member of Irem Temple of Wilkes-Barre and George M. Dallas Lodge 531, F&AM, Dallas. He was also a member of Trinity United Presby- terian Church, Dallas. Surviving are his wife, the for- mer Ruthann Meehan; daughter, Donna J. Wetmore, Long Island, NY: sons, George J. IV, Long Is- land, NY; Richard K., Plantation, Fla.; five grandchildren. Interment, Oak Lawn Ceme- tery, Hanover Township. Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, P.O. Box 1014, Wilkes-Barre, 18703-1014. Sune 21st thru Dine 96th Family size Fruit or Nut Topped Danish Meltaways SPECIALLY PRICED AT $2 Reg. Price $2.65 SPECIALLY PRICED AT Chinese Layer Cake (Gold cake with a fresh Lemon filling) Something Special! $1 99 Reg. Price $2.25 a - ar was Fa LAL S83 . ait pt EGE LE —T sais ” | ‘Coverage area: The Dallas Post covers the "Back Mountain . County, including Dallas, Kingston, Lehman and Jackson townships, Dallas LA] £} Borough, Harveys Lake and the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts. We iy 3 try to get to as many events as possible, but staff and space limitations make it + impossible to cover everything. 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 368, Dallas PA 18612. © COPYRIGHT: Entire contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express written consent of the publisher. THOMAS J. DOUGHTON SR. Thomas J. Doughton, Sr., 76, of Davenport Street, Dallas, died June 14, 1994, at Wilkes-Barre * General Hospital. Born in Edwardsville, he was the son of the late Thomas J. and Lillian Morris Doughton. He was a graduate of Edwardsville High School and had resided in Dallas for the past 41 years. Before retiring he was employed as a letter carrier at the Kingston Post Office. He was an U.S. Army veteran of World War II, receiving the Purple Heart during the inva- sion of Sicily. He was a member of American Legion Post 644, Swoyersville, and was an officer of the Back Moun- tain Bowling Association. He was preceded in death by a brother, Shadrach. He is survived by his wife, the former Bertha Dombroski; son, ThomasJ., Dalla; daughters, Gail Szeliga, Apalachin, NY; Linda Murphy, Mt. Pocono; six grand- children. Interment, Chapel Lawn Me- morial Park, Dallas. FRED HIRNER Fred C. Hirner, of Holly Street, Trucksville, died June 19, 1994, in Valley Crest Nursing Center, Plains Township. Born in Kingston, he was the son of the late Harry and Elsie Mae Schoechencey Hirner. He resided in Trucksville for the past 22 years. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a miner in several local mining operations and was a survivor of the Knox Mine disas- ter. He was also in charge of maintenance for Mary Taylor's Hair and Skin Care Centers. He attended Prince of Peace Church, Dallas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally Naomi. Surviving are grandchildren, Philip W. Taylor, with whom he resided; Frederick Taylorand Jane Bell, both of Meriden, Conn. Private funeral services will be at the convenience of the family, from Metcalfe and Shaver Funeral Home. Interment will be in Forty Fort Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Valley Crest Auxiliary, 1551 East End Blvd., Plains Township, 18711. MARY TOMKO Mary Luziani Tomko of Stull Road, Noxen, died June 17, 1994, at her home. Born in Luzerne, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Marina Luziani. Surviving are her husband, Stephen Tomko; daughter, Mary Ann O'Leary, Courtdale; two granddaughters; one grandson; sister Jenny Kazokas, Luzerne. Interment was in St. Ignatius parish cemetery, Pringle. MARY SAPSER Mary E. Sapser, 73, of St. Pe- tersburg, Fla., formerly of the Back Mountain area died June 10, 1994, at home. Ay Surviving are her husband, Thomas R.; sons, James M., Daphine, Ala.; Thomas, Laflin; brother, John McGourty, Wilkes- Barre; two grandchildren. Arrangements by the Royal Palm Funeral Chapel and Ceme- tery North, St. Petersburg. I LEO YASCUR Leo “Pete” Yascur of Huntsville Road, Jackson Township, died June 18, 1994, in Mercy Hospital Hospice Center, Wilkes-Barre.. Born in Huntsville, he was the son of the late Paul and Anna Stack Yascur. He was a lifelong resident of Jackson Township-and a 1941 graduate of Lehman High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in France and North Africa. He was a member of Gate ‘of Heaven Church, Dallas. : He was formerly employed by Whitesell Bros., Dallas, until his retirement several years ago.. .- He was preceded in death by a brother, John. : Surviving are his wife, the for- mer Margaret Polisky; son, James, at home; daughters, Bonnie Cov-_ eleski, Harveys Lake; Cindy Brin," Loyalville; Brenda Miller, Lehman Township; Wendy Yascur, Wash- D.C.; sisters, Mildred Wilkes-Barre; ‘six ington, Sponseller, grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Interment, Chapel Lawn Me- morial Park, Dallas. Memorial donations may be" sent to Hospice Community Care, 385 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, 18704. Five hoard tified physicians, one reliable source for the quality primary health care your family needs. First row, from left: Gary Nothstein, D.O., Irvin Jacobs, M.D., Jane E. Durkin, D.O.. Second row, from left: Diane A. Lowe, M.D. Thomas M. Campbell, D.O. Physicians on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year . in-office diagnostic testing including _ . most health insurance plans Office hours by appointment: Monday through Friday 7 AM to 8 PM Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 3 PM X-ray, EKG, Holter monitor, blood pressure and glucose monitoring, vision/hearing tests and pulmonary *- function tests 0) accepted. 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