Action (May 1941 - Mar 1958)

4 /Action and had a hear+y dinner and bragged a little to your wife. You bragged! Barney spun in from 18,000 feet over the New Guinea jungle with a full squirt from a Zero's guns in his engine and a roaring banner of flame devouring the white-hot cockpit as he dropped. But Barney had a cool young American brain and he fought the sick taste of bile and blood In his mouth and kept his eyes propped open with the forked fingers of one hand and watched the skin on the other hand curl up like frying bacon on the stick while he fought for control because he knew he wasn't expendable— there wasn't enough of him In that bitter air fighting half a world away and he had a job to do for his country. So he managed to pancake into some trees and was thrown clear; but he was still blazing when they picked him up. Have you ever burned your finger on a hot stove lid? Remember how that tiny blister hurt? 'Well, all that was left unshrivelled of Barney's skin surface was a patch about double the size of that blister. They got him out of the sodden stink of rotting jungle growth and tried all the sulfa drugs — and they helped. But It was blood he needed; the vital, red, life-giving fluid that would have sent Barney back, scarred but alive — and brother, life is sweet to youth! — to his young wife and the kid he hadn't ever seen. You know them — they live right around the corner and she's pretty desperate now, facing life without Barney. But you're okay. You've got your job and your family and — sure, If you'd been on the spot when Barney crashed, you'd have been glad to help! You'd have opened your veins yourself If you'd caught one glimpse of what was In Barney's eyes in his last moment of consciousness, and before that glaze had dulled them for keeps. If you'd been on the spot — when the spot could have been no farther away than a five minute walk across the Studio Lot! Well, It's not too late. There are other American sandlot kids and tough fighting sergeants and Barneys going through and into just the same kind of hell those others took; only, soon there'll be more of them as time goes on and the fighting increases and the casualties grow. The Mobile Blood Bank Unit comes back to the Lot on Thursday, October 28, and you can do something about It if you'll phone Kathleen Ridgeway's office (494-495) or Morna Pyper at the hospital on the North Lot. No — Thursday, October 28, Isn't too late. Is It? MAINTENANTICS By A. O WILLIAMS Well now, we are in October and all the good little victory gardeners are gathering in the pumpkins. I'm not a good gardener, "so I hain't got none." As I write this, the Lot looks like the Wild West has come back to us. The players of the "Buffalo Bill" company have made me recall many things that I had forgotten. The sight of the cowboys and Indians recall events and episodes of my childhood. The thrill of anticipation that we kids experienced when we knew Buffalo Bill was coming to town was one of those things that I recall with pleasure. The sophistication that the years have brought has taken most of that thrill and pleasure from us, much to our regret. I have a special Interest in anything pertaining to Bill Cody because I knew him, and he was so kind that when he visited our city he gave me the Signal Honor to let me ride in the parade on his horse In front of him. For days after, the kids all treated me like I was Bill himself. To me. Bill Cody epitomized the era In which he lived. He should go down In history as the man that symbolizes a definite end of a period in man's history. With Bill died the modes and habits of countless generations of mankind. He marked a definite period to the horse age and to all of the backwardness that man had known for centuries. He ushered In a new era, that of Science and Mechanics, which has so changed our modes of living that In comparison, our grandfathers might have lived in another world. While to most of you this might seem like awful stale news, I couldn't make the Issue last month to call it to your attention. Having a mean streak, I just can't bear to let this pass. What I am getting at is, I just wondered if you all noticed that the Maintenance Department walked away with about elqhty per cent of the prizes at our picnic. Of course, I knew that there were a few other people there besides our department, and I assure you that we had no intention of taking all of the prizes but to the victor belongs the spoils. For the good of the picnic committee next year, I have the assurance from our boys that next year they will hold back a little so that the rest of you will have a chance. We will do anything for morale. Now that I am trying to> hide our light under a bushel. I'll have you know that we have two bond winners In our department for September. As I have promised to let all the wives know, and as I never write to other men's wives, I will tell It here. Our WILLIAM ROSIN and PETE WEIDEMAN were the lucky boys. They didn't forget that our company still have the generous offer open to pay tor usable Ideas submitted to our conservation program. Don't forget that we have only a few days left to send a remembrance to our boys across the seas. Your gift needn't be large or expensive but just something to let him know that we have a thought for his comfort, and that we here are aware that we have an army In the field. As I write this, the whereabouts of II Duce is liable to play the dickens with some of the plans laid by our leaders because he will be something to hang the remnants of the Fascist Party on. This will give them practice for the hanging that we will give them later. Don't forget that we In the Maintenance Department are in business to keep your business running. If you have any repairs, call Ext. 508. THE PROCESSIONS By E. L. McMANISAL NORMAN PRIMM Is now In India where he Is very busy in Uncle Sam's Photo Division. LILLIAN MUNSEY Is very busy coloring background slides for the "Buffalo Bill" show. We haven't heard from SAM WOODWARD lately — last we knew of Sam, he was at Fort Leonard Wood. He is probably too busy to write. JIMMY EDDY is In position to furnish a dozen or two nice fresh eggs now and then, if you need them. DICK GIBSON Is still sojourning in the Santa Monica Hospital and is doing fine. BOB MILES has returned to Camp Polk after an eight week course at Woodbury College. He writes us that he Is now undergoing battle tests under live ammunition fire and will see us later providing he can manage to keep his head and shoulders down. Well — as thin as Bob is, he should have no trouble keeping below the required 24 Inches. The following was taken from "The Aleutlon," a publication written and edited by our FIGHTING BOYS in ALASKA. "It was the Private, God bless his stubborn soul, who beat the Jap into a bloody pulp; who stood up and slugged it out. It was the Private who put our flag back over the first recovered American territory. It was the Private who won the Battle of Attu. And it is the bitter, determined Private who will win this dirty war!