In A ‘Manor’ of Speaking . . .Hereford, Texas (806) 364-0661 MarcH, 2018

Seletta Robinson Gholson’s Experiences at the Hereford P.O.W. Camp during

World War II (Continued....)

(Continued on Page 2)

“War was no __good!” While this fact is well, established, the PoW’s meals were good apparently. The prisoners had a washtub full of food every day, compliments of the U.s. government. They had fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as nice meats and desserts. The G.I. guard only had a bologna sandwich…

With all the energy from the great nutrition, seletta says that “ev-ery day they had something to sell. They made rings and other jewelry out of mess kits and toothbrushes. They also had cigarettes. We soon learned not to buy anything from them until quitting time – we could buy much cheaper as they didn’t want to return them.”

The prisoners were Italian ex-cept one group of about 1,000 hard core German soldiers of the afrika corps. a riot erupted between the Italians and Nazis, who were quickly transferred to another camp. “Hear-ing about the riot was the only way I knew about it,” noted seletta.

on the morning of september 9, 1943, the Italian prisoners be-came aware of the surrender of Italy to the allies following the over-throw of the Mussolini government. camp commander colonel risdon a. N. risdon announced that a few the prisoners shed tears but could not tell whether for joy or sorrow. The prisoners left the camp sing-ing after the news broke, but they did that every morning, the colonel acknowledged. “Italian Tears fall

January 1944 - Seletta (passenger seat) and her co-worker Leona Luke ‘appropriating’ an army jeep at the Hereford P.O.W. Camp.

at Hereford, Amarillo Daily News, september 10, 1943, p. 19.

some of the Italians were doc-tors, but the camp hospital would be staffed only by american military doctors and nurses. They cared for the prisoners and the american sol-diers who were injured in a camp riot.

Many of the internees delved in the arts and crafts creating jewelry out of scrap metal while others used their guards and even local residents as subjects for portraits. one of the young women to sit for a portrait was Rachel Henslee, a secretary in the post engineer’s office. She trea-sured the two 8½ by 11 inch white on black drawings by Mario Lorencine of Venice. The only contact seletta robinson had with prisoners were the ones that worked in or around the motor pool where she was the clerk

typist.“I didn’t have much contact

with the P.o.W.s, but the ones I was around spoke broken english, but (they) were very interested in learn-ing. They worked all over the camp and went out to work in the fields. one day a soldier took a dozen pris-oners across the road to work in a field. The P.O.W.s came back carry-ing the soldier and his gun: The sol-dier had had a heat stroke.

“They wore green clothes with ‘PW’ painted on them,” she recalled. “one or two tried to escape – they were recaptured fast.”

actually, there were several at-tempted prisoner escapes. a prisoner named Luigi Montalbetti escaped by hiding under a stack of maize. He worked on a farm for a short time then took to hitchhiking for his es-

shelly Moss

Page 2 In A Manor of Speaking . . .

Robinson: (Continued from Page 1)

cape to Mexico. He claimed to be french but was bagged by the Texas Border Patrol after he gave himself away: the ship he claimed to have taken to New orleans had been sunk a year earlier!

a trio of Italian prisoners escaped on christmas day of 1944, stole a Plymouth from a local resident and were soon recaptured “tooling down the back-roads like a bunch of high school kids.”

an escape by three Italian pris-oners in January 1945 attracted Na-tional attention. a 5 foot 6 tall Italian submariner named captain alesan-dro Brighenti and two others cut a hole in the wire fence on the west side of the Hereford compound and hopped on a nearby santa fe freight train. They were apprehended sev-eral days later, walking along the highway.

“one of the young P.o.W.s worked for us in the garage (motor pool),” remembered seletta. “He was sixteen and had been in the army four years. We asked him why he went in the service so young – he pointed his hands as if they were a gun and said, (when) ‘They come with a goon, you go!’ Goon was his way of saying gun.

“a camp truck would pick up supplies in amarillo (army air force Base). among the supply

was aluminum. one of the prisoners made a cigarette lighter out of alu-minum scraps and gave it to me. He had hand carved it; the lighter was engraved with a nail. The etching was really pretty.” The presence of american servicemen in Hereford meant that the small town gained a night life. “any single girl who didn’t have a ball in Hereford then was crazy!”

“The first club for the soldiers was in the basement of the first christian church,” seletta remem-bered. “Then, the U.s.o. got into the old corner drug store at 3rd & Main (opened July 1, 1943). The door opened out onto the corner. and that’s where it was. Mrs. em-mett Milburn was head chaperon and she would pick us girls up in her car. We would dance with the guys and play games. I seem to remember the food for the U.s.o. was donated by citizens. I went every time it was open; and it was open most nights from five to ten. One of the strict-est rules was you couldn’t come or leave with a serviceman.”

“There was some resistance by the Baptist to dancing at the U.s.o., but U.S.O. officials explained to the town that any U.s.o. would be op-erated in accordance with standard policy in dancing.”

seletta remembered “We also

had dances at the camp. When the U.s.o. dances were held at the camp rec room there was a band made up of soldiers. The rest of the time records were played. some west-ern and mostly big band music was played.

“at dances at the camp, I believe about every six months, a court was presented. The soldiers voted for the queen and her court. I was one of the court one year and ‘May Queen’ one year. We usually were escorted by who you were dating at the time.

“When Buffalo Lake opened, they took us and the guys out there in a stake bed truck and we had a picnic. The P.x. (post exchange) sold ‘3.2’ beer and the (Prison) camp had a movie theater. Hereford had two (theaters), the Star on 4th and Main street, and the Texas on the 100 block of Main.” To be contin-ued....

Due to a lack of space this month, you will be held in suspense until next month, when we will fin-ish the saga. Save your first two parts so you will have the entire story! Thank you again to Robert Peyton Wiggins for allowing us to condense and reprint his article.

Samaritan Hospice: The New NormalWe have all experienced grief

and loss at one time or another. a beloved grandmother, a par-ent, a child or even a co-worker. sometimes the death is unexpect-ed and shocking and rattles us to our core. sometimes the death

involves prolonged suffering and we wish in our hearts that the suffering will end and our loved one will be at peace. We may feel ready to cope with an impending death, but find ourselves in the pit of loss and heavily grieving our

loved one. Loss is difficult for ev-eryone, we just navigate through it in different ways. No one copes with a loss the same way, but we all grieve.

The journey from loss to a (Continued on Page 5)

(Continued on Page 4)

In A Manor of Speaking . . . Page 3

Our Appreciation . . .Donations to King’s ManorTriangle realtyMorgan Mosscarolyn dardenDonation to Benevolent Fund Kris & Wayne dollarDonation to Music MemoryPilot clubHonorariumsBecky Williams shelly MossMemorials to King’s ManorArt Schreck Katherine smith Mary L. Lewis eddie sutton Patsy & L.V. Watts adelle & don clementsElmer Reinart Katherine smith Ginger & steve olson ann cummings Martha & Larry Paetzold Beverly Lambert evelyn ecker ruth robbins ann Lueb dolores & Boyd foster Imogene M. conwayAlta Mae Higgins Katherine smith Marlene durham dorothy sargent Mary e. Jones Patsy & L.V. Watts Joyce Jenkins ann cummings Martha & Larry Paetzold ruth robbins Marline Watson Betty Grady carolyn Waters Marie strickland sandi & Tom osterkamp susan & John Perrin Mariellen & Jerry Homfeld rebecca & stephen fortenberry

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!Manor:Betty sue robinson………….3/05erma Barnhill………………..3/17Al Shoffit...….........………….3/28Westgate:constance odle...……………3/17abraham Ibarra ..……………3/18Betty Hudson ..………………3/22Employees:Melissa cantu ..……………...3/01Linda dominguez...………….3/05Gabriela Tena...……………...3/05Jessica chavira...…………….3/08Mary Lou Garcia ..…………..3/09Kari snow ..………………….3/10Trudy Stubblefield ..…………3/10Teresa decker ..……………...3/19Hilda condarco .…………….3/22Nancy Galvan .………………3/23amy Palacios ……………….3/23Jazzalyn sepeda …………….3/23scott Ward .………………….3/26Childcare:Penelope rodriguez .………..3/02sophia sanchez .…………….3/28Hazel Portillo .………………3/30

Imogene M. conway Linda & ross BairdJanet Woodriff Janice & Mike carrMary Frisbie Marline WatsonDale Smalts Marline WatsonL.J. Clark ruth robbins Patsy & L.V. Watts Kris & Wayne dollar susan & John PerrinCarlyle Sargent ruth robbinsJohn Thames sue & Jerry smith Linda & raymond davis Patsy & L.V. Watts adelle & don clementsJim Lookingbill Linda & raymond davis Mary Beth & Butch White adelle & don clementsLouise McDaniel Linda & raymond davisJoan Hopper Patsy & L.V. Watts dolores & Boyd foster sheri & Norman Kerr Mary Beth & Butch White adelle & don clementsJane Gulley dolores & Boyd fosterArlene Seay Mary Beth & Butch WhiteMargaret Bell Kris & Wayne dollarBetty Freeman Barbara ruleDuane Albracht dolores & Boyd fosterDoris Dobbs Imogene M. conwayGiles Endowment first United Methodist church

Memorials and donations re-ceived after February 20 will be

listed in March newsletter.To insure that your memorial

gifts are properly acknowledged, please provide a contact person

with their mailing address.

Our Deepest Sympathy to the Families of:

Luella Thomasduane albrachtBetty freeman rachal Johnson

alta Mae Higgins

Manor NewsWhat a great month of celebra-

tion for King’s Manor residents. on sunday morning the 11th, we started out the Valentine’s week with a great message by our King’s Manor Pastor dennis Latham. That afternoon, we had our annual Val-entine’s Banquet. The food was amazing as always, our kitchen staff went above and beyond in the preparation of the meal. I would like to thank Dusty Hansard for singing love songs for our program. God has gifted him with a wonder-ful voice. after the program, we honored our residents that were chosen as our Kings and Queens. Manor royalty were Bill Craig and Freda McCurry. Westgate roy-alty were Abraham Ibarra and Erika Ankeney. Thank you to all the families, staff and volunteers for making this such a wonderful event.

on Monday the 12th, rev. Lorenzo Martinez from Victory church gave the evening message. It was very powerful. on Tuesday the 13th, rev. Kevin Bushart from FUMC finished off our Celebration of Love event. I appreciate every-one that took time out of their busy schedule to celebrate this week with our staff and residents.

on Wednesday the 14th, Val-entine’s day, we opened cards to-gether from the Pilot Club and HHS students as we enjoyed eat-ing Valentine’s sundaes and remi-niscing together. I pray everyone has a great month in March. We are looking forward to the time change. spring is just around the corner.

Brenda BlacksherManor Activity Dir.

Page 4 In A Manor of Speaking . . .

Activity NewsWestgate News

We are looking forward to another great month! We’ve been discussing gardening with several of the residents. Westgate will start a garden this month. We’ve also scheduled an egg hunt with childcare on the 29th at 10:00 am in the Lamar room. Please read the calendar for the many upcoming scheduled events this month. everyone have a wonderful and blessed month.

W.G. Activities,Chris & Bertha

WELCOME! King’s Manor extends a

Warm Welcome to:WestgateJo Beth Terry skilledBonnie carlson skilledVirginia Mongold skilledBetty Jo carlson Long TermAssisted LivingBetty drakeGeorge olson

Appreciation: (Continued from Page 3)

Save the Date!

St. Patrick’s Baked Potato Luncheon

Friday, March 16, 2018

12:00 in the Lamar Room

Featuring: Loaded Baked Potato

w/ Salad and Dessert

Cost of Meal: $6.00

Ticket will be sold in front office

To our dear friends and extend-ed family who are the residents and staff of the Manor, Westgate, and samaritan Hospice..

We extend our deepest grati-tude and appreciation for your lov-ing care of our parents, art and Lil schreck, as well as your loving care of our entire family. In addi-tion to the wonderful medical care,

In Gratitudewe are so thankful for the loving hugs, warm hand-holding, pats on the shoulder, drop by visits, cards, thoughts and prayers. We find such peace in knowing our mother will continue to be in your safe keeping.

With our love and appreciation, Sandra Schreck, Mike and

Linda Ditto.

In A Manor of Speaking . . . Page 5

“New Normal”, is a long, wind-ing and complicated one. Just as there are mile markers when you are following a path, there are also markers for the “healing path”. These markers help you under-stand the phases of the grieving process. some paths may be long, others short, or maybe you take a detour or circle back. It’s not like taking a road and going from point a to B, we each move on our path influenced by our own expe-riences, feelings and reactions.

One of the first phases is shock. It is hard to believe or the reality of the loss hasn’t registered. an example would be reaching over for your husband in the morning as you wake up and then realiz-ing he is no longer here. You get your cell phone to call your mom to ask her for advice and realize after you dialed the number, she is with the Lord. These are char-acteristics of shock. Tears start to flow, the numbness, disbelieve, euphoria or searching begins.

When the reality of the loss be-comes real we move into the sec-ond phase. allowing yourself to feel your emotions is important to help you move through the griev-ing process. We move through many emotions while we grieve. some of these emotions can be; anger, aimlessness, anxiety, guilt, hopelessness, isolation, loss of faith, loss of interest, preoccupa-tion, relief, sadness, yearning, de-pression, apathy, fear, confusion, sleeplessness, slowed reaction time, forgetfulness, loneliness, nightmares, anguish, physical dis-tress, and suicidal thoughts.

The New Normal: (Continued from Page 2)

You may feel disorganized and have trouble focusing on everyday tasks. feeling as if just getting through the day is taking all of your energy. You may identify with sev-eral different emotions throughout the day, weeks or months. These emotions are part of the griev-ing process, you can’t skip ahead to the “new normal” if you don’t allow yourself to feel your emo-tions. There is no right or wrong way to feel. sharing how you feel, in a safe environment with others who are grieving, can be good way to express your feelings of grief. No one will judge you, they will just listen and love you for who you are. a support group is a good place to start for your grieving and journey to the “new normal”.

The third phase is finding your “New Normal”. It is a rebuilding and reorganization of who you are without the other person. refram-ing your identity and changing from the caregiver to who you are now. You may have taken care of your wife and were so attentive that you have lost who you are without the caregiving. Now you are re-framing who you are. setting new priorities, changing values, finding new meaning in life, a returning to previous levels of functioning, controlling emerging memories and a finding joy in remembering: These are the characteristics of the “new normal”.

an active couple who were movers and shakers in the church changed when the wife became ill and the husband took care of her at home until she passed. They were no longer able to participate

as active members, volunteers and servers in the church while she was ill. The funeral was beautiful and packed with people. The hus-band had requested that in lieu of flowers that donations be given to the church or to the hospice agency that helped care for his wife with Parkinson’s until her death. He grieved for his soulmate and part-ner in life, but he also returned to be a volunteer and server at his church just as they had done as a couple. His returning to do what he and his wife did together, con-tinued to fuel his new normal. He was returning to his previous level prior to the illness and death.

finding your new normal isn’t about forgetting about the per-son who passed away, it is doing life and moving on with life as it is now, without the other person. Memories are what we hang on to, to never forget and cherish the time at we had with our loved one. Memories can be very powerful and can move us to joy when we look back. Memories keep that person very close to our heart and they are alive in us.

If you are dealing with a loss and are grieving, we welcome you to join our support group, “Healing from Loss”. The sup-port group will meet at West Gate on the 500 hall. It will be-gin on March 20th from 12:00 to 1:00pm. The group will last 8 weeks for every Tuesday. Let us be there with you as you walk your path, and find your “new normal”.

Elizabeth Sullivan, LNFA, LMSW

Page 6 In A Manor of Speaking . . .

In A Manor of Speaking . . . Page 7

KING’s MaNorMeTHodIsT HoMe, INc.400 ranger driveHereford, Texas 79045

non profit orgUS poStage paid

permit no 247amarillo, tX

executive director ....................................................shelly MossWestgate administrator ........................................ Jennifer BaileyChief Financial Officer .............................................Jim Laymandirector of Nursing ......................................................Kari snowexecutive director of Home Health and Hospice. .... Liz sullivansocial services/admiss. ...................................... Becky Williamsactivity dir. .................................................... Brenda BlacksherBilling coordinator ............................................... Janet colemanMedicare Billing ................................................. Joanne ValadezHuman resources .................................................. Missy Wilcoxdir. Housekeep./Trans. .......................................... stella delgadodir. of Maintenance ............................................... Larry carlsondir. of dietary services .......................................... rosie Tijerinaassisted Living director. .......................................Kaye Hansardchaplain ............................................................... dennis Lathamchild care director ...................................................Mary rochaadministrative assist. ........................................ Laura cervantes

KING’S MANOR STAFF(806) 364-0661

King’s Manor Methodist Retirement Systema continuing care retirement community offering

Independent Living: Houses and Cottages

Assisted Living: Private Apartments

24-Hour Nursing Care: offering long-term care, respite care, physical and occupational therapy and quality nursing services. Private Pay, Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance.

Child Care Center: Open to the community and Staff, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon - Fri. High staff ratios to pro-vide love and care for your children.

Samaritan Hospice: Local professionals specializing in rural care in your home or in the facility of your choice.

Home Health: Featuring excellent therapy services and skilled nursing care.

samaritanhospice.net • www.kmmrs.comKing’s Manor is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that all per-sons are entitled to equal employment and do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment, training, or advancement be-cause of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or disability.

King’s Manor Board of Directorschairman: dan Higgins

Members: John Perrin, Michael carr, Julia Laing, scott Keeling, Brenda Fuentes. Ex-officio: Kevin Bushart FUMC

If you do not wish to receive this publication, please e-mail your name and address along with a request to be removed from the newsletter list to: lcervantes@kmmrs.com