Page 66 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

about their work. I reported to the Army building Before I was discharged in 1956, my wife and I
but noticed another structure - the artillery
building. In the large M33 unit van, I met the other
radar comrades. The many 90-millimeter guns in
the area made the location “foreboding”. Training
was intense, and mistakes were not permitted.
We had numerous drills, in conjunction with the
artillery guns, and developed an efficiency which
would destroy any enemy planes attacking the
plant.
I never knew the details surrounding the large
facility we were protecting. Nor did we know
what was happening regarding the Cold War
between the USA and Russia. Secrecy was tight!
We eventually learned that we were protecting the
materials being made for a “hydrogen bomb”. It
was many years later before I learned of the secret
things happening in those buildings.
Years and years later, I found out, through a report
by Doug Pardue, published May 21, 2017, in www.
postandcourier.com, the complete picture of what
really had happened at the Savannah River Project.
The following is a synopsis of his report:
“In September 1949, ... the US was monitoring
the possibility of being caught by surprise in
an “atomic Pearl Harbor”... To counter the new
Soviet threat, President Truman embarked on a
crash drive to build a “super bomb” a thousand
times stronger than the atomic bombs that ended
WWII. A few miles from Aiken, South Carolina,
the federal government (built) the Savannah
River Project buildings. Years have passed and
the project long ago closed, but all of the nuclear
contamination was left in the land and the
Savannah River and in the lives of those who were
contaminated and lost their health.... Just how
many casualties arose from radiation exposure
at the bomb plant and the nation’s other similar
facilities may never be known. What is certain is
that thousands of sick, dying and dead workers
from the Savannah bomb plant... manned the
front lines in America’s fight to win the Cold War -
and they are among its only casualties.”
66 Lubbock Senior Link
Lubbock Senior Link
66
were blessed with our first child, our “Georgia
Peach” Kim (husband Steve). We had two more
children, Kerry (wife Pam) and Karen (husband
Roy) who gave us eight grandchildren and seven
great grandchildren.
I had a very successful career in public schools as
an English, Speech and Drama teacher, director
of plays and musicals, principal, university
professor and was also able to serve churches and
Bible schools in curriculum development and
teacher training. My major work was done with
Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock as Education
Minister, and then, as an associate professor in
Religious Education at Harding University in
Searcy, Arkansas.
Juanell, my wife, died of cancer at the age of
47. I have no idea, nor did the doctors, as to
the possibility of her cancer being caused by
contamination at the SRP. I have been proud of
my service as a radar operator in the protection
of our nation. I have absolutely no ill will for my
Army assignment in a dangerous place because
I know that many of our military died in Korea
or in the aftermath. I had the benefit of the GI Bill
to take care of my family’s financial needs and to
cover my educational costs as I pursued a Master
of Education degree at Trinity University in San
Antonio and a Doctorate in Education at Arizona
State University.
I am also honored to have recently participated
in the Texas South Plains Honor Flight. With my
love and
prayers for
my nation
and so
many fellow
citizens, I
am proud to
have lived
in the arms
of my God
and Savior,
Christ Jesus.