The "Curtain Call" for this year's program is dedicated to
our World War II Veterans. You are truly "America's Greatest
Generation!"
There was a full house at the sold out program to honor the
memory and survivors of Pearl Harbor Sunday December 6th,
2009 at the Athens Senior Center.
The production "We Interrupt This Program...Pearl Harbor
Remembered" was directed by Jackie Greenhaw and written by
Jackie Greenhaw & Jerry Barksdale.
The Guest of Honor was not only all the veterans who have
served our country so bravely but our own Pearl Harbor
survivor Gilbert M. Crutchfield, 88 yrs young, of Tanner
Alabama.
This program portrayed scenes from Athens in the 1940s.
Mayor Richardson addressed the audience explaining the
changing times and the growth Athens was experiencing.
We heard from President Franklin D. Roosevelt as he
proclaimed "December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in
infamy".
And who could ever forget Bob Hope and his USO shows with
the Andrews Sisters singing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of
Company B, Marilyn Monroe and her "Diamonds Are A Girls Best
Friend and the exceptional Louis Armstrong "What A Wonderful
World".
After all the renditions came the interview of Mr. Gil
Crutchfield by Jerry Barksdale as the finale. He gave an
account of his days before, the day of and after the bombing
of Pearl Harbor.
He was a rifleman in the 25th Wolfhound Division guarding a
vital railroad bridge when he woke to sound of shells
exploding on December 7th 1941. He had sent his weapon for
repairs so he hastened to the supply tent where he found a
shotgun and 5 shells.
Mr. Crutchfield still has a quick wit with his comment "I
could have done pretty good if they were dropping birds on
us."
After the attack, Gil would be one of four soldiers assigned
to spend 10 months guarding the military governor where he
stayed at the palace in Hawaii. His division was then sent
to Guadalcanal to relieve the Marines after they had
thwarted attempts by the Japanese to overtake the island.
He retired in 1958 after serving in the Korean War as a
first Lieutenant.
Gil said he enlisted in the Army in 1938 to make more of
himself than a 50 cent per week salary...and he certainly
did.
Thank you for your service and dedication to our country. We
are so proud to honor you and your fellow servicemen.
Teresa Akins Todd
December 6th 2009
AthensPlus.com
Mrs. Gladys Black
is the winner of the painting by Lisa Milby 'Day of Infamy',
congratulations Mrs. Black!
