New Bern Public Library
The NEW BERN
■UBLISHID WliKLV
M, MART OR
^^Ui^_^«ORTH
VOLUME 7
NEW BERN, N. C., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1964
NUMBER 34
As our annual celebration of
Thanksgiving approaches, The
Mirror is reminded of the de
feated Congressman who learn
ed that one of his previously
loyal constituents not only voted
against him, but persuaded oth
ers to do likewise.
“Why did you do it?’’ the an
gered politician Inquired.
“Didn’t I get your daughter a
job in Washington, sign your
note, give your son an appoint
ment to Annapolis, recommend
you for a civil service job
yourself, and see that you got
a copy of the Congressional
Record in the mail every
day?’’
“Sure you did,’’ the erst
while friend admitted. “But,”
he added with a sour expression
and insulting shrug of his
shoulder, “You ain’t done noth
ing for me lately.”
Few of us are quite that bad
in our dealings with fellow mor
tals, but in far too many in
stances we act this way in our
dealings with God. We turn to
Him for favors, or for help
in getting out of jams, but
rarely get around to thank
ing Him sufficiently for bless
ings already bestowed upon us.
Actually, every day of the
year should be a day of thanks
giving. In America, of all
places, we have countless rea-
oh the face of file earth was so
blessed with natural resources,
and though many of these re
sources have been abused and
all but destroyed, much of what
was bequeathed to us by our
heroic forefathers remains.
Aside from the material
things that were handed down
to us in abundance, we fell
heir to a glowing heritage. Our
freedoms, born of the Declar
ation of Independence and pre
served from generation to gen
eration by the life blood of
patriots, are still unequaled
anywhere else in the world.
So all this week, as Thanks
giving Day approaches, may all
of us experience a feeling of
humble gratitude. Maybe, if
we’re constantly grateful to
God for an entire week, we will
get in the habit of sincerely
acknowledging our appreciation
every hour of the day. What a
wonderful habit that would be.
Years ago. Dr. R. A. Tory,
who once held a series of
revival services in New Bern’s
Banner Warehouse, was
preaching in Chicago. During
the course of his sermon he
recalled and recounted the
thrilling story of how a man
saved several drowning per
sons when a pleasure boat sank
off Chicago’s lake front
Repeatedly this man swam
out into the blackness of the
night and brought helpless men
and women to shore. He con
tinued his life saving until he
passed out from exhaustion. If
we remember rightly, he res
cued eight or ten people in all.
As Dr. Tory told the story,
someone in the congregation
stood up and interrupted him.
“You’ll be Interested to know.
Dr. Tory,” the listener said,
“that the hero of this night of
horror is with us here to
night.”
The noted evangelist asked
the man who had saved so many
people to stand up and come to
the altar. An old gentleman,
rather shabbily dressed and
quite feeble, walked slowly and
(Continued on Page 8)
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CHANG
FOR
OF COMMAND
LP HICKORY
HE EARNEID IT—A distinguished military career
that started in New Bern, back in 1927, came to an
end when Major General Weston H. Willis, Command
ing General of the 30th Infantry Division, retired.
Here he is seen congratulating his successor. Briga
dier General Ivan Hardesty. General WiUis ^ew up
in New Bern, and lived in this city for quite a number
of years before moving to Jacksonville. He enlisted
here in the old 113th Field Artillery Regiment of the
National Guard. By the time the Guard was inducted
into Federal Service in 1940, he was a captain and
commanding officer of Battery D. After a tour as
battalion staff officer, he was promoted to lieutenant
colonel and given command of the 690th FA Bat
talion in September 1943. He commanded the 690th
during World War II in Europe, and was attached at
various times to the 9th Infantiw Division, 4th Infan
try Division, VII Corps, and the First and Ninth
Armies. Promoted to colonel in December 1945, he
was released from active duty two days after his 39th
birthday in 1946. During his active duty tour, he was
awarded the Bronze Star, American Defense Service
Medal, American Campaign Medal with silver star,
Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Gei>
man clasp, and Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt. Two
years later he became the first post-war commander
of the 196th FA Group, and in 1957 was assigned as
ly Corps Artillery Commander and became a Briga
dier General. Upon reorganization of the North Caro
lina Guard in 1959, he became Divarty C(5, and
acceded to the command of the 30th Division upon the
retirement of Major General Edward F. Grufin in
1961. Remembered pleasantly in New Bern along with
General Willis is his wife, the former Miss Purnelle
Tripp. She was a nurse, as we recall, at St. Lukes hos
pital, and the two were married in 1932. The above
photo appeared on the cover of the latest issue of
the Tar Heel Guardsman to reach our desk.