Americans were proud of what was accomplished in World War II by the military and on the home front. If any one had doubts about the war, the Holocaust removed them.

I was proud to have played a small role. The GI Bill helped me adjust to post war civilian life and paid for my college education. I would probably not have gone to college otherwise. Other benefits like medical care, dental care, home financing, etc. weren’t used because I feel that Uncle Sam did enough for me for my 30 months of military service.

We could never repay those who made the supreme sacrifice, those who faced hell in prison camps, and those who landed on D Day in Europe (or other landings), or those who survived unimaginable hardships with insects, malaria, etc in the jungles of the South Pacific. For prospective, remember that most of these veterans were draftees. Some gave up good jobs before we went to war and sang songs like “Goodbye Dear, I’ll be back in a Year.” Although they were drafted for a year at $21 a month, many of them didn’t get back until five years later; some did not get back at all.

I became a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Air Force Association but I never pushed for more veterans benefits. I contributed to many veterans groups instead.

Forty years after the war, when I learned about the 17th Bomb Group Association, I invited them to meet in Chattanooga. I went to their reunion in Phoenix and extended the invitation. They elected me President, the title you have when you host their reunion.

In 1986 some four hundred and forty 17th Bomb Group vets and their wives came to the “Scenic Center of the South”. We charged lower fees and put on a great show and made a profit of $10,000 which we gave the Association. Chattanooga is a great place for veteran’s reunions. This was the best attended reunion the 17th Bomber Group ever had.

Previous reunions had very little coverage in newspapers and television. In Chattanooga we had great coverage including radio and TV interviews by some of our most interesting characters. I emceed a one hour TV show featuring Dr. Bill Baird, founder of the association. a colorful pilot and former Operation’s Officer, a Crew Chief with a huge B-26 model which he made, and combat footage from WWII.

Later I went to reunions in San Antonio, Charleston, Denver, Cincinnati, and Nashville. In Denver, we were the only Air Crew who had all its members present. We planned to all get together again in Cincinnati but Sam Ciacio (Bombardier) died. He had mistaken Pine Sol for orange juice and it killed him. Sam and his family had been wonderful hosts for us in Denver.

Our remaining crew got together a year or so later at Tom Owsley’s (co-pilot) Kentucky farm. We have stayed in touch by telephone, email and Christmas cards all these years. All of our crew had long and productive lives. Ed Donnelon, our Top Turret Gunner, died in 2008. He was a Judge in Cincinnati.

The 17th Bomb Group continued on through Viet Nam and subsequent actions and is still active today. A colonel from my 37th Squadron flew a B-1 Bomber to our Nashville reunion for display. The difference in scope and technology from WWII days was amazing. Dr. Baird died, but a Korean War Veteran, Ted Baker, still publishes our newsletter, Sortie.

The 319th Bomb Group consolidated with the 17th, and Korean Vets from both groups, have helped fill the gaps created by our advanced age.

ANYONE FOR TENNIS?

One Sunday evening in 1975, when we were walking home from church, (remember when all the churches had Sunday night services; remember when people actually walked to church), Bettye said, “We were going to lose the girls pretty soon (to marriage) let’s try to be more available to them. I agreed so we made a pact.

The very next night, when I got home from work, I flaked out in the lounge chair on the screened porch. My older daughter, Candie, said, “Daddy, let’s go play tennis.” Monday was always my toughest day and I almost rejected her --- until I remembered the pact with Bettye. I said, “OK”.

I don’t remember where we got the rackets and balls, but the three of us played tennis. I had never played before because I thought that tennis was for sissies and rich people, and I didn’t qualify. We had fun.

The next day, we did it again. Then Candie went on doing what teenagers do but Bettye and I continued playing almost every night for about six weeks. I was hooked. Just as in most volunteer work, I benefited more than the one I tried to benefit.

For several years the various churches in Brainerd for a joint patriotic service. The year we met at OLPH, Roy Turley, a devout Baptist who I had known through scouting, said that he had heard that I was playing tennis now. He had just started to play also so we met the next day. That was nearly forty years ago and we still play. Tennis has been a vital part of my life ever since. I credit Bettye for making the pact and Candie for asking me to play. If I had it to do over again, I would take a few lessons. I didn’t, so I have terrible strokes and terrible form but have a lot of fun. When they established a rating system, on a scale of one to seven, I was rated 4.0. That is a little above average.

People rationalize and say that their tennis or golf is great for business. It is true that you meet a lot of influential people on the tennis court or golf course. And, you really get acquainted playing with them or against them but I played tennis primarily for fun.

I must say, however, that I saw business benefits, too. I was a member of the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. It was dominated by the big city boys, sometimes I felt like they didn’t even know I was there. When I started playing tennis, IACVB annual tournaments, all of a sudden, I was on a first name basis with big city boys all over the world.

I played in tournaments in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Austin, Tampa, and San Francisco. My unusual strokes proved to be an advantage, and I am pretty competitive, so I did surprisingly well and won the last two tournaments before I retired. (remember, I was just playing other IACVB members, but I bragged about winning international tournaments).

Jack Scruggs and I decided to play together in our first local tournament. His Brainerd Trophy Shop was providing a trophy for the winner. He looked at the entries and predicted that a couple of college kids would probably win, but thought that we might come in second. I suggested that he give a trophy for second place. As Jack predicted, the college kids won and we finished second. They received a trophy about a foot high. Our second place trophy was about four feet high. Jack went all the way with engraving; the works. We showed our trophy all over town and said, “Look what we got for second place in the East Ridge tournament”.

Roy Turley, I now call him “Terrible” Turley, and I started playing on the public facilities near Brainerd High School. We were beginners but we would play anybody. Anyone who came around was invited to join in the fun. This laid the groundwork for the “Brainerd Tennis Nuts”, people who play pick up tennis outdoors throughout the year. Every community needs to have a public tennis facility known for pick up tennis. The Brainerd courts in Chattanooga attract people who want to play but don’t have an opponent handy.

Almost every day throughout the year, players start to arrive as the sun comes up. They spin a racket to determine who plays who. If it is too one sided, partners are swapped. After a while, people on their way to work drop out and are replaced by late comers, usually retirees. The emphasis is on fun and fellowship with lots of kidding. After work, another group starts pairing up, or the Chattanooga Tennis Association Leagues come in to play. The local newspaper has done several full page humorous feature stories on the Brainerd Tennis Nuts. Radio and television have helped to spread their fame.

Play is year round, outdoors. The Nuts have played 105 degrees in the shade and no shade; they have played with a chill factor -12 degrees; played with a 43 mph wind; played in the rain, in the snow, and sometimes with ice around the ends of the court.

Now you know why some one hundred tennis players in Chattanooga are known as the Tennis Nuts. Too many funny things have happened to list here. An example: one day Candie came screeching into the parking lot tooting the horn. She hollered, “Daddy, Daddy, the house is on fire” I ask if the fire engine was there. She said it was so I remarked, “OK, I’ll be there after this set.” They put this in the newspaper. If you don’t have such a group or such a facility in your community, why not try to get one started.

Brainerd has fielded a lot of teams to play in local, state, regional and national tournaments-men, women and mixed. We played in state tournaments in Knoxville, Crossville, Nashville, Clarksville, Jackson and Memphis. Elmer Ellis and Leland Goldston were the first of the Nuts to play in the regionals in Atlanta. Since then we have played in Lexington, Little Rock, Columbia, Mobile, New Orleans, Birmingham, Dallas and in regional tournaments in Chattanooga that pumped several million dollars into the local economy.

To memorialize some of our fun and fellowship I have had a brunch for The Tennis Nuts for several years at the Brainerd Recreation Center. I call on everyone there, usually about 50 guys; to brag about how good they are, insult others, or whatever they want to say, all in fun.

The bottom line, it is not whether you win or lose, it is having fun, getting exercise and making friends while playing tennis. It is not too late for you, remember, I started at 50.

STAY HEALTHY, HAVE FUN IN THE SENIOR OLYMPICS

In recent years, health officials have embraced the concept of preventative care. These officials, and also politicians, were concerned that most of the sky rocketing health cost are for treatment of seniors. In 1987 a nationwide program was started that offers a major tool for preventative care and can reduce, delay, or prevent major medical costs for the aging population.

Hear me out now. I am talking about the Senior Olympics. This is a practical program for both men and women from age 50 to well past one hundred. It is available locally, statewide and nationally at very little cost.

Senior Olympics highlights some 17 different sporting events. You can participate in one or as many sports as you like. You don’t have to be a strong athlete and you will compete against people within five years of your age. In Chattanooga, the Senior Neighbors started, and still sponsor, the Senior Olympics. A lot of credit should be given to Jeannie Powers for starting the Senior Neighbors (a private, non profit organization) and also Senior Olympics. She played tennis, both singles and doubles, until well past eighty. The City Recreation Department is co-sponsor and a valued participant.

In the Senior Olympics you compete for medals, just like in the Olympics; gold, silver or bronze. Local winners compete on a state level; state winners go on to compete at the national level. Each level offers opening ceremonies, parties, parades, etc. When the Star Spangle Banner is played, participation is evident. Athletes don’t just stand; they know the words and sing.

I enrolled to play tennis in 1988. My doubles partner was Elmer Ellis. We ended up going to the nationals in St Louis. We had a lot of fun and made many new friends. Over the years we played in the Tennessee Senior Olympics in Knoxville, Memphis, Jackson, Clarksville, Chattanooga and Franklin, and in National Senior Olympics in St Louis, Orlando, Syracuse, and Baton Rouge twice.

We won some, lost some and had a great deal of fun. You would be inspired by some of the seniors who overcame major physical problems to compete; and by others like the 65 year old who rode his bike from New Mexico all the way to Syracuse. In San Antonio, several athletes competed who were over 100 years old.

Elmer and I just played in tennis, but while we were in Memphis, I really saw the vision of what Senior Olympics is all about. We stayed at the Hampton Inn where free breakfast was offered. This put us in contact with players from all the other sports. I met a “Little Ole Lady” who won pitching horseshoes. She was overwhelmed. Also, I met a “Little Ole Man” who was too small for many sports, but he could really shoot free throws. He won the free throw contest and was jubilant. That is when I caught the vision and it inspired me to compete in volleyball, badminton and softball as well as tennis.

To illustrate the fun and humor, I was pitching softball in the Nationals in Orlando. A pop fly “popped” out of my glove and the short stop, Howard Somprayac, caught it. On the very next play, a pop fly dropped out of the third baseman’s glove. He hollered, “Why didn’t you catch mine, you caught Bob’s?” This doesn’t say much about our defense, but we won several games before being eliminated.

Senior Olympics would be important even if we just enrolled in one or two sports; more important, frequently it leads to year round activities. In Chattanooga, seniors now compete in badminton, table tennis, golf, volleyball, bowling, swimming, and other sports throughout the year.

If this isn’t good for your mental and physical health, I don’t know what is? One of our major sponsors in Tennessee is Blue Cross. Senior Olympics might be one of their best investments; yes, it is good public relations and good advertising but it also prevents or reduces health claims.

I have a niece in Knoxville, Susan Childs, who asked me about the Senior Olympics several years ago. She is no athlete and no one in that side of the family is athletic, but she can swim. She enrolled in several swimming events, won locally, won the state, and went to the Nationals. What a surprise and what a delight.

Millions of Americans and thousands of Tennesseans are missing these kinds of experiences because they think they are too old, over the hill, or not an athlete. What a shame!

What have you got to lose? Here’s a list of some of the events that are available. Look it over carefully with an open mind, then sign up for one or more events. You won’t regret it. You have plenty of choices: Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Dancing, Golf, Horseshoes, Racquetball, Shuffleboard, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, all kinds of Track and Field Events and Volleyball.

Capture the spirit of the Senior Olympics; make new friends, stay active and healthy and HAVE FUN.

(This is an excerpt from Bob Elmore's new book, "A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the National Cemetery." The book is $10 in softback, $20 in hardback. Copies are available at the Bicentennial Library downtown, Wally's (on McCallie), Senior Neighbors, The Racket Club and the Brainerd Trophy Shop. All proceeds, not just profits, go to the Chattanooga Area Historical Association. For more information, call 629-1366)