Within a few weeks and after classes began , things began to fall into
place. However, I had little idea of the magnitude of this human milieu. It
was not unusual for a fellow G.I.to state that he saw so and so at the only
PX we had. And it just happened that "so and so" was a big name in the
movies or entertainment world. Or some politico, academic, etc... the latter
meant nothing to me. Yes, for the life of me, I cannot recall that any of my
immediate classmates knew of Dave's association with LIFE MAG etc. I'm
sure that this information was known at camp headquarters.
Despite this, I was aware of the Civil War in Spain since many of my Jr,
High classmates were First Generation Spanish...lovely people. And our
teachers explained much of the Civil War to us.
To demonstrate further, I skip ahead: After we had graduated there was a
waiting period during which time the Army was deciding where to send us
with our new skills. During this wait, I was assigned as an Assistant
Instructor in some field exercise, whereas I know Dave went directly to the
photo lab. On one such exercise, my task was to hand out and record field
glasses given to "students" whose names were on the list. In the process,
a couple of Officer Instructors were talking about a particular name which
seemed to impress them; and they asked me : "Did you see who's in this
class" as they pointed to a name. I read the name, DAVID
ROCKEFELLER—none other. I probably would have been more
impressed if I really knew who he was. In fact, it has been mainly in my
adult life that I am so impressed. Can you imagine handing a pair of field
glasses to a scion of this family.(He was a Lieutenant, I believe).
I mention this tale only demonstrate the make up of Camp Ritchie types
and the camps purpose.
We were brought there because of our language skills. specialized
knowledge, and experiences. I imagine if a "who's who in Camp Ritche"
were assembled, it would be quite something.
In post years, I never understood why David did not receive a direct
commission.
Bizarre things... Some times, a private in our class was called to post
headquarters not having the slightest inkling why. When he returned to
barracks he began packing while explaining that he was being discharged
from the Army today; tomorrow he was being sworn back in as a Captain,
Lieutenant or as high as Major, and was being shipped off on a special
assignment. He didn't know why. If he did he wouldn't tell us. Obviously, he
had something the army Intelligence wanted to use.
Magical things went on at Post Headquarters. And, I am sure, that Dave
went there once to initiate Citizenship process. These processes were
speedily expedited here at Camp Ritchie. Check David's records to be
sure I am correct. So citizenship was given to many a Camp Ritchie G.I.
Why? Obviously, so many were recent immigrants to the U.S.
It was at this time that Dave changed his name to Seymour, and he asked
us to call him Chim.
I think its important for you to understand through whose eyes/ears you're
seeing/hearing the comments and descriptions about Dave. Gads, at the
time, I would NOT have said that he was a kind and gentle person... but
more like, "he was an OK GUY. "
I do believe Dave was as close to me as any one. But he seemed to be
more of a loner. Of course, being a Jew kind of set him apart in that
environment even though less so at Ritchie than might have been in a
regular unit
Now looking back I think: Dave seemed to get himself involved with
reckless guys -- Capa , Roy. In all modesty I could be described as having
reckless tendencies....and LUCKY to be alive.
… The point in all this palaver is : why Dave? Why did he stand out in my
mind all these years? We were NOT Buddies; he was 11 years older. We
had nothing in common. So many differences.
I've had other friends/acquaintances killed in wars, yet none of their deaths
moved me so much as when I read of Dave's death in TIME.
I'll bet Dave never remembered me. However, I understand...there's really
no reason to.
Last report...mentioned before. Really can't remember why? However, I
recall Dave and I sitting in the Communications Classroom several nights.
We were practicing our CW Code (Morse). And that meant but one thing,
Dave and I had to practice to bring our proficiency up to standard.
Perhaps he was too old and I was too young. Ha!
That's it. End of the line.
place. However, I had little idea of the magnitude of this human milieu. It
was not unusual for a fellow G.I.to state that he saw so and so at the only
PX we had. And it just happened that "so and so" was a big name in the
movies or entertainment world. Or some politico, academic, etc... the latter
meant nothing to me. Yes, for the life of me, I cannot recall that any of my
immediate classmates knew of Dave's association with LIFE MAG etc. I'm
sure that this information was known at camp headquarters.
Despite this, I was aware of the Civil War in Spain since many of my Jr,
High classmates were First Generation Spanish...lovely people. And our
teachers explained much of the Civil War to us.
To demonstrate further, I skip ahead: After we had graduated there was a
waiting period during which time the Army was deciding where to send us
with our new skills. During this wait, I was assigned as an Assistant
Instructor in some field exercise, whereas I know Dave went directly to the
photo lab. On one such exercise, my task was to hand out and record field
glasses given to "students" whose names were on the list. In the process,
a couple of Officer Instructors were talking about a particular name which
seemed to impress them; and they asked me : "Did you see who's in this
class" as they pointed to a name. I read the name, DAVID
ROCKEFELLER—none other. I probably would have been more
impressed if I really knew who he was. In fact, it has been mainly in my
adult life that I am so impressed. Can you imagine handing a pair of field
glasses to a scion of this family.(He was a Lieutenant, I believe).
I mention this tale only demonstrate the make up of Camp Ritchie types
and the camps purpose.
We were brought there because of our language skills. specialized
knowledge, and experiences. I imagine if a "who's who in Camp Ritche"
were assembled, it would be quite something.
In post years, I never understood why David did not receive a direct
commission.
Bizarre things... Some times, a private in our class was called to post
headquarters not having the slightest inkling why. When he returned to
barracks he began packing while explaining that he was being discharged
from the Army today; tomorrow he was being sworn back in as a Captain,
Lieutenant or as high as Major, and was being shipped off on a special
assignment. He didn't know why. If he did he wouldn't tell us. Obviously, he
had something the army Intelligence wanted to use.
Magical things went on at Post Headquarters. And, I am sure, that Dave
went there once to initiate Citizenship process. These processes were
speedily expedited here at Camp Ritchie. Check David's records to be
sure I am correct. So citizenship was given to many a Camp Ritchie G.I.
Why? Obviously, so many were recent immigrants to the U.S.
It was at this time that Dave changed his name to Seymour, and he asked
us to call him Chim.
I think its important for you to understand through whose eyes/ears you're
seeing/hearing the comments and descriptions about Dave. Gads, at the
time, I would NOT have said that he was a kind and gentle person... but
more like, "he was an OK GUY. "
I do believe Dave was as close to me as any one. But he seemed to be
more of a loner. Of course, being a Jew kind of set him apart in that
environment even though less so at Ritchie than might have been in a
regular unit
Now looking back I think: Dave seemed to get himself involved with
reckless guys -- Capa , Roy. In all modesty I could be described as having
reckless tendencies....and LUCKY to be alive.
… The point in all this palaver is : why Dave? Why did he stand out in my
mind all these years? We were NOT Buddies; he was 11 years older. We
had nothing in common. So many differences.
I've had other friends/acquaintances killed in wars, yet none of their deaths
moved me so much as when I read of Dave's death in TIME.
I'll bet Dave never remembered me. However, I understand...there's really
no reason to.
Last report...mentioned before. Really can't remember why? However, I
recall Dave and I sitting in the Communications Classroom several nights.
We were practicing our CW Code (Morse). And that meant but one thing,
Dave and I had to practice to bring our proficiency up to standard.
Perhaps he was too old and I was too young. Ha!
That's it. End of the line.
The
Portfolio
Assembled from a series of e-mails by Helen Sarid
hsarid@post.tau.ac.il
hsarid@post.tau.ac.il
 | |  | |  |
| Home I Photos I About CHIM I Links I How to order I Testimonials |