Here was a school that was working
Few of us can imagine going to work knowing there's a fair chance they might not be alive at day's end. Now imagine yourself as a 20-year-old bombardier on a U.S. B24; your mission: bombing enemy submarines in World War II.
This is the story told to sixth-grade classes at Chaska Middle School East by Roy 'Uncle Roy' Anderson of Burnsville last week. Capt. Anderson, 90, a Purple Heart recipient of the 8th Air Force was guest speaker at two of 'Mr. T.'s' Social Studies classes.
We had the privilege of picking Anderson and his wife up and driving them to and from the school.
We were amazed at the friendly, hand waving reception we got; four senior citizens walking through a school at lunchtime! Teachers opening doors, students smiling and waving and members of the school administration thanking us for coming made the experience unforgettable.
And imagine a classroom full of students, a few hours away from spring break, giving Uncle Roy their full, undivided and nearly reverent attention. It was as if each student could feel what Anderson felt as he left for work on each of those bombing runs 70 years ago: Could today be the last day of my life?
Their questions were reasoned, caring and sensitive: How did you feel about Hitler? What was it like to see friends and comrades not return from their runs? How did you feel as you dropped your bombs? (Answer: I prayed they would only land on enemy submarines and bad people.)
It was impossible to leave the school, accompanied by the principal who thanked each of profusely for coming, without the feeling that here was a school that was working – one that was educating and training young people in the right way to become effective and caring adults.
Uncle Roy was excited to be invited to talk with next year's sixth-graders.
Captain Anderson was invited to speak to Mr. T's classes by sixth-graders Leif Ewald, last year, and Ava Ewald this year. Leif and Ava are Anderson's grandnephew and grandniece and live in Victoria.
Ginny and Doug Ewald
Minnetonka
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