Veteran’s Day was originally Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War 1, which took effect the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Later, it was known as Remembrance Day, marking the end of World War 11. By 1954, it was called Veteran’s Day, honoring all who fought for their country in war time or peace time.
A Tribute to the Servicemen and Women in my family
First, I honor my father, Herbert Christman, and his twin brother, Robert, who fought in World War 1. The twins enlisted in Allentown on April 23, 1917 and trained at Camp Greene, Charlotte North Carolina.
Herbert was assigned to the “I” company, 3rd Division, 8th Machine Gun Battalion. Both Robert and Herbert were appointed privates on August 14, 1917 and on September 6, 1917 they were appointed Corporals.
Herb’s platoon left Hoboken, New Jersey and boarded the Aquitania (of the Cunard line, launched in 1920 and converted to a troop ship). He fought in the Battle of the Marne, Saint Mihiel, and the last Meuse-Argonne, where he received a shrapnel wound to the left leg, for which he received the Purple Heart. After three months of recuperation, he returned home (His brother also came home safe) and was discharged on April 19, 1919. His pay was $84.25, plus a bonus of $60. (The full story of the twins war years can be found in a notebook in the Military Room of the Kutztown Historical Society with numerous artifacts. The story will also be published in December issue of Army Magazine 2014.)
Next, I honor my four brothers, Lester, Paul, Carl, and David, for their service years. This is their story gleaned from my family newsletter in “their own words”:
Lester Herbert Christman 1943-1945
“I always wanted to fly. I enlisted in the Army Air Force on November 17, 1942. I was called to active service on February 1, 1943. I trained at Miami Beach and Gainsville, Florida, in math, physics, and weather, plus 10 hours of flying lessons.
Next I was shipped to San Antonio, Texas and trained in coordination, hearing, sight, and radio. I qualified for flying as a pilot. Next to Sikeston, Missouri, for official flight training on a Fairchild PT-19, then a 44G. From there to Winfield, Kansas for training with a Vultee BT-13. We were ready for our next step, when we were told they have too many pilots in the pool. I then chose to go to radio school and trained in Morse code and gunnery. Back to Tampa, Florida, to be assigned to Air Crew and a B-17 Flying Fortress. We were ready to fly to England, when the war ended in Europe. Disappointed, yes, but glad it was over. During the last months I was typing discharges. At the USO dance, I met my future wife, Ruth. Went to college on the GI bill.”
Paul Robert Christman 1944-1946
“I joined the U.S. Navy on February 20, 1944—the day before Pop’s birthday—and arrived home April 22, 1946 (Easter Day). My training consisted of marching, drills, and handling guns, at Sampson, New York. We were given uniforms and other gear, sleeping gear, which consisted of a hammock, pillow, sheets and covers. We never stuffed our clothes in the sea bag. There were regulations for everything. After boot camp, I left New Jersey by boat, along the coast to a port in Spain. I was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, some two years. My main job there was to take navy personnel back and forth to ships that came into port. The last year I was only responsible for hauling the admiral around.”
Carl William Christman 1945-1947
“I entered the U.S. Navy on January 18, 1946 and was discharged on November 3, 1947. My title was Radio Man Third Class. I was responsible for periodic maintenance of the communications equipment, which included transmitters, receivers and antennas. Also included voice and data circuits between ships, message systems for broadcasts, and unit messages. I served on the USS Randolf Aircraft Carrier OV37 Princeton. Our ship docked in England, Italy, France, Greece, Iraq and Iran.”
Anita Christman BastianI honor my sister, Anita, (Anita, the Riveter printed in a recent issue of the paper) for her “women in the workforce” efforts of working in the aircraft and production plant—Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, in Allentown.
David Kohler Christman 1954-1956
“I enlisted in the Army in 1954. About 100 guys left Reading to Maryland Aberdeen Proving Grounds for eight weeks of basic training. The first night I didn’t even sleep in my bed. Some guys had told me earlier, if asked if you have a driver’s license, say “no.” I knew the trick and said “no.” I ended up with 24 hours of KP. I learned my lesson the hard way. The one thing I recall in basic training was about the third week, I overslept. I made my bed, but didn’t know where they were training. I stayed hidden the rest of the day. When the troops came back, I came out. No one ever knew I was missing. Next to Fort Meade, Maryland for eight weeks of studying Small Arms Repair. I was involved in inspecting rifles and repairs and mail clerk. I liked the jobs, but I wanted to see the world. I signed up for an experiment on Mickey Mouse boots (extreme cold vapor barrier boots), held in Canada. Alas, it was held in Fort Knox, Kentucky. It involved four and a half miles of walking out and back. Doctors checked the feet each time to see how the boots were doing. At some point, I was in the task company firing and working on guns. That was when I noticed I was losing my hearing and was dismissed from that job. Then my Captain noted I once cooked for a restaurant, so he put me in charge of meals. I liked the job and soon was cooking whole meals. When I had off, I did a lot of hitchhiking. I was discharged in October 1956 and received $300. I packed my duffle bag and hitched a ride home. Once home, I bought a 1951 Ford with the money. I gave my sister, Carole (Me, the author, who is still paying this bill off), the keys and one day she skidded on the wet road and demolished my car.”
Grandchildren of Herbert Christman
Last, out of my parents’ 50 some grandchildren, I honor those who served in the military: Five grandsons: Keith Metz, Peter Metz, Joey Wolf, Ed Bastian, Kevin Sicher (my son) and granddaughters: Katrina Cartright and Ann Wolf.
Incidentally, the first soldier to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery was Union Private William Christman 1843- May 11, 1864 (no relative, but I did see his burial site). He only had one month of active duty. He was only 21, born in Lehigh County.
Hats off to all Veterans!!!!Carole Christman Koch grew up in Berks County and has been published in numerous publications. She has a passion for writing and has many stories from growing up on a farm to raising children to humorous stories about her and her husband to everyday stories to season stories and more.
