Sentimental Journey in San Marcos

Remembering the heroes and lifestyles of World War II By Sandra Lane At the end of a winding road, hidden at the back of the San Marcos Municipal Airport, is one of the few remaining World War II airplane hangars, now the home of the Centex Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and the organization’s museum.  This hangar is one of three built on the site in 1942 during the desperate days that followed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Two of the hangars have long since been demolished, but this one remains.  Built of wood, this voluminous structure houses several World War II airplanes including a Mitchell B-25 twin-engine bomber, similar to the ones used in Lt Col. Jimmy Doolittle’s daring raid on Japan five months after Pearl Harbor.  This particular B25, dubbed the "Yellow Rose” has been refurbished and is available for rides.  A picture of a young woman in a brief cowgirl outfit is painted on both sides of the nose of the plane. Several fighter planes are housed there, also. On Saturday, Nov. 14, however, the planes were on display outside so that the hangar could be used for a Veteran’s Day celebration. On that evening, more than 1,000 people paid $30 each to attend a re-creation of the WWII USO dances and listen to the music of the big bands of that era played by the 19-piece Sentimental Journey Orchestra.  They also came to pay homage to the courage and bravery of those who built the hangar and flew the planes that helped the United States turn the tide of World War II.  A sign over one of the doorways in the hanger read, "Through these portals passed the heroes of another time.”   Dressed in clothing of that era and a multitude of uniforms, both past and present, attendees filed into the patriotically decorated hanger to find their tables, eat a barbeque dinner, visit with each other, and admire each other’s attire.  Some of the women wore clothing left by their ancestors.  Others had visited stores that sell vintage clothing to find dresses and hats of the 1940s.  Some of the men dug out uniforms they had worn while serving in Korea, Vietnam, and other areas.  The band members wore WWII U.S. Army Air Force uniforms, and Ted Conley, the tall, bespectacled, trombone- playing leader had a striking resemblance to band leader Glenn Miller.  Even the bandstands were identical to those used in England by the Miller band in 1944.  At the front of the hanger, tables were set up to display items offered through a silent auction.  Also for sale was a large framed copy of that famous photo of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, New York, on VJ Day, Aug. 14, 1945.  The sailor is Glenn McDuffie, who lives in Houston and is now in his 80s.  He had hoped to attend the dinner dance, but was unable to do so due to health problems.  Last year, he attended the event and signed autographs for everyone.   However, there were some other octogenarians who served in World War II at the dance.  One of those veterans is Col. Virgil (Sandy) Sansing, 87, U.S. Air Force (ret.), who now lives in New Braunfels.  He flew a P-51 fighter in the Normandy invasion in 1944 and was shot down northeast of Paris.  He was able to bail out, but suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs and some burns on his body.  Fortunately, he was picked up by members of the French Resistance and remained with them until U.S. forces arrived three months later.  Col. Sansing recovered and later flew in the Korean and Vietnam wars, serving a total of 33 years in the Air Force, from 1940 to 1973.  An avid supporter of the CAF Museum, he said that after retiring from active service, he became a flight instructor, teaching others to fly older planes including P-38s, P-39s, A26 and B25 twin-engine bombers.  After the presentation of the flag and singing of the national anthem, the music began and couples headed for the dance floor. One of the first couples to begin dancing was Barney and Wanda Snell of San Marcos.  No one could believe that Barney is 88 and Wanda is 86.  Barney wore a sailor’s uniform, and said that he was in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WWII. He served on an attack transport, taking Army and Marine personnel in for landings on various islands.  Wanda did her part, also, working at Douglas Aircraft in California where she performed spot welding on bomb bay doors.  This slim and trim couple said they go dancing often, attending dances wherever the Sentimental Journey Orchestra is playing.  When asked about the secret of their youthful appearance, they said they stay active and eat a healthy diet.  Barney added that he works out four days a week at a local gym.  Although Wanda did not dress like Rosie the Riveter, Becky Brownlow, 62, of Buda, did.  She wore denim overalls with a red bandana covering her hair.  In those days, women who worked in the defense plants kept their hair covered to prevent it from becoming caught in nearby machinery.  Becky and her family, who comprise the Island Texas Band, were there to participate in the festivities.  She said she wanted to attend because, "I feel like I am stepping back into the past.  I really enjoy the 40s music and love that era.”  She also said she felt the CAF Museum was a good organization to support.  All funds raised at this annual event go to help maintain the planes and the museum.  Allison and Ray Ender of San Marcos are supporters and volunteers at the CAF Museum and handled the ticket sales for this event.  "The dinner dance is our one annual fund raiser to support the WWII airplanes, keep them flying, help to maintain this old hangar and keep WWII history alive, " said Allison. Ray, who is 60, served in the Army in Vietnam. He was a member of the Military Police and wore his uniform to the dance to prove it.  Former Marine Buzz Perez, 58, of Austin, is also a volunteer at the CAF Museum.  A Vietnam veteran, he wore a colorful dress uniform signifying that he is a member of the Marine Corps League, established by Congress in 1921.  "Members of this group are both active and retired Marines,” he said.  "Our purpose is to provide aid to ex- Marines who have health issues, unemployment, and other needs.”  After being discharged from the Marines, he used his GI Bill to learn how to fly and became a commercial pilot for 20 years.  Because of his love of flying, he said he wanted to volunteer at the museum to be close to military aircraft.  Sometimes, it’s difficult for veterans to fit into their old uniforms, but Capt. Alan Bentz, U.S. Navy (ret.), 76, of Poteet, didn’t seem to have any problem.  Although he served 41 years in the Navy from 1950 to 1991, he chose to wear a uniform he acquired back in the 1960s.  A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, he said that this is the first time he and his wife, Yvonna, have attended one of the hangar dances in San Marcos. "I like the setting, the music, and the camaraderie,” he said.  "I also like seeing all the uniforms from years ago. "   As the Sentimental Journey Orchestra played old favorites such as "Begin the Beguine” made famous by band leader Artie Shaw and "You Made Me Love You” associated with Harry James and his band, you could almost imagine what it might have been like back in the 1940s and 1950s to dance at places like the Coconut Grove in California.  The music brought back many pleasant memories for people who had lived in those times.   This was true for Capt. Bentz.  "When the band started playing that music, it reminded me of the many dances I attended at a large ballroom in San Diego when I was stationed there,” he said.  Visiting from the Gulf Coast Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Houston were Phil Covington, 68 and wife Carole, 66, both dressed in vintage clothing.  Before retirement, Phil was a research scientist and member of mission control at NASA.  He has also been a civilian flight instructor for 40 years and flies the B17G 4-engine "Flying Fortress” owned by the Gulf Coast Wing of the CAF and housed at Hobby Airport. He said he enjoys the hangar dances because they offer "an opportunity to associate with other warbird people and to meet some of the "Greatest Generation,” the people who actually fought, flew, and supported these planes during World War II.”  Phil wore an authentic WWII flight officer’s uniform.  Although the crowd at this hanger dance was predominately an older group, there were also some young Air Force officers and their wives in attendance.  And, for the dance contest, a lot of younger people came to show off their dancing skills.  DeeJaye  Paine, 34, and Reed Penney, 28, both from Austin, sat at a table with other members of the Austin Swing Syndicate who had come to participate in the dance contest.  DeeJaye said she has been doing swing dancing for the past five years and really loves it.     If you would like to contact Sandra Lane, please e-mailer at: [email protected]