V.F.W. stands for Veterans of Foreign Wars. My wife, "CheezWhiz", and I are both active in the auxiliary here at V.F.W. Post 1335. We, both, have held and are holding several positions not only here at our local post but, also, at the district level.
This cache was placed here in honor of all the men and women who have fought for our freedom. Two of these men were my father, PCF Harry Alexander Kraft, and my father-in-law SSGT Jack Dempsey "Dink" Bumpass.
SSGT Bumpass was in the US Army, in WWII, and was a driver of a medium duty tank. While in Italy, on their way to Germany, they encountered the Germans in a fierce battle. The tank's commander, who was SSGT Bumpass's best friend, was shot and killed. SSGT Bumpass dumped his body over the side of the tank and took command of the tank. SSGT Bumpass never returned to this place and his best friends body was never recovered. SSGT Bumpass passed away in 1982 and is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in Woodward, Oklahoma.
PFC Kraft was in WWII in the US Army Air Corp, which later became the US Air Force. He was stationed on the Island of Tinian in the Pacific. PFC Kraft was on the ground crew of the "Enoly Gay" and the "Brock's Car". These were the two B-29's that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan. PFC told me many stories of how the B-29's came back all shot up, and how he lost some of his buddies over there. PFC Kraft remembered everyone of them by name. And, everytime Dad told me some of these stories, it would bring tears to his eyes. PFC Kraft passed away in 1992 and is buried in the Gage Memorial Cemetery in Gage, Oklahoma.
This war had a great impact on these two men. My fater-in-law never told these stories to his wife or kids. He only talked to me, about what happened to him, the last few years before he passed away. And, my Dad was always very emotional whenever he would talk to me about what he went through over there.
SSGT Bumpass and PFT Kraft are just two of the many men and women that went through "HELL" for you and me. let's not forget them. "God Bless America"
Stealth required...........muggles present.........Cache is a micro............