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One
of the happy yields of the fiftieth anniversary of World
War II has been the publication of reminiscences of the citizen
soldiers who interrupted lives to serve in the various branches
of the military service.
Two such pieces were prepared for the East Texas Historical Journal
that focus on Camp
Fannin, an infantry replacement training center located approximately
ten miles northeast of Tyler.
The first article, "Camp Fannin": A Reminiscence," was written by
Laurence C. Walker, originally from Washington, D.C. Ironically,
after the war Walker earned a doctorate in Forestry and spent many
years as dean of the school of forestry at Stephen F. Austin State
University, located about 75 miles south of where he learned to
be a soldier. Walker served in the European Theatre.
The other article was prepared by Russell Rulau of Iola, Wisconsin,
and was prompted by Walker's earlier publication. Rulau's overseas
service was in the Pacific Theatre. After the war he became a writer
and dealer in the field of numismatics.
Walker and Rulau symbolize what happened at Camp
Fannin from its operation from May 29, 1943, until converted
to a separation center, then declared surplus in January 1946. They
came from different parts of the United States and served in different
theatres, yet each contributed to what FDR called "the inevitable
victory."
Camp
Fannin, which occupied 14,000 acres of woodland hills, was named
in honor of James Walker Fannin, a soldier in the Texas Revolution.
Its first commander was Colonel John A. Robenson, who was succeeded
by Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Brammel in August 1943. Troop capacity
was 18,680 and the camp hospital could accommodate 1,074 patients.
A prisoner of war camp commanded by Major Sam H. Burchard also occupied
the site.
Walker, Rulau, and others remember experiences with the Southern
heat, ticks, chiggers, and other discomforts, but also dances and
visits to Kilgore--where
alcohol was available--and Tyler,
where it was not.
Like so many in what Tom Brokow has convinced us was our "Greatest
Generation," the men who learned to soldier at Camp
Fannin and other training facilities throughout the land did
not falter when it was their turn to serve.
Some of Camp
Fannin's facilities were moved to the campus of Tyler Junior
College for more use, and part of the base became the East Texas
State Tuberculosis Sanitarium. Some of the men who trained there
remain forever in cemeteries in foreign lands, and many others,
including Walker and Rulau, lived long and projective lives in the
land they helped keep free.
All Things Historical
September
10-16, 2000
Published by permission.
(Archie P. McDonald is Director of the East Texas Historical Association
and author or editor of more than 20 books on Texas)
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