Fremont Tribune from Fremont, Nebraska • 8

Page A8 Fremont Tribune Wednesday, March 15, 1989 WW DO Betters fmaflDy find way to recipients Ukr; Walt Longacre profile Walt Longacre enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Dec. 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He attended training schools in airplane mechanics, gunnery and combat crew training. On Feb.

14, 1944, he left the U.S., with his crew, aboard a plane to North Africa. In North Africa, he received further training before flying to the new base located in Italy. From there he flew 51 combat missions as nose gunner over Germany and Southern Europe. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Unit Citation and European Theater of Operations ribbon with five bronze stars. He also was credited with shooting down a German Mel 09 After his tour of duty, he was assigned as a mechanical training instructor at Kessler Field, Texas, and was discharged as a staff sergeant in September 1945.

Walt Longacre, above, sits atop the nose of one of the planes in which he flew during World War II. Longacre was a nose gunner who flew 51 combat missions over Germany and Southern Europe. He was credited with shooting down a German Me109. Longacre was discharged as a staff sergeant on September 1945. ans or family members.

He used many sources: veterans service officers, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Clubs, police departments; chambers of commerce; high schools and post masters. Last fall, Longacre got a letter from Jim Althoff, president of the 781st Bomb Squadron Association. The post office recognized the squadrons success in finding veterans. They wanted Althoff to help them locate family members of the last three men, Morris A. Johnson, Clarence F.

Smith and John J. Thomas all deceased. Johnson's daughter and Smith's brother were found and received letters those men had written Althoff asked Longacre to find Thomas relatives. Longacre first requested a death certificate from the Divi Stall PholofTammy Rl Fremonter Walt Longacre shows notebooks filled with correspondence he received about World War II veterans Longacre has located many veterans to inform them of reunions. Because of his success, he was asked to find relatives of John J.

Thomas, who wrote letters more than 40 years ago that never were mailed. soon for heartworm BY TAMMY REAL Lifestyle Reporter When it comes to tracking World War II veterans, Walter Longacre always gets his man. In fact, the Fremont man is so good at finding his comrades that he has been recognized by the United States Postal Service for locating the recipients of letters written by soldiers more than 40 years ago. Back in 1986, exterminator Mike Minquez was spraying an elderly womans attic in Raleigh N.C., when he found a bag of unopened letters written by GIs during WW II. He learned one of the womans relatives had been a crew member on the S.S.

Caleb Strong in May 1944. The ship, out of Newport News, was bound for North Africa. The relative had stuffed 235 envelopes written by 92 men into a duffel bag and promised to mail them. But he forgot. Some years later, he died.

The letters were forgotten. Minquez persuaded the woman to let him have the letters and contacted the Postal Service headquarters in Washington D.C. A massive search for the former GIs was launched. (The postal service decided that finding GIs or their families was easier than locating the addressees. Many GIs had died, but family members eagerly claimed the letters some of which were the last the men ever wrote.

Eight men still werent located when the Readers Digest ran an article about-Un: search in 1988. Eventually, the list was narrowed to three. Thats when Longacre was called to help. Longacre was a member of the 781st Bomb Squadron, 465th bomb group. As a nose gunner, he had flown 51 combat missions over Germany and Southern Europe.

Now, more than 40 years later, Longacre had proved successful in tracking down former veterans and informing them of reunions. Since 1985, Longacre has written more than 2,000 letters and located 200 squadron veter- Test dogs Heartworm disease, dir-ofilariasis, is a serious and potentially fatal disease of dogs It is caused by a worm called dirofilaria immititis, which lives in the heart and large adjacent vessels of infected dogs The female worm is six to 14 inches long and 8 inch wide, the male is smaller One dog may have as many as 300 worms Adult heartworms live up to five years, and a female mav produce millions of young, microfilariae These microfilariae live in the bloodstream, primarily in the small blood vessels They cannot grow to adults without passing through an in termediate host which in this instance is a mosquito Over thirty species of mosquitoes throughout the world can transmit this disease, including many mosquitoes in the United States The female mosquito bites the infected dog and swallow the microfilariae during a blood meal The microfilariae develop for 10 to 30 days, then enter the saliva of the mosquito The fe male mosquito bites a susceptible dog and the infective larvae are injected under the dogs skin. Here the larvae develop for two to four months before entering the dog's bloodstream. migrating to the heart. Country concert Allied Tour and Travel is sponsoring the Ozark Country Jubilee Concert April 6 in Maurice, Iowa.

The two-hour concert will feature humor, cross-over country, bluegrass and gospel favorites. A musical group from the Branson, area will be featured. Lunch will be eaten at Marina Inn in South Sioux City. The menu includes: chilled fruit cup, Swiss steak, creamy whipped potatoes, peas and carrots and a baked apple with cinnamon ice cream. While in Maurice, the group will see a display of traditional and British-style cakes and woodworking crafts.

The cost is $47 and includes lunch and the show. The tour will leave 9:30 a.m. April 6 from the City Auditorium in Fremont. To make reservations or for more information, contact the Parks Recreation Deparment at 721-5712. Payment deadline is March 30.

Lambda chapter Lambda Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa met March 6. The altruistic report was given as follows: gifts valued at $414, 830 hours of service and $225 of scholarships given. The salad luncheonstyle show will be 12 p.m. April 1 at the sion of Vital Statistics of Ohio, Thomas home state. He wrote Zeis Funeral Home, which handled Thomas services.

They sent Longacre obituary notices for Thomas and his wife, who had died two days later. Thomas obituary yielded little information, but Longacre found the mans closest living relative a brother-in-law listed in the womans funeral notice. Longacre also located two of the three women to whom Thomas had written back in WWII. Both Ohio women, Pearle Kohler Adrion and Dorothy Seckler, were interested in seeing the letters. The postal service forwarded the letters to Thomas brother-in-law, who wanted no publicity, but agreed to send them to the two women.

Repeated attempts to reach Mrs. Seckler were unsuccessful, but the Fremont Tribune learned that Mrs. Adrion, 83, got her letter last week. In it, inarian may request additional tests before treatment is administered. To remove heart-worm infection the dog is hospitalized and injections of arsenic are given to kill the adult heartworms.

Complete rest and supportive treatment is required for four weeks after initial treatment. Then the microfilariae are removed from the bloodstream by a variety of drugs. Once the dog tests negative for microfilariae, it can then be placed on a preventative medication. All dogs of unknown status must test negative before starting heartworm preventative. All dogs in the midwestern United States should be tested annually in March or April to rule out heartworm infection.

Dogs with adult heartworms or circulating microfilariae placed on preventative medication with have severe and often fatal reactions. Preventative medication may be given daily or once monthly, depending on the product used. Drs. Mark Pettit and Lewis Verner practice veterinary medicine at clinics in Fremont. If readers have pet-related questions, they should direct them to: Ask the Vet, Fremont Tribune, Box 9, Fremont, Neb.

68025. there are no advanced tickets. Dinner is from 5-7 p.m. and cost $3. A pre-Easter craft fair will be Saturday.

Tables are still available. The next meeting is 7:45 p.m. March 22. YMCA classes The Fremont Family YMCA will begin three classes in the next several weeks. The Healthy Back Class will begin a.m.

Tuesday. This eight-week class will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This class is a safe exercise program designed to restore minimum muscular strength flexibility to key postural muscles. The cost Is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. The spring session of You and Me Baby will begin March 27.

The class is p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The class is a safe exercise program for women two to eight months pregnant, recently delivered moms and babies from newborn to walking age. The seven-week class costs $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Ys Way to Stress Management Class begins 7:45 p.m.

April 3. Thomas said he had enjoyed time spent with her. It was a nice, clean letter, said Mrs. Adrion. Sadly, Mrs.

Adrion doesnt remember the young Thomas. We may have gone out a couple times, but I cant think what he looks like, said Mrs. Adrion. "He went to a lot of work. That was so nice, she said.

It (the letter) brings back a lot of the youth that you miss. The postal service invited Longacre and his wife, Ann, to a recognition dinner last month in Washington D.C. They couldnt attend, but Saturday Longacre received a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Postal Service. He is proud of that certificate and the recognition he has received.

It feels good, he said. Im elated that I was able to locate these people for the postal service. PETS OF THE WEEK Female Australian shepherd cross, about 4 months old; color: blue merle; full of energy, loves to play; will be larger dog. Male brown and white mixed breed, about 3 years old; perfect for farm or acreage; very friendly, good companion; larger dog. Those interested in seeing these pets, and others, can do so from 9 a.m.

to 5 p.m. Monday-Frlday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is a $15 kennel reimbursement for dogs and a $20 refundable deposit $10 is refunded when the dog receives its rabies vaccination; and $10 is refunded when it is spayed or neutered. For cats: There is no kennel reim Reading food key to smart The next time you do your weekly grocery shopping, take a few extra minutes and read the food label.

Compare the nutrients and calories in one food to those provided by another product. You may be surprised to learn that the food item your family loves and you have been buying for years, does not contain the nutrients' you thought it did. Make your plans now to attend the session in the Eating Today for a Healthier Tomorrow series entitled, How to Read the Food Label." This session will be held on Tuesday, March 20, from 1-3 p.m. at the Dodge County Extension Office. Not only will you learn how to read food labels to get more food value for your money, but you will also become more aware of how to shop for fat-controlled meals.

Additional information on fiber, salt and stgar will also be WEDDING Lisa Kliment and Donald Swartz Lisa Kliment of Dorchester and Donald Swartz of Malmo were married Feb. 11 at St Josephs Catholic Church in Colon. The Rev. Patrick OBrynne officiated at the 2pm ceremony. Parents of the couple are Mr and Mrs.

Robert Kliment of Dorchester and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Swartz of Malmo Karen Houska of Wahoo, cousin of the groom, was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Tami Swartz, sister-in-law of the groom, Michelle Swartz, sister of the groom, both of Malmo, Linda Crees of Lincoln. Becky Kliment of Dorchester and Karen Dolezal of Arizona, all sisters of the bride.

Best man was Kevin Swartz of Malmo, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were Frank Pleskac of Weston; Todd Kliment of Friend, brother of the bride; Jim Swartz of Norman, brother of the groom, Mark and Brian Sensibaugh, both of Wahoo, cousins of the groom. Brandie Kliment of Crete, niece of the bride, was flower girl and Brent Kliment of Crete, nephew of bride, was ring bearer Ushers were Mike Kliment of Crete, brother of the bride; Jamee Guggenmos of Aurora, cousin of the bride, Steve Swartz; and Loran Houska, both of Wahoo, cousins of the groom. A reception was at the church and was hosted by Mr. and Mrs.

Dennis Swartz of Colon, uncle and aunt of the groom. A dance was at the American Legion Hall in Malmo. The bride is a graduate of Dorchester High School in Dorchester and Josephs College of Beauty in Lincoln. She is a cosmetologist with Fernandos Salon de Belleza in Lincoln. The groom is a graduate of Bishop Neumann Central High School in Wahoo and farms near Malmo.

The couple honeymooned at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. They reside in Malmo. How to get news on Lifestyle page Church briefs are published on Saturdays. They should be at the Fremont Tribune by no later than noon on the Thursday before publication date. composed the afternoon bbfor the day of publication, an both Saturday and Monda pages are composed on Fr day, it is helpful when Item are submitted well In advance ASK THE VET Drs Pettit Verner and maturing into adult heart-worms Adult heartworms cause disease by clogging the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart Most dogs are asymptomatic until the disease is in advanced stages.

Clinical signs include chronic cough, weakness, shortness of breath, nervousness and loss of stamina with exercise Microfilariae may cause blockage of small loo vessels, especially in the lungs, liver and kidneys Diagnosis of heartworm disease requires microscopic examination of the dogs blood. If a dog tests positive for heart-wotm infection, your veter AROUND FREMONT First Congregational Church, UCC, in Fremont. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Irene Butcher at 721-8591. The state convention is April 22 in Omaha. Alpha Delta Kappa is an international honorary of women educators.

Sunshine club Evone Foutz of the Domestic AbuseSexual Assault Crisis Center spoke at the meeting of the Sunshine Extension Club. Betty Woods and Thelma Burrell presented the lesson on Abused Children." Elsie Falconer and Helga Anderson will present the lesson, Housekeeping Made Easy, at the April 4 meeting at the home of Merna Gentry. Eagles Auxiliary Perfect attendance pins were given to Dorothy Adams and Brenda Harris at the meeting of the Eagles Auxiliary, The auxiliary will sponsor one boy and girl to YMCA Camp. Members interested in being an officer for 1989-90, should contact Marge Jensen. The play, Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch will be presented again 7:30 p.m.

Sunday. The cost isJ4 at the door and bursement. There is a $20 refundable deposit; $10 is refunded when the cat receives its rabies vaccination and $10 is refunded when it is spayed or neutered. To get to the humane follow south Main Street to Doves Cove Road and turn right or follow Broad Street south out of town and turn left at the last road before the Platte River bridge. The address is 1525 S.

Main. The phone number is 721-3282. In an effort to provide homes for abandoned pets, the Fremont Tribune, in cooperation with the Dodge County Humane Society, sponsors Pet of the Week. labels is the shopping EXTENSION LINE provided. If you are interested in learning more about how to read the food labels and more about fiber, salt and sugar, please contact the Dodge County Extension Office, 721-2081.

Jodene Jurging is the Extension Agent-Home Economics, at the Dodge County Extension Office. "4 i.