“Sawdust and Shavings” prompts vets’ memories

By Regina Villiers. Originally published November 11, 1992 in The Suburban Life, added November 13, 2014.

 

 

About 250 servicemen from the Madeira area received the newsletter, “Sawdust and Shavings,” mailed out by Oscar Meyer during World War II.

Meyer listed all their names in the last issue of the newsletter, mailed Nov. 29, 1945 after the war had ended and most of them had come home.

Of those 250 people, many have died.  Many others have gone on to other parts of the world to live and have lost touch with their Madeira roots.

But several of the 250 have lived their entire lives in the Madeira area, and some live there today.  Five of those remaining veterans have been located to be profiled here, along with their pictures in their World War II uniforms and their pictures as they look today.

These five veterans all received “sawdust and Shavings” during the war, and all agree they looked forward to its arrival.  “It was just great,” Russ DeMar said.  “Mail from home.  And it also kept us in touch with our friends in the service and their whereabouts.”

Dallas Burton served in the navy during World War II on the USS San Jacinto, the same ship as President Bush.  Burton’s location was frequently mentioned in “Sawdust and Shavings” as being “somewhere in the South Pacific.”

Dallas, now retired except for his vegetable growing and Indian artifact hobbies, lives in Madeira with his wife Doris.

Russell DeMar served in the army during World War II.  On April 7, 1944, Oscar Meyer wrote in “Sawdust and Shavings,” “Russell DeMar is taking basic at Camp Wolters, Texas.”

Christmas 1944, he wrote, “Russ DeMar is spending his Christmas in France.”

Later, DeMar appeared in the newsletter again.  “Pvt. R. DeMar is in the mud of beautiful France.”

Today, Russ is retired.  He and his wife Mary Lou, an artist, live in Madeira.

Durward (Brownie) Morgan was another sailor from Madeira in World War II.  He was part of the crew of the USS Gen. A.E. Anderson, capacity 5,000 troops, plus a crew of 600 and a contingent of marines.

Morgan was mentioned frequently in “Sawdust and Shavings.”  On May 5, 1945, Meyer wrote, “What happened to sailor Brownie Morgan and Lt. Jack Westerhoff after the round robin at our house?”

Then on June 28, 1945, “To that old salt, Durward Morgan, aboard the USS Anderson way out there: Wondered what happened to you.  Glad to know you get your feet on ground once in awhile, Brownie.”

The last mention of Brownie came on Oct. 7, 1945.  “In civies again: Brownie Morgan.”

Brownie and his wife Helen, both now retired except for numerous artistic occupations, live not far from Madeira in their wooded hideaway near Winchester, Ohio.

F.H. (Whitey) Poppenhouse also served in the Navy in 12 combats aboard the USS Alabama.  He was at the signing of the treaty after the end of the war in the Pacific.

Whitey’s life was also chronicled in “Sawdust and Shavings.”

Jan. 29, 1945 – “Visitor at home – sailor Whitey Poppenhouse.  Is he having himself a time.  The first time his feet have been on the ground for over a year.”

On Oct. 7, 1945 – “Whitey Poppenhouse was in Tokyo Bay on V-J Day on the USS Alabama.  Hear he’s on his way home.”

And finally, in the last issue of “Sawdust and Shavings:”  “Married Nov. 20, 1945, Whitey Poppenhouse and Barbara Joy Boone.”

Whitey and Barbara still live in Madeira and Whitey still works at his job as the superintendent of public works for the city of Madeira.

Martin Strifler, who worked at the time for Meyer Lumber Company, served in the army during the latter part of the war.

On March 26, 1945, Meyer wrote in “Sawdust and Shavings,” “Greetins to Martin Strifler who leaves Wednesday morning and, so far, is unassigned.”

On Sept. 5, 1945, the newsletter carried this announcement, “A big baby boy to Pvt. And Mrs. Martin Strifler, July 7.”

Strifler, now retired, and his wife Helen live in Madeira.  The big baby boy referred to is Martin (Pep) Strifler Jr., principal of Madeira High School.

There are a few others of the 250 veterans who still live in the Madeira area.  Time and space do not permit the profiling of them all, but each one is remembered and saluted on this Veteran’s Day, 50 years later.

 

F.H. (Whitey) Poppenhouse in 1943 while serving in the Navy

F.H. (Whitey) Poppenhouse in 1943 while serving in the Navy

(Whitey) during a foray for ice cream

(Whitey) during a foray for ice cream

Martin Strifler in his Army uniform during World War II

Martin Strifler in his Army uniform during World War II

Martin in a recent photo.

Martin in a recent photo.

 

 

Durward (Brownie) Morgan in 1943 while serving in the Navy

Durward (Brownie) Morgan in 1943 while serving in the Navy

Mr. Morgan during a walk at his home in Winchester, Ohio.

Mr. Morgan during a walk at his home in Winchester, Ohio.

Russell DeMar at Camp Wolters, Texas in 1944 during basic training

Russell DeMar at Camp Wolters, Texas in 1944 during basic training

Russell DeMar in a recent photo

Russell DeMar in a recent photo

Dallas Burton, in his Navy uniform during World War II

Dallas Burton, in his Navy uniform during World War II

Dallas Burton in a recent photo.

Dallas Burton in a recent photo.