THE JANUS
Judging by the comments of the participants, our recent 10 Days in England tour was indeed a success, for which all credit is due to the expertise of Director of AFS Travel Dan Hastings and to tour guide Karin McCarthy, and Bill Donnelly and Karen Hapgood in the U.K. Here are a few excerpts from written comments received: The highlight of my few doys with the AFS Ve~
Tour was its intense awakening of memories (people, experience, issues, places) that have much influenced my life. There was a strong impact both intellectually and emotionally, and alot of fun. As is so often true in even the most exotic travels, it was our companions, guides and chance encounters that were critical to this positive reaction.
Particularlypoigrumt were the numerous instances in both the U.K. and in Egypt during my previous week at the El AJamein Commemorative erercise, when &h Anny Veterans sought me out to express thanks for the help of some nameleSs AFS Driver. With highly emotional graphic descriptions they recalled their injuries and agony, and often spoke of some small act of kindness by the Driver. "PO never forget what he did for me, or time and again. Arthur Howe
Our own group was the greatest joy of the trip, especially the four cronies, Weaver, Squire, Rodgers, and Contrall. Barely remembered faces and events came to life with every word with anybody. And John Day's 50 year mem0rabilia, which he copied for me, gave me a record I did not know existed. Highligh~: Coventry and the Blackpool commemoration stand out for both were dedicated to reconciliation. The sight of Rommel's son, oberburgermeisterof Stuttgart which is where I ended up the war, Rommel's son and Montgomery's son making wann speeches to each other-perlu:rpsthat moment was the highlight Dennis A. Weaver The dedication of the American Field Service Memorial Plaque at St George's Oum:h at Enham-AJamein, Hampshire, was most affecting. This churr:h,a memorial to eighteen men from the viUagelost in the historical tide-tuming battle at El AJamein, has been "adopted" by all uni~ who took part. Seven of our group had participated directly: others were engaged elsewhere or later comers. I shot a picture of the plaque with Tun Angell, the British REME soldier who served with us so long and has remembered us so weU;he stood me a pint of bitter afterwards and we drank to old friends and old times. In a plot outside the church set aside for the purpose, Squire, Weaver, and Rodgers dedicated a memorial cross to fallen comrade Alexander RmuJall, Jr. There were two occasions at Blackpool, the
Eighth Anny reunion and ceremony at night, and the memorial service at the Cenotaph the next doy. The Alamein Reunion program listed all of the uni~ in the order of battle, mentioned supporting services, and added "Due credit is also given to the American Field Service Ambulance Corps of Volunteers, 'they were always there when we needed them most'. or Bill Cantrall