WEST SIDE SHOPPER-NEWS • APRIL 11, 2011 • C-3
Fly boy recalls war years
By Sandra Clark
Folks are hopping at NHC Farragut, but none as high as retired Air Force Lt. Col. Don McGee. Not only does he have stories to tell, but a recent book is based loosely on his life as a ďŹ ghter pilot during World War II. Written by C.M. McGee, “A Cockpit in New Guineaâ€? traces the escapades of a young man from New York who became a y boy. McGee ew a P-39 based in New Guinea, and he got the â€œďŹ rst kill in the outďŹ t.â€? He says: “When we ďŹ nally got planes, I just climbed in and tried to stay with it.â€? The book touches on the trials of the soldiers stationed in a part of the world for a part of the war that is sometimes overlooked. The guys on the ground struggled with swamps and bugs and dysentery. But as Don recalls, “It worked out OK.â€? He went on to a career in the Air Force and has lived at NHC for about six months. His apartment is ďŹ lled with memorabilia from his service career. Don has a copy of the book that he might be persuaded to sell, but the easiest way to purchase it is online at amazon.com or Xlibris.com. Don talks about the military commandeering a cruise ship to take troops to the Pacific front. “They lined us up on a dock in San Francisco and put us on the boat to Melbourne, Australia. Nobody thought to
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS April activities â– Exercise â– Bingo â– Church Service
This P-39 shows the plane that McGee flew in World War II.
â– Reading with Patsy â– Crafts â– Bible Study â– Poker â– Happy Hour
Special Guests â– Tellico Village Clowns (April 1) â– Virtue Road Presbyterian singers (April 7 & 28)
A portrait of Don and Margaret McGee
Lt. Col. Don McGee’s medals and service photo
feed us and we went without food for a day. I was the instigator for getting food. “I went down to the galley and they tried to chase me out. I said, ‘We’re all starving!’ I got food for everyone. Three roasted ducks. “After that, the food was pretty good. We ate premi-
um cruise food.â€? Don said he wanted to be a y boy since he was “knee high to a grasshopper,â€? but it took a long time to get there. He wrecked two planes but was never injured in combat. “We checked out the P-40s. I took one on a cross-run takeoff and went onto my back.
Landed upside down on a rough runway. Gasoline was falling out and I yelled, ‘Get out of here!’ to the ground crew. I didn’t use very good language, but I didn’t want them to be blown up.� A New York native, Don got to Knoxville “by a circuitous route,� in November 2009.
Soloman puts energy in activities Patsy Soloman has a dream job. As activities director for NHC Farragut, she organizes trips and assorted adventures for residents. “I tell them, ‘This is your home; these are your trips.’ We go where they want. I try to do things that make them happy.� Soloman came to NHC after a “career� as a minister’s wife. She has lived in Kingston for almost 25 years and recently remarried to Kay D. Lennon, a Carson-Newman graduate who has retired. She graduated from high school in Kingsport and trained as a cosmetologist. Her daughter, Tina Marie, works in a prison ministry in Nashville. She has three boys and lives in Smyrna. Patsy’s dad is an NHC resident in Oak Ridge. Patsy says, “I love people. I love being a servant. I love to listen. And I love to learn.� She must also love to work. The activities cal-
â– Trips to area businesses
Patsy Soloman endar is packed with events. A sampling: ■Happy Hour each Friday with beverages of choice. ■Monday morning shopping excursions (every second Monday is Walmart). ■Kroger shopping each Monday. Wednesday is the day to eat out. Residents choose the place with favorites being Calhoun’s and Cracker Barrel. Friday afternoons bring another shopping trip,
usually to a department store such as Belk, Dillard’s or JCPenney. “We might go to Dollar Tree or Dollar General. Nothing requires you to get off of the bus. The idea is just to get out.â€? Patsy leads exercise ďŹ ve days a week for 45 minutes. “I push them,â€? she says. By far the favorite is Bingo, she says. Patsy pays winners a quarter (and no, they do not pay to play. “That would be illegal,â€? she says). Residents watch movies, complete with popcorn; they bake fresh cookies and enjoy quilting. Patsy reads aloud. “We’ve almost ďŹ nished eight books (in a series). Then we discuss them.â€? Patsy gets residents talking about their early days. Do they remember canning, making soap? Patsy Soloman works hard, but it’s a job she loves. One could call it a ministry.
He met his wife, Margaret, in second grade. They have four children – two sons and two daughters – and ďŹ ve grandchildren. Pictures of his family occupy wall space not devoted to his military career. It was great fun to talk with Don McGee. I’m going to read his book and then visit again.
■Kayla Leko, violinist (April 8) ■The Songsters (April 11) ■Concord Baptist mission trips (April 14 ■Cokesbury women’s group (April 15) ■Methodist Communion Service (April 21) ■Don Barr, singer (April 22) ■Tom Vorjohan, balloon artist (April 23)
The Songsters entertain for residents of NHC.
Chaplain learns from residents The Rev. Edsel West calls his job “inspirational at times as (the residents) share their life history. You learn what they have survived and what they’ve achieved.� West has served as chaplain at NHC Farragut for 10 years after retiring from South Harriman Baptist Church where he was the pastor for 22 years. West brings a sermon each Monday morning and conducts Bible study each Wednesday morning. He
Chaplain Edsel West
spends additional time visiting residents of the Assisted Living Center as well as many of the patients at the adjacent NHC Health Center. And the man who ministers to residents also ďŹ nds inspiration in them. “I’ve been inspired by how they cope with the last years of their time,â€? he said. West greeted residents by name at last Monday’s service and volunteered to assist one back to her apartment. “This is a wonderful place,â€? he said.
NHC Farragut Assisted Living Nurses on staff 24/7 Monthly rentals Transportation/ housekeeping/phone and more in rental packages Selective menus Rehabilitation unit on site with preferred admission for ALF residents Comparable pricing
122 Cavett Hill Lane • Farragut • 777-9000 • vakins@nhcfarragut.com