(l-r) President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and James M. Landis,Wartime Chief of the Office of Civilian Defense, present the first two Air Medals ever awarded by the U.S. to CAP subchasers Maj. Hugh R. Sharp Jr. and 1st Lt. Edmond I. ‘Eddie’ Edwards for the heroic rescue of 1st Lt. Henry Cross.
photo by CAP Historical Foundation
One of Civil Air Patrol’s most famous World War II “subchasers,” honored for heroism by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, died on Saturday, Dec. 5, after a long illness. He was 96 years old.
Col. Edmond I. “Eddie” Edwards was widely known as the first Coastal Patrol (later Civil Air Patrol) pilot to spot a Nazi U-boat and radio its position to U.S. naval forces. The vessel crash-dived and headed farther out to sea, where it was less of a menace to U.S. shipping. This occurred on March 10, 1942, near the start of the war.
“He was probably one of the first subchasers to see the enemy,” said Roger Thiel, a senior member and independent historian with CAP.
Based at Coastal Patrol Base 2 in Rehoboth Beach, DE, Edwards flew sub-hunting patrols offshore Delaware and Maryland, safeguarding oil tankers headed for Delaware Bay. The Coastal Patrol flights, made from 21 bases along the East and Gulf shorelines of America, were instrumental in making CAP an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, which it is today.
Despite his notoriety as one of the very first subchasers, Thiel said Edwards held “celebrity status” within CAP as one of the first Coastal Patrol pilots awarded the Air Medal for heroism during World War II. He and his commanding officer, the late Maj. Hugh R. Sharp Jr., received the medal after Roosevelt heard of their daring rescue of a fellow airman downed in bitterly cold high seas off Maryland.
Edwards, in an interview for the Civil Air Patrol Volunteer in 2006, clearly remembered the rescue of 1st Lt. Henry Cross that earned him the medal and subchaser fame. “I got the call that one of our planes was down, and Maj. Sharp asked me to go with him,” said Edwards. “We had no trouble finding the crash site. We spotted a body, so we made an emergency landing and fished him out. He was alive, but we never found the other guy.”
The rescue on July 21, 1942, required that Edwards and Sharp land their aircraft, a Sikorsky S-63 single-engine amphibian piloted by Sharp, in swells reaching 8- to 10-feet high and, in the process, they crushed the left pontoon. So, to get back to Base 2, Edwards accomplished a daring feat by climbing out onto the right wing and using his weight to level the plane. A half-frozen Edwards clung there through the night until the early morning hours of the next day before a Coast Guard boat water taxied the unflyable aircraft to shore.
Roosevelt conferred the Air Medal to Edwards and Sharp in a White House ceremony in February of 1943. By that time, Edwards had joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a flight instructor and later piloted Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers on patrols out of Hawaii.
“I was ushered into the Oval Office and decorated by FDR,” said Edwards, in the 2006 interview, which commemorated CAP’s 65th anniversary. “Of course, I was honored to receive the medal, but I was also so impressed with FDR.”
Though Edwards and Sharp were the first civilians to receive the Air Medal, they were soon joined by others from their own ranks. By the end of World War II, 800 Air Medals had been presented to CAP members.
Edwards served in the Navy for three years, attaining the rank of senior-grade lieutenant. He served 27 years in the Reserve, during which he pursued an active role in Delaware civil aviation. For a number of years, he ran the FBO and instructed at Weimer Airport at Newark, DE, now site of a DuPont facility.
Thiel, a longtime acquaintance of Edwards who frequently visited with him during annual Coastal Patrol Base 2 reunions in Rehoboth Beach, said he often downplayed his notoriety. “Eddie never considered himself special for the high profile personal recognition by President Roosevelt, often saying of the rescue for which his Air Medal was awarded, ‘Anyone could have done it,’ “ said Thiel. “His accomplishments and humility indicate the heroic capabilities of regular U.S. citizens, especially in Civil Air Patrol.”
Edwards is survived by his wife, Blanche, and a son and two daughters: Edmond Jr., who lives in Missouri; Linda Jones of Shillington, PA; and Patricia Dawson of Bear, DE. His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, located at 122 W. Main St. in Newark. Friends and family may visit one hour prior to the service. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice, 256 Chapman Road, Newark, DE 19711, or the Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village, 866 North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
Peter Derosa, Montville Joshua Center Program Director, Natchaug Hospital.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every day 32 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 45 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $51 billion.
• In 2008, 11,773 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (32%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.
• Of the 1,347 traffic fatalities among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2008, about one out of every six (16%) involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
• Of the 216 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2008, about half (99) were riding in the vehicle with the alcohol-impaired driver.
• In 2008, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. That’s less than one percent of the 159 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.
• Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. These other drugs are often used in combination with alcohol.
Young people, motorcyclists and drivers with a history of driving under the influence are most at risk and we know that Southeastern CT has had our share of alcohol related fatal motor vehicle deaths. Certainly increased law enforcement, sobriety check points, additional education and increased treatment can help. However, individually we can take deliberate steps to reduce incidents of alcohol related deaths.
Tell your friend or family member or child that you do not want him getting into a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs. The use of a designated driver is a widely acceptable prevention tool and should be encouraged.
Tell your friend or family member that you want them to call you if they cannot get home safely. Emphasize that, while you do not support excessive alcohol use, safety comes first.
If you host a party, have plenty of non alcoholic beverages available, and if you are concerned, hold the keys for the drivers. Do not serve alcohol to adolescents. Check on your guests regularly and make sure no one is bringing in unwanted alcohol or illegal drugs into your home.
Be a good role model and enjoy the holidays.
Sincerely, Peter Derosa
Montville Joshua Center Program Director
Natchaug Hospital
Ring in the New Year with the Fisherman. On New Year’s Eve, savor old favorites with a fresh modern twist from 4:30pm – 10:30pm. Then start your New Year off right with a full buffet on New Year’s Day from 12:30pm – 3:30pm.
Chefs Michael Stafford and James Martell welcome you to the Fisherman Restaurant of Noank. The restaurant is a stones throw from the beautiful idyllic coastal community of Groton Long Point and sits adjacent to Palmers Cove with a direct view of Fishers Island and Western Fishers Island Sound.
With a seaside setting and close proximity to some of New England’s most productive fishing ports, we are fortunate to be able to offer the very best of our local waters bounty. Our scallops come from the famed Bomster family of nearby Stonington, and the scallops are legendary.
Great things are taking place at the Fisherman, with new updated modern menus, a fresh attitude and a commitment to give our customers quality food, great value and personable service. With winters approach, as a service to our local clientele we are offering an unmatched 2 for $24 promotion featuring high quality foods prepared with imagination and care!
“…it’s not a big deal.” - Chuck Brenker, after completing his 100th marathon
by Roger Zotti
After Lisbon’s Chuck Brenker finished the 2009 Hartford Marathon, October 26, you’d think he’d have reason to celebrate. After all, it was his 100th marathon. But Chuck didn’t celebrate because, as he put it: “It’s not a big deal.” I have news for Chuck: His accomplishment is an extremely big deal.
As for the race itself, Chuck explained, “I was injured beforehand, so I knew it was prudent that I back off the pace. My friend Gary Tremblay and I had initially planned to run a certain pace, but he took off and had a beautiful second half….I planned to finish at 4:30 and I did. It wasn’t a run for a personal best.” Then, about a month after the Hartford Marathon, Chuck competed in the JFK 50 Miler, in Hagertown, Maryland. “It was my ninth consecutive ultra-marathon, and it’s an incredible course,” he said. “The first one I ran was when I was fifty years old.”
Interestingly, Chuck doesn’t believe that running marathons “makes you any healthier. Most of us are so obsessed with what we do that we will run through injuries, like I did in Hartford. We’ll do whatever we have to do to cross that finish line. Guess what? I’ll be going in for an MRI in a few days to see if I have a stress factor in my foot.” So, did he entertain ideas of pulling out of the JFK 50 miler? “No way,” he said, with a laugh.
In 1969 Chuck started running. Then in 1970, when he was stationed on a submarine, the Commanding Officer announced a contest. “Whoever lost the most weight could go to whatever school he wanted to,” said Chuck said, who lost the most weight and picked Navy Diver School. There, he became intensely involved in calisthenics and running. Fast forward to 1976 and Chuck’s first marathon: “It was the Oceanside California Marathon. At the time I was stationed with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service at Camp Pendleton, California….I ended up my active duty in 1976.”
Yes, Chuck has a goal when he runs – which “is to run long, to run healthy, and to have the best life I can as long as I can.” His advice to runners is “find a running group. When I moved here I saw a few guys running, befriended them, and soon it became an informal running group. It is so much easier to run with other people. Try to find people who enjoy running. Talk and have fun while you run. And for a first time marathoner – don’t over-train.”
Clearly, running is a huge part of Chuck’s life and so is apheresis which, according its website, is defined as a procedure that “collects platelets or plasma from a donor. The remaining blood components, including the red cells, are returned to the donor.” A State of CT Special Donor, Chuck has completed almost three hundred apheresis procedures and wants to “get the word out” about the process. For more information about apheresis, visit www.bloodct.org/what_is_apheresis.php.
The holiday season doesn’t have to create havoc on your weight-loss goals, says TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization. Follow these ten strategies to navigate the eating season for a great time without a great gain.
1. Don’t go hungry. Arriving at a party on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster that can lead you to overeat and make poor choices. Have a light snack of a low-fat, high-fiber food a half-hour before you go, such as yogurt, an apple with a teaspoon of peanut butter, a piece of string cheese, or vegetables with low-calorie dip.
2. Treat yourself. There’s no need to ban your favorites; decide what you want to try and then set a limit. Cakes, cookies, and pies are available year-round, so indulge in small portions of only the best seasonal, holiday foods.
3. Take control. Offer to bring a low-calorie dish or platter to holiday gatherings. By preparing something that you know fits into your meal plan, you’ll have at least one healthy item on hand and other guests will likely appreciate it.
4. Slow your pace. Eat slowly until you are satisfied, not stuffed. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to signal that you’re feeling full, so enjoy each bite and give yourself time to know when you’ve had enough.
5. Mind your beverages. Drink plenty of water to help feel full and hydrated. Adding a twist of lemon or lime to sparkling water is a lively alternative to alcohol and coffee drinks, which can actually make you feel sluggish. Drink high-calorie seasonal favorites, like egg nog, punch, and full-fat hot chocolate, in moderation.
6. Pair up with a friend. Make a pact that you will support and help keep each other on track. Don’t hesitate to lean on each other if you need encouragement to resist tempting treats or power through a workout. Remember, you’re not the only one refraining from holiday overindulgence.
7. Keep moving. It’s easy to let workouts fall by the wayside. If you aren’t able to set aside time each day for exercise, commit to at least 30 minutes three days per week. Maintaining a workout routine also can help you manage holiday stress by releasing “feel-good” endorphins and provide a “time out” from worry and harried thoughts.
8. Rest up. Make adequate sleep – seven to eight hours – a priority, especially during this busy season. Getting enough rest can help repair your body, keep you mentally sharp, and enable you to be more productive.
9. Make friends and family a priority. Although food and drinks can be a big part of the holiday season, they don’t have to be the focus. Set aside time to spend with good friends and family, making memories that make the holidays worthwhile.
10. Keep your perspective. Be realistic and maintain a long-term view of your weight-loss goals. Overeating one day won’t make or break your plans; just aim to eat healthy and in moderation the next day. Dieting can be especially difficult during the holidays. Focus on maintaining your present weight and look toward the new year as a fresh start.
Remember, there will be many more holidays to enjoy. Employ these tips and come January, you will feel as good about yourself as you did before Thanksgiving – one more reason to celebrate.
The holiday season doesn’t have to create havoc on your weight-loss goals, says TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization. Follow these ten strategies to navigate the eating season for a great time without a great gain.
