Eldred World War II Museum and the 48-Star Flag
In May 2007, Dad sent an email message as follows:
To all of the Moyer-Charles-Smith-Hamilton, etc. Clan:
Several years ago, my fine brother, Ray, gave me a large United States flag, which had been given him by Aunt Stella Charles.
It had been presented to her upon the death of her only child, Carroll. Carroll C. Charles, age 22, then a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps, had been killed in action on July 21, 1944 during the recapture and liberation of the island of Guam, where he is buried.
I guess since I was a veteran, Ray thought I ought to have it. I received it as an honor to Carroll, whom we all liked very much.
I displayed it several times; it took a ladder to put it up; and it covered quite a stretch of the house.
Since the flag will outlast me, I have pondered how best to put it to use. My old veterans group met last month near Cook Forest and my friend Bill still survived to attend. (We never know, at our age.) Capt. William M. Scheiterle, Sr., U.S. Marine Corps, Ret'd., happens to be on the board of directors of
the Eldred WWII Museum and Learning Center, and still a "spark plug" there.
This museum is a first class institution located in Eldred, PA, the site of a munitions plant in the north-central part of the state. It made munitions for both the United Kingdom and the United States. It employed 1500 employees, 95% of them women.
I asked Bill if the museum would have a good use for the flag. He assured me that they certainly would and would be glad to have it, especially since it has 48 stars! So I mailed it to him last week along with a map and details concerning Carroll. His response:
"These items will become a major part of the new and expanded CBI (China-Burma-India) Exhibit, Bob, - and I know that any CBI Vet who sees them will get as big a thrill as I did. Bob, if you are in contact with any of the relatives of the Charles family please advise them of the disposition of the flag, - and the reverence we hold it in. These items - tho' only a piece of cloth to the casual observer, - mean an awful lot to the folks who realize where and what they represent."
So, I'd appreciate it if you'd give this info to all living survivors of Carroll that you can contact.
Love, Bob