In the last issue of Hair Cuts I fortunately recorded one of the best get-togethers of all times and I ended up with more great material than I could write about in my allotted space. I left out a very important individual who had a remarkable story, so I would like to use the first part of this piece to talk about Mr. Leonard Gilbert of North Port, Florida who was visiting his daughter, Ruth Killian, from Turkey Point, North East, Maryland.

March/April 2007: September 20, 2006 - Leonard Gilbert, Specialist X

As Mr. Leonard Gilbert gingerly climbed into the chair, the conversation going on was about souvenirs of war. This subject was brought up because of a discussion about Robert Hazel’s Autumn 2006 story, The Gift.

“During World War II when I left Japan everybody was given a choice of what you could take home as a souvenir, either a gun or a sword,” offered Mr. Gilbert. When I asked what his choice was, he replied, “Oh, I didn’t take them up on the offer because I had little children at home and I didn’t want any weapons in the house.

“I was in the U.S. Navy during the war serving on the Battleship, USS West Virginia as a Petty Officer Third Class, Specialist X.”

I asked what a Specialist X does and Mr. Gilbert replied, “I was a Navy Combat Correspondent and they didn’t have a class designated for that, so they called us, Specialist X. I was stationed in Okinawa for a six-month campaign and I wrote hometown stuff about the men and ship for a local newspaper, the Bridgeport (Conn.) Post - I ended up working 50 years for them.

“I wrote routine stories, very little combat stuff. There were 126 reporters like myself, each assigned to a ship. One story I wrote went national, AP; it was a history of the Battleship West Virginia … I have clippings of this story.”

Though Herb’s shop was full, (6 customers waiting) there was little banter going on as Mr. Gilbert told his story and he did so with a strong coherent voice. In my mind I was thinking he was a tough old boy who had been around … he commanded respect.

I asked Mr. Gilbert if that was his best story, the one that went national. He replied, “No it wasn’t. I got my best story when we were anchored off Guam. The Japanese released, or were forced to release hundreds of American troops from that island. Our ship received 48 of these brave men, whose entire contingent was captured by the Japanese a few hours after the Pearl Harbor raid.

“I interviewed soldier after soldier with the hope of finding one from my home town. After interviewing 45 of them I had given up hope, when suddenly number 46 said, ‘My name is Charles Bowen and I’m from Bridgeport Connecticut.’”

Mr. Gilbert went on to explain how this young man was captured the first day of the war and spent the entire war in a prison camp, “And let me tell you this, he did hard time.”

His cut complete, Mr. Gilbert literally sprang out of the chair, encouraging me to ask him his age.

“Oh I’m 92, but will be 93 this Halloween.” Upon hearing this, Herb let out a long whistle.

Physically you could see he was in great shape, so I asked him the same question I have asked so many others and I got an answer that I have heard so many times before.

“My father lived to be 103, so I guess I have good genes, but one thing I don’t do, is dwell on the past - even as a young man in the war, I never worried about much.”

His advice was well taken with everyone in the room and it was an honor to shake his hand before he exited the shop.

January 05, 2007 – Dead Batteries

Eighty-one year old, George Rhudy, from North East, Maryland, was perched in Herb’s chair of honor and as I walked in, Herb announced, “Ed, ole George here is quite the historian in this town.”

Excited about the prospect of a good story I fumbled with my digital recorder only to find the batteries were dead, leading Mr. Rhudy to say, “You wouldn’t of gotten anything interesting out of me anyhow.”

I responded, “Everybody has got a good story, Mr. Rhudy … well, at least let me get a photo of you.” I pulled my camera out of its case and turned it on, only to discover, to my horror, another case of dead batteries.

Herb’s shop was full and I soon realized I was the primary subject of entertainment for them - I could tell by all the guffaws I was hearing.

Fortunately I had some spare batteries for the camera and was able to take everyone’s photo for our web site.

This group included, George Rhudy, from North East, Buddy Fields, from Elkton, Larry “Goosman” Keller, from Bear Delaware, Charles Holt, from Elk Neck, Ronald Holmes, from Chesapeake Isles, and William and Doris Warren, from Charlestown Manor.

As luck would have it, this group of good souls would turn out to be one of the best shows I have ever had at Herbs. We laughed together for 90 minutes and I enjoyed it so much I stopped taking notes. Thank you, my friends.