Lansdowne High School - Lahian Yearbook (Lansdowne, PA)

Page 12 text:

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OUR VICTORY CORPS POINTS Tl-lE VVAY ,-L- - --b1 , J if . Liss, J? Ll- ,zrf 'ic - A 'T .pfgiifgx , iffix . 1 . , sill:-J-.2 Victory Corps division flags displayed by lead- ers Durman, Purse, Lar- son, Iordan, and Betson. The clairvoyant pupils of L. H. S. realized early in the year 1942 that one hundred percent participa- tion of all the people of the U. S. A. was necessary if this war was to be won. Students and school ad- ministrators alike racked their brains for an answer to the question What can we do to help? , and the answer came in the form of the government's Victory Corps program, which was adopted before the year was out. L. H. S. was one of the first high schools in this part of the country to set up such a plan. Mr. Griffin was made faculty adviser of our Victory Corps with Paul Sidle assisting him as Stu- dent Commander. An advisory council composed of citizens of Lansdowne, faculty advisers, and student representatives was set up with Mr. Earl Brumbaugh as Chairman. This group discussed the ways and means of organization as well as future activities. The Victory Corps was made up of several divisions such as: General Membership, which was open to the members of all classes of the high school who fulfilled the requirements, Air Service Division, Community Service Division, Land Service Division, and Sea Service Division, all of which were open only to seniors and juniors who met the specified requirements of each individual division. The follow- ing student division captains were selected: Patsy Purse, General Membership, Leo Iordan, Air Serv- ice, Nancy Durman, Community Service, Robert Betson, Land Serviceg and Peter Larson, Sea Service. Each division was broken up into a number of pla- toons Cheaded by lieutenantsl which were, in turn, divided into three squads each. Sergeants, aided by corporals, led the squads. Classes were organized to benefit the boys and girls of the Victory Corps expecting to go into the service of their country in the near future. Instruc- tion in Red Cross work, pre-flight and navigation training, and the fundamentals of radio, along with other courses were offered to Victory Corps members. The most important work of the Victory Corps was to collect scrap metal and rubber, and Red Cross articles from the entire town of Lansdowne. Every other Friday afternoon, throughout March, April, and May, was devoted to this collection. Also, the military drill group as well as representatives from each division, accompanied the Lansdowne selectees to the station when they left to do their part in our united war effort. Undoubtedly the boys liked to know that the people here in Lansdowne were behind them one hundred percent when they left on their march toward Victory. Yes, the Victory Corps has truly been the an- swer to our questiong we can now feel that we are really helping to further our nations cause during these days of struggle. Moreover, the success of this organization was due largely to the untiring efforts of Mr. Griffin. His genuine interest and enthusiasm in the project have stimulated the officers and other members to put their full cooperation behind the work.

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Rifle squad members Stal- cup Kennedy, Scheerer, Grif- fiths Smith, Watkin, and Newberry await commands. WE PREPARE CURSELVES for the VTCTCRY MARCH Realizing that war demands great sacri- fices, Lansdowne High students have devoted much time and energy to the pre-induction and special training courses which are a part of the Victory Corps program. Each afternoon after school, many students have spent their leisure time acquiring one of the many skills needed by a warring nation. Our faculty was well equipped to provide guidance in numer- ous vital subjects. Six courses were offered to the Victory Corpsmen intended to qualify them for membership in the special divisions and to fit them for special duties after graduation, The navigation class taught by Mr. Tammeryn pro- vided for the future sailors of L. H. S. a basic training in the fundamental processes of chart- ing a ships course. The pre-flight aeronautics class was divided into two sections. Mr. Snyder led the elementary class in a study of the back- ground and foundations of aviation, while Mr. Litwhiler imparted to the advanced class a working knowledge of physics and aerody- namics. The airplane donated to this class proved of great value in acquainting the aspir- ing aviators with the mechanics of aviation. The auto mechanics class, taught by Mr. Wen- zel, has proved of special interest to the many girls who realize that they may be called upon to assume men's jobs in the auto industry. The typing classes coached by Miss Lacy, Mr. Kraber, and Mr. Kramer have provided valu- able instruction and practice for future office forces. The military drill squads headed by Mr. Atkiss, Mr. Corbin, and Mr. Epley offered a timely training to our future soldiers, sailors, and marines. The instructors were ably assisted by Louis Steinman, a member of the junior class and formerly of Valley Forge Military Academy, The patience and perseverance of the instructors and members of the courses will doubtless prove of invaluable aid to L. H. S. students in a world at war. l