Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 9, 1995 TAG: 9505090105
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BREEA WILLINGHAM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
With pictures, medals and plenty of memories, 73-year-old Selene Weise told students at Roanoke County's Cave Spring High School about her experiences in the Signal Corps in World War II.
``I was 22 when I went to war and served as a cryptographer. I deciphered codes. It was very top-secret work,'' Weise said.
``With 50 years in hindsight, it was the most defining time of my life. It's hard to believe I only served 22 months as a Signal Corps Wac.''
During her time as a Wac - a member of the Women's Army Corps - Weise served in countries such as the Philippines and New Guinea, where she spent her 23rd birthday. She received several medals, including the Philippines liberation medal and a good conduct medal ``for what I didn't get caught doing.''
After she was discharged in 1945, Weise said, ``my brother didn't speak to me for 25 years ... because he felt women weren't supposed to be in the war.''
Shortly after returning from the war, Weise went to college.
``It took me 23 years to get my bachelor's degree - I had three kids and worked in between time,'' she said. She finally graduated in 1968 from Washington University in St. Louis with a double major in political science and economics and went on to receive her master's degree in communications and a doctorate from Syracuse University.
Weise was among more than 20 veterans from both world wars and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars to talk to students Monday as part of the ``Living History'' program at the Salem Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Denise Clark, the program's coordinator at the center, started it three years ago after Korean War veteran Waldo Cook, who has since died, touched her life.
``I was so inspired by his courage and strength that I decided to start the program. This is a way I can give back to the vets,'' Clark said.
The program runs throughout the school year with interviews and guest-speaker presentations.
Cave Spring history teacher Peter Lustig, the program's coordinator at the school, said it is the best history lesson he can give.
``As a teacher, I'm always interested in bringing information to my students and making history come alive. These are real stories connected by time, and it's difficult to bring words alive. This is a rare opportunity to make it come alive for my students through the ears and eyes of veterans,'' Lustig said.
Lustig said the program produces new relationships among the students and the veterans. ``Some students who are critical of the vets form a close bond with them and they now like that veteran. It opens the younger generation to the older generation.''
Anna Ray, a junior, said a history book didn't compare to what she learned from the program.
``I thought it was very educational and it was better to learn this way rather than read it in a history book. It's amazing that these people lived through so much history we only read about," she said.
``Textbooks are so black and white, and this program helped us get a better understanding of their situations,'' added junior Peter Nevin.
Clark said the veterans also benefit from the program. ``This is part of a healing process for the veterans. A lot of them find it hard to talk about their experiences, and this helps them. They want people to know they're still giving back to the community.''
Weise is writing a book about her experiences. ``Looking back on everything I've learned, I ask myself, `Would I do it again?''' she said.
She paused and smiled. ``You bet I would.''
by CNB