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Benson’s Days of Valor Salutes War Veterans

Click to see original imagely IJVERL Cl-IRISTENSEN Editor Emeritus Simon K. Benson of Provo. bus driver for Provo School Dish-lct. is a man of many hobbies, One of these encompasses fvrltinz. compiling and ppbltshru;. “Days of Valor.” his latest publishing effort. is a telephone book-size volume saluting war veterans – particularly those who are alumni of Parowan High School. Benson’s alma mater. The book is looseleaf-bound and duplicated from typewritten cog;. nson. formerly argducator and athletic coach. visited Parowui with his new publication recently and found much enthunium for the work. Veterans oi Parngonah are covered also since students of that town attend Parowan High. “Parowan has always been a haven of memories for me? comments Simon. f was there. of course, that he grew up. graduated from high school, had blt parts as an “extra” in a few movies made in Southern Utah, etc. “Days of Valor” includes letters, biographical information. pictures, maps. stories of wartime heroism, and related miscellaoy. Tributre is paid servicemen from the area who lost their lives in wartime. Thirteen died in World War ll Benson says compilation of information on veterans ui the various wars was begun a few Revtew decades ago by Marguerite Orton. a Parowan teacher who assigned students to contact the ex-servicemen. When she moved. she turned the task over to Jean Hendrickson. In turn, Mrs. Hendrickson eventually posed the information on to Benson. who had been a B-L7 co-pilot in War fl bombing missions over Germany. He continues to receive pictures . and infomiation even though he has gone to press with the initial printing. Many of the letters from veterans portray special patriotism and inspiration. Wrote Lyle 0 Halterman: “The sight and memory that will live forever with men returning to the USA Ifrom War ll in Europev was the Statue of Liberty. symbol of freedom Another veteran of the Euro pean campaign. Victor ii. Robinson. said: “Tll always remember the formation of our bombers on Christmas Day 1944 up in the stratosphere making long vapor trails, and their return through the German ackack and tracer shells at mght.” Benson. who sometimes uses the pen name “the Scribbler.” has republished a numbner of histories in past years tu preserve them for present and future generations, mcluding The fron County Mission,” J. M Jensen”s History of Provo. two early PRovo publications by W. M. Wilson. and “This ls the Place” by Margaret Cameron.