Camp Pickett, Virginia - Oct 23, 1942

     During the summer of 1942, the Army 3rd Division trained at Fort Ord in preparation for the United States' involvement in World War II.  In September of that year the Lt. John B. Armstrong as a member of the 3rd Division was transferred across the country to Camp Pickett near Blackstone, Virginia.  At Camp Pickett the 3rd Division went through final training for what was then a secret operation.  According to history books only 800 people in the army and government in America and England knew the final objective.

     Word must have trickled down to Elmer John Armstrong, at that time a Major in the Army and stationed at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. He somehow learned that his son was about to be sent  overseas.  He visited his son at Camp Pickett only a few days before John was deployed.

     The following picture of Major (later Colonel) Elmer Armstrong and Lt. (later Captain) John Armstrong was taken on Oct. 23, 1942.  On Oct 24, 1942 over 100 ships and 35,000 troops began leaving Virginia and other locations on the east coast for the start of Operation Torch.

Father and Son on Oct 23, 1942 at Camp Pickett
Major Elmer J. Armstrong and Lt. John B. Armstrong

Presidents

    We are heading out this morning to visit the Reagan Presidential Library with the special exhibit about Lincoln.   It got me to thinking about how our ancestors lives might have intertwined with those of presidents.
     Elisha Gates was born just after George Washington was inaugurated and died during Abraham Lincoln's first term.  His life spanned the terms of sixteen presidents.  He might have seen President William Henry Harrison since they both fought in the Battle of the Thames.  It is unlikely though that a general would have had much to do with a lowly private.  

    My Baylor ancestor's may have heard President Lincoln when he gave a speech in Bloomington, Illinois on May 29, 1856.
     My mother used to tell me a story of her ancestor who served with George Washington at Valley Forge and participated in the Crossing of the Delaware.  Unfortunately, I haven't proved if this is true or who it might be.  She also told me that my ancestor was in the front of the boat in the picture.  Based on when and where the painting was made, I question the veracity of that fact.   
     I do know that my Grandfather served with Dwight D. Eisenhower when they were both stationed in Panama after World War I.  Grandpa and Grandma Armstrong lived next door to the Eisenhowers and enjoyed playing cards together.  My dad was about ten years old at the time and remembered the Eisenhowers.   Grandma Armstrong used to shop with Mamie Eisenhower and they both bought the same china set in Panama.  You can see that china on the Thanksgiving dinner table in the adjacent picture.
     My granddaughters are related to Lincoln through his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln.  Which brings us to the main reason we are visiting the Reagan Presidential Library - the Lincoln Exhibit.