Re: Forced to March 500 Miles in Winter

Date: May 27, 2004

"Bob Tharratt was a prisoner of war force ...
By Janice De Jesus STAFF WRITER

Bob Tharratt was a prisoner of war forced to march 500 miles in the dead of winter along with 3,000 prisoners during World War II. He survived to tell his tale.

While serving in the Korean War, the jeep Bob Brownbridge was driving in the winter of 1953 turned over.

And Katie Doherty remembers caring for soldiers during her 30-year career as a Navy nurse. Stationed at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland after the Vietnam War, she recalls making her rounds caring for amputees and talking to them.

"They never complained but I'm sure they were hurting," says Doherty, who retired in 1973. "They were just young boys who'd been sent there and did the best they could."

These are just some of the Walnut Creek veterans being honored at an exhibit commemorating Memorial Day and the Fourth of July at Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum from now through July 4.

The Walnut Creek Historical Society presents "Personal Views of War: Stories, Uniforms, and Memorabilia," in conjunction with the dedication of the new Walnut Creek Veterans Memorial Plaza.

The exhibit features war stories, uniforms, and memorabilia belonging to local veterans and includes memorabilia on loan from the Concord Veterans Center.

But the heart and soul of the exhibit are the veterans' stories written and compiled by historical society board member Gary Ginder. Veterans' individual accounts are captured in vignettes to be read by visitors to the museum and act as a supplemental guide to the memorabilia on display.

"The purpose is to honor the people who served our country at a time when there are so many young people who are called upon to do the same thing," says Ginder. "What we're trying to do, in a dignified way, is make war a reality and to create a meaningful memorial downtown to be dedicated Monday."

The exhibit is not your typical uniform display, says Priscilla Couden, the museum's director.

"This is an opportunity for people to understand a part of Walnut Creek history that is being addressed also by the memorial opening downtown," Couden says.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to sign a poster board remembering loved ones, friends and relatives that have served the country.

The exhibit is meant to be more meditative rather than somber and the idea is to honor the veterans by thinking about the experiences they went through, Couden says.

"We want to emphasize the contributions the city of Walnut Creek has made through the people who served and died during all the wars," she says.

During the exhibit's run, the museum will be open on Sunday, May 30, Memorial Day May 31 and July 4.

Regular museum hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Shadelands Ranch Historical Museum is located at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. For more information, call 925-935-7871.

Reach Janice De Jesus at jdejesus@cctimes.com.
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