Milford chronicle., 1953-07-17
GEORGEToWN

&ANeoAe - wa
Plans for launching drive to
obtain a sufficient number of Volun-
teers to man a Ground Observation
Post in the Georgetown area were
discussed in a meeting held in the
Log Cabin, headquarters Of Sussex
Post No. 8, American Legion, here,
on Wednesday night OF last week.
! Speakers Included Sgt. Ira F.
Wilson, Recruiting Officer stationed
at Salisbury, Md. and Capt. E. M.
Wysong, Regional Operations Officer
OF the Ground Observation Corps,
In Baltimore, Md, which is the
litter center for this area. Capt.
WysOng stated there were approxi-
mately 10000 posts in the country,
and gave a brief review of duties in
connection with operation of the
posts.
Until a month ago there was only
one observation post active in
Sussex. At the present time there
are now Ground Observation Posts
active at Rehoboth, Oak Orchard.
Lewes and Milford. It was dis
closed that to operate a post in the
/ Georgetown area at least 168
volunteers will be needed to man the
post on a 24-hOur basis, with each
volunteer serving a two hour period.
In addition there would be needed
number Of reserve volunteers to
replace any unable to serve at the
specified time. The American Legion
and Veterans of Foreign Wars
Posts are sparkling the move to
activate the Ground Observation
Post here and had sought the CO.
operation of all civic groups in the
town as we'll as citizens. The
meeting on Wednesday night had
Ouly one civic club represented, the
Georgetown Kiwanis Club, the re-
naming persons in attendance be-
ing veterans and members of the
VFW Auxiliary.
Hugh P. Smith. Past Commander
of the Legion Post spoke briefly
emphasizing the need for the spot
ting posts and pointed out that the
civilian volunteers corps of spoilers
was nothing new, since the idea
originated in Revolutionary days
as recorded in the history of events
leading up to Paul Revere's Ride.
Another point emphasized during
the discussion was the need for an
awakening on the part of the
general public to the urgent need
and necessity for maintaining
Ground Observation Posts. It was
pointed out that radar is only about
30 per cent effective in detection of
approaching planes, but that with
the addition of observation posts
located at 8 mile intervals, the
'spOtting" would increase .effec-
tiveness to 20 per cent. Also stressed
was the fact that a single enemy
bomber loaded with atom bombs
and able to penetrate any part of
our COastline would cause more
devastation than all the bombs
exploded during the entire World
War III.
Included in the plans for setting
up a post in this area is the seeking
of cooperation of the Sussex County
Levy Court, which will be asked
to permit the use of a building
already constructed and located on
the Sussex Airport. The veterans
organizations plan to continue to
seek cooperation of local Organiza-
tiOns and citizens of the vicinity in
order to put the plan into opera
tiOn.
The speakers for the meeting
were introduced by William Hudson,
Commander of Raymond Reynolds
Post No. 2931. VFW, Of Georgetown,
and discussion of plans was spanked
by Ralph Lyons, Commander of
Sussex Post No 8, American Legion
In the reorganization meeting
held by the Board of Education of
the Georgetown Special School
District, Ralph L. Swain was re-
elected as president of the board
C. Polk Spicer was named as vice
president and w. Carl Uts was
appointed on the Building Main
tenance committee. Joseph r.
Pittard. newly elected member this
year was on the board and George
H. Keen, superintendent of the
school assumed his duties as scre-
tary.
Mrs. Marie Bastianelli was elect
ed on the staff of the elementary
school replacing Miss Christine
Hopkins, resigned. She will teach
the second grade. There are two
vacancies still existing on the staff
for the juniOr-seniOr high school
and action is planned to fill the
vacancies as soon as possible.
The board has set the third
Monday of each month for regular
meetings, at 500 P. NJ. during the
summer and 1880 P. M. when school