POW Lunch Assists War Veterans

Bethany Beach Wave - Bethany Beach, DE, USA

Organization exists 'to help those who cannot help themselves,' wife says

By Candice Evans • Staff Writer • December 13, 2008

SALISBURY -- During World War II, Frank Wright of the 331 Infantry, 83rd Division, dodged enemy fire after they landed on Omaha Beach in France on June 23, 1944.

A staff sergeant in one of three squads, Wright and his crew received orders to occupy the town of Carentan, an area scouting reports indicated "was not loaded with Germans," the Cambridge resident said.

But the reports proved wrong, he added. At dawn of July 4, 1944, they launched an attack against a German Panzer Unit.

"Fighting was bloody, causalities were high, and in fewer than two hours after we crossed the line of departure we were captured," said Wright, 86, who joined 12 fellow members of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Maryland-East Chapter for a luncheon at the Fountains Table Restaurant & Bar on Friday.

"The Germans had us trapped and there was little choice except to surrender. It was hand-to-hand combat at which time I was hit in the jaw with a rifle and was taken POW. Of the 37 men sent on the mission, only six of us were not killed or wounded."

Founded in the late 1980s, American Ex-POW organization exists "to help those who cannot help themselves," said Helen Sangermano, the wife of the organization's commander, Joe Sangermano. Their wives and next of kin are also members.

These ex-prisoners of war meet four times a year to discuss their experiences and seek camaraderie, which has bonded them and their wives together in a unique way, she said. They also address how they can help one another with their veterans' opportunities and health care benefits.

In 1995, the group had 25 members, consisting of former prisoners of war in World War II and one Korean War veteran, Sangermano said. Now, there are only 12 members left, two of which are in nursing homes.

"Each of us has ailments that are holding us back," Joe Sangermano announced at the start of the luncheon. "As time goes on, we need to continue to help each other as much as we can."

Even though her husband is deceased, Edna Esham of Georgetown still attends meetings because she said "it's a good group of people to be with."

Wright's daughter, Beth Reed, 53, who joined her father Friday, read the American Ex-POW's "The Empty Table" speech next to a vacant table in the center of the room.

"It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our armed forces are missing from our ranks -- they are referred to as POW/ MIA's," Reed said. "We call them Comrade. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families, so we can join together to pay humble tribute to them and to bear witness to their continued absence."

At the POW camp, Wright said daily rations, consisting of a loaf of bread and a canteen cup of soup, had to be split between five to seven men.

"After I had lost more than 40 pounds, I worked on a farm digging potatoes and was allowed an extra bowl of soup a day," said Wright, who weighed 98 pounds at the time. "The rooms in the camps were about 10 feet by 14 feet for 18 men. You received one blanket and slept on boards. There was no linen, no footwear and no clothing."

On Jan. 1, 1945, a small Russian tank company liberated Wright's camp and supplied the men with weapons, he said.

He left with two other soldiers.

Despite harsh treatment and conditions for nearly six months, Wright said he always knew that he would survive the experience.

"We prayed," he said. "That was all you could do."

cevans@dmg.gannett.com