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A SALUTE TO A VETERAN

Remember the first time you rode an airplane or the adrenaline rush you felt when you first flew in a plane powered by a jet engine? Caroline Coleman Thomas, one of our many veterans living at Kirby Pines, was a member of the prestigious 101st Airborne Division of the US Army. Her experience as a paratrooper included not only many flights, but 325 jumps with a parachute. Later on, she would rappel from a helicopter 270 times WITHOUT a parachute. Talk about an adrenaline rush!

Caroline Thomas is an outstanding representative of the many veterans living at Kirby Pines. To all of them, we offer our thanks for their courageous and often dangerous efforts which allow us to have the freedom we enjoy today. Here is Caroline’s story:

Caroline Coleman was born into a military family. Both her father and mother served during World War II. Her mother was a member of the Women’s Air Corp and was assigned to the Japanese Intelligence Office in the Pentagon. Caroline began her life in December of 1952 in Laramie, Wyoming. Her family moved often during her early life, but Caroline, at age 11, along with her parents, brother and sister, found a permanent home in Little Rock, Arkansas where her father was the State Veterinarian for Arkansas.

While in high school, Caroline met her future husband, Van Thomas. Van graduated from The Citadel with a BS in Business Administration. Caroline graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a BS in Foods and Nutrition. She later received a Masters in Business Administration from Emory Riddle Aeronautical University. After their marriage, they joined the US Army together.

After completing basic training, Caroline was sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds to train as an automotive mechanic. Van was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia to train as an infantry soldier. Caroline would later join Van at Fort Benning where they both trained as paratroopers. Caroline won her Airborne Wings and began her 325 parachute jumps.

After completing this training, Caroline and Van were stationed with the 101st Airborne Division/Air Assault at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where they both received training as Air Assault Troopers. As you may remember, the 101st Airborne Division became famous for their efforts in defeating the Germans in “The Battle of the Bulge” in World War II. The series Band of Brothers depicts their bravery.

Caroline won her Air Assault Wings and began rappelling out of helicopters. Caroline jokes that the only difference between jumping out of an airplane and jumping out of a helicopter is with one you have a parachute, the other you don’t! As Caroline explained, the reason for the rappelling from a helicopter is that you can fly low and then rappel through the trees, as in the jungle. A parachute would get tangled in the trees.

In June 1984 Caroline and Van were assigned to Camp Casey in Korea. They became members of the 2nd Infantry Division which was deployed to guard the DMZ between North and South Korea. Because it was considered a combat zone, they remained there for only one year.

Upon returning from Korea, Caroline was again assigned to the 101st Airborne/Air Assault Division. In the summer of 1985, Caroline and Van were assigned to the Sinai Desert as part of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force and Observers. After six months in the Sinai Desert, Van was flying home for Christmas when the plane crashed in Gander, Newfoundland, killing everyone on board. The loss of 248 soldiers from the 101st Division was approximately one-third of their total number. Such a devastating blow to the families of America.

Caroline received many medals and meritorious badges from the US Army for her service. They include one for Meritorious Service, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Sharp Shooter Medal, and as previously mentioned, her Parachute and Air Assault Wings. She served eight years in the military and retired in 1989 to private life. Following discharge, Caroline worked in several warehouses driving a forklift. She later became a minister’s assistant at Christ United Methodist Church. She was also the caregiver for her mother, who was completely blind, for 10 years.

Caroline moved from her home in Collierville to a garden home at Kirby Pines in October of 2015. Her humor and pleasant personality are her trademark. She loves her cats, Max, Ava and Ginger. She also loves spending time at her computer. She plans to resume her former hobby of knitting and has hopes of learning to crochet. She is a member of Bellevue Baptist Church, which she attends regularly.

Caroline Thomas has a special place in the family at Kirby Pines. The sacrifices she made for our country cannot be fully appreciated but let us remember to thank Caroline and all of our veterans. Caroline, for your courageous and exemplary life in the military, We Salute You!

Written by Joan Dodson, Kirby Pines Resident

A PORTRAIT OF THE CALLAWAYS

On April 5, 1936, a devastating tornado destroyed the home of the Callaway family in Tupelo, Mississippi. That tornado 78 years ago leveled 48 blocks and killed 200 people, injuring many more. Five-year-old Gene Callaway, along with his mother and brother, were trapped under debris and exposed to rain, thunder, and lightning for 30 minutes before being rescued. Fortunately for those of us at Kirby Pines and the world, Gene Callaway survived to become a prolific and famous artist.

Eugene Craven Callaway was born December 23, 1931, in Tupelo, Mississippi. His father worked for the TVA in East Tennessee and his mother was a homemaker for Gene and his brother in Tupelo. During the summer the boys, along with their mother, traveled with their father.

Following the destruction of their home, Gene’s father rebuilt and the family remained there until 1980. Gene finished high school and came to Memphis to enter business school. To avoid being drafted into the Army, Gene volunteered for the Air Force and was sent to Korea as an Adjutant’s secretary.

While stationed in the states, he attended Kansas City Junior College and Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Upon leaving the Air Force, Gene entered Memphis State University, receiving a Bachelors in Business. He was hired as an accountant by Ford Motor Company, but lacking seniority, he became unemployed when the company moved to Ohio. He re-entered Memphis State and received his Masters in Educational Administration. Following eight years of teaching at Kingsbury High School, Gene was promoted to Principal and served at White Station High School, Bethel Grove, and Cromwell Elementary Schools.

As a teenager Gene, being musically inclined, learned to play the piano and played for the Wesley Methodist Church. He also became interested in family history and genealogy becoming a charter member of the Callaway Family Association, Inc. Since 1975 he has served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President and President from 1993- 96. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Confederacy, Clan McLeod Society and the Tennessee Genealogical Society.

Upon retirement, Gene became an accomplished artist, ballroom and tap dancer and is known as “Twinkle Toes” Callaway by his friends. Portraiture became his love. His expertise led him to his acceptance into the art world. He was a member of the Memphis-Germantown Art League, the Bartlett Art Association and has exhibited his works in many shows. Currently, his paintings are in private collections internationally, museums, churches, and the Callaway Archives, Lagrange, Georgia.

Sara Bennett Callaway was born in New Albany, Mississippi in 1941. Her father was a farmer and business owner and her mother was a homemaker. She has one sister. During high school, Sara played varsity sports, playing basketball for four years. Even then, Sara was elected most dignified and best dressed! After graduating from Blue Mountain College, she began a teaching career at Grand Junction High School. While there she enrolled at Memphis State and received her Masters in Education and Guidance Certification. She then served the Hardeman County School System as Guidance Supervisor. Later, she became a Certified Counselor with the Memphis City School System.

Following a New Year’s Eve blind date, Sara became “smitten” with the rising, young principal, Eugene Callaway. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1967, and became parents to one daughter, Sara Elizabeth Callaway, now deceased. Following her daughter’s death, Sara became interested in duplicate bridge, traveling to bridge tournaments all over the South. She achieved the level of Life Master and beyond. To this day, bridge is her passion. The passion has given her the opportunity to meet many bridge greats such as Omar Shariff. Sara’s past hobby was crewel embroidery, English smocking, and needlepoint.

Upon retirement Sara has served in many volunteer organizations including Friends of the Orpheum, Stage Set Theater Memphis, where she served on the Board of Directors, The Callaway Family Association, serving as the newsletter director, the Salvation Army, and Church Health Center. For years she served with the 20/20 Vision Screening Center of Emmanuel Methodist Church. Sara and Gene have retained their membership at EMC since 1968. Gene has six paintings hung there.

In August of 2017, the Callaways moved from Germantown to Kirby Pines. Gene’s artistic and musical talents are greatly appreciated. His warm smile and gentle personality invite a warm reception. Sara has many talents and life experiences. Her beautiful styling and warm disposition make for an impressive image.

Both Sara and Gene are true assets for our family at Kirby Pines.