Bio: Bauer, Ralph (11 Feb. 1943)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email:  crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bauer, Gassen

----Sources: The Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 11 Feb.1943

Pfc. Ralph Bauer, located in Hawaii, recently gave his wife, the formerly Miss Annabelle Gassen, of this city, an interesting account of a celebration which the natives of that island arranged for the Wisconsin boys now serving in the U. S. Service there. The party, which was held on the University campus, was given in appreciation of the fine treatment which is accorded their boys who are stationed at Camp McCoy.

A few paragraphs are quoted herewith from Pfc. Bauer’s letter:

"The affair started at one p.m. We arrived at 11:30, in time to watch them roast the pigs. The cooking is done through a steaming process in pits filled with rocks and covered with leaves and sacks. The steam emitting from the rocks does the cooking. It was very interesting and the result was the most delicious pork I have ever tasted."

"We had dinner at one p.m., on schedule time, at long tables on the campus under large canvas canopies. When the 500 boys sat down they were allowed to pick the girl they wished to sit beside, for they had seated a girl in every other chair. They had invited the junior and senior girls of a large high school to attend. There were various Hawaiian dishes, fish and pudding."

"For entertainment there was music by glee clubs, solos and hula dancing. Printed menus were provided. After dinner, there was a dance in a large hall at the University. It was beautiful place, with tile floor and large palms all over the hall. Furnishing the music was an all-colored singing band from the army, made up of popular fellows chose from *rest cut off. *