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May 21, 2009 - Local WAC remembers terminal

Community Press

Bert Franklin Calvert was a member of the WAAC for a little more than three years, serving her country in Calcutta, India, and a handful of stateside assignments in her three-year stint.

Calvert remembers her first visit to Cincinnati as she began her service with the WAAC. The Cincinnati Union Terminal was home to the first United Service Organizations Troops in Transit Lounge in the county.

Calvert said she had never visited the area before:

"My first visit to Union Terminal was in February 1943. I had just enlisted in the WAAC and was being sent to Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., for basic training. I boarded a train in Chicago in the evening and spent the night in a berth. When we got up in the morning we were told we would get breakfast here. We asked where we were and were told Cincinnati, Ohio.

"After eating breakfast, we went in the terminal and were absolutely awestruck at the gorgeous murals all around the building. Then we went outside and admired the beautiful fountain in front of the building. We were certainly impressed with Cincinnati.

"Little did I know that I would meet my future husband, George, in Calcutta, India, and would spend the rest of my life here in his hometown.

"Many times I would board the James Whitcomb Rily at Union Terminal for a visit to my hometown, Chicago.

"Union Terminal, you are so beautiful and my memories of you are all happy ones."

Bing Franklin Calvert
White Oak

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