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WWII vet, ex-POW first here to receives 34-cent veterans stamp

By Rose Hooper
Veterans

From one vet to another. Sylva Postmaster Steve Allen (right), a U.S. Army veteran of Vietnam, and clerk Richard Moore (center), a 12-year veteran of the U.S. Army, present World War II U.S. Army veteran and ex-POW Jim Haskett with the first sheet of commemorate 34-cent "Honoring Veterans" stamps. The U.S. Postal Service unveiled the stamps just in time for Memorial Day, May 28. In addition to Allen and Moore, postal employees Corey Edwards, Ron Rogers, Roy Green and Lloyd Brown are also veterans. - Herald photo by Rose Hooper

 The U.S. Post Office unveiled its new 34-cent stamp honoring veterans Wednesday, May 23. First in line to receive a sheet at the Sylva Post Office was veteran Jim Haskett of Sylva.

"As soon as we received our shipment, I called Jim," said Postmaster Steve Allen. "Jim comes in all the time asking for veterans stamps. The timing on these is good ­ to have them for Memorial Day, May 28."

If he could, Haskett, who describes himself as "patriotic," would buy nothing but commemorative veterans stamps. They just don't manufacture them enough to suit this World War II veteran and former prisoner of war.

"I think more people should show their pride for our country and our veterans and specifically ask for veterans stamps," said Haskett, who doesn't collect them but uses them for mailing letters. As Memorial Day approaches Haskett recalls his Army days.

"I went to Africa, then to Sicily and Italy and ended up on the front lines of Mt. Casino," he said. "When I came back down to Naples, I took amphibious training and was the third man to hit Angio Beach Head in Italy during that fateful landing in Jan. 30, 1944.

"There was nothing but the Mediterranean Sea behind me and German soldiers in front of me... there was nowhere to go but forward," said this scout who was the first to be shot at. In his battalion of several hundred men, all were killed or captured that day. Haskett became a prisoner of war for the next 14 1/2 months.

"When the Russians got too close to our camp, the Germans moved us out and kept us walking. For three straight months we walked, spending the night sleeping on roadsides, trying to huddle together to keep warm."

Haskett, who ran the Parkway Restaurant for 21 years, said he was hungry throughout those 14 1/2 months.

"I dreamed of food in my sleep," said Haskett, who dropped from 170 pounds to 90 pounds. "Our food was just grease from vegetables and the only substance was the bugs in it. You wouldn't think you would be able to eat it, but you did to survive."

For Haskett, Friday the 13th is a lucky day. The Fourth Armored Division liberated him and his fellow POWs on Friday, April 13, 1945.

Sometimes, especially on a real cold, rainy night, Haskett will wake up suddenly from a deep sleep and wonder if he is back in the war. "I get up and look out the window and I'm O.K."

School teachers invite Haskett to speak to their classes about his war-time experiences. "I remember one student asked me if during those 14 1/2 months when no Americans came to rescue us if I ever gave up hope and thought about going over to the other side."

Without hesitation, Haskett replied with an emphatic "No!"

Haskett belongs to the American Legion, the VFW, Disabled Vets and Western North Carolina Ex-Prisoners of War.

Back to Archive: 05/24/01.