Greetings,
Yesterday we told you about our 80th Anniversary of D-Day event scheduled for tomorrow, June 6, 2024, at 2 PM. All of our members and the general public are invited. Arrive early and order lunch.
Our very special guest of honor will be Tomoka Heights resident, 101-year-old, Chester Barber. Chester was there! In the dark of night, behind enemy lines, with shots being fired at all of the unarmed C-47 planes, Chester dropped paratroopers as part of Operation Overlord.
Chester will be our guest at Post 25, along with a few speakers. We will be playing 1940s Big Band music, as well as a recording of Supreme Commander, Dwight D. Eisenhauser’s “Order of the Day Broadcast” recording.
The Post 25 Mess Hall Kitchen will be open for Daily Kitchen Menu items.
When Chester was approaching his 100th birthday, Tomoka Heights resident, Judy Dyer wrote the following brief essay that was distributed to the Tomoka residents.
Let’s make this a great showing, not just for Chester Barber, but for all those who fought, paid the ultimate price, and those who came home.
See you at Post 25!
“Chester Barber Has Nearly 102 Years in His Story” – by Judy Dyer
Chester Barber was born on September 7, 1922, out in the woods near Kissimmee, Florida. The doctor rode a horse to the house to deliver him. He was the fourth son in his family and fortunately, he had a horse to ride. He spent much of his childhood on a horse. He went to school in St. Cloud, Florida, and played football at high school.
Chester and his brothers all served and survived World War II. His mother had four flags with stars in the front window of the house until they all came home. Chester met his wife, Nancy when they were in the second grade. Three months before he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, they were married.
Chester went into the Army Air Corps as a sergeant and was later promoted to Lieutenant. On June 6, 1944, Chester piloted his C-47 dropping paratroopers behind enemy lines. Chester participated in every major drop in Europe except the last one. He also made paratrooper drops in North Africa.
When Chester came home, he was offered a pilot job with Eastern Airlines, but said that he didn’t want to, “… tax the Lord…”.
During the war, the government sent monthly $100 payments to Chester’s family. His father bought land, primarily Florida lakefront property, for his son. That started Chester’s career as a “Land Man”. Chester said, “The Lord took care of us.”
Later, Chester became a real estate broker. He said he learned from his Scottish Grandma Stratton, who was a horse trader. “I’ll sell anything!” After living in several different areas of Florida and Arizona, Chester continued his land trading in the Tomoka Heights community, in Lake Placid. To date, Chester has bought and sold seven houses in the community.
Chester was also a community leader. He served as Chairman of the Deacons at First Baptist Church of St. Cloud and served as Osceola County Commissioner four times. In his government capacity, he had the honor of meeting Walt Disney.
When asked for longevity tips, Chester offered this; “Be blessed enough to be born to two people with common sense, and to be smart enough to listen to what they say. My parents fed us vegetables and buttermilk. Don’t make a drunk out of yourself and no tobacco. Be lucky to have a wife like my Nancy and when she’s gone, to find someone like my housekeeper, Mercy to take care of you.”
Reminisced to Judy Dyer
Tomoka Heights, August 2022