Memoirs of former Sun Valley man accepted into George H.W. Bush library
BY MARIA PREKEGES
In his book “The Greatest Generation,” Tom Brokaw wrote that the “World War II generation shares so many common values: duty, honor, country, personal responsibility and the marriage vow.”
“For better or for worse—it was the last generation in which, broadly speaking, marriage was a commitment and divorce was not an option,” Brokaw wrote.
Brokow’s description can be aptly applied to WWII veteran and former Sun Valley resident Douglas Barman, who was married to Betsy Woods Barman for 62 years until she passed away in 2013. During the marriage, the Barmans raised seven children.
Now 90, Barman just released his autobiography, “As I Recall,” which takes readers through not only his memories of war and career, but shares a personal side of a generation that will always be looked upon as one of the greatest of all time.
The book’s cover jacket entices readers with quotes, providing a feel for the stories that lie within and giving insights into Douglas Barman – who he was and still is – and the life experiences that have molded him.
Barman was only 15 on Dec. 7, 1941. He recalls where he was and his thoughts when he heard the news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in a recent interview with The Weekly Sun.
“I was at Konig’s Drug Store listening to the radio when I first heard the news,” he said. “I guess my first thought was to run home and tell my parents ’cause I didn’t know if they had heard it, as they might not have had the radio on.
“Then I thought of the invincibility of a young boy and I felt very strongly that I was ready to go fight, but I was too young at that time.”
But with the war lasting four more years, Barman came of age and was drafted after finishing high school.
“I worked for my uncle for a few weeks because when you’re really close to being drafted, no one will hire you, so my uncle gave me a job.”
Before being drafted, he spoke with a man who was serving in the Army at the time who recommended that he join the Navy.
Barman chuckled with the memory: “So when I went into the draft office, I said I’d like to serve in the Navy and the man in the office said, ‘Sorry, today is Army day.’
“I wanted to serve in the Navy because they got three meals a day, better sleeping conditions, and heck, you might be blown up, but at least you’d be clean.”
So it was the Army for Douglas Barman, who served as a machine gunner and spent his time in the Pacific Theatre. He also served in Korea.
Since many who have served in the armed forces have had to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, Barman was asked what the difference was with him before and after the war.
“The time before the war, I was excited, but I was also very happy that the war was over, and instead of thinking about all the bad things, I just got them out of my mind,” he said.
K. MacKenzie Freeman, who is co-author of the Barman book, added that Barman “had a lot of self-discipline, being able to put those horrible things out of his head. In interviewing him, this self-discipline came through many times in his life.”
After leaving the military, Barman went to college and earned a degree in geophysics.
“I studied hard,” he said. “During the summer before my senior year, I went to work at Texaco. It was interesting working on a refraction crew looking for oil and gas.
“The first time I was out on the field I remember they said if you hit quicksand, just fall forward,” Barman said with a chuckle.
After graduation, Texaco hired him full time and he spent his next 36 years working for the company. It was during his career at Texaco that he met and became friends with President George H.W. Bush, who was then U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
After retirement from Texaco, Barman and his wife moved to Sun Valley in 1992, where they stayed until 2011.
“We lived right across from the 17th tee,” he said. “I love Sun Valley. I love the whole damn thing. We came out to get away from the freeways. We loved our home. I loved the people, the church, I loved everything there. I loved to ski and hike and bike.”
Betsy Barman, unfortunately, suffered from a number of health conditions and doctors advised that they leave Sun Valley for a lower elevation, so the couple moved to a retirement community in Lake Oswego, Ore.
Barman described the move in the book: “Letting go of that house and leaving Sun Valley was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
Barman’s youngest son, Doug Barman, explained why his father’s book is so important, to not only him and his family, but to the reading public.
“When I read it as part of the editing process, I probably didn’t know 60 percent of this book, which was amazing,” Doug Barman said. “But learning what it was really like growing up in the Depression, learning about World War II, learning how to go through college, their lifestyle, and then a totally indifferent professional career – they worked for one company – it was just a totally different era and a totally different time. And the whole group – the integrity, the honesty, the love of our country; you can see that come out in the book, and it’s just eye opening and it’s my dad.”
“As I Recall” has been accepted into the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.
“We feel that his personal story will provide a more expansive view of the understanding of events which transpired during much of the 20th century, including those having to do with President Bush,” said Deborah Wheeler, supervisory archivist at the library. “In addition, we appreciate that his willingness to share his story is the true gift, not only for his own children and grandchildren, but also presents a rich picture of the historical narrative for the generations to come. We are pleased to add it to our research room collection and make it available to the public.”