Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2008, No. 40 - George was an OSS Spy!

Beta Pi:

IS "BETA PI BLOG" JUNK E-MAIL?: Yes, and no! It is not this e-mail. This e-mail contains some written content of the "Beta Pi Blog", not the entire content. The "blog" is a web-site, it includes pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other time-wasters. To get there, simply "Click on" the web address: http://journals.aol.com/lasimons4law/beta-pi-blog/ .

You guys might remember my Dad George Simons as the wacky guy who attempted to play Wales Tales at "Columbia Tales" and became the well. Herb Ladley smelled the presence of a well, and continually kept hitting on George. The more he got nailed, the funnier he thought it was. Those of you who knew George know he could hold a lot of beer and liquor. Well, now you know - that Columbia Tales game had been infiltrated by a spy . . .

TRUE STORY: GEORGE WAS AN OSS SPY: In the newspaper yesterday was an article, "World War II Spy Ring was 24,000 Strong." The article is about the OSS - The Office of Strategic Services, an early version of the CIA created in World War II. As I read the article (See Link, at right) I remembered my Dad, George H. Simons told me he had served as a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp, and was "undercover" working for the OSS, as a "spy." I could hardly believe it, but my Mom corroborated that he was an undercover guy. She had told me he used to have a shoulder-holster hand gun. All I had were stories, until I read the article. It said the List of people who served in the OSS was being released.

I went online to the National Archives website, and searched the Series Record Group 226, Record of OSS personnel, and you can imagine how excited I was - my Dad’s name showed up on the list. No kidding! I have written to National Archive requesting the record.

Let me tell you one of my favorite stories about my Dad. Using his connections to the federal government, he once got us in to meet Richard Nixon. True story - it was summer of 1968, we were vacationing in Key Biscayne. My Dad was a Nixon fan, and it was no coincidence we were staying at a hotel across the street from the hotel where Candidate Nixon was staying. It was a day or two before the Republican Convention, just days before Nixon would become the Republican Nominee.

So my Dad walks in our hotel room and says "Get dressed, we’re going over to meet Nixon." I was 15 years old, and if you’re a parent you know how 15 year-olds respond to everything - "Dad - you are such an idiot!" That describes my attitude, and I said "No way Dad, you’ll never get close to Nixon." He said "Get in the car, we’re going over to meet Nixon."

We all piled in the station wagon and drove across the street, and as we drove up the hotel driveway and near the hotel, I couldn’t believe it - Pat Nixon came walking out, came right up to our car, and my Dad got out and shook her hand. I expected her to yell for help from the Secret Service - but instead she was standing there, chatting with him, smiling. Then, George got back in our car and informed us we’d been invited inside to meet Richard Nixon! I was in a state of disbelief. It was surreal - we walked in, past guys in blazers, and went in to Nixon’s private cocktail party, and George got to have drinks with Nixon, then we all got photographed with him. I got to shake his hand and talk with him.

Afterward, I asked my Dad how he did it - how he got us in to meet Nixon. He told me he ran into a Secret Service Man, someone he knew in the OSS, and used his connection to get us in. Before that, I thought my Dad might be exaggerating about being an undercover agent. After he got us in to meet Nixon, I believed.

* * *

BLOG TIPS: Be sure to check out the COMMENTS at each issue. This is where your e-mails are posted. Go to the bottom of the blog issue, where it says "This entry has __ Comments" - and click on "Show Recent." There are some great comments. Some brothers are posting their own comments. To do this, click on "Add Your Own."

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of August 6, 2008, the Blog roster stands at 90 Beta Pi brothers, and of those, 83 Tick-a-lo men online who have e-mail addresses. If you have an e-mail address on a Bro’ - it’s up to yo’!

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72