ATHS meeting: Speaker Barbara Washer, RN BSN, PMHN

Gil Niceley, served in the US Army Air Forces during World War II. He was a part of the 393rd Bomb squadron.   Gill was the gunner on Straight Flush.  A tail gunner is a crew member on a military aircraft responsible for defending the plane from enemy attacks coming from the rear.  They operate a machine gun positioned at the end of the aircraft, providing a clear view and line of fire towards the back.

Straight flush was the aircraft that flew ahead of the famed Enola Gay which dropped the Hiroshima bomb. The purpose of the Straight Flush was to evaluate the weather and recommend whether to proceed with the mission if it was suitable for a visual drop. Major Claude Buck Eatherly aboard Flush gave the command to crew on  Gay to proceed with the bombing.   Gill described the following feeling when the bomb hit the target Hiroshima, there was a tremendous flash, vibration in the air and the feeling of extreme heat. With a flash, the direction of World War II was changed forever.

Barbara’s professional career as a Registered Nurse has included providing care to medical, surgical, and psychiatric patients.

Barbara’s life has been varied both professionally and personally. Her various roles have included wife, mother, grandmother . She was responsible in the past for coordinating the academic competitions for Hardin County Educational TV, author, and volunteer.

Barbara’s volunteer work for Clarity Solutions for Women is a shining example of her dedication to community service. It reflects her compassionate heart; Barbara is also active in her church, where she serves in the Faith & Health Ministries United United Methodist Church.

Don and Barbara share 3 children and 5 grandchildren. One can picture a hot summer day, Don and Barbara’s family sitting around a table with lace curtains on the windows floating in the wind, sharing an ice cream, southern lemonade and memories at a table in the newly restored ice cream shop.