George Alden Sundlie

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on November 14, 2004:

George Alden Sundlie Born February 14, 1928 - Died September 26, 1952 Our son would be the first to protest a tribute written to him. He was modest and unpretentious, always shrinking from focusing attention upon himself. He was an outstanding individual in many ways, showing the ability of leadership while still very young. He was fun-loving, sympathetic and thoughtful of others. He possessed a rare talent for wit and humor. Alden was born on February 14, 1928 in Minot, North Dakota. He was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. G. K. Sundlie. When he was three years old the family moved to Moorhead, Minnesota, where he attended kindergarten and the first grade of school. At age of six he moved with his parents to Salem, Oregon, where he received his education through high school. Alden had a very happy, normal childhood, enjoying the sports that all boys do. His interests were many and varied: Sunday School, Scouting, earning the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout and earning the bronze palm. He was an officer and charter member of the Order of the Arrow in Salem. Swimming for fun developed into a major sport for him. He was active in YMCA work in its many phases, at the desk, and as a helper in carrying out the entertainment program which the Y regularly provided for migrant workers in the hop yards. He was an Aquatic Examiner and Red Cross Water Safety Instructor at the camp in summer, and attended the pool afternoons and evenings while he was in school. He had the privilege of going out to other high schools in the surrounding country to speak to student groups in behalf of Hy-Y work. He served as president of the Stagecraft Club several terms while in High School. He headed a small group of Scouts that collected four tons of paper in the fall of 1941. He volunteered his services as a projector operator to go around in Marion County showing pictures on National Defense, to help people to know what to do in case of emergency. During the summers of 1943 and 1944 he was waterfront director at Camp "Pioneer" and did a host of other things that an ambitious industrious boy could find to do. The year that Alden was a senior in high school he, with a couple of other boys, was instrumental in organizing Salem High School's first swimming team. He made arrangements for the team to use the YMCA pool after nine in the evening, since the high school did not have a pool. Alden was chosen Captain of that team. It won the grand sweepstakes trophy of the State. Alden loved good music, and had quite a collection of good records. He collected stamps as a hobby, and from the time he was eight years old through his entire life they were a source of education, enjoyment and comfort to him. He left quite a collection of fine stamps, and some day we hope that little Scott Alden may find the same pleasure in them that his father did. Alden was granted a scholarship, based on scholastic ability, to the University of Oregon, when graduated from high school. He attended Oregon University for two years. He was a member of the Varsity Swimming team, earning his letter in both years. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the Letterman's Club. In January 1947 he received his appointment to West Point from Senator Cordon. It was a cherished dream come true. He entered West Point before ten o'clock on July 3, 1947. The four years he spent there were long and hard, yet deep and rich in many experiences. He was a member of the "A" swimming team at the Point in 1947 and 1948, and a member of the Water Polo team in the Spring of 1948. He coached an undefeated swimming team in intramural competition at Camp Buckner in the summer of 1948. His weekly letters home were full of the life he lived there, sharing it as completely as possible with us; and we knew that he was still following the criterion he had set for himself years ago: "Whatever I do, I will do it the very best I can, then there will be a greater task for me." At an early age he had learned the peace and comfort of prayer. It was a source of pride with him that he could talk things over with God. Graduation from West Point in June 1951 was a high point in all of our lives. On June 16, 1951 Alden married Sally Ann Meyer of St. Petersburg, Florida. For more than a year he lived the full life of a happily married man. On May 7, 1952 a little son was born. He was his father in miniature. Alden graduated from Reese Air Base at Lubbock, Texas in August, 1952. He brought his little family home for the first time, because of his father's illness. He requested an extension of his leave, and received it. Early on the morning of September 26, 1952, Alden, Sally Ann and baby Scott Alden left our home in their car, headed for Randolph Field, at San Antonio, Texas. A car came on the highway from a side road without stopping. With a huge freight truck bearing down from the opposite direction, there was a horrible accident. Our son passed to the great beyond in less than forty minutes; his wife and little son survived, for which we are grateful. Alden's memory shall be a living monument to the finest in American manhood, and a constant and living influence for Christian life and character in the hearts and minds of those who knew him. We, his parents, shall always be grateful that we were allowed those precious twenty-four and one-half years of his life. Alden was laid to rest on September 30, 1952 in the family plot at the Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon. "There is only a curtain between us Between the beyond and here, They are not dead, only promoted, They have entered the order above. And there 'neath the similes of the Master They will finish their labor of love." Mr. and Mrs. G. K. Sundlie

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