REX REHEIS AT FT. RILEY
By Kelly McNichols
An Army Chaplain once told me that it is easier to ask for forgiveness that it is to ask for permission.
On April 6, 2005, I hosted a memorial service for Finley C. Smith, Jr.
and the crew of Seabiscuit. The original pilot of #6023 was Herman
“Rex” Reheis who flew the brand new B-25 from the States to Townsville,
Australia. Rex mentioned that prior to being a pilot, he had been in
the Horse Cavalry at Ft. Riley, KS in 1935. He shared many stories with
me about the Cavalry while at the fort. On his
trip from Georgia, Rex wanted to stop by the fort and look around since it was on the way to my place in Kansas.
I thought that a former cavalry member returning to the fort seventy
years later would be a good story, so I got in touch with the Public
Relations Office. One person transferred me to another and finally I
was talking with a Major. He asked me what I wanted him to do. I just
wanted someone show Rex around the fort. He informed me that they
didn’t do that. According to him, individuals aren’t shown around the
fort. I questioned how many former cavalrymen returned to visit seventy
years after being stationed. The Major indicated that he hadn’t heard
of any. I was only asking the Army to show this former cavalryman and
WWII veteran pilot a little respect by taking a few moments to show Rex
around the base. I didn’t think that was asking too much. The Major
told me that he would take care of it. I didn’t have good feeling about
the conversation. I gave the Major information on how to contact Rex. I
shared with Rex my discussion with the base personnel. Several weeks went by and neither he nor I heard anything.
Since the deadline for Rex’s visit to Kansas was nearing. I called the
Major again. He hadn’t set up anything, but he assured me that he
would “take care of it”. My track record with the Major left much to be
desired and not knowing what else to do, I called the local newspaper
in Junction City, KS. After explaining my predicament and asking for
any ideas, the women I was talking with said, “You need to talk to
General Seitz”. I asked who General Seitz was. This lady stated, “He is
someone who gets things done”. I recognized that this was my man.
I found his name and address and called. He asked why I called him. I
mentioned I had been informed he was someone who gets things done. The
General listened while I explained my dilemma. After I shared the story
if talking with the Major, the General was rather indignant and he told
me he would take care of it. He assured that he would make a call and
someone would call me back shortly. Within twenty minutes the General
called back and said everything was taken care of. Someone from the
base would call back with the details of where and when Rex needed to
be to meet his base escort.
The General did exactly what he said he would. A representative from
Ft. Riley met Rex and his wife, Maxine, at the entrance and the trio
viewed the base for a few hours. They toured the stables where Rex had
been so many years before. The base newspaper took photos and had a
story about Rex. He was really thrilled. I have a copy of the newspaper
article.
Contemplating the advice my chaplain friend gave regarding asking
permission, I agree with his thoughts and have used the approach many
times. I’ve concluded that if your motives are pure and what you desire
isn’t happening; go up the chain of command until you reach the right
person and don’t worry about the toes you step on. In this case, the
right person was Lt. General Richard J. Seitz. The General didn’t know
me from Adam, but he was patient, listened to my plea and gave a
remedy. I will always be indebted to the man.
Lt. General Richard Seitz served with the 517th PIR during the Battle
of the Bulge in WWII. He is now 94 years old and lives near Ft.Riley in
Junction City, KS. He mentioned to me that last year he thought he was
on his way to be with the Lord. Since then his medical problems have
improved and on a regular basis swims, dances and does other
foolishness. General Seitz’s bio can be viewed at: http:// www.517prct.org/517_links.htm
Thankfully there are still men like the General who will take the time
to help people. Hopefully we can all follow his example. Someday I’d
like to meet him in person.
Kelly McNichols
