The article that follows originally appeared in the January 1965 issue of The Chitose Courier, an "authorized Army journal publshed monthly by and for the personnel of Kuma Station." It is with deep gratitude to Tom Thornburg and the men and women of the 12th US ASA Field Station that we present these materials.

After fifty-two hours of the 1964 Discathon broadcast, personnel from Kuma Station, and even few listeners in Wakkanai, pledged over three thousand dollars of financial aid for the youngsters at the Fukujuen and Angel Guardian orphanages during this annual money raising campaign.

Here are the approximate amounts of pledges from the four major groups of contributors on the post: 12th Operations Company had the largest amount of pledges with over $1,100; 11th Operations Company had close to $650; Headquarters Company had over $300, and the Officers and NCO's came through with close to $900. This money will help the orphanages buy needed supplies during 1965.

The Discathon provided an opportunity for good natured joking and some very unusual deeds to be requested by contributors for the worthy cause. Only during the Discathon would some person or group pay to see an individual have his mustache shaved off. This was the case when the men of Trick I collected pledges amounting to over $200 for the orphans if Kuma Station's Post Commander, Lt. Col. William I Clark would consent to having his twenty-five year old mustache shaved off. To prove his acceptance to the offer, Col. Clark appeared on FEN Television so all the members of the Trick could see the event. The "Barber of Chitose, " Captain Parker, did the shaving honors.

Many other financial offerings were pledged for certain people to perform certain tasks. Warrant Officer McCollum stood guard duty in front of Higuma Hall after 0100 during very cool weather shortly after the Discathon. Putting in an additional eight hours on a swing shift, Captain Phillips, Provost Marshal, became a gate guard after his normal duty day. Human nature being as it is, several people felt like arguing even with the MP honcho.

Guarding seemed to be a popular request, but for the first time since the inception of the Discathon, a request for a campout was received. A group of Headquarters Company men solicited for $100 if their Commanding Officer, Captain Ronald Fishman and First Sergeant Ennis would spend the evening camped in front of the orderly room, surrounded by the cool, crisp Chitose air. Equipped with appropriate sleeping material and attire, the two men slept comfortably in their puptent, which was erected under the watchful eyes of several company members.

At least two reluctant NCO's each had his long hair restyled into a crewcut. Air Force TSgt Larry Warner, a member of the FEN staff, was trimmed while appearing on TV, and the second crewcutee was SFC Childers, former NCO Club manager.

It seemed that the most popular, or unpopular song of the Discathon was "You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog" since it was played for several hours during the first day. Then, as usual, Kuma Station's old veterans dedicated a lovely tune to some of their fellow replacements, namely "Norman." Of course, no musical marathon is complete without that ever popular, melodic tune "Ratfink " as dedicated from Trick 4. The Kuma Station Ladies Club donated $100 to have pleasant Christmas music played throughout the day.

Chaplains Ranes and Farrelley, both well endowed with musical talent, helped the Discathon when they agreed to appear on FEN television to sing a couple of Irish songs for which someone had pledged $50 to hear. Another $10 was added to the fund when a less music conscious soul thought it a better idea to have the singing chaplains taken off the air.

The money which was collected from the Discathon, plus the monthly donations from individuals and Kuma Station clubs, is put into a special orphanage fund. This insures that the two orphanages are not given a huge lumpsum of money which they might spend foolishly over a very short period of time. The Christmas parties at Fukujuen and the Angel Guardian were completely paid for from the Discathon collections, with the money remaining to be doled out periodically during the remainder of the year.

All of the volunteer workers are to be thanked for the tremendous job each one of them did in helping with the 1964 Discathon. The announcers and technical staff of the Chitose FEN station contributed greatly to a very smooth running show. Many overtime hours of announcing were spent behind a microphone and control panel by Airmen Emmett Alston, Carl Benware, Dick Dowdell, Tom Thornburg and Larry Warner and Specialists Bob Britton and Jack Hayward. The live television coverage was handled by Airman Skip Spear. On the engineering and supervising side of the busy schedule were Mr. Kenneth Lloyd, SSgt Charles Shepherd and Airman Ernest Williamson.