The purpose of this fundraiser effort is to raise money for two Victory Pavers from the World War II Museum in New Orleans and to pay for the renovation of a commemorative plaque at the Lakes-of-the-Clouds Hut on Mount Washington for Ted Fuller. How I learned about Ted, what I have in common with him, and what little I could learn about him follow.
Ted was a young man from Fall River, Massachusetts that happened to discover, and fall in love with, the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The Presidential Range within the White Mountains has a series of huts high up in the mountains, whereby reservations can be made to spend the night in large bunkhouses while young men and women make you dinner, and breakfast the following morning. It is a wonderful experience that allows one to hike several days in steep, rock-topped mountains, while not having to pack a massive backpack carrying your room and board on your back.
The hut on Mount Washington is known as the Lakes-of-the-Clouds hut. While staying there with my family and friends, I first learned of Ted Fuller in the mess hall. The following language is on a plaque in the mess hall:
“This room is dedicated to the memory of Ted Fuller, Hutmaster – 1943, Lakes of the Clouds who was killed in action with the United States Army near Saarlautern-Roden, Germany, December 9, 1944. The rugged ridge-tops call to me from the land of clear air where a man is free. The moon that’s shinning above me I know is also shining on Steep Monroe. From Ted’s Poem.”
From that brief passage I knew that Ted loved his White Mountains, heart and soul. The same way I loved the Adirondack Mountains, heart and soul. In the 20 years I climbed over and skied the Adirondacks, I developed a deep love and spiritual feeling of the mountains. They offered physical, mental, and intellectual challenges. They were more beautiful than words could describe. I considered myself a mountain goat. And like all good mountain goats I had kids, two girls. And they too experienced the physical, mental and intellectual challenges these mountains had to offer. And as a result, they became strong women.
I recognized that Ted was a mountain goat, just like me. He worked for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and became a hutmaster of the Lakes-of-the-Clouds hut his second year, in 1943. However, the United States drafted Ted in 1943 and he was shipped to Germany in 1944. Ted died fighting house-to-house during the invasion of Germany on December 9, 1944 in the town of Saarlautern, Germany. He is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Lorrane, France. Ted died when he was 19. A wonderful life cut short because of the needs of his country, and quite frankly, the world. I got to enjoy the Adirondacks for 20 years. And I learned something new and wonderful for every one of those 20 years. Ted only had a couple of years. I got to introduce these wonderful mountains to my daughters. Ted did not have the opportunity to have any kids, so he could not share those wonderful White Mountains with his offspring. But because of Ted’s sacrifices, I was able to do and have these things.
So on most days I wake up, I think of Ted. Most of the time when I see an American flag I think of Ted. Every time I hear the National Anthem I think of Ted. And most times I shed a tear for Ted because I am so grateful of what he has given to me.
As stated above, the purpose of this fund-raising effort is to buy two commemorative pavers from the World War II Museum in New Orleans. One paver will remain with museum in the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground, while the other paver will be shipped to the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitors Center at the base of Mount Washington. Additional money raised will be offered to the AMC to restore and preserve Ted’s plaque and his memory at the Lakes-of-the-Clouds hut.
Attached documents and his picture were provided by the AMC. A picture of the language planned for the paver is also included as an attachment.
The budget is $5000 for the pavers and $2000 for the plaque renovation.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Larry Phillips.