The 82nd Airborne

Woodlake resident Hubert (Hubie) Wolfe, has had lots of dealings with doctors in his lifetime, but a few weeks ago he had one of his best ever.

A decorated World War II vet who was injured in the famed Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, Wolfe attended the annual reunion of his famed 82nd Airborne Division, this year held in Norfolk, Va. Wolfe has attended many of the reunions, but this one was certainly the most adventurous Wolfe, his wife Pat and her sister, Betty Anderson returned home with only minor aches and pains from a traffic accident but with a warm feeling for a Virginia doctor who went much more than an extra mile to take care of his patients.

Here pholks, is what happened:

The Wolfe's and Mrs. Anderson, a former Visalian now living in Southern California , flew to Virginia a few days prior to the reunion, rented a car, checked into their hotel and on a Sunday headed north to visit another former Woodlake resident.

Wolfe's northbound rented Ford Focus station wagon was struck by a southbound vehicle which crossed several traffic lanes. The front of the Wolfe vehicle was crushed and Hubie, a 6-foot plus man had to be cut out of the wreckage. All three passengers suffered cuts, scrapes and some bruises with Mrs. Anderson getting the most serious injuries. At the Shore Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, Va., Dr. James (Chip) Fenn, emergency department medical director, treated their injuries but was surprised when several hours later to found them in a lobby area. When Wolfe explained they were stranded because they were having no success in getting a replacement rental car to take them back to their hotel, the doctor immediately took charge.

As Hubie tells relates the incident, "Basically he said ‘don't worry, you are coming home with me,' but first he took us about 20 or 30 miles the other way to get our insurance papers and stuff from the wrecked car."

The travelers stayed the night with Dr. Fenn, his wife and young children in a large rural home. The next morning the doctor left for a meeting but later returned and drove his guests back to their hotel near Norfolk where they were able to get another rental car, from a different agency.

But the adventure wasn't complete, just yet.

Several days later Hubie was photographing members of the 82nd Airborne division from Fort Bragg, N.C. during a jump at Fentress Air Field in Chesapeake during the unit's 56th convention where he was spotted by news photographer Chris Tyree of the Virginian-Pilot.

The picture shows Wolfe on his back getting a shot of some of the 300 paratroopers making a jump.

Dr. Fenn saw the photo the next day and called the Wolfe's and Mrs. Anderson saying her figured Hubie was doing well enough to be able to get in position to take his action shots but thought he should check on the two women.

After returning home to Woodlake, Hubie told his coffee buddies his story and showed the newspaper clipping. "I'll never bad mouth doctors any more," he quipped, noting that Dr. Fenn "wouldn't accept anything" for all his beyond the call of duty efforts.

But Mrs. Wolfe said the doctor and his family are not be forgotten.

Next year the reunion is in West Virginia and the following year in Reno, Nev., where this week Hubie is enjoying his annual golf weekend with members of the Woodlake Lions Club.

Chances are pholks, somewhere on the golf links Hubie Wolfe will be saying good things about one of his most favorite doctors.

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