Herb Brown and Lottie Smith Photo Andy Scheck

At the beginning of February Aegis staff organized a ten-year anniversary celebration for two of its residents. Readers may remember POW Herb Brown, who we interviewed two years ago. The Aegis resident, now 91 years old, was taken prisoner in the Pacific while he was a young construction worker on Wake Island. Today, physically weakened by what he endured as a captive, he has retained the will that helped him survive. When we met him at Aegis last week, the old veteran was as sharp as ever. "I cannot believe that I have lived so long," said Brown, "since my only family is a nephew living in Santa Cruz I continue to be in charge of my own affairs, and enjoy my life here." The celebration also included sweet Lottie Smith, a 95-year-old resident whose family lives in Moraga.

S. Braccini