Pow’s Angel Wife Of Former Prisoner Of War Has Become Devoted Supporter Of Pows Around Region

For more than three decades, Cecil Cunningham avoided his past.

He tried to forget the 3-1/2 years he lived on weeds and bugs and fish-head soup. He didn’t talk about the beatings and death, especially not to his family.

His teenage daughters had no idea he’d been a prisoner of war during World War II - until they overheard him talking to another vet.

“You never discussed it,” said Ruth Cunningham, Cecil’s wife of 50 years.

As in so many families, Cecil’s experience stayed cloistured in silence, despite violent nightmares, surprise outbursts and lingering health problems.

“People were so afraid to open up old wounds,” Ruth said.

It’s hard to understand, she admitted, but silence is how couples dealt with the pain of wartime memories.

Fortunately for Spokane-area POWs, the Valley woman is no longer so shy. Ruth, now 75, has spent the last 17 years diligently ministering to their wounds. Local POWs call her the glue that holds together a support group that attracts POWs from as far as Wenatchee, Ephrata, and Kellogg, Idaho.

Many of the 154 members joined only after substantial prodding by Cunningham, who has been “temporary” secretary since 1980.

That’s the year she and Cecil revived the defunct Spokane group. It’s now the largest chapter in the state, with more members than even the Seattle or Tacoma branches.

Many of the members came to the group not knowing they were eligible for medical benefits, disability payments and other assistance.

“Ruth has meant everything to our organization,” said Jerry Gleesing, a World War II POW. He’s also a nine-year member of the Spokane/Inland Empire Chapter of Americans Ex-Prisoners of War.

Ruth has never been in the military. Her understanding of POWs was sketchy, even after decades of being married to one.

She knew her 5-foot-11-inch husband had lost half his weight - 90 pounds - while in Japanese prison camps. He’d come home paralyzed on his right side. He had nightmares and ongoing medical problems.

But he never told Ruth about life in the prison camps. Their neighbors, friends - even some relatives - had no idea it had ever happened.

Occasionally, another former POW would come to the house to visit. These were the only times Cecil would open up

Ruth quickly learned to eavesdrop.

Ruth didn’t know it then, but this very scene was being repeated throughout the country.

“I saw a beheading. I saw executions. It was just horrendous the things that happened,” said Shirk Jansen, who was a POW in Japan. “When we came back, the guys started to talk about it, but nobody would believe these things could happen. So we clammed up.”

Busy working and raising a family, the Cunninghams found it easy to avoid the subject. Everything changed in 1980, after they attended a three-day seminar for former POWs, hosted by American Ex-Prisoners of War.

Suddenly, Ruth and Cecil were talking with other POWs and wives of POWs who were facing the same struggles they were. They were deluged with information about POW benefits, health problems and emotional problems.

They decided to revive the group in Spokane.

First, they called up all the POWs they knew for help - and for names. Ruth began to fill a notebook with eligible members.

As secretary, Ruth called POWs on the phone, sent personal invitations and didn’t give up until they showed up for a meeting.

Some POWs took years of persuading. But once they came, they usually started talking. They also began opening up with their families. “They had these deep down feelings they really needed to get out,” Ruth said.

Once they did, she said, family members began to understand each other.

Unlike some veterans’ groups, American Ex-Prisoners of War considers family members to be full-fledged members. They attend all meetings together. There are no auxiliaries.

Ruth invited service officers to those meetings to help the POWs fill out benefit claims. She invited speakers to talk about health problems and other POW issues.

“Many didn’t even know what they were eligible for,” Ruth said. “The majority of our POWs have gotten their disability benefits because of the group.”

The group has also donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center over the years. The money has furnished a hospice room, bought medical equipment and provided televisions and books for patients.

The group has pretty much consumed Ruth’s life.

“She keeps telling us she’s had enough of this job,” Jansen said. “But she knows we need her.”

The group now has 73 former POWs, 61 spouses, 16 widows and 4 next-of-kin. And, it continues to grow, thanks to Ruth and her dogeared notebook of names.

For Ruth, the effort has become deeply personal. Instead of avoiding the past, her husband now talks openly about it.

He’s broken the silence.

Cecil has even shared his story with their granddaughter, BreAnne, who wrote a book about it when she was 12. It describes, vividly and painfully, the hardships of prison camp life.

And like Cecil’s past, it’s now displayed with pride.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 3 Photos (1 Color)

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Monthly meeting The Spokane/Inland Empire Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War meets on the second Friday of each month at the Spokane Valley VFW Post 1435, located at 212 S. David. The 1 p.m. meeting in proceeded by a no-host luncheon at noon. All POWs, their wives, widows and next-of-kin are welcome. For more information, call Ruth Cunningham at 926-9488.