It’s Veterans Day and the Troutville Sunshine Girls are visiting a few veterans in the area. Our first stop is Hubert Jack Cassell, a hero who was born, raised and returned to his home of nearly eight decades in Botetourt County.
The first thing Cassell told us was his last name is pronounced Cassell like Cassell Coliseum at Virginia Tech. “I never cared that local folks pronounced my name wrong all these years,” he joked, but it was intriguing to learn he has a reserved seat at the Cassell Coliseum
He explained his Granddaddy’s first cousin started the business school at Tech. And Dr. Stuart Cassell’s wife taught at what was then Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and gave a generous contribution to the building of the Cassell Coliseum.
Cassell entered the Navy as many seamen did, underage. After finished high school he persuaded his father to sign for him to join the Navy even though he was under age. Cassell recalled he was a very good typist and was the first male student to take typing at Fincastle High School in 1944. His typing skills landed him the job as his company’s clerk. But the young enlistee also did double duty – he taught other sailors how to swim, as numerous draftees could not. When the pool guard asked him how he learned to swim so well, he said, “I told him I swam a lot in Craigs Creek.” While stationed in Norfolk at the Naval Air Station during WWII, he was secretary to the personnel officer to a pilot. By 1946 he was eligible for an honorable discharge. Imagine his surprised when a high school classmate, Robert Frantz, processed his discharge papers as never knew Cassell was in the Navy.
A few years later, when the Korean War broke out, Cassell reenlisted and assigned as a Recruiting Officer in Roanoke. Cassell was able to continue to live in Botetourt County with his family during this time – the same house he has lived in since 1938.
When asked about his career after his military life, he said he worked at the Virginia Department of Labor working on what he called Labor Mobility issues. Cassell said he is proud to have worked diligently on child care programs and a number of other government assignments. Former Gov. Linwood Holton appointed him to head up the welfare reform program, while residing Richmond until he retired in the 1970s and then bought a few businesses.
One business was s tire company called Virginia Tire Mart in Richmond. However, a favorite may have been the time he bought an old movie theater for $20,000. He said he and his friends “took all the seats out of it and turned it into a disco that held a capacity of 550 people.” Jack said he then sold both businesses and came home to take care of his mother, Beulah Cassell.
Today, Cassell said he enjoys life in Botetourt County with all his pets. His chickens, geese, ducks, roosters and cats keep him entertained. He likes going out to eat and said many times his meals are paid for by citizens who see his hat and thank him for his service.
Don’t think he is ready to settle down just a few years shy of 100. He is currently writing a book of the World War II Veterans of Botetourt County. Of course, he plans to title it the “Greatest Generation.” When asked Jack about the events of 2020, he said, “It’s the most mixed-up year that I have ever experienced in my 94 years … and the future is so unknown.”
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The Sunshine Girls Annual Veterans Day program was canceled this year due to the pandemic. They continue to visit veterans in the local area, sitting on porches, wearing masks and listening to their stories. It brightens our days and we know it brings a little sunshine to theirs.
