Lackland Air Force Base, Texas –
She is known as the queen of household hints, but when Heloise visited Lackland last week she was not dishing out advice about removing stains. Instead, she shared some personal stories about her life growing up in the Air Force.
Heloise was the keynote speaker at the Joint Services Luncheon hosted by the Lackland Officers' Spouses' Club on March 29 at the Gateway Club.
The popular newspaper columnist delighted the 200 guests as she recounted a number of anecdotes about her recently deceased father, retired Lt. Col. Mike Cruse, and her mother, the original Heloise.
She empathized with the spouses from Lackland, Randolph and Fort Sam Houston regarding the hardships of the frequent military moves, but assured them that children actually benefit from the various experiences.
"I know you are concerned about your children moving so much but I want you to hear it from me," said Heloise. "I'm an Air Force brat and the only time I really was unhappy about moving was in the ninth grade."
That move brought her to San Antonio where she continues to live. While she admits she pitched a fit that caused her father to shed a tear, the drama ended within a couple of months and she credits the moves and military for making her the person she is today.
"I can walk into any room any place in the world even if I don't speak the language and I can get something done," said Heloise. "I can make new friends. I can adapt."
She celebrated the legacy of her mother, Heloise Bowles Cruse, by describing amusing stories about how her mother went to great lengths to assist Air Force spouses in need even if it meant going to the top via the commander's spouse.
It was in 1959 while at Hickam in Hawaii that Heloise I decided she wanted to write a newspaper column to help housewives.
By 1962 the column was appearing in 158 newspapers.
Heloise II, whose real name is Ponce Cruse, took over the column after her mother died in 1977.
Today, the helpful hints run seven days a week in more than 500 newspapers in the United States and internationally.
"I would not be standing here and I'm pretty sure my mother would not have become Heloise if it were not for the fact they were in the Air Force," said Heloise.
She also publicly thanked the military service for affording her the medical care needed to correct an eye disorder. The sincere moment shifted into a humorous uproar with a flippant comment by Heloise.
"I was born cross-eyed in Waco," said Heloise. "That could be the title of a Willie Nelson Song."
She concluded her remarks by commending the spouses for supporting their military husbands and wives and keeping the family intact.
"We all salute you and we are here to support you," she said. "So, I want to as Heloise absolve you of guilt from housework."