Charles Cary Rumsey (1879-1922)

In Teutonic mythology, Valkyries are beautiful maidens “attendant upon Odin who bring the souls of slain warriors chosen by Odin or Tyr to Valhalla and there wait upon them.” Many people associate these otherworldly beings with the composition by German composer Richard Wagner (1813-1883) known as “Ride of the Valkyries,” music admired by Hitler and used by Francis Ford Coppola in “Apocalypse Now” as the commanding officer’s inspirational theme music during a vicious American air attack on a Vietnamese village to clear a beach for surfing. -- Nancy Weekly