Memorial Day-Alison and my Grandchildren

 

I burst with pride when I saw these pictures on FaceBook.  Alison took the kids to see their grandparents who passed away and who were in the service.  I am so proud that she wants Hunter and Grace to know why some have flags and why we celebrate Memorial Day.

It has been years since I visited their grave sites.  I stopped after five years after Harold died.  I remember sitting next to his headstone and cleaning off any debris, looking at the view and just whispering a conversation to him.  He was the closest person who was so much like my dad here in Oregon.  In fact when Dad went to Heaven, Harold said he would be my "Dad" and would be honored.  I miss him.  I think he served in the Army.

Walt and Betty I didn't get to know at all.  Walt served in the Navy. We saw the Worthingtons every Christmas.  I wished we had made more an effort to know them.

I am sure that both Harold, Walt and Betty were proud to have two generations visit them on this Memorial Day.

Memorial Day-My Hubby

Sgt. Wayne A. Lund, USMC

Sigh, I love a man in uniform!  I put together a Marine Scrapbook for Wayne and it is impressive of his service.

Here are the highlights:

There is a picture of him and his CH-53D Helicopter (YW-15).  Sgt. Quinonez and he airlift recovered a HH-3 Jolly Green for the US Air Force parked on the side of a slope below the Landing Zone and a Letter of Appreciation from the Dept of Air Force.

He flew humanitarian aid in the Philippines, Natonin Mountain Province.  He survived a couple of helicopter crashes. The newspaper story of the crashed helicopter is in the scrapbook.

He was assigned to First Cruise from Okinawa, Japan in 1970 abroad the USS Iwo Jima LPH-2 to Vietnam and other ports of call.

He supported landing exercises from the USS Okinawa before Westpac Deployment.

Many certificates of appreciation and articles about the helicopters he flew in.

Wayne has been all over the world and alot of places he can't talk about.  I am so proud of him and am so glad I married him.  It is so wonderful having someone who values honor, courage, faithfulness, pride in country, patriotism and the list goes on.  These are the values that all veterans hold dear.

yes....I love my man in uniform!  :)

Memorial Day--My Dad





Dad as a baby in Arkansas and a hunk when he met Mom.

I don't know too much about Dad and his service.  I know he was in Italy, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.  He never talked too much about it. He fell in love with my mom when he was in England.  I have many letters written to his mom and dad in Arkansas were he boasted about his love for my mom before they married and for awhile after they were. 

My Dad was all military.  He signed up and went when he was 16--yes, he lied and said he was 19. 

The Army was first, Mom second, and we kids third.  Tough growing up with that but I managed.  He wasn't around much and that made that list more bearable, I guess.  Looking back, I wish he was around more but you can't change the past.



My Grand Father on Dad's side

He was a good soldier, not so much a good dad.  Mom raised us and did a great job at that.  Dad came back into the picture after Vietnam but he changed.  He used to be the one who disciplined but after Vietnam, he was different.  My brother, a teenager at the time, deliberately disobeyed in a big way in front of him.  This would result in immediate discipline but Dad just sat there almost in a daze.  I knew then that my brother would be trouble and he was and still is.  I had my life separate from my family but visited occasionally.

I am proud of Dad and his service. He was second in line for CSM  (Command Sergeant Major--the enlisted highest rank) of Walter Reed Medical Center and third in line for CSM of the US Army.  Not bad for an enlisted man who joined at 16!  He was awarded a flag that flew over the White House which I have now.  He was quite proud of that flag.

He had honor, respect and admiration for this nation and it would pain him to see what it is now.  The day John F. Kennedy was shot was the first time in my life that I saw him cry.  He held his emotions in, something that I adopted until I came to Oregon. Edna, my adopted Mom, taught me it was ok to show emotions.



Letters written by Dad to his parents

Memorial Day--A British War Veteran

My grand-dad, Bill Bibby, at 77 witnessed the parade of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment's new colors through his home town of Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England.  I came across the newspaper story dated July 22, 1980 which wrote about Grand-dad being a war veteran looking back.

I have paraphrased it below:

"It gave me a thrill to see them," he told me, "They are clean and smart, it made you feel proud of them."

Mr. Bibby served as a territorial with the 4th Battalion of the King's Own Regiment for 11 years before the outbreak of the 1939-45 War and in 1939 he was immediately called up and left his job as a laborer in the shipyard in Barrow.

He became a sergeant in 223 Battery of the 56th (King's Own ) Anti-Tank Regiment(RA) and was captured by the Germans during the fierce battles leading up to Dunkirk.

Initially his wife, Mary (my Nana) was told that he was missing believed killed (I can only imagine what my mom, her sisters and my Nana went through with that news), but later was told the he was a prisoner of war.

My Grand-dad is sitting on the chair.  This is him in the Stalag.

Before his eventual release, he was forced to work on road-building and a a coal miner in the Upper Silesia coal mines, existing on a diet of cabbage.

I have several editions of the paper with my Grand-dad's story and on the top of the first copy is handwritten by my Nana a note that says: "Dena, I hope you will keep these in memory of Grand-dad. Put them in a scrapbook for Alison to read when she is older."

I loved my "Gang-Gang"....that was what I called him until I turned 12 when he asked me to no longer call him that--my heart broke that day.  He always had a twinkle in his British blue eyes.  I can see that in my grand-daughter, Grace's eyes.  I love it when she smiles and reminds me of him.

Today, I was going through things and came across a letter written by Grand-dad to his family while he was in the Stalag.  Amazingly, they allowed correspondence.  On one side was his letter, on the other a poem to the boys in the field, titled "Courage".

Here it is below:

Courage

by Sgt. Jim Bibby

It is easy to be nice boys when everything is okay.

It is easy to be cheerful when youre having things youre away

But when you hold your head up and take it on your chin

When youre heart is nearly breaking and you feel like giving in

It was easy back in England amongst the Friends and Folks

But now you miss the friendly hand the joys the jokes and songs

The road ahead is stony and unless youre strong in mind
You'll find out long before you youre lagging far behind

You have got to climb the hill boys its no use turning back

There is only one way home boys and that is on the beaten track

Remember you are British and that when you reach the crest

You'll see a valley and green Dear England at its best

You know there is a saying that Sunshine follows rain

and sure enough you'll realise that joy will follow Pain

Let courage be your Password make fortitude be your guide

And then instead of grousing just remember them who died.

 

They died to earn youre freedom, Twas not too great a price

If only you are worthy of so great a sacrifice

They bore their cross in silence they sought not wealth or fame

And you must try to emulate and glorify their name

dated 10th September 1940

Aunt Leslea's Visit

Leslea came to visit from the 16th to the 19th.  Granted it wasn't too long a visit but that didn't stop us from packing in alot!

I feel like I have ran a marathon!  She got in late on the 16th and the following day, Friday we had the grandchildren.  Hunter and Grace were so excited to see her!  She went to Hunter's Kindergarten that morning with Gramps.  It is an honor to be in the classroom and I am sure Leslea felt that.  Hunter was happy to have her there as well.

We went to lunch at Burgerville and then headed to the Children's Museum in Portland.  It was a blast! I have never been there but the kids have.  It was a good thing that we had three adults with the two kids!  Grace and Hunter knew the layout and were running every where!  It was an aerobic activity (good after the Burgerville lunch).

Grace and I headed to the clay room where Grace created an awesome clay cat face but was disappointed that she couldn't paint it.  The clay needed to dry so, we painted three days later.

Both of the kids had a blast in the grocery store and the veterinary clinic.  Hunter loved the theatre, pushing the buttons and playing the drums.  Leslea went with the kids in the maze outside.  We all totally enjoyed our time!

On Saturday, Larry dropped off the kids and we were off again!  This time south to Salem and the Discovery Village.  A village of decorated houses with things to do inside each one geared to kids.

Water, water, bubbles, the kids were having alot of fun! We got our exercise by just keeping up with them and keeping them in our sights. 

There was an outdoor covered play structure which Grace and Hunter loved.  We sent Leslea in with them since we had had enough exercise and she was more than willing.

We left and headed to Red Robin for lunch.  Yes, my diet is shot!  I had told the kids that it was Aunt Leslea's birthday and that we would celebrate at Red Robin but keep it secret.  And they did.

We ate and then what Wayne calls "Public Humiliation" happened.  The waiters/waitresses came over and sung "Happy Birthday" and gave Leslea some ice cream which the kids loved to help with.

Having my share of the calories, I declined any ice cream.  The next stop, Toys-R-Us.  The kids were given money from Uncle Bob to spend on anything they wanted.  They were thrilled!  Grace found some little Pet Shoppe animals that she had to have and Hunter found a Star Wars Lego set that was a little more than he had so, Nana and Gramps to the rescue!  He had enough money after we added a few bucks.

They loved the gifts and clamped onto them in the car.  I told them that they can't open them in the car and they complied.  In the car on the way home, they both fell asleep clucthing onto to their gifts.

Sunday morning, Leslea and Wayne went to visit her grandparents.  Leslea and I had a one o'clock manicure and pedicure.  I knew I should have gone with them but I wanted to go to church since it had been so long since we went.

They stayed longer than anticipated but it was good, I was there for my mani-pedi and started early, Leslea joined me late.  It was my Mother's Day gift from her and I so appreciated it!

We finished that and while we were there, Wayne cooked our early dinner--his spaghetti.  It was delish and much better than another fast food restaurant meal!  Then off to the airport with a side visit to say good-bye to the kids.  Hugs, loves and goodbyes.

It was fast paced but the grandkids and we really enjoyed Leslea's visit.  Next time she will bring Bob and maybe we won't be so rushed.....maybe...better get my rest now!

 

Hasta La Vista, FaceBook!--Gonna See Less and Less of You!

Dear FaceBook,

I am rethinking my involvement with you.  Sure, you are great to catch up with people I haven't seen in years but I have caught up enough.  I used to check you numerous times a day to see any new posts from Alison about the grandkids and from Leslea about life in Utah.  Well, lately neither of my gals have done much on you. 

Don't even get me started on your addictive games--I have no time for those!  Life is about interacting with real people in real time in real presence not online.  Yes, I will check occasionally but I have better things to do with my time.  I will limit my time with you to the bare minimum.

Change is in the air for my daughter and I would rather be there 110% for her and the kids.  Those that miss me on you will call or email.  I will not be posting any family photos either, so get used to it.  I can email those to those who care.

I bought a new phone and I did not put your app on it....and I haven't missed you!  Sure, the first couple of days of withdrawal had their moments but I got over you.  And my data charges are much much lower!  Cha-Ching!  Saving money here!

Yes, I will continue to be the FaceBook guru for Special Olympics Clackamas County--only because that is a great marketing tool and requires a couple of hours on the weekend at the most.  It is for a worthy cause.

What am I going to do without your constant presence?  Connect in person with my friends, family and neighbors! Spend more time with my grandchildren, read some books, get some projects done, spend more time in the garden with Wayne to note a few things.

Hear that sound?  Clip, Clip, Clip!  That is me cutting the strings to you--chow baby!