And Last But Not Least ...
Just to catch everyone up, Joe (Janice's dad) underwent surgery for a hernia repair this Tuesday. All is very well, or as well as could be expected for an 80-year-old. Thank God. I have to say, Joe is a tough guy.
I count him as a huge blessing to have as a father-in-law.
As another aside, there was a gentleman at the 67th Seabees Reunion who had been stricken with Parkinson's Disease a few years ago. Harvey Wilshusen spent the past four years or so in a debilated state, much as in a coma. They tried a new drug on him, and his story is much like that in the movie "Awakening". He has come "to". For how long, his wife Margaret, is not sure.
At dinner, Margaret mentioned he had taken a large number of notes, during his service to his country as a part of the 67th. However, she needed someone to help with these notes, and wanted to have them transcribed into something that would better "define" him as a person, before he dies.
I didn't waste a second. I offered my services.
I have begun the transcription of Harvey's notes. Margaret is sending me scans of his handwritten notes (written in fading blue ink, in 1944 and 1945). There are also a number of exclusive photographs Harvey took that are "priceless".
It's been a good experience, and an extremely rewarding one, since there is no guarantee as to when Harvey might slip back into a comatose state. Without his input on some of these notes, there is no way to discern what he actually wrote - I've been able to sort of pick up on his handwriting style, but not totally ... his handwriting is ... umm ... challenging. Margaret has confided in me that since we have begun this project, she has said to Harvey - ""You know, you were thinking that your life was over - you have more work to do, so stick with us!" I've explained to both Margaret and Harvey that this is MY honor, to do something to commemorate his life and his service to our country.
I also hereby volunteer to do this same thing for Uncle Sam or anyone from Uncle Sam's outfit.
Folks, we are in danger of losing the history (as told by those who were there) of World War II. We lose about 1500 of these folks a DAY, nationwide.
Let us all refuse to adhere to Santayana's rule : "Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it."
Let us preserve our history, and remember it by the words of those who preserved our history, and thereby preserved our future for us.
I count him as a huge blessing to have as a father-in-law.
As another aside, there was a gentleman at the 67th Seabees Reunion who had been stricken with Parkinson's Disease a few years ago. Harvey Wilshusen spent the past four years or so in a debilated state, much as in a coma. They tried a new drug on him, and his story is much like that in the movie "Awakening". He has come "to". For how long, his wife Margaret, is not sure.
At dinner, Margaret mentioned he had taken a large number of notes, during his service to his country as a part of the 67th. However, she needed someone to help with these notes, and wanted to have them transcribed into something that would better "define" him as a person, before he dies.
I didn't waste a second. I offered my services.
I have begun the transcription of Harvey's notes. Margaret is sending me scans of his handwritten notes (written in fading blue ink, in 1944 and 1945). There are also a number of exclusive photographs Harvey took that are "priceless".
It's been a good experience, and an extremely rewarding one, since there is no guarantee as to when Harvey might slip back into a comatose state. Without his input on some of these notes, there is no way to discern what he actually wrote - I've been able to sort of pick up on his handwriting style, but not totally ... his handwriting is ... umm ... challenging. Margaret has confided in me that since we have begun this project, she has said to Harvey - ""You know, you were thinking that your life was over - you have more work to do, so stick with us!" I've explained to both Margaret and Harvey that this is MY honor, to do something to commemorate his life and his service to our country.
I also hereby volunteer to do this same thing for Uncle Sam or anyone from Uncle Sam's outfit.
Folks, we are in danger of losing the history (as told by those who were there) of World War II. We lose about 1500 of these folks a DAY, nationwide.
Let us all refuse to adhere to Santayana's rule : "Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it."
Let us preserve our history, and remember it by the words of those who preserved our history, and thereby preserved our future for us.
posted by Lee at
10/14/2005 08:27:00 PM
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