Virginia is so in the news this week, what with their tornados wiping out so much of it's natural beauty.
They say Sofolk is 30 miles southof Richmond, and I believe Petersburg is probaly 20 to 30 miles
west of Richmond. I know it was close enough that I applied for a job in Richmond at the Raleigh
Tobbaco Company. I didn't get it, they just wouldn't hire people connected with the Army, too transient
Well, anyhow, I think we had just boarded the train in Milwaukee, and I do believe I cried all the way
to Chicago. We changed trains in Chicago and I am not exactly sure how long it took to reach Petersburg
but, am assuming we got there late Friday night.
TOTAL CULTURE SHOCK Growing up in the north, with black people as neighbors, I had no idea what
segregation was really like down south. The first thing I noticed was the drinking fountains at the
train station. I liked to call them "bubblers" There were always at least 2. One was marked White
and the other Colored. They also had "white" doors and "colored" doors. When we walked down a
street the colored people would step off the curb into the gutter to let us pass. I was seriously "chewed"
out by a southerner one day, when I stopped and spoke to a black lady who worked in our converted
apartment building. She was the baby sitter/housekeeper/slave. She arrived at 6 in the morning and
worked until midnight, caring for 4 children and doing all the cleaning and laundry and cooking. For
this she received $10 a week, and thought she had the greatest job in the world. We just met outside
one day and chatted, and after that I was told "we don't chat with the coloreds down here" and I said
maybe We don't, but I do. I also sat in the back of the bus when I went to camp by myself.
Anyway, we arrived in Petersburg, and stayed in a hotel the first night. Then we found out where
Jerri and Roy and Dick and Carol lived and went to see them. They told us to go to the red cross
housing and they would help us find a place to live. We did this, and found a place not too far from
our friends. It was on High Street in Petersburg and was an old fashioned plantation house remodeled
into apartments. You know the kind with the Big white pillars in front. Remember those pillars, they
played a role later on in our stay. We rented the apartment on the second floor for $10 a week, incl.
utilities. Our living room/bedroom was large enough, but we had to enter the hall by the stairs to
get to our kitchen and then go down the long hall to the shared bathroom. There were 2 apartments
on this floor and one single bedroom, rented by a third party and it was a common hall, used by all.
the kitchen had no running water, an ice box, not refrigerator, and an old fashioned stove, gas,
standing on 4 legs with a side oven at eye level. Now the refrigerator was truly a challenge because
you see the drip pan under it had to be emptied and the bathroom was at the other end of the hall.
Wayne had to report for duty on Monday morning, so I decided to walk downtown to the grocery
store to shop for food. Not realizing everything was closed down, after all, it was Thomas Jefferson's
birthday. Everywhere we went, we would see footprints painted on the sidewalk, Thomas Jefferson
walked here, or slept there or whatever. There was one park which was just a huge crater, the site
of a southern victory, where cannons had mowed down hundreds of northern soldiers. I know at
that time they did not believe that the south had lost the war, and I hear that feeling still exists today.
What a place for a damnyankee!
We made lots of friends while there. Wayne had more training to do for the Army Corps of Engineers
so that left me and Carol and Jerri to do what we wanted with our days. We explored a lot and even
did a lot of sunbathing, in April, which you couldn't do in Wisconsin. We soon discovered that we
didn't have a whole lot in common with Jerri and Roy. The 4 of them shared an apartment upstairs
over the home of a Colonel. He shacked up with this lady downstairs, and we could hear them a lot
as they had floor heat registers and you could see downstairs as well. Nuff said, anyway, Jerri and
Roy felt she could further his career if she slept with the colonel, so we kind of distanced ourselves
from that situation. We knew our husbands were destined for overseas duty, and they thought they
could avoid that. Wayne finished his training first and was to report to California late in June, Dick
finished his training next and went to Germany. Jerri was very smug telling us she was going to a
formal dance with the Colonel and it did buy them some time, about a month I guess and then we
heard he was being shipped overseas too. Never did hear from them again.
Wehad a lot of company while we were there, but of course money was tight. We only earned $70
a month and my allotment hadn't started yet, nor Wayne's off base living allotment, so whenever
someone came over, everyone brought their own drinks, food, etc. Most of the guys were living
on base and they liked going to someone's home. They would write their names on their drinks,
and would show up whenever they could. We also had a favorite place just outside of town. I
don't remember the name of it but it had a canopy over the driveway, so we always called it the
"can-o-pee" We got busted one night by the MP's and the only one they asked for ID was me.
Thank Goodness, Wayne and I were the only ones who were 21. Virginia was a dry state, no hard
liquor, but you could get a beer in any restaurant.
One night it was raining and we decided to walk to town for an ice cream cone. Holding the umbrella
in front of us, we walked right into another soldier. It was Kenneth Numrich a kid I went all thru
grade school with. talk about a small world. He was stationed at another army camp a short ways
away.
The first time I went grocery shopping,when the stores were opened, I spent $7 and had to take a
cab home. I had too much to carry. It was because of that trip that I met our neighbor who had
the one room apartment. He saw me get out of the cab and offered me the use of his car whenever
I needed it. In return for other favors. His wife was in Georgia nd it was ok with her if he had a
little on the side while they were apart and that way we both would be happy==NOT== I thanked
him and said no. those people from the south sure hate blacks, but loved sex. You figure.
Anyway there is so much more to tell about our southern adventures, I will continue next time.
Love you all.......................
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
GOT SOME 'SPLAININ' TO DO
first of all, the fart contests were conducted before we got married. This was a game the Webb boys
and Little Bobby Linder used to do at one of the neighborhood movie theaters. Apparently they
would sit in different sections of the theater and then work up to a good one, trying to let it fly when
it was extremely quiet so no one could possibly miss it. Then someone would yell, way to go Clyde,
or whoever the perp was at the time. Roy said he was not a participant, but Bev said he was. They
did not do this in front of their girlfriends, as it definitely was not a way to impress girls.
Another thing, you did not want to go as see a sad movie with Bob Linder. He would actually be
sobbing out loud throughout the movie and it usually ended up with everyone else laughing because
Bob almost became hysterical with his weeping. I witnessed that when we went to see Sentimental
Journey.
Now................about my crazy Aunt Dorothy. I want to put a disclaimer on this blog. Anything I
write in here is not done with malice. Each story has been a part of my life, and something we have
laughed about over the years. My Aunt Dorothy gave herself the nickname of crazy. She would
call or come over and say This is your crazy Aunt. Of course we all knew immediately. She was
married to my Mother's brother, My uncle Herman. Uncle Ermy as I called him when I was very
little would come to our house, we lived on the second floor, and would whistle up the back stairs,
and this toddler (me) would run to the stairs calling Uncle Ermy, Uncle Ermy and he would run
up the stairs and pick me up and let me ride his shoulders. Of course, every boyfriend that I ever
had would hear that story and then he said and "she peed on my shoulders" My uncle was an
alcoholic, but a genius. I really don't know where or when he met Aunt Dorothy. Story has it she
came from a wealthy family and when she started to get serious about Uncle Herman, her family
disowned her. They married and had 4 boys, Jimmy, Danny, Larry and Freddy. Today those
boys have great jobs, families and are well educated. My uncle invented the Jet engine, long before
it was the "in" thing, but not having money topatent it his ideas were stolen. They lived in a shack
with cardboard boxes straightened out for walls, down by the railroad tracks. There was lots of
love in that home, but not much else. Somehow they always fixed a meal when we were there, and
of course there was always beer in the frig. One day Aunt D was going to hide the beer, so she put
the cans in the oven. Next morning she got up, forgetting about the beer, she turned on the oven
to take the chill out of the house. When she finally remembered, she opened the oven and the beer
was almost boiling and the cans were rockin and rollin, she grabbed them and threw them in the
ice cube section of the frig. Naturally when my uncle got up he immediately went to the frig for
his beer and drank two of them down and then told us my Aunt had tried to poison him. Anyway
he died when we were in Calif. and I didn''t know any of the details, but apparently after he was
gone Aunt D was reunited with her family and in their good graces again. I think when they died
she inherited and maybe that's how the boys were able to go to college. I know Freddy (now
prefers to be phonetically correct and called Phred) is a teacher. I saw all of the boys but Larry
when we had the reunion in Montana.
OHMYGOSH takes so much to get around to my crazy Aunt. She came to California one year just
before Christmas. My folks were living with Darlene and Jack at the time in Hacienda Heights. Aunt
Dorothy stayed with us a few days and then with Darlene & Jack. She was so funny, she never wanted
to impose (as if she could) I remember making a ham dinner one night. She ate with us but would
only eat her balogna sandwich. She wanted to go to the market one day, so Dawn, Beth and Mike
said they would take her to Manuel's market. They took the short cut thru the fields. It had rained
the day before, and when they got to the ditch, it had water in it. Dawn jumped over, Beth jumped
over, and Mike jumped over and Aunt Dorothy jumped in. We heard about that for days. My
folks took her to Knott's Berry Farm and were going for the Chicken dinner. She would not go in
and waited outside while my parents had dinner. She by that time, had money, (even tho my folks
were treating) but somehow with the life she had, she could not spend it. She brought $50 with
her for three weeks spending,including christmas gifts for all the kids. She was fun tho, and when
she and my mom got together no telling what would happen, especially if there were drinks involved.
I understand from one of the boys that she died a few years after my mother, and had laid in her
apartment for days before she was discovered. She loved us, and we loved her, but I will never
forget the way she looked when she came back from Manuel's market.
I get e mails from Sandy, Phred's wife. They live in Duluth. Jimmy is in Milwaukee. They are all
quite a bit younger than I am. Ardis, my cousin in Montana keeps in close touch with them all.
They are more her age.
OK, next time our adventures in the Army at Ft. Lee Va.
and Little Bobby Linder used to do at one of the neighborhood movie theaters. Apparently they
would sit in different sections of the theater and then work up to a good one, trying to let it fly when
it was extremely quiet so no one could possibly miss it. Then someone would yell, way to go Clyde,
or whoever the perp was at the time. Roy said he was not a participant, but Bev said he was. They
did not do this in front of their girlfriends, as it definitely was not a way to impress girls.
Another thing, you did not want to go as see a sad movie with Bob Linder. He would actually be
sobbing out loud throughout the movie and it usually ended up with everyone else laughing because
Bob almost became hysterical with his weeping. I witnessed that when we went to see Sentimental
Journey.
Now................about my crazy Aunt Dorothy. I want to put a disclaimer on this blog. Anything I
write in here is not done with malice. Each story has been a part of my life, and something we have
laughed about over the years. My Aunt Dorothy gave herself the nickname of crazy. She would
call or come over and say This is your crazy Aunt. Of course we all knew immediately. She was
married to my Mother's brother, My uncle Herman. Uncle Ermy as I called him when I was very
little would come to our house, we lived on the second floor, and would whistle up the back stairs,
and this toddler (me) would run to the stairs calling Uncle Ermy, Uncle Ermy and he would run
up the stairs and pick me up and let me ride his shoulders. Of course, every boyfriend that I ever
had would hear that story and then he said and "she peed on my shoulders" My uncle was an
alcoholic, but a genius. I really don't know where or when he met Aunt Dorothy. Story has it she
came from a wealthy family and when she started to get serious about Uncle Herman, her family
disowned her. They married and had 4 boys, Jimmy, Danny, Larry and Freddy. Today those
boys have great jobs, families and are well educated. My uncle invented the Jet engine, long before
it was the "in" thing, but not having money topatent it his ideas were stolen. They lived in a shack
with cardboard boxes straightened out for walls, down by the railroad tracks. There was lots of
love in that home, but not much else. Somehow they always fixed a meal when we were there, and
of course there was always beer in the frig. One day Aunt D was going to hide the beer, so she put
the cans in the oven. Next morning she got up, forgetting about the beer, she turned on the oven
to take the chill out of the house. When she finally remembered, she opened the oven and the beer
was almost boiling and the cans were rockin and rollin, she grabbed them and threw them in the
ice cube section of the frig. Naturally when my uncle got up he immediately went to the frig for
his beer and drank two of them down and then told us my Aunt had tried to poison him. Anyway
he died when we were in Calif. and I didn''t know any of the details, but apparently after he was
gone Aunt D was reunited with her family and in their good graces again. I think when they died
she inherited and maybe that's how the boys were able to go to college. I know Freddy (now
prefers to be phonetically correct and called Phred) is a teacher. I saw all of the boys but Larry
when we had the reunion in Montana.
OHMYGOSH takes so much to get around to my crazy Aunt. She came to California one year just
before Christmas. My folks were living with Darlene and Jack at the time in Hacienda Heights. Aunt
Dorothy stayed with us a few days and then with Darlene & Jack. She was so funny, she never wanted
to impose (as if she could) I remember making a ham dinner one night. She ate with us but would
only eat her balogna sandwich. She wanted to go to the market one day, so Dawn, Beth and Mike
said they would take her to Manuel's market. They took the short cut thru the fields. It had rained
the day before, and when they got to the ditch, it had water in it. Dawn jumped over, Beth jumped
over, and Mike jumped over and Aunt Dorothy jumped in. We heard about that for days. My
folks took her to Knott's Berry Farm and were going for the Chicken dinner. She would not go in
and waited outside while my parents had dinner. She by that time, had money, (even tho my folks
were treating) but somehow with the life she had, she could not spend it. She brought $50 with
her for three weeks spending,including christmas gifts for all the kids. She was fun tho, and when
she and my mom got together no telling what would happen, especially if there were drinks involved.
I understand from one of the boys that she died a few years after my mother, and had laid in her
apartment for days before she was discovered. She loved us, and we loved her, but I will never
forget the way she looked when she came back from Manuel's market.
I get e mails from Sandy, Phred's wife. They live in Duluth. Jimmy is in Milwaukee. They are all
quite a bit younger than I am. Ardis, my cousin in Montana keeps in close touch with them all.
They are more her age.
OK, next time our adventures in the Army at Ft. Lee Va.
Friday, April 18, 2008
BRIGHT AND EARLY THE NEXT MORNING..........
the telephone rang. It was MY mom, calling to say she and my dad would be by in about half an hour so
we could go to church. (yes, we had arranged that beforehand, and it really seemed like a great idea, but
that was before the wedding.) I believe I mentioned that we were married the day befor Palm Sunday and
we were going to my crazy Aunt Dorothy''s church because one of my cousins was being confirmed. This
was just a small country church, and when we got there it was so crowded we couldn't get in, so we all
went to my parent's house, where we had friends and family invited for an open house, see the wedding
gifts and to eat up the food left over from the buffet, the night before. This was just kind of something everyone
did. We opened up all our gifts (got 5 cofee pots) and spent the rest of the day with our families.
We did not plan to leave Milwaukee until Thursday night, when we would board a train for Petersburg, Va.
where Wayne had to report in for duty on Monday.
I don't remember too much about that week, but one incident stands out in my mind. If I had known on
Saturday what I knew on Tuesday, I might have said "I don't" instead of "I do". As I said we wanted to spend
this week with friends and family as we did not know how long we might be in Virginia, or where after that.
Army pay was not very much. Private Webb's pay was around $70 a month and it would take a while
before my allotment would be in effect.
So, on Tuesday night Bev and Andy came over and took us to the Towne Theater to see "singing in the rain"
The Towne theater is a classy downtown theater. You didn't go there unless you dressed up. We were
really enjoying the movie and when Gene Kelly did his "singin in the rain" song, my newly acquired husband
stood up in this classy joint and did a duet with Gene, just as loud as he could. Kind of reminded me of
a long ago Christmas Eve, when our group decided to go to St. Boniface Catholic church for Midnight Mass.
I was with Chuck at that time. We got there kind of late and had to stand up along the wall as the church
was packed. Chuck stood on one side of me and Wayne on the other. Wayne was slightly ? inebriated,
wo sometime during the service the priest said "you all know what venetian blinds look like, don't you?"
and Wayne very loudly proclaimed "UH"HUH". Everyone in the church looked at us and weeks later, his
mother, who worked at Post Stores, a little neighborhood dress shop, had people stop her and say, "saw
your son in church Christmas Eve" I guess I should have been warned, even back then.
Well, the week passed and on Thursday night we all gathered at the Milwaukee Road Depot and said our
goodbyes and boarded the train for whatever might lie ahead of us in Virginia. Wayne had finished his
Basic Training and would then find out what specialty training was before us. Our life as a couple was
starting out.
One good thing, we would know some people when we got there. Roy and Jerri Rogentin were also
stationed there. They were in my bowling league and Roy had been drafted shortly after Wayne. They
were renting an upper flat in Petersburg, along with Jerri's friends, Dick and Carol Berg.
I am going to stop here and when I continue it will be about our life in Virginia. Love you all ...hope you
are enjoying this journey down Memory Lane
we could go to church. (yes, we had arranged that beforehand, and it really seemed like a great idea, but
that was before the wedding.) I believe I mentioned that we were married the day befor Palm Sunday and
we were going to my crazy Aunt Dorothy''s church because one of my cousins was being confirmed. This
was just a small country church, and when we got there it was so crowded we couldn't get in, so we all
went to my parent's house, where we had friends and family invited for an open house, see the wedding
gifts and to eat up the food left over from the buffet, the night before. This was just kind of something everyone
did. We opened up all our gifts (got 5 cofee pots) and spent the rest of the day with our families.
We did not plan to leave Milwaukee until Thursday night, when we would board a train for Petersburg, Va.
where Wayne had to report in for duty on Monday.
I don't remember too much about that week, but one incident stands out in my mind. If I had known on
Saturday what I knew on Tuesday, I might have said "I don't" instead of "I do". As I said we wanted to spend
this week with friends and family as we did not know how long we might be in Virginia, or where after that.
Army pay was not very much. Private Webb's pay was around $70 a month and it would take a while
before my allotment would be in effect.
So, on Tuesday night Bev and Andy came over and took us to the Towne Theater to see "singing in the rain"
The Towne theater is a classy downtown theater. You didn't go there unless you dressed up. We were
really enjoying the movie and when Gene Kelly did his "singin in the rain" song, my newly acquired husband
stood up in this classy joint and did a duet with Gene, just as loud as he could. Kind of reminded me of
a long ago Christmas Eve, when our group decided to go to St. Boniface Catholic church for Midnight Mass.
I was with Chuck at that time. We got there kind of late and had to stand up along the wall as the church
was packed. Chuck stood on one side of me and Wayne on the other. Wayne was slightly ? inebriated,
wo sometime during the service the priest said "you all know what venetian blinds look like, don't you?"
and Wayne very loudly proclaimed "UH"HUH". Everyone in the church looked at us and weeks later, his
mother, who worked at Post Stores, a little neighborhood dress shop, had people stop her and say, "saw
your son in church Christmas Eve" I guess I should have been warned, even back then.
Well, the week passed and on Thursday night we all gathered at the Milwaukee Road Depot and said our
goodbyes and boarded the train for whatever might lie ahead of us in Virginia. Wayne had finished his
Basic Training and would then find out what specialty training was before us. Our life as a couple was
starting out.
One good thing, we would know some people when we got there. Roy and Jerri Rogentin were also
stationed there. They were in my bowling league and Roy had been drafted shortly after Wayne. They
were renting an upper flat in Petersburg, along with Jerri's friends, Dick and Carol Berg.
I am going to stop here and when I continue it will be about our life in Virginia. Love you all ...hope you
are enjoying this journey down Memory Lane
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
AS PER YOUR REQUEST
Just a short blog this time. I really don't remember exactly what our wedding cost, but some
figures come to mind. The bridesmaid dresses were $45 (very expensive, $25 was the going rate,
but all fell in love with this dress) Flowers were $50. Including Bride's bouquet with orchid corsage
in center and miniature bouquet for throwing. 6 bridesmaid fans, 6 floral crowns, 8 boutonierres,
oops, 9, and two mother coursages, two standing bouquets for the church. Flowers by Miller's
flower shop, located across the street from Union Cemetary (incidentally the one Audrey and I
got locked into one dark and gloomy night. Another story for another time.) The church and
the custodian were donations, as we were members of the church. The hall was $35 rental and
I think the music was about the same, which if you wanted them to stay past midnight then you
had to pay $5 more. The buffet was $1 per plate. My dress was $60. I really don't remember
about the dinner and the beer and soda. The photographer charged us $45 for an album with
40 black and white pictures. He took lots of pictures, including pictures of couples, which could
be purchased for $1 per 5 x 7 photo. Of course, my father included the price of the new living
room rug my mother insisted on. The invitations were donated as well as the cake. My dad
was unhappy with the invitations, as he wanted to include the phrase (your presents is requested,
please carry them in your hand) as well as his plan to pass the collection plate. How I loved that
man. Anyhow, somewhere I have a notebook with the expenses from my parents wedding, that
my dad kept track of. I don't remember much, but one entry sticks in my mind Ribbon for flowers
10 cents. till next time----------I love you all
figures come to mind. The bridesmaid dresses were $45 (very expensive, $25 was the going rate,
but all fell in love with this dress) Flowers were $50. Including Bride's bouquet with orchid corsage
in center and miniature bouquet for throwing. 6 bridesmaid fans, 6 floral crowns, 8 boutonierres,
oops, 9, and two mother coursages, two standing bouquets for the church. Flowers by Miller's
flower shop, located across the street from Union Cemetary (incidentally the one Audrey and I
got locked into one dark and gloomy night. Another story for another time.) The church and
the custodian were donations, as we were members of the church. The hall was $35 rental and
I think the music was about the same, which if you wanted them to stay past midnight then you
had to pay $5 more. The buffet was $1 per plate. My dress was $60. I really don't remember
about the dinner and the beer and soda. The photographer charged us $45 for an album with
40 black and white pictures. He took lots of pictures, including pictures of couples, which could
be purchased for $1 per 5 x 7 photo. Of course, my father included the price of the new living
room rug my mother insisted on. The invitations were donated as well as the cake. My dad
was unhappy with the invitations, as he wanted to include the phrase (your presents is requested,
please carry them in your hand) as well as his plan to pass the collection plate. How I loved that
man. Anyhow, somewhere I have a notebook with the expenses from my parents wedding, that
my dad kept track of. I don't remember much, but one entry sticks in my mind Ribbon for flowers
10 cents. till next time----------I love you all
Saturday, April 5, 2008
APRIL 5TH
JUST MARRIED, WAYNE AND DODI, 56 YEARS AGO
Where has the time gone. I can't believe it was that long ago. Look back on your own wedding days, how
much do you remember. It is such a busy day and so much going on that details are hard to recall. However
some things you just don't forget,
April 5, 1952, that year it happened to be the day before Palm Sunday. It was cold and snowy in the morning,
changing to rain, early on with the sun shining brightly as we left my family home for Immanuel Evangelical
Lutheran church for a 3 PM wedding.
Was I discouraged by the weather, not at all. I was looking forward to my new life, living in Virginia as an
Army wife. New adventures coming my way. I got up that morning and went and got my hair done. By done
I meant, washing and setting it. I would comb it out later. My friend Bev, from church was the hair stylist
and would be at the wedding and if I had problems with my hair she would help me.
I then went to Sears and decided I should have some new underwear for the occasion. Then home. My
bridesmaids all came over to my house to get dressed and to help me get dressed. The photographer
was there. The guys dressed at their homes and then met at the church. Our church did not have a
room big enough for the dressing part. It was a "bride's room" where the ladies would wait their turn to
walk down the aisle.
I loved my wedding dress. Most of you have seen pictures of it. It was an off-white satin, with lots of
lace and a very long train. My cousin Ruth offered to let me wear her veil, it had an equally long train.
My dress cost $60, which also was the price of Ruth's veil when she was married in 1948. I was in her
wedding at that time.
Our attendants for the wedding. My sister Darlene, as maid of honor, Wayne's brother Clyde as best man.
Yes, he was sober. Emma and Roy, Bev and Andy, Audrey and Art, my cousin Ruth and Gil Schramm.
Dick was in the army and unable to get leave, so Gil took his place, Vi and a good friend Bill Jahrman.
I had known Bill all my life (he gave me my first kiss at age 10, while sledding behind a billboard on
35th and Burleigh) He was dating my sister at that time and they were married about 14 months later.
Immanuel was a very large church, seating about 3000 people, if you include seating in the basement.
A very long aisle to walk down. We had about 500 people attending our wedding. I really loved that
church, all the stained glass windows, the gothic styling, it was home to me. My father had been
baptized, confirmed and he and my mother had married in that church, as well as all his framily. Auntie
Alma, Aunt Clara and Uncle Otto. Pastor Dietz had married my parents and baptized and confirmed
me as well as my sister and brother. I would love to have him marry us, but unfortunately he was very
ill at the time, so we knew that wouldn't happen. Pastor Meyer performed the ceremony. I found out
later that day that Pastor Dietz had died that very day.
Also I had received a phone call (another dang phone call) that morning that Ruth Lawonn had a scratchy
voice and might not be able to sing for our wedding, but she had lined up Wally Schober ( knew him too)
in case she got worse. It wasn't until I hear Ruth sing "because" that I knew who would be there. She
also sang The Lord's prayer. Our organist was also a good friend. Paul Jungkunts, his dad was my
music teacher at Lutheran High School, and Paul Jr was our music director at Immanuel. He is still
good friends with my cousin Ruth.
The attendants wore Aqua gowns with real flower crowns for their hair and carried satin and lace fans
covered with flowers. I had a typical bride's bouquet, with a small replica for throwing. The men work
tuxedos with black pants and gray jackets.
All went well. Following the wedding, the bridal party went to Johannes Studio for formal portraits, which
we never really picked up because we never had the money. Our photographer Alan Parsons (wow,
where did that name come frrom) had done an excellent job and we were pleased with our album and
therefore not feeling any pressure to pickup other pictures.
After that the bridal party and immediate family members went to the Hofbrau house for a sit down dinner.
I really don't remember much about that at all. Especially not what we ate. Then we went to my house
to change shoes and went to the rece ption.
Our reception was at the Pilgrim's Hall on Green Bay Road. It consisted of two large rooms, one for
dancing and one was the bar and where the food was served. We offfered beer and soft drinks and
everyone who wanted anything more went downstairs to the public bar. This as standard practise at
weddings at this time. Our church did not approve of dancing, (I did not agree with our church on that)
so Pastor Meyer was FORCED to stay in the bar all night.
I remember dancing the night away. Dancing with my Dad, (remember he was old school and so dancing
was taboo when he grew up) so I guess we just pretended, but I loved it. The one thing I do remember
and this was tradition with our friends was the "Friendship Circle" Our friends would gather around us
Wayne and I in the middle, and we sang our theme song. Ich bin ein Schweizer boo (I am a swiss boy)
we ended every gathering in a friendship circle, and it made sense to do it at weddings. How blessed
we were to have our family and friends to help us start our new life together
Then more food. Around 11 pm the caterers set up a table with all the sandwich makings, salads, raw
beef and onions you could imagine. My mom's friends had made all the cakes. Guests took their
wedding cake home in little boxes in those days. Oh, I forgot to tell you about our wedding Cake. When
I was 14 I got a job at Omar bakeries, retail stores, and worked for them until I was a senior in high school.
Audrey worked for them too. We had keys to all the stores and combos to all the safes. They really liked
and trusted us. Well about two month before our wedding I ran into my old boss from Omar and told her
I was getting married. Omar bakeries made our wedding cake and gave it to us as a gift.
OK, finally it is our time to leave. We did not have a car, so we arranged for Audrey and Art to leave with us
Audrey and I went to my house and Art and Wayne went to Waynes house to get into street clothes. We
knew we were moving away, so decided to stay in Milwaukee for 4 days before moving to Virginia. We
stayed at the Wisconsin Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
One side note I forgot to mention, which was kind of funny, Waynes two aunts, Marguerite's sisters, Lillian
and Ruth were at the wedding in formal gowns, which was strange but fine. I had met Lillian before, but
never Ruth, who llived in Illinois. Aunt Ruth came up to hug me and said "I am so glad Wayne married a
Lutheran:" Oh well.
So now we are in the hotel, we kicked off our shoes, filled the radio with quarters, and then-------------------
counted all our money.
On that note, I will close the door and say "goodnight" and next I will continue with our first months together
as Mr and Mrs. Webb
TO BE CONTINUED............................
Where has the time gone. I can't believe it was that long ago. Look back on your own wedding days, how
much do you remember. It is such a busy day and so much going on that details are hard to recall. However
some things you just don't forget,
April 5, 1952, that year it happened to be the day before Palm Sunday. It was cold and snowy in the morning,
changing to rain, early on with the sun shining brightly as we left my family home for Immanuel Evangelical
Lutheran church for a 3 PM wedding.
Was I discouraged by the weather, not at all. I was looking forward to my new life, living in Virginia as an
Army wife. New adventures coming my way. I got up that morning and went and got my hair done. By done
I meant, washing and setting it. I would comb it out later. My friend Bev, from church was the hair stylist
and would be at the wedding and if I had problems with my hair she would help me.
I then went to Sears and decided I should have some new underwear for the occasion. Then home. My
bridesmaids all came over to my house to get dressed and to help me get dressed. The photographer
was there. The guys dressed at their homes and then met at the church. Our church did not have a
room big enough for the dressing part. It was a "bride's room" where the ladies would wait their turn to
walk down the aisle.
I loved my wedding dress. Most of you have seen pictures of it. It was an off-white satin, with lots of
lace and a very long train. My cousin Ruth offered to let me wear her veil, it had an equally long train.
My dress cost $60, which also was the price of Ruth's veil when she was married in 1948. I was in her
wedding at that time.
Our attendants for the wedding. My sister Darlene, as maid of honor, Wayne's brother Clyde as best man.
Yes, he was sober. Emma and Roy, Bev and Andy, Audrey and Art, my cousin Ruth and Gil Schramm.
Dick was in the army and unable to get leave, so Gil took his place, Vi and a good friend Bill Jahrman.
I had known Bill all my life (he gave me my first kiss at age 10, while sledding behind a billboard on
35th and Burleigh) He was dating my sister at that time and they were married about 14 months later.
Immanuel was a very large church, seating about 3000 people, if you include seating in the basement.
A very long aisle to walk down. We had about 500 people attending our wedding. I really loved that
church, all the stained glass windows, the gothic styling, it was home to me. My father had been
baptized, confirmed and he and my mother had married in that church, as well as all his framily. Auntie
Alma, Aunt Clara and Uncle Otto. Pastor Dietz had married my parents and baptized and confirmed
me as well as my sister and brother. I would love to have him marry us, but unfortunately he was very
ill at the time, so we knew that wouldn't happen. Pastor Meyer performed the ceremony. I found out
later that day that Pastor Dietz had died that very day.
Also I had received a phone call (another dang phone call) that morning that Ruth Lawonn had a scratchy
voice and might not be able to sing for our wedding, but she had lined up Wally Schober ( knew him too)
in case she got worse. It wasn't until I hear Ruth sing "because" that I knew who would be there. She
also sang The Lord's prayer. Our organist was also a good friend. Paul Jungkunts, his dad was my
music teacher at Lutheran High School, and Paul Jr was our music director at Immanuel. He is still
good friends with my cousin Ruth.
The attendants wore Aqua gowns with real flower crowns for their hair and carried satin and lace fans
covered with flowers. I had a typical bride's bouquet, with a small replica for throwing. The men work
tuxedos with black pants and gray jackets.
All went well. Following the wedding, the bridal party went to Johannes Studio for formal portraits, which
we never really picked up because we never had the money. Our photographer Alan Parsons (wow,
where did that name come frrom) had done an excellent job and we were pleased with our album and
therefore not feeling any pressure to pickup other pictures.
After that the bridal party and immediate family members went to the Hofbrau house for a sit down dinner.
I really don't remember much about that at all. Especially not what we ate. Then we went to my house
to change shoes and went to the rece ption.
Our reception was at the Pilgrim's Hall on Green Bay Road. It consisted of two large rooms, one for
dancing and one was the bar and where the food was served. We offfered beer and soft drinks and
everyone who wanted anything more went downstairs to the public bar. This as standard practise at
weddings at this time. Our church did not approve of dancing, (I did not agree with our church on that)
so Pastor Meyer was FORCED to stay in the bar all night.
I remember dancing the night away. Dancing with my Dad, (remember he was old school and so dancing
was taboo when he grew up) so I guess we just pretended, but I loved it. The one thing I do remember
and this was tradition with our friends was the "Friendship Circle" Our friends would gather around us
Wayne and I in the middle, and we sang our theme song. Ich bin ein Schweizer boo (I am a swiss boy)
we ended every gathering in a friendship circle, and it made sense to do it at weddings. How blessed
we were to have our family and friends to help us start our new life together
Then more food. Around 11 pm the caterers set up a table with all the sandwich makings, salads, raw
beef and onions you could imagine. My mom's friends had made all the cakes. Guests took their
wedding cake home in little boxes in those days. Oh, I forgot to tell you about our wedding Cake. When
I was 14 I got a job at Omar bakeries, retail stores, and worked for them until I was a senior in high school.
Audrey worked for them too. We had keys to all the stores and combos to all the safes. They really liked
and trusted us. Well about two month before our wedding I ran into my old boss from Omar and told her
I was getting married. Omar bakeries made our wedding cake and gave it to us as a gift.
OK, finally it is our time to leave. We did not have a car, so we arranged for Audrey and Art to leave with us
Audrey and I went to my house and Art and Wayne went to Waynes house to get into street clothes. We
knew we were moving away, so decided to stay in Milwaukee for 4 days before moving to Virginia. We
stayed at the Wisconsin Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.
One side note I forgot to mention, which was kind of funny, Waynes two aunts, Marguerite's sisters, Lillian
and Ruth were at the wedding in formal gowns, which was strange but fine. I had met Lillian before, but
never Ruth, who llived in Illinois. Aunt Ruth came up to hug me and said "I am so glad Wayne married a
Lutheran:" Oh well.
So now we are in the hotel, we kicked off our shoes, filled the radio with quarters, and then-------------------
counted all our money.
On that note, I will close the door and say "goodnight" and next I will continue with our first months together
as Mr and Mrs. Webb
TO BE CONTINUED............................
Friday, April 4, 2008
3HECTIC MONTHS
First a couple of notes: thanks Shannon for offering to send out wedding picture so I could
blog it, but I don't know how. If you can do it from your computer, go for it.
Also, all was not fun and games with this story and I really did a lot of hard thinking about
putting in the not=so-nice parts, but then that was the way it was and I am sure did a
lot to shape my life. See what you think.
Let's see, I left off on y birthday. That day my Dad took me over to Jerry's Pheasant Bar
for my first legal drink. Wayne was invited over for my birthday dinner and then we went
out partying with Audrey and Art Frey, and Dick and Joyce Schramm. Dick had been
drafted about the same time as Wayne and he too came home for Christmas, at which
time He and Joyce had eloped to Indiana to get married. No waiting period there. We
had a good night.
Wayne had to leave on New Year's Eve and was to report to Ft. Lee in Virginia. Being a
nice person, I invited his mother to go to the depot with us and then we would go back
to the Webb house and celebrate New Years. Kind of mixed emotions there. We had
decided we would be married on his next leave, sometime in June.
Marguerite, my future MIL, was so rude and nasty to me. Complaining she knew nothing
about our engagement (she went with her son to pick out the ring) and but then why should
she as she was only his mother. This went on all night. I did stay til midnite, but by then
I felt that this would be the shortest engagement in history. I couldn't figure it out. She
never treated me this way before and I had known this family for three years. Iguess
she figured as long as I was going with Chuck her son was "safe" from my clutches. I
really didn't need this. Uncle Roy walked me home. We had a long talk. He said I
shouldn't take it personally, that She was that way with anyone who got involved with
the men in her life. She treated Emma like dirt. Auntie Bev could not even kiss her
day good-bye by the time she was ten. He convinced me it wasn't me, but anyone Wayne
would decide to marry. She even wrote to Wayne after the announcement was in the
paper "I see by the paper you are engaged to Dorothy Whats-her-name" for crying out
loud, she knew me for three years. Well, anyway I decided to kill her with kindness.
That's why my tongue is so short, I bit so much of it off keeping my mouth shut. Anyway
this went on until the day she died.
Enough of that. Time passed. I went to pick out my wedding dress, taking both mothers
with me. We had the bridesmaid dresses picked out and all was going well, when another
shoe dropped. Wayne had passed out at inspection that day. He was diagnosed with
a hernia and had surgery. This was early in March. He had completed his basic training
but still had specialized training to go thru for another 6 weeks. They were sending him
home around the 23rd of March for 3 weeks to recover and then we didn't know when
he would get another leave. I had gone that evening to Lutheran High School open house
and got a call there from my mother, stating that Wayne was coming home in a few days
and we needed to up our wedding plans. (come to think of it our courtship was surrounded
by phone calls in weird places.
Can you see it, planning a wedding in 3 weeks--I don't know how my mother and dad
did it, but they did. Thank God the dresses were already bought. And Thank God it
was lent. Not too many people get married during lent, so we were able to get a hall.
We had some connections with Lo Duca Bros. accordian school, and they were able to
get us a band. Even tho it was Lent, weddings were usually frowned on this time of year
but because it was war-time, this was overlooked. When Wayne came home he and I
went to see our pastor. Pastor Meyer told him if he found out Wayne was against me
going to church, He would have to answer to him personally.
Friday night before the wedding, we had rehearsal, and Uncle Clyde (Wayne's best
man) came to church so drunk, he could barely stand up. It was really embarrassing,
but Wayne's dad (a really great man) kind of stepped in for him and guaranteed me
he might be hungover the next day, but he would be sober. All the time my mil kept
saying to anyone who would listed "Waynie just had surgery, so thet wont be able to
do anything" I kid you not! Fortunately I knew we would be moving out of state, so
I was able to ignore her. And besides that she was WRONG
to be continued....................TOMORROW THE "BIG" DAY
blog it, but I don't know how. If you can do it from your computer, go for it.
Also, all was not fun and games with this story and I really did a lot of hard thinking about
putting in the not=so-nice parts, but then that was the way it was and I am sure did a
lot to shape my life. See what you think.
Let's see, I left off on y birthday. That day my Dad took me over to Jerry's Pheasant Bar
for my first legal drink. Wayne was invited over for my birthday dinner and then we went
out partying with Audrey and Art Frey, and Dick and Joyce Schramm. Dick had been
drafted about the same time as Wayne and he too came home for Christmas, at which
time He and Joyce had eloped to Indiana to get married. No waiting period there. We
had a good night.
Wayne had to leave on New Year's Eve and was to report to Ft. Lee in Virginia. Being a
nice person, I invited his mother to go to the depot with us and then we would go back
to the Webb house and celebrate New Years. Kind of mixed emotions there. We had
decided we would be married on his next leave, sometime in June.
Marguerite, my future MIL, was so rude and nasty to me. Complaining she knew nothing
about our engagement (she went with her son to pick out the ring) and but then why should
she as she was only his mother. This went on all night. I did stay til midnite, but by then
I felt that this would be the shortest engagement in history. I couldn't figure it out. She
never treated me this way before and I had known this family for three years. Iguess
she figured as long as I was going with Chuck her son was "safe" from my clutches. I
really didn't need this. Uncle Roy walked me home. We had a long talk. He said I
shouldn't take it personally, that She was that way with anyone who got involved with
the men in her life. She treated Emma like dirt. Auntie Bev could not even kiss her
day good-bye by the time she was ten. He convinced me it wasn't me, but anyone Wayne
would decide to marry. She even wrote to Wayne after the announcement was in the
paper "I see by the paper you are engaged to Dorothy Whats-her-name" for crying out
loud, she knew me for three years. Well, anyway I decided to kill her with kindness.
That's why my tongue is so short, I bit so much of it off keeping my mouth shut. Anyway
this went on until the day she died.
Enough of that. Time passed. I went to pick out my wedding dress, taking both mothers
with me. We had the bridesmaid dresses picked out and all was going well, when another
shoe dropped. Wayne had passed out at inspection that day. He was diagnosed with
a hernia and had surgery. This was early in March. He had completed his basic training
but still had specialized training to go thru for another 6 weeks. They were sending him
home around the 23rd of March for 3 weeks to recover and then we didn't know when
he would get another leave. I had gone that evening to Lutheran High School open house
and got a call there from my mother, stating that Wayne was coming home in a few days
and we needed to up our wedding plans. (come to think of it our courtship was surrounded
by phone calls in weird places.
Can you see it, planning a wedding in 3 weeks--I don't know how my mother and dad
did it, but they did. Thank God the dresses were already bought. And Thank God it
was lent. Not too many people get married during lent, so we were able to get a hall.
We had some connections with Lo Duca Bros. accordian school, and they were able to
get us a band. Even tho it was Lent, weddings were usually frowned on this time of year
but because it was war-time, this was overlooked. When Wayne came home he and I
went to see our pastor. Pastor Meyer told him if he found out Wayne was against me
going to church, He would have to answer to him personally.
Friday night before the wedding, we had rehearsal, and Uncle Clyde (Wayne's best
man) came to church so drunk, he could barely stand up. It was really embarrassing,
but Wayne's dad (a really great man) kind of stepped in for him and guaranteed me
he might be hungover the next day, but he would be sober. All the time my mil kept
saying to anyone who would listed "Waynie just had surgery, so thet wont be able to
do anything" I kid you not! Fortunately I knew we would be moving out of state, so
I was able to ignore her. And besides that she was WRONG
to be continued....................TOMORROW THE "BIG" DAY
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
AS I WAS SAYING..............................
I really wasn't thinking of this as a cliff hanger, after all you all have read the last page!
Yes, I dated Chuck for three years. In December he asked me to "go steady" and I said
yes. So on that date everymonth, he would bring me a box of Candy and every Saturday
he would bring me flowers from the Green Market. I was impressed. Chuck was a
really nice guy. He was a year younger than I, and still in school. I was working my
first full time adult job. I worked for Loewi & Co. an investment firm. I had the nicest
boss, Marshall Loewi, his father was the president of the company, but Marshall was
just a couple of years older than me. I worked there until the time I got married. But,
I got off the track there.
We had lots of good times those three years. Chuck was Catholic (ohmygosh) but
soon became involved with my church, and eventually joined Immanuel. Bob and Vi
were the only other "couple" in our group, but the others managed to find dates and
so we had a lot of parties. We never did any drinking until we were of legal age, but
soon discovered that if we left the city limits, we could legally drink beer at the age of 18.
So we would go out to the "Lincs Motel" where they had great hamburgers and we had
beer. Imagine the look on my Mom's face when I said we went to a motel! Wehad
lots of parties, everytime someone had a birthday, we would have a party in Wayne's
attic, or mine. We were the only ones who had a full attic. We also spent a lot of time
at Vi's home. She had 4 younger sisters, and we wound up babysitting those girls a lot.
But as I said, Chuck was a year younger than I and I guess I just grew up faster andwe
kind of grew apart. We had 2 weddings coming up in 1951, Audrey and Art's in August
and Bob and Vi's in September. We were in both weddings, and we did not want to put
a damper on either one, so we told no one and just pretended everything was fine.
After the September wedding, we just each went our own way.
In the meantime, things were happening elsewhere in the world. That's about the time
when the Korean war broke out and our government decided we needed to send our boys
over there for a "police action" They re-instated the draft and all our friend were just
waiting to be called to serve their country. Chuck was exempt because he was the only
son and they had a business. His father had recently had a heart attack, so Chuck was
running the business. They had a print shop on 12th street and did a lot of printing for
the city. As a matter of fact, Chuck's dad got a ticket for speeding and he told the officer
"thanks a lot, I printed that ticket" For the record, Chuck printed up our wedding
invitations.
One night I was babysitting my brother and feeling sorry for myself, so I called Wayne.
I didn't know at the time he was just leaving his house, so he sat in his hallway and we
talked for a long time. He would ask me what time it was and I told him 10 after 9.
I didn't realize my watch had stopped (we had wind up watches then) and when we
finally hung up it was 11:30. From that time one whenever we wrote to one another
we always wrote 9:10 PM. Even on notes left on the table, any card we gave each
other, and before he died I had flowers sent to the hospital with no name but 9:10 pm
on the card. Even in his drugged state he knew what that meant.
We started dating right after that phone call. We had lots of parties that fall as so
many of our friends were drafted. We would have a going=away party. Grandpa
left for the army on Dec. 7th 1951. 10 years to the date of Pearl Harbor. Bob Linder
was drafted into the Marines a couple of weeks later. Grandpa was sent to Ft. Sheridan
in Illinois, for the first few days.
I was in church that Sunday with my Dad. Mom and Bobby had stayed home and I
really don't remember where my sister was (probably in church sitting with her friends)
It was during the sermon when one of the ushers came to see me and told me I had a
emergency phone call in the office. I went to answer it (leaving my purse with my dad)
It was Auntie Bev saying they were going to Ft Sheridan to see Wayne and did I want
to go with them.
Oh my gosh, I wanted to go, but I was in a play that night (we were doing three one
act plays at our church.) We had won the State Championship (walther League style)
and were presenting the winners to our district. Bob said dont worry, we will do ours
last, go and have a good time. I did. It was then Grandpa and I confessed our love for
each other, and even tho we did not know what the future held, we wanted to be together.
I got home really late and knew I would have to rush to get ready for the play. When
I got home, I found this Sailor waiting for me in my living room. I had dated him a
time or two. He was from Ohio and his dad and mine were in the same union, so when
he was stationed at Great Lakes he contacted us and I showed him around our town.
He had been at my house all day. He knew where I had been and knew Grandpa and I
were getting serious, but being a good sport, he went to the plays with me and then
somehow I never heard from him again.
This was probably around the 10th of Dec. Grandpa and I wrote to each other and
Grandpa got a leave for Christmas. He had 10 days leave and would leave on New
Year's Eve for Fort Lee Virginia for Basic training. He came home around the 21st of
December. On one of those evenings, walking home from his house he asked me to
marry him. I said yes, but I really had some reservations about this. I was so very
into my church and he wasn't even baptized. His dad was an atheist and his mom
a methodist who didn't have any of the kids baptized or took them to church, saying
they could do this when they grew up and knew what they wanted.
We discussed this quite a bit. I didn't want him to commit to the church simply because
I wanted it, but he had to want this himself. He would do nothing to stop me from going
to church and he said he wanted to go with me and learn. He gave my my engagement
ring on my birthday.
Until next time to be continued.................love you all
Yes, I dated Chuck for three years. In December he asked me to "go steady" and I said
yes. So on that date everymonth, he would bring me a box of Candy and every Saturday
he would bring me flowers from the Green Market. I was impressed. Chuck was a
really nice guy. He was a year younger than I, and still in school. I was working my
first full time adult job. I worked for Loewi & Co. an investment firm. I had the nicest
boss, Marshall Loewi, his father was the president of the company, but Marshall was
just a couple of years older than me. I worked there until the time I got married. But,
I got off the track there.
We had lots of good times those three years. Chuck was Catholic (ohmygosh) but
soon became involved with my church, and eventually joined Immanuel. Bob and Vi
were the only other "couple" in our group, but the others managed to find dates and
so we had a lot of parties. We never did any drinking until we were of legal age, but
soon discovered that if we left the city limits, we could legally drink beer at the age of 18.
So we would go out to the "Lincs Motel" where they had great hamburgers and we had
beer. Imagine the look on my Mom's face when I said we went to a motel! Wehad
lots of parties, everytime someone had a birthday, we would have a party in Wayne's
attic, or mine. We were the only ones who had a full attic. We also spent a lot of time
at Vi's home. She had 4 younger sisters, and we wound up babysitting those girls a lot.
But as I said, Chuck was a year younger than I and I guess I just grew up faster andwe
kind of grew apart. We had 2 weddings coming up in 1951, Audrey and Art's in August
and Bob and Vi's in September. We were in both weddings, and we did not want to put
a damper on either one, so we told no one and just pretended everything was fine.
After the September wedding, we just each went our own way.
In the meantime, things were happening elsewhere in the world. That's about the time
when the Korean war broke out and our government decided we needed to send our boys
over there for a "police action" They re-instated the draft and all our friend were just
waiting to be called to serve their country. Chuck was exempt because he was the only
son and they had a business. His father had recently had a heart attack, so Chuck was
running the business. They had a print shop on 12th street and did a lot of printing for
the city. As a matter of fact, Chuck's dad got a ticket for speeding and he told the officer
"thanks a lot, I printed that ticket" For the record, Chuck printed up our wedding
invitations.
One night I was babysitting my brother and feeling sorry for myself, so I called Wayne.
I didn't know at the time he was just leaving his house, so he sat in his hallway and we
talked for a long time. He would ask me what time it was and I told him 10 after 9.
I didn't realize my watch had stopped (we had wind up watches then) and when we
finally hung up it was 11:30. From that time one whenever we wrote to one another
we always wrote 9:10 PM. Even on notes left on the table, any card we gave each
other, and before he died I had flowers sent to the hospital with no name but 9:10 pm
on the card. Even in his drugged state he knew what that meant.
We started dating right after that phone call. We had lots of parties that fall as so
many of our friends were drafted. We would have a going=away party. Grandpa
left for the army on Dec. 7th 1951. 10 years to the date of Pearl Harbor. Bob Linder
was drafted into the Marines a couple of weeks later. Grandpa was sent to Ft. Sheridan
in Illinois, for the first few days.
I was in church that Sunday with my Dad. Mom and Bobby had stayed home and I
really don't remember where my sister was (probably in church sitting with her friends)
It was during the sermon when one of the ushers came to see me and told me I had a
emergency phone call in the office. I went to answer it (leaving my purse with my dad)
It was Auntie Bev saying they were going to Ft Sheridan to see Wayne and did I want
to go with them.
Oh my gosh, I wanted to go, but I was in a play that night (we were doing three one
act plays at our church.) We had won the State Championship (walther League style)
and were presenting the winners to our district. Bob said dont worry, we will do ours
last, go and have a good time. I did. It was then Grandpa and I confessed our love for
each other, and even tho we did not know what the future held, we wanted to be together.
I got home really late and knew I would have to rush to get ready for the play. When
I got home, I found this Sailor waiting for me in my living room. I had dated him a
time or two. He was from Ohio and his dad and mine were in the same union, so when
he was stationed at Great Lakes he contacted us and I showed him around our town.
He had been at my house all day. He knew where I had been and knew Grandpa and I
were getting serious, but being a good sport, he went to the plays with me and then
somehow I never heard from him again.
This was probably around the 10th of Dec. Grandpa and I wrote to each other and
Grandpa got a leave for Christmas. He had 10 days leave and would leave on New
Year's Eve for Fort Lee Virginia for Basic training. He came home around the 21st of
December. On one of those evenings, walking home from his house he asked me to
marry him. I said yes, but I really had some reservations about this. I was so very
into my church and he wasn't even baptized. His dad was an atheist and his mom
a methodist who didn't have any of the kids baptized or took them to church, saying
they could do this when they grew up and knew what they wanted.
We discussed this quite a bit. I didn't want him to commit to the church simply because
I wanted it, but he had to want this himself. He would do nothing to stop me from going
to church and he said he wanted to go with me and learn. He gave my my engagement
ring on my birthday.
Until next time to be continued.................love you all
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