VETS HOME ORIENTATION.
I have been a resident here six weeks now. I have completed my Orientation already, even though I was told that it could take two to three months. During one of my early sessions, I met Jim Scheers. He has been here a couple of weeks longer. I am glad that our paths crossed. He is very friendly and outgoing. We have something in common! We are nonagenarians. Jim is 95, and I am trailing him by three years.
During our conversations, I learned that he was an author. He has written 25 books - some in collaboration with other authors. His writing career spans about 50 years, and he is currently writing another book! I mentioned Jim to our daughter, Joan. She was familiar with his books, and said that she has two of them.
This morning we ate breakfast together. He happened to mention that if he were eating alone, he would be “writing” in his head. I asked him if he would remember it, and he said “yes”. He would transcribe his thoughts after he got back to his room.
Jim has an interesting philosophy of life. He told me about a guy, after learning that Jim was 95, asked him if he enjoyed being 95 Jim said, “Oh yes”. The guy said, “but you are closer to dying!” Jim replied, “Everyone is going to die, and I am ready. The guy asked “why?” Jim said “Because I am planning on going to heaven. I have led a good life, geared towards this goal. Jim’s mantra is John 3:3. While I consider myself being spiritual, I was not sure of John3:3, so I Googled it, with the following results:
John 3:3 (King James version.) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily. verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The the new International version, is similar. “Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Footnote:
The Greek for “again” also means “from above”.
Jim’s faith is very interesting and convincing. 12/27/10.
P.S. Mary and Greg invited me over for lunch on Sunday - the day after Christmas. Mary read the quote on the label of her Honest Ade drink. "Do not regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many." - Author Unknown.
I think it fits in perfectly here!
RCL 12/28/10.
RCL - 12/27/10.
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Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
PEARL HARBOR
Pearl Harbor Remembrance.
Today, is the 69th anniversary of the “infamous” Sunday, December 7th, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, in Honolulu. This sad day marked our active participation in World War II.
Today is also the birthday of our youngest daughter Susan, who was born in the Wilcox hospital at Waimea, Kauai. Also, my good friend Jim Leslie is celebrating his “double-eight” birthday back in Ypsilanti.
I recently moved here to the California Veterans Home, in Yountville. A large group of us are having breakfast. The subject of conversation at the nearby tables is, of course, Pearl Harbor. I wonder how many men, and women, in this large dining room, were there, in Honolulu, on that day?
My memory of the day is still vivid - like it was only yesterday!
The human brain is quite a remarkable organ to be able to store data, and release it upon demand, 69 years later!
I had enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 26, 1941 - in Detroit. On this day, I was stationed at Gunter Field in Montgomery, Alabama. I was a Crew Chief of a Vultee Basic Trainer 13. Our mission was to train English lads to fly.
Being a Sunday, four of my friends and I decided to drive to Birmingham (about 100 miles) to spend the day. I was sandwiched in the middle of the back seat - no seat belts back then. I can’t remember the type of car, and who owned it. We had the car radio “on”. All of a sudden an “Alert” was broadcast “All military personnel report to your bases immediately.” One of us said, “Turn off the radio”, and we decided to keep going. So, we sped along as if nothing had happened!
After spending the day sight-seeing in Birmingham, we returned to Gunter Field. I was immediately assigned to “Guard Duty”. I was given an Enfield rifle (WW I vintage,) but no ammunition. I don’t remember having any rifle training in “Boot Camp”. I can still remember walking around the buildings on that cool, spooky December night.
RCL - 12/9/10.
Today, is the 69th anniversary of the “infamous” Sunday, December 7th, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, in Honolulu. This sad day marked our active participation in World War II.
Today is also the birthday of our youngest daughter Susan, who was born in the Wilcox hospital at Waimea, Kauai. Also, my good friend Jim Leslie is celebrating his “double-eight” birthday back in Ypsilanti.
I recently moved here to the California Veterans Home, in Yountville. A large group of us are having breakfast. The subject of conversation at the nearby tables is, of course, Pearl Harbor. I wonder how many men, and women, in this large dining room, were there, in Honolulu, on that day?
My memory of the day is still vivid - like it was only yesterday!
The human brain is quite a remarkable organ to be able to store data, and release it upon demand, 69 years later!
I had enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 26, 1941 - in Detroit. On this day, I was stationed at Gunter Field in Montgomery, Alabama. I was a Crew Chief of a Vultee Basic Trainer 13. Our mission was to train English lads to fly.
Being a Sunday, four of my friends and I decided to drive to Birmingham (about 100 miles) to spend the day. I was sandwiched in the middle of the back seat - no seat belts back then. I can’t remember the type of car, and who owned it. We had the car radio “on”. All of a sudden an “Alert” was broadcast “All military personnel report to your bases immediately.” One of us said, “Turn off the radio”, and we decided to keep going. So, we sped along as if nothing had happened!
After spending the day sight-seeing in Birmingham, we returned to Gunter Field. I was immediately assigned to “Guard Duty”. I was given an Enfield rifle (WW I vintage,) but no ammunition. I don’t remember having any rifle training in “Boot Camp”. I can still remember walking around the buildings on that cool, spooky December night.
RCL - 12/9/10.
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