APPRECIATION - IT'S GREAT
08/07/05 12:58 PM
Good afternoon, fellow and lady cyber spacers. The time is 1300 hours, and I have just finished a nice ham and lettuce sandwich that my darling bride fixed up for me. I had been gone since early morning, first stopping off at the County Veterans Office in Wampsville, and then on to Wal Wart for my daily Wishing Well watch.
While I was in the parking lot of the County Offices, I bumped into our Town of Lenox Supervisor, Rocky DiVeronica. He was just getting out of his car as I pulled into a parking space close by. We had a quick chat on how things were progressing on the War Memorial Project, and I informed him that I was going to seek assistance from the Veterans Agency concerning those veterans within the Canastota School District..
I also had a new draft of the Memorial, that was prepared by the Rock of Ages Monument Company in Vermont, that I wanted him to look at before we meet this coming Monday evening. They made a few minor changes to our original draft, but they were the type you like to see. They were all cost saving ideas.
When I finished up at the Veteran's Agency I drove over to Wal Mart, ran up our nation's colors, on the roof of the Wishing Well, and stood tall, at parade rest. for the next 3 hours. I rather enjoy standing there, watching the people come and go. There are quite a few of them who stop and chat with me and it helps to make the time go by quickly.
One elderly lady stopped and introduced herself to me. She went to her purse, pulled a $10.00 bill out, and said, "I'm from Denmark, and I want to thank you for freeing my homeland". Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she spoke. It was early in the morning, and I wasn't ready for this type of talk, at this time of the day.
"Your welcome, Mam," I responded sheepishly, "Your people suffered terribly under Nazi rule."
"I know well", she replied, "But you boys paid such a price. We have very large cemeteries there, where American soldiers are buried. Our people are so grateful for what you have done for us".
I gave her a hug, and said, "Thank you, Madam, we appreciate your support so very much."
There wasn't much more I could say. Tears were running rather freely down both our cheeks. I guess we were both getting sentimental in our old age.
I had to be back home at 1230 hours as Frisco had to take her younger sister to a doctors appointment.
That's the reason I decided to spend part of my afternoon with you folks. I"m kind of tired at the present time, so I think I'll sign off for now but will return later this afternoon after I awake from my nap. See you then.
Back once again. The time is 1800 hours. I had a nice nap, visited with my sister-in-law and took my bride out for our usual Friday night fish dinner. Just arrived home and placed 11 phone calls to the War Memorial Committee reminding them of our July 11 meeting with the Town Supervisor.
We will be setting up sub-committees that will be working and planning independently in their own particular fields of expertise. The time has finally arrived when we must set the frame work up and pour the foundation for the memorial itself. Hopefully we can get this done before the 1st of August. I hope that there are no more drawbacks that will hinder our progress.
We won't be able to get a proposal from the Rock of Ages Monument Company until after July 11th as the individual we're working with is on vacation and won't be back until the 11th. Hopefully he will get right on it, and be able to inform us how many names the present plans will accommodate, I hope that we will not have to enlarge the memorial, it could prove to be costly. I'll just have to be patient, and hope for the best. I'm sure that we'll be in fine shape. Confidence is half the battle, they keep telling me.
I went on a scavenger hunt the other day in my Sea Cabin, just below the main deck. I was searching for some old Navy documents, pertaining to me, and found anything, and everything, except for what I was searching for. But all was not lost - lo and behold, I opened a small box, and there, to my surprise, was my 33,000 Word Book. It just laid there smiling, as if to say, "You have been looking for me, haven't you? SURPRISE!"
Now I can sit down and spell just about whatever word I am having difficulty with. All it is, is a word book, there is no definitions to what the words mean. I don't need that, I understand the meaning of the word, I just have trouble spelling them. I attribute that to my old age also.
Now that my son, John, has installed a banister leading down the latter to my Sea Cabin, I feel more secure going below to check on things. I am seriously thinking about setting up shop down there, but I'll have to consider it carefully. I don't like to be too far away from Fran. We are like two peas in a pod.
It is nice and cozy down below, we have a kitchen, a shower and bath room, and it is always a lot cooler there. Frisco loves her quilting room, and I would have to sacrifice our togetherness if I spend too much time down below. My instinct tells me to stay put, and not rock the boat. I learned a long time ago to follow my instincts, so I had better stay moored topside with the War Department. I know what side my bread is buttered on.
It's time for the evening news, and I understand that Florida is bracing for another hurricane. I believe the name of this one is "Dennis". The State of Florida really takes a beating from old Mother Nature. I know, I rode some pretty tough ones out at sea while I was home ported in Key West. Oh, for the life of a sailor. I wouldn't change a thing, though, the finest people I have ever known were those with whom I served, my shipmates. But that's another story. I am going to take my leave, and wish you all a fond adieu. Life is good. God Bless -- Keep the Faith. -- Sailor Jack