I DID IT AGAIN
05/11/05 08:51 AM
Today is November 5th, the last time I spent any time in my sea cabin was on September 25th. Where have I been? Things are happening so fast that I don't have the time to keep up with them. I shouldn't complain though, everything that has happened has had a positive effect for me. The Town of Lenox WW II Memorial is on a fast track and moving right along. The foundation will be poured this coming week, and donations are coming in at a steady pace.
A few weeks ago a friend of mine gave me a call and inquired where to send in his donation. I gave him the info and related the story I have told so many times. I mentioned to him that there were 770 names to be inscribed on the memorial - that relates to 770 families. I told him, "The last time I went to school, 770 times 100 equals 77,000. If each family (the entire extended family) would would chip in a hundred dollars, collectively, the monument would be paid for."
When he called the other day he said, "Jack, I have some money for you. Where do you want me to send it?"
"Take it to the Municipal Building and give it to our treasurer. She'll take your picture for the newspapers". I told him.
"How about you being there too, I want you in the picture?"
"O.K. I'll be there", I answered.
When we met at the Municipal Building he showed me six checks from his family totaling $325.00. "I did like you told me, I got my brothers and my sons to give a donation", he said with pride.
I thanked him for his great support for our project. When I returned home I called the Oneida Daily Dispatch and asked the editor if he would consider a rerun of the completed list of names for publication. He informed me that he would be happy to do so.
I also requested an interview with one of his reporters and with the help of Commander Dave I forwarded, via e mail, the photo of my friend, his son and me, with my buddy holding the checks in a fanned pose. Hopefully this will entice other families to do the same thing.
If we are going to meet our goal of $110,000 it will have to come, largely, from the families whose loved ones names will be inscribed on the Memorial. I have faith that they will not let us down.
I also had cataracts surgery on both of my eyes since my last post. The surgery was a success, it certainly lit up my life. I didn't realize I was having that much difficulty with my eyesight. I don't need my glasses anymore for driving. Everything is so much clearer than before.
I guess that's the main reason I have been away from my post.
My darling, Frisco Fran, and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on October 29th. Our children will be coming home for Veterans Day to treat us to a fine evening out. I believe that only Commander Dave and our son Eric will be unable to attend. Both live out of state and work commitments keep them from coming. Their thoughts and prayers will be with us that evening, I know.
Dave was home for a 4 day weekend in early October. He wanted to be here for his high school class 30th reunion. He really enjoyed his stay and renewing old acquaintances.
Another son, Mark, was home for a very short time the same week that Dave came home. He dropped off his two cats for us to watch over while he took his annual 10 day hike in the Adirondack Mountains. He managed to see and visit with Dave for 2 days before he returned to his Cornwall on the Hudson home. While he was home here, he purchased a set of headphones so that I could watch my TV without the volume so high. When it's loud Fran gets annoyed with me. She has sonar ears. She can hear a pin drop. Now I can mute the TV and still hear what's going on. My guys are always so thoughtful of their old Sea Dad.
When I had my cataracts removed I was not allowed to bend down, and was advised to forego my exercise routine at the "Y". As a result I am now starting all over again attempting to build my strength and endurance. I am back to walking at Wal Marts with my trusty cart, my legs are feeling the pain, but I keep reminding myself of that old saying "No Pain - No Gain". Hopefully I'll be back in battery in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile I am trying to stay focused on, and I mean that literally, things I have to accomplish . I just received new eye glasses and I doing my best to adjust to them.
I even have to get my fingers to moving much faster. I used to type around 120 words a minute but I have slowed down quite a bit since my duties as a Navy Yeoman. Have no fear, I have just got to get off the solitary and cribbage games and pay more attention to my web log. I fully enjoy sitting here chatting with no one in particular, and hope that someone out there in the nether world is reading my blog. It is now l330 hours and I believe I have spent enough time discussing this past chapter in the life of Sailor Jack. Time to put on my head phones, and turn on the TV. The football games are underway and I am missing out on a lot of action.
Nice talking to you good people. I pray that the weatherman will look with favor on us so that we can get the concrete poured for our monument. Once that is done we can turn our full attention to Fund Raising activities. Our goal remains at $110,000. We have approximately $52,000 in the Town of Lenox Veterans Fund at the present time. Anyone out there that would like to honor the World War II veterans, living or dead, from the Town of Lenox located in Central New York can do so by simply writing a check payable to The Town of Lenox Veterans Fund, and mail it to: The Town of Lenox, Municipal Building, Peterboro Street, Canastota, NY 13032.
Once again, thanks for having me on your screen. I've enjoyed our chat. Until the next post, Keep the Faith. -- Sailor Jack