It is said that we glorify the past. I look back on that time as a time of personal growth. A test of strength and endurance. Maybe with that statement, there might some glorification of those 18 months. I remember vividly so many things that went wrong and the few that went well.
I remember the postman. I sat on the front steps each day, weather permitting, to watch for him. A letter meant my pilot husband was OK. and was a boost to my day.
We had no text messaging, no cell phones and no Internet for emails. Communication was strictly through the 'snail mail.'
Letters took 10-14 days, but on a daily basis, it seemed to be immediate contact.
Each day, the postman would by-pass other houses to bring the letters right up the steps to me as each day, I grew fatter with baby. He smiled as he walked up, just as if he had personally written the letter himself. The letters all had the red and white boarders and stood out from other mail.
The first day there was no letter, he was more concerned than I. With sincere apologies he broke the news..."I am so, so sorry, but I don't have a letter for you today."
The next day, two letters arrived. They arrived being waved in the air by one happy Postman.
Seeing how he worried, I explained the protocol ~the Air Force would have sent a black car with two officers to my door, had there been a tragedy.
After spending time with many people I had known before I married and moved away, it didn't take long to realize my life was totally different than my civilian friends. I realized I needed the company of other military wives.
The Air Force assisted me in locating 82 Waiting Wives in the City near were I lived. Soon, we established the Waiting Wives Club for that area.
We had a luncheon monthly. We swapped stories and it was good to hear others talk about the cities and remote locations in Vietnam.
By phone, news in the group traveled fast.
We only lost one member when her husbands plane was shot down. That stunned us into the reality that any day, we could have the same news.
Another loss of a different kind~
One of the husbands was a Military Doctor in Vietnam (a MASH Unit) met and fell in love with a nurse he met there in Vietnam. That was another reality of the war and separation.
Each day~ I wrote a letter with stories of the children and Trixie the dog. How I wish I had those letters to publish today.
cont...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Vietnam ~ Waiting Wives Part 2
The assignment was a long one...18 months. A year and half seemed forever. The decision was easy. With a new baby on the way, we would move back to my home town to be near family and support systems.
Our new house was sold immediately.
The first day of the 18 months began all too soon. Barely settled into a rental house...the day came. I planned not to dwell on the negative, however, Vietnam was a televised war and I knew my husband would be flying into danger each and every day. We casually talked about all possibilities and made plans. They were to write a letter every day. We planned for him to come home for the birth of the baby and later, meet half way, in Hawaii.
At the airport, we followed Air Force tradition. When a loved one is flying out, it is considered bad luck to watch the plane until it is out of sight. The children and I stood to see the plane into the sky and then turned to begin my duty of supporting him by taking care of the home front and being brave.
To be cont...
Our new house was sold immediately.
The first day of the 18 months began all too soon. Barely settled into a rental house...the day came. I planned not to dwell on the negative, however, Vietnam was a televised war and I knew my husband would be flying into danger each and every day. We casually talked about all possibilities and made plans. They were to write a letter every day. We planned for him to come home for the birth of the baby and later, meet half way, in Hawaii.
At the airport, we followed Air Force tradition. When a loved one is flying out, it is considered bad luck to watch the plane until it is out of sight. The children and I stood to see the plane into the sky and then turned to begin my duty of supporting him by taking care of the home front and being brave.
To be cont...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Events of a Kind Come In Three's
I commented on an old adage here
when
in one week,
three people in my
life, departed.
I thought of an old adage...
"Death's come in three's."
Seems to be some truth ~
however~
A friend of mine reminded me that good things comes in three's as well.
She said 'three' was the number used in Nursery Rythms.
The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, etc.
She said 'three' was the number used in Nursery Rythms.
The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, etc.
My personal loss this past week,
was shocking.
One person died as weas expected but the other two were very unexpected.
One was young, another in the prime of his life and the last was my life-long friend Ann.
Ann and I were best friends since age five. We walked to school together and sat next to each other for the first 3 years of school however, in
the 4th grade we had too much to talk about so the teacher separated us.
We lead very different lives but our friendship was always in place.
We never lost touch.
I will miss the comfort of her always being there.
After losing someone in our circle of life, we stop for awhile.
WE TAKE TIME and REEVALUATE OUR OWN LIVES.
WE TAKE TIME and REEVALUATE OUR OWN LIVES.
June
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Vietnam Waiting Wives of 1970
In our everyday sentiments, we find many truisms simply phrased ... "When it rains it pours." "Things happen in threes." These things we can count on to always be true.
We had finally decided to (1)buy a house. Two months later, still sorting working in settling in the new house my husband comes home with (2) orders for Vietnam. Was a tough assignment as was for 18 months flying out of Taiwan. Well, I too had news for him. (3) I was pregnant.
to be cont...ck back
We had finally decided to (1)buy a house. Two months later, still sorting working in settling in the new house my husband comes home with (2) orders for Vietnam. Was a tough assignment as was for 18 months flying out of Taiwan. Well, I too had news for him. (3) I was pregnant.
to be cont...ck back
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thomas Sherrod Richards 12 Oct 1787-10 Sept 1846
THOMAS SHERROD RICHARDS
Added by lizabetto@aol.com on 4 Sep 2008
Thomas Sherrod Richards was first born son of William and Charity (Sherrod) Richards. He was named after his maternal grandfather, Thomas Sherrod. Born 12 Oct 1787.
Thomas served in Capt. E. W. Adams Company of the Georgia Militia. Family records have him as a "boat Captain" and that his father, William was a Major in the Rev. War.
He was married twice.
First marriage was to Sally Thompson on Feb 16, 1815. Marriage license and marriage records from the Archives in LaGrange, Georgia. The marriage license for Thomas S. Richards and Sally Thompson was issued on Feb 15, 1815 by Putnam County Clerk Coleman Pendleton and they were married the next day by Richards Dixon, Justice of Peace.
Sally's Father was Seth Thompson.
The children of Sherrod and Sally were Joseph M. D. Richards and Polly Richards.
They are listed as a family in the 1820 Census however, the children and Sally were missing from the 1830 Census. From this and the following history, we can assume Sally died before 1830. We don't know who raised the children as they were not with Thomas in the 1830 Census.
We have information Polly great up and married a "Tredwell" and moved to Washington State (?) We haven't a record of Sally's death but apparently before 1830.
Thomas and his brother are thought to have moved to Troup C. Georgia in 1826/1827. Thomas was listed in the 1830 Census as living with an older married couple (name missing). He and his brother were involved in many land transactions in Troup C. in the later 1820's and early 1830's. they are listed as witnesses or buyer/seller.
Thomas was married to his second wife, Elizabeth Jordan in 1835. Family notes from Elizabeth O, say Thomas had a Mill and Gin in Chambers County for Lovina Township, Randolph C., Ga.
(We have no records to confirm, however, I hold great respect for family legends handed down.)
After he married Elizabeth Jordan, they lived in Pike Co. Ga.; moved to Troup Co. Ga for 5 years, then to Chambers Co. Alabama. They had 6 children together. Thomas died after only 11 years of marriage and let Elizabeth with young children.
The Census of Chambers Co, 1850 (before the Civil War show Elizabeth head of household with 6 of her children and the 1860 Census (after the Civil War) show her there in Chambers Co with only three of her youngest children. She lived on the family farm in Milltown until she died.
Added by lizabetto@aol.com on 4 Sep 2008
Thomas Sherrod Richards was first born son of William and Charity (Sherrod) Richards. He was named after his maternal grandfather, Thomas Sherrod. Born 12 Oct 1787.
Thomas served in Capt. E. W. Adams Company of the Georgia Militia. Family records have him as a "boat Captain" and that his father, William was a Major in the Rev. War.
He was married twice.
First marriage was to Sally Thompson on Feb 16, 1815. Marriage license and marriage records from the Archives in LaGrange, Georgia. The marriage license for Thomas S. Richards and Sally Thompson was issued on Feb 15, 1815 by Putnam County Clerk Coleman Pendleton and they were married the next day by Richards Dixon, Justice of Peace.
Sally's Father was Seth Thompson.
The children of Sherrod and Sally were Joseph M. D. Richards and Polly Richards.
They are listed as a family in the 1820 Census however, the children and Sally were missing from the 1830 Census. From this and the following history, we can assume Sally died before 1830. We don't know who raised the children as they were not with Thomas in the 1830 Census.
We have information Polly great up and married a "Tredwell" and moved to Washington State (?) We haven't a record of Sally's death but apparently before 1830.
Thomas and his brother are thought to have moved to Troup C. Georgia in 1826/1827. Thomas was listed in the 1830 Census as living with an older married couple (name missing). He and his brother were involved in many land transactions in Troup C. in the later 1820's and early 1830's. they are listed as witnesses or buyer/seller.
Thomas was married to his second wife, Elizabeth Jordan in 1835. Family notes from Elizabeth O, say Thomas had a Mill and Gin in Chambers County for Lovina Township, Randolph C., Ga.
(We have no records to confirm, however, I hold great respect for family legends handed down.)
After he married Elizabeth Jordan, they lived in Pike Co. Ga.; moved to Troup Co. Ga for 5 years, then to Chambers Co. Alabama. They had 6 children together. Thomas died after only 11 years of marriage and let Elizabeth with young children.
The Census of Chambers Co, 1850 (before the Civil War show Elizabeth head of household with 6 of her children and the 1860 Census (after the Civil War) show her there in Chambers Co with only three of her youngest children. She lived on the family farm in Milltown until she died.
Writer from New York Times Questioned ~
A young woman who writes for the New York Times emailed me to ask my opinion of the young daughter of Sarah Palin being pregnant as so many liberals were emailing concerning this revelation.
My answer was that it were Sarah Palin the one pregnant and she didn't know who the father could be, the THAT was would be newsworthy. A young, healthy girl being pregnant isn't interesting in today's complex world.
What do you think?
June
My answer was that it were Sarah Palin the one pregnant and she didn't know who the father could be, the THAT was would be newsworthy. A young, healthy girl being pregnant isn't interesting in today's complex world.
What do you think?
June
Truly a Dream
Last night I had a dream. I dreamed was buying gas at a service station and totally filled the tank for only $5.30. In the dream, I was so excited and wanted to tell everyone. As they say, "Only in your dreams."
June
June
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