How far back can you remember?

******** Automobile’s of Art:

 Lincoln concept car of 1955 (I'd like this sweet looking car)
The here and now:
              Happy New Year
I enjoy reading your blogs. On Myra’s lately the origin or the candy cane was mentioned. Then the date of its origin as 1944. As long back as I can remember I can hear dad tell about getting ‘peppermint sticks’ as the only Christmas present on the farm. There were 13 in his family. He remembered his dad, Grandpa Lon, talk about Frank and Jesse James. 

                         This is a picture of Grandpa and Grandma Darnell Dad is a baby 1903.
When dad was born Frank was still alive and Grandpa named dad after Frank James. Uncle Jesse James Darnell was next. Dad said Grandpa always said they were like Robin Hood, stole from the rich and gave to the poor. (Everyone has an opinion!)
Since my family moved several times in my first 15 years, I have land-marks for memories. I was born Jan 17,1939. I do not remember Pearl Harbor, but my earliest memory must be 1943 when mama cried.

She was proudly hanging that flag in the window with two stars signifying this home had two people off to war.

      This is my brothers, Jr. and Odis
I can still see mama and daddy sitting around the old table model radio anxiously listening to war news. The words “FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC” still ring in my mind, mama knew Jr. was there. Kat, Shirley nor I did not move, stir or speak.
Mama would have Jr’s last letter. I learned later After Jr’s gunnery training he was on leave before taking the train to San Diego to the USS Baron DE166 headed West. Jr. was a smart dude. He took a map and circled areas and islands. He named each a girl’s name. He knew under the threat of courts-martial he could not tell anyone where his ship was at any time.
In his letter he would ask how Aunt Martha was doing or if they had seen Cousin Henrietta.  If you see Shirley in the next two days give her my love, etc.  I didn’t know that for many years after the war was over. So my memories go back to my late 3s nearly four.

Not her earliest memory, but a special one for Sherry is a train. A slow moving train passed thru Belmont in 1944, she was in the crowds that stood silently. Hands over their hearts and all men removed their hats as the train carrying President Roosevelt’s body to Washington for burial passed through Belmont.

Historical account of leaving Warm Springs on the train:
As the cortege drew into the drive and halted, the sad strains of an accordion played 'Going Home.' It was Graham Jackson, a Negro, who had played many times for F.D.R. and the hundreds of others there. With tears running down both sides of his face, he stood in front of the group and paid his last homage. And as the cars started again slowly, driving around the semicircular drive and on toward the station, Jackson swung into one of the President's favorite hymns, 'Nearer, My God, To Thee'."

Nite Shipslog