Thursday, December 27, 2018

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

8 comments:

Susan Kane said...

Oh. What a memory of history. thank you for sharing it with us. it is so touching.

Lisa said...

Great post. What a great memory you have. I can remember back as far as six. No exciting things happened in my younger days. I can just remember places we went, friends I had and some of the punishments I got.
But recently, I can’t even remember why I walked into the other room .

Nite
Lisa

betty said...

What special memories both you and Sherry have from your young days! I remember a little bit about being in kindergarten and other events from being five, but don't have too many earlier memories than that. I'm like Lisa, nowadays I can't remember what I did 5 days ago and heaven help it if I forget the shopping list :)

betty

TARYTERRE said...

what special memories indeed.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I'm thinking your memory is much better than mine. And what precious memories they are too. I remember bits and pieces but very little before I hit 5 years old. What I remember before then is a little foggy and not sure of what age I was. My youngest son is trying to create our family history from my memories and I've had to do some searching through the cobwebs of my mind just telling him about the days when I was young, how I met his dad etc. But telling the stories does bring back other memories so that is a good thing. I guess as long as someone tells the stories, memories will never die.

Mevely317 said...

Oh, my heart! I'd seen that photo of Graham Jackson before … but no name, no explanation. This totally defines that old saying about a picture being worth a thousand words.

My earliest memory? Probably 2 y/o. I was still using a crib … rather, standing at the end and shaking it amid a tantrum because I wanted my mother and daddy. Grandma Willer stood shaking her finger, saying I was an evil child. Fleeting pleasant snapshots of my formative years, but it sometimes concerns me (that) there are HUGE gaps in my memory from my high school years.

Glenda said...

That is a wonderful pic of B.F. Jr. and Odis ~ love those white "sailor" uniforms. The Graham Jackson is a poignant moment and Mevely said it, "worth a thousand words." Great historical reference. Always loved that hymn.

Dar said...

You and your lovely bride sure lived within arms reach of history. What a wonderful memory you have. Knowing more history of the accordion player is priceless. Thank you so much for sharing such important history with us.
As far back as I can recall was about around 3 maybe 4 barely seeing over the countertop at the many loaves of fresh baked bread mama had just pulled out of the oven. The smell, I can still smell the wonderful aroma of the bread. I also recall my grandparents tiny house and grandma's apple and poppyseed kringle and the wooden toy animals we all played with. They had the breed and history of each animal printed on the back. What fond memories flood back.
loven'hugs from up north where the snow is piling up