Soooo, did Don lead a perfect life just like you and me? The answer to that is both NO and YES. No, he wasn’t perfect. Yes, he had some problems along the way, just like you and me. He had a tendency to like to fight, especially when drinking a bit. He was in a fight where he got hit in the side of his face with a liquor bottle that resulted in a broken nose and a 10 day stay in the hospital, for which he had to serve an extra 10 days at the end of his enlistment. He and a friend of his were found to be AWOL for almost nine hours when they took off so his buddy could visit his wife and Don could see Muriel before they got married. However, this was not a deliberate AWOL. They did not have a car and their modes of transportation to get back to the base did not work out on schedule. He was in a car in his early service career with some friends when the car was in an accident and rolled over. And, heaven forbid a letter he wrote to a friend while in the Navy was censored and sent back to him because of the “secret code” at the end that said “XXXOOO.”
It’s pretty much assured if you talk with someone long enough, you will find some common ground, which Don and I did. We both lost a son; his was 54 when he died of cancer, and mine was 23 when he died of an unknown heart condition. Don and I lived within about a mile and a half of each other for several years. From our house, I could see the school his kids attended. We currently live 10 miles apart. Don worked for Food Fair (grocery stores) for 25 years as a project manager. I worked for Acme Markets (grocery stores) for 30 years, mostly in the Risk Management function.
Why did I take so much time detailing Don’s life? Don is still a patriot at heart (I mean that in the highest regard). Yes, his treasures include so many memories, photos and newspaper clippings. However, the real treasure is DON HIMSELF!
I know much less about my parents’ lives than I would like. I would encourage you whose parents are still living to talk more to them and find out more about their lives. Those of you parents who have adult kids, I would encourage you to have conversations with them. As adults, if they are anything like my sons, they will be especially thrilled to hear about some of your negative adventures as mine were years ago when I told them I had to go to summer school in ninth grade for algebra. Their first statement was, “Tell us more how you messed up!” At the same time, I am hopeful that Don’s remaining two kids might read this because he doesn’t think they know much about his service life.
Of the 29 Chief Quartermasters that Don knew in the Navy, there is only one still living other than himself that he is aware of.
I feel it fitting to close on a bit about Muriel. She not only meant a great deal to Don, but she still does. Don and I talked about her at various times. I could still see sadness on his face after her death 12 years ago. Likewise, Don meant much to Muriel, as shown in the wording of a birthday card she sent Don which read, “I love the boy in you, the one with the big grin and warm hugs who says and does so many things that make life a lot of fun. But even more than that, I love the man you are: your friendship, your strength, your warmth and all the other things that make you special. I guess I just love everything about you.”
Jeff Hall, of Honey Brook, contributes columns to Berks-Mont Newspapers.
