1944

 When we were going through some of my parents "stuff" we found a letter.  It is from my Uncle Arthur written to my Dad on January 14, 1944. 

Dear brother Jacob,

Received your Christmas card yesterday thanks a lot for it.

I suppose that you already know that I am in North Africa.  I suppose you are having a good time there out West.  At least I had a good time in Montana boy I wish I was back there.

These natives around here sure live like pig.  It sure takes a letter a long time to get here almost a month.

Is Hannah Kangas working in the same factory as you and Walter? 

I got a letter from Hugo the other day hes expecting a furlough pretty soon, that boy sure deserves one. Well this paper is getting pretty well filled up so I guess I have to sign off.  Take it easy and have a good time. 

Your brother Arthur

A few things to note about the letter...

Walter was known as Bee Kangas...Bee was a year older than my Dad...they went out West to work in the shipyards with Bee's Mother Hannah, my Dad worked on the gun turrets when he was 17 years old. 

Hugo was Arthur and my Dad's brother who was in the Army. 

Note the censors 's stamp in the upper left.

Four months after this letter was written...

Arthur died in the Invasion of Italy May 20, 1944 and is buried at The American -Sicily Rome Cemetery in Nattuno, Italy.  He was 23 years old.

Here is a link to more of Arthur's Letters. 

Far Side

Heavenly Birthday

 My Father gets to spend his first birthday in heaven today!  I am certain he is thrilled to be with all his loved ones who died before him.  He was 96 when he died last December on his Father's birthday.  My Father was the remnant.  

The headstone is not in place yet...but the spot is marked.  Dad's final resting place is between his sister and one of his brothers.  ( The spot where the fresh dirt has been placed) Nearby are his parents and his other sister and two brothers in law.

The Maple trees put on quite a show in the Fall.  We hope that the grass seed that we planted has taken root in the rainy weather we have had in the last week. 

It is a beautiful country cemetery, high on a hill. 

My Father had a good long life which I am so thankful for. 

Far Side

New Old Project

 I have two totes of old photographs to scan.  The photos belong to my parents.  I finally got my new printer /scanner to talk to Far Guy's lap top and got it all set up.  It is upstairs so I can work on it when I get a chance and leave everything out.   

My Mom had some photos stuffed inside manila envelopes, I will double check them and scan if necessary...eventually all the folder type wedding, graduation, school and baby photos should be returned to family. 

I started a facebook page for my Dad's family and many have enjoyed the photos I shared there and I will do the same thing for my Mom's family...soon...it all takes time! 

I ordered a few special photo labeling pencils so I can mark the backs of some of the photos with the who, where and when if possible. There are a wide variety of pencils out there that can be used.  Creative Memories is where I purchased mine. 

Far Side