The Transcription Place

I know I promised that my next post would be about  ”More Veterans Stories”, but I have something that I would like to share.

Because of my love for Butterflies, I felt inspired to write this essay.  Hope you enjoy it.

A Butterfly Essay

I think that butterflies are truly one of the most extraordinary mysteries of nature. How could it be possible for a lowly little caterpillar to be transformed into such a beautiful creature – the butterfly?

 Butterflies are the symbol of hope, transformation, strength, beauty, faith, love, and trust and a perfect demonstration of God’s love for us. Here is this extraordinary little creature – with wings that appear to be as fragile as tissue paper. This magnificent creature that can fly thousands of miles in all kinds of weather and come to a destination where they know they are supposed to be. How is this possible? Scientists may explain this mystery – scientifically of course, but I believe there is a much deeper, meaningful story here. This is the story that I believe to be true:

 Butterflies are mysterious, magical, and extraordinary! They start out as a caterpillar, spin their cocoon, and emerge as a beautiful, magnificent butterfly. Are they afraid to leave their cocoon? It must seem so safe and comfortable there. When they emerge, what will they find? What will their life be like? They seem so fragile and yet they are so strong. They fly free and migrate for thousands of miles. How does a creature that appears to be so fragile, withstand all of the many things they must encounter in their flight to a far away land? Their strength, their courage, and their beauty is matchless.

Our lives are like that of the butterfly. We are born helpless little babies but we grow and are faced with so many, many challenges throughout our life here on earth. Do we strive to go back to the womb? Would we even consider that if it were possible? We are beautiful souls, each and every one of us and each time we face a challenge our “wings” become stronger and stronger. We can learn so very much from the Butterfly. That magnificent creature would never consider going back into that chrysalis and wrapping the cocoon tightly around those glorious butterfly wings. We were born to fly free and to soar. That is what life is about. Who of us would want to go back to being a caterpillar once we have become that butterfly? The challenges may be difficult, and can be very painful at times. Fear may take hold. But if we use that fear as a security blanket we will never realize the wonder of the ultimate joy we can achieve by using our wings to fly higher and higher and travel so very, very far.

Is it worth the struggle? I believe that it is, because without that struggle we would just remain in that chrysalis and never experience the true joy of being who we are meant to be. So, be that butterfly and when challenges come just spread those beautiful wings and fly free. We are meant to do so.’

©Copyright  – Sylvia Mallonee 2010

Remembering My Father on Memorial Day

 I would like to share a personal story. My father was in the Army during World War I. He served his country and was wounded while in France. That was really all I knew about his time in the service.  A number of years ago I became very interested in genealogy and did quite a bit of research. My mother did not keep a journal or a diary, but she had a lot of little pieces of paper here and there with some notes that were very helpful as far as finding out some facts about some of the events in her life.

 My son recently told me about a very interesting book that he was reading that was written by the grandson of a World War I veteran. The man in the book served in Company D and my son was wondering if his grandfather was in Company D as well. Well, from my some of the notes my mother had recorded, I learned the following:

 My father was 21 when he enlisted in the U. S. Army. On July 19, 1917 he left Baltimore and was sworn in at Fort Slocum, New York on July 22, 1917. His rating was private first class. He left New York on July 30 and went to Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

 He came home on furlough April 17, 1918 and married my mother on April 22, 1918. On April 24¸1918 just two days after marrying my mother he went back to Chickamauga Park, Georgia and then moved to Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina in May of 1918. He was in Company D 53^rd Infantry.

 He boarded the troop ship the Leviathan and served his country in Geradmer Sector Meuse, Argonne France from July 6, 1918 to June 12, 1919. I know that he was wounded while in France but that is really all I know. I don’t recall that being talked about, and I am sure it wasn’t.

 I can only imagine how difficult was for both of my parents. They had only been married two days when my father returned to his base camp. Then in less than three months he was off to fight in what is now called the Great War. The war front was not covered back then like it is today, so my mother must have been very worried about him and wondering what was happening. Then to get word that he had been wounded had to have been so difficult to hear.

 Back then it was not like it is today. There was only the radio to hear the news about the war. As far as mail was concerned, it probably took weeks to get a letter to and from France. So not knowing from day to day what was happening over there had to be way beyond difficult.

 Then on April 5, 1919 my Grandfather passed away at the young age of 54. The war was over then but my father did not come home until June 12, 1919 and he received an honorable discharge June 19, 1919.

 He did not learn of his father’s death until he arrived home. I suppose everyone thought it best to not write him telling him of his father’s passing, but to wait until he came home. I cannot help but wonder how he must have felt; coming home from the war and hearing such sad news.

 While I do know the facts and dates, I would love to have had some written record of his experiences and the feelings behind those experiences which are clearly a part of history. What a wonderful treasure it would have been if only my parents had recorded their memories. I am fortunate however that I do have many pictures but the stories would have added so much to those pictures.

 Everyone does have a story to tell!  My message to each and every one is, keep those treasured memories alive and families connected by recording your story.

 To quote Mark Twain, “There was never an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy.”

Next:  More on Veterans Stories

Memorial Day Remembrance – May 30, 2010

 “Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.  There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is evidence that organized women’s groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil war. While Waterloo New York was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it is difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day.  It is not important about who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division, it is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.” [Taken from an article on Memorial Day History]

 Unfortunately traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many people feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. I believe that changing the date merely to create a three day weekend has undermined the very meaning of this dayof rememberance.

 I can’t help but wonder how many young people really do not think about or even know what Memorial Day represents. It seems to be all about three days off to celebrate the beginning of summer, having picnics, parties and outdoor barbecues. And there is the ever growing popularity of the commercial aspect – ‘sales’ that abound for every holiday. This is not to say that these family celebrations are not good things because they are, but I feel that Americans need to be reminded of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

 ”To help to re-educate us, the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed in December of 2000, which asks that at 3:00 p.m. local time, for all Americans to voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in the service to their country so that we can enjoy the freedom that we have.”

 Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and was first observed on 30 May 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. [Taken from the article Memorial Day History]

Next: Remembering My Father on Memorial Day

Learn the Secret of Asking Questions to Get the Story You Want to Hear

If you are helping your parent or parents record their story then you want to ask the questions that will get the story you want to hear. If you are writing your own story then answer those same quesitons as they would pertain  to you.

Some General quesitons to ask your parent(s) or yourself.

• Briefly tell about one or more of your family’s best stories or tall tales.

• What family traditions are still practiced in your family?

• What personal traits or charcteristics seem to run in the family?

• What may have caused you to say, “Just wait until you have children of your own?”

• What are some of the most memorable historical events you  have seen in your lifetime?

• Did you travel? Where? What places were most interesting and why?

• What would you say is the funniest thing that ever happened to you?

• What decision do you consider to be your wisest decision?

• Do you have a philosophy of life to share? What is it?

• Write about some of your favorite things and tell why they are your favorites.

The secret to not feeling overwhelmed is to cut the task down to size by writing one bite at a time, and focus on only one bite at a time. Remember the old elephant jokes? “How do you eat an elephant?” ONE BITE AT A TIME! That is the best way to go about writing your story.

Once again, be creative! This is your story so add as many ideas as you would like to this list.

Next: More about Veterans Stories

What Would You Like to Include When You Tell Your Story?

Each and every one of us has a story to tell and it is our sacred duty to preserve that story and pass it on. In addition to this you want to keep the stories and memories alive of those who have gone before us.

Create a portrait of your life with words! Some topics to consider:

• A turning point in your life.

•  An accomplishment you look back on in pride.

• The changes in the world that you have seen in your life time.

• The people [family and friends] that have and still have an impact on your life.

• Any amusing, interesting, inspiring or incredible stories.

• Life reflections, such as things that you value, things that you believe in, things that you are grateful for and thoughts or ideals that you want to pass down to future generations.

Be creative, but above all else remember this is your story, so let it reflect your personality. 

Next: Learn the Secret of Asking Questions to Get the Story You want to hear.

It has been a few days since my latest post, but I am Back!! 

First of all I would like to thank everyone that has posted a comment to my posts and tell you all what I have been up to.

I would like to brag a little if I may and share some personal news about four of our grandchildren.

It has been a busy few weeks for us. We have four grandchildren graduating from various universites and high schools.

One granddaughter graduated from The College of Notre Dame of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, Prelaw, History and Philosophy.

One granddaughter  graduated from Patrick Henry College in Virginia  with a degree in Government: Strategic Intelligence

One granddaughter  graduated from a Community  College with an Associates Degree in Music, and has been awarded scholoarships to Towson University, in Maryland. She gave her piano recital playing a very impressive program.

One grandson graduating from high school and who will be attending Towson University in Maryland.

We are so very blessed and very proud.

Thanks for listening.

Next: What Would You Like to Include as You Tell Your Story

Ten Reasons Why You Would Want to Record Your Story (And none of them have to do with grammer!)

“Knowledge is the memory of the brain; Wisdom is memory of the soul” (Author unknown)

• Give your families a written picture of your life and the times you have seen. We have all lived through event packed periods of history and we need to record our own time and place so that our familiers will remember.

• Pass down your memories to your children and grandchildren so that you can enrich their lives and deepen family connections.

• Let your descendants know that you were a real person and not just a name on a tree.

• No one else knows the stories of your life quite like you do.

• Keep the stories alive that you heard from your grandparents so those stories will not die out with you.

• The things you did when you were young are as remote from children today as Earth is from  Mars.

• Reflect on the things you value most and what you stand for. These reflections are the voice of your heart.

• Pass down your memories to your children and grandchildren so you can enrich their lives and deepen family connections.

• Each and everyone of us is the connecting link between generations. Tell your story to be sure you keep that connection going.

• Leave a legacy of love by providing youir family with the richness of your life through telling your story so that your children can tell their children that you stood for something wonderful!

Your memories are more valuable than gold, because your memories are you! Once you begin mining those golden memories you will be amazed at the treasures you find.

Next:  What would you like to include in your story?

How Do You Determine Your Age?

Do you look at the calendar or your paper work [your birth certificate] and say well, I’m 60 something, or 70 something or 80 something or perhaps even 90 something and then decide how old you are. Has anyone ever said this to you, “Why don’t you act your age!” What on earth does that mean!

Do you typically go to the stereotypical picture of someone in their 80s, or 90s as being wrinkled or shriveled in body and mind? Someone who has lost that sparkle in their eyes or interest in life. I have to ask, where did that picture come from anyway? I have seen people in their 50s or 60s who believe they are old and I have seen people in their 80s and even 90s who are perhaps challenged by some physical limitations but who have a beautiful smile, a wonderful sense of humor and a heart filled with love.

My grandmother was one such person. Grandmother W. was born in 1867 and died in 1962 at the age of 95 and was still young at heart. She had 5 children and outlived all of them. She became a widow at the age of 52, had a victory garden during World War II at the age of 77, was hearing impaired and wore a hearing aid for most of her life. Now this was not the kind of hearing aid one wears today. She maintained her home and some of her children and their families came back home to live with her at some time or another and my family was one of them. She always had a smile on her face an incredible sense of humor and a heart filled with love.

There was an article in the newspaper in July 1944, titled “77 Year –Old Lady raises Model Victory Garden at Kenwood. One day a neighbor said to my grandmother, “Why there is not a weed in your garden”, and my grandmother replied, “Of course not, I don’t raise weeds, I raise vegetables!”

I remember my grandmother had an old time pipe organ, and I used to play on it hour on end when I was just a little girl. During the war when heating fuel was scarce, my grandmother chopped up that organ for fire wood. One might say what a terrible thing to do, but I can hear Grandmother now saying, “We have to do what we have to do.”

Grandmother W. obviously did not check her ‘paperwork’ because she did not believe she was supposed to act old!

I can imagine if anyone ever said to her, act your age, she would probably have said, “Oh, I am!”

I met a gentleman a number of years ago who was in his 80s and was writing a book. He needed someone to type the manuscript for him. Phil had a number of health issues that could have kept him from doing many things if he allowed them to. I worked with Phil for several years and when he was finished his book he had a number of copies printed just to give to family and friends. His book is titled, “Building America: From 13 Colonies to 50 States. This is truly a wonderful little book and I have to say I learned more from that little book than from any history text book I have ever read. However, my biggest reward was meeting this extraordinary man. He had so many wonderful stories to tell and was so willing to share those stories with my husband and with me. He also wrote a collection of Essays for his family, which I also had the pleasure  of typing for him.

So, I say to you – Act Your Age, whatever you perceive that age to be, not by calendar years but by spirit!

Next: Ten Reasons Why You Want to Record Your Story

Let’s Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane

 Do you remember -

• What it was like before frozen foods, fast foods, touch tone phones and cell phones? 
• Watching Saturday morning cartoons, the Mickey Mouse Club, and Captain Kangaroo.
• When a ride to the country was a real trip and going downtown seemed like going somewhere.
• When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked and gas pumped without asking, FOR FREE, every time and you didn’t have to pay for air.
• Do you remember P.F. flyers, penny loafers, drive in movies, 45 rpm records, hoola hoops and Cabbage Patch dolls?

 Going back a little further, do you remember –

• Those oh so wonderful party lines, that is if you were fortunate enough to have a telephone.
• The five and dime stores where you could actually buy things for a nickel or a dime. When your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces.
• How about penny candy in a brown paper bag, hop scotch, jump rope, jacks and dodge ball?
• The roller skate keys and home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers.
• When movies only cost 25 cents and you could spend the entire afternoon watching the newsreels, the cartoons, the Travel Talks, the weekly serials and of course the main feature.

 Then on December 7, 1941 came the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor. It was noon on December 8, 1941 that a record sixty million Americans stared in disbelief at their radios as President Roosevelt spoke these grave words – “Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” We were at war!

 Now almost 69 years later, on September 11, 2001 the whole world stared at their televisions in absolute horror watching the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D. C.

 As Charles Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities – “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.”

How quickly things can disappear from sight. Think about how valuable it is to capture and record our treasured memories while we can – before it is too late.

 How often do we reminisce with family and friends and take that stroll down “Memory Lane?” Think about what a valuable gift you can give to your family and to yourself by recoding your time and place in history. If you don’t tell your story, no one will. Your memories are more valuable than gold because your memories are you. Once you begin mining those golden memories you will be amazed at what treasures you will find.

 Give your family a written picture of your lives and the times you have seen. We have all lived through event packed periods of history and we need to record our own time and place so that our children will remember.

 Leave a legacy of love by providing your family with the richness of your life through your Memory Keepsake. Record your story so that your children can tell their children that you stood for something wonderful!

Next: How Do You Determine Your Age?

Do You Know About the Veterans History Project At the Library of Congress?

 The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project (VHP) in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

 The Veterans History Project (VHP) collects and preserves the remembrances of American war veterans and civilian workers who supported them. These collections of first-hand accounts are archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for use by researchers and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come. The Project collects remembrances of veterans who served in:

• World War I –                                   1914-1920
• World War II –                                 1939-1946
• Korean War -                                     1950–1955
• Vietnam War -                                  1961- 1975
• Persian Gulf War –                          1990- 1995
• Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts –   2001 to present.
• Civilian supporters: war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.

 The Veterans History Project relies on volunteers throughout the nation to collect veterans’ stories on behalf of the Library of Congress.

 VHP archives its collections at the Library of Congress and makes them available to researchers and to the public. In addition to compiling a unique archive for scholars, the Veterans History Project hopes to inspire future generations with these stories of service to our country. These stories are made available to researchers and the general public, both at the Library in Washington, D.C., and via the VHP website.

 What Veterans are saying about the Veterans History Project:

• “ I am profoundly proud and honored that my story will be permanently archived in the Veterans History Project with the stories of tens of thousands of fellow American Veterans who, as a matter of honor and duty, served their country in time of war.”

                               Warren Tsuneishi, WWI Veteran

•  I would encourage every veteran to participate in the Veterans History Project. I know personally that I’d never discussed my experiences with my wife and children. They were very surprised when they viewed my video, and it led us to communicate more.”                           

                                            Jacob Younginer, Vietnam War Veteran

•  Brian and I were honored to tell our Vietnam story for the Veterans History Project. Our reflections of our war stories, mine as an Army nurse in Vietnam and his two tours in Vietnam plus his service in the Gulf War, have made it possible to preserve our living history voices for our children and all future generations.

          Jeane Urbin Markle, Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War and wife of Brian Cody Markle, Vietnam and Persian Gulf War Veterans.

 These quotes were taken directly from a Brochure of The Veterans History Project.

 To learn more about this project go to the website of The Veterans History Project or www.loc.gov/vets

Next:  Let’s Take a Walk Down Memory Lane