Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red- Remember

Photo Rosie Hannon UK

Tower of London Poppies

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29965477

Scarlet corn poppies (popaver rhoeas) grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century transformed bare land into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.

In late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders were once again ripped open as World War One raged through Europe’s heart. Once the conflict was over the poppy was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields.http://www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance/how/poppy.shtml

For the past months a huge army of volunteers planted ceramic poppies around the Tower of London. Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies progressively fill the Tower’s famous moat.

Source http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/

You may read more about the installation here

http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/

Every evening the “Last Post” was played. Americans have not embraced the poppy here in the USA. The poppy may not have been recognized with its significance but the “Last Post” has certainly made an impact and is played reverently throughout the nations. Armistice Day 11-11-11 was the thought of King George the V. Exactly a year after the guns of World War 1 fell silent 1919 he prounounced:

‘I believe,’ he had announced, ‘that my people in every part of the Empire fervently wish to perpetuate the memory of the Great Deliverance, and those who laid down their lives to achieve it.’

He suggested that ‘at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, there may be, for the brief space of two minutes, a complete suspension of all our normal activities’.

The parade ended with a bagpipe lament and the playing of the Last Post on a solo bugle. The use of the humble, functional bugle — rather than a cavalry call proclaimed with ceremonial splendour by state trumpeters — was a poignant, heartrending lament for the hundreds of thousands of ordinary husbands, sons and fathers for whom the nation grieved.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2824621/How-people-power-created-Remembrance-Day-millions-flock-Tower-poppies-remarkable-story-ordinary-Britons-won-right-honour-fallen.html

Royal Marine Playing The Last Post in Afghanistan MOD-

During World War I the Last Post took on a new significance, with a bugler standing over every grave and playing the haunting melody at the start and end of each day

Although the origins of its haunting melody are unknown, the Last Post had been used since the beginning of the 18th century in Army camps to mark the ending of the day and the sealing of perimeter fences. In hostelries and brothels, it was sounded to alert Army personnel that they should return to their headquarters.

During the previous 50 years or so, however — and particularly during World War I — the tune had taken on a new significance. No longer just a military signal, it had become a powerful symbol for the ending of a life, rather than the literal close of a day.

During the Battle of the Somme, a tradition arose that the dead were buried at the beginning and end of each day. Morning and evening, a bugler would stand over every grave, playing the Last Post……….
………..That first Armistice Day commemoration in 1919 would complete the melody’s transformation from practical signal into the unique, almost sacred, symbol it has become for both army personnel and civilians today.
(Daily Mail)

On November the 11th here in the USA Veterans Posts and organizations will be honouring the fallen for all the wars, the Last Post will be played , eyes will fill with tears and honor will be given to those who have died and given young lives for us, including the young unknown soldier from World War One who wrote the poem before he went over the top ( of the trenches)into ” no mans land “.

and whose words now touch millions 100 years later:
Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
By Anon – Unknown Soldier

The blood swept lands and seas of red,
Where angels dare to tread.
As I put my hand to reach,
As God cried a tear of pain as the angels fell,
Again and again.
As the tears of mine fell to the ground,
To sleep with the flowers of red,
As any be dead.
My children see and work through fields
of my own with corn and wheat,
Blessed by love so far from pain of my resting
Fields so far from my love.
It be time to put my hand up and end this pain
Of living hell, to see the people around me
Fall someone angel as the mist falls around,
And the rain so thick with black
thunder I hear
Over the clouds, to sleep forever and kiss
The flower of my people gone before time
To sleep and cry no more.
I put my hand up and see the land of red,
This is my time to go over,
I may not come back So sleep, kiss the boys for me.

.

General(ly) Gillmore- The Last Post – Lorain Part 12

Peggy Gillmore-
(Josephine Jean) Gillmore
4th Street, Lorain Ohio

I have wandered , these past weeks, through the lives of a family totally disconnected from my own- The Gillmores.

I have found them to be fascinating, courageous, strong of character, with a work ethic that would put most of us to shame. They are a family who were founders of at least two communities in this young country. They participated from the beginning of this country- through the Revolutionary War-, prospered, hauled a settlement out of a wilderness, fought for freedom, faced adversity with confidence, sailed the inland seas, built the ships and helped take America to the skies .

On my desk are faded newspaper clippings, tantalizing mentions of yet another Brigadier General WILLIAM EUGENE Gillmore- ( born in Lorain.) He was the son of Quartus J Gilmore ( brother to our General Quincy Gillmore) and the grandson of the original Quartus Gillmore . Another Brigadier General being honoured, mentioned in a fading letter. A letter asking Peggy to attend the ceremony at Wright Patterson Air Force Base-

October 27th 1976 the ceremony to memorialize William E Gillmore by naming the building which houses the Air Force Logistics Command Headquarters “Gillmore Hall”

It seems this son of Lorain was heavily involved in the new “airservice” – the people he rubbed shoulders with are still remembered today.

The members of the Main Committee of NACA which met in Washington, D.C. on April 18, 1929. Shown from left to right: John F. Victory, Secretary; Dr. William F.Durand; Dr. Orville Wright; Dr. George K. Burgess; Brig. Gen. William E. Gillmore; Maj. Gen. James E. Fechet; Dr. Joesph S. Ames, Chairman; Rear Adm. David W. Taylor, USN (Ret.), Vice Chairman; Capt. Emory S. Land; Rear Adm. William A. Moffet; Dr. Samual W. Stratton; Dr. George W. Lewis, Director of Aeronautical Research; Dr. Charles F. Marvin. Dr. Charles G. Abbot was absent.
Source: http://launiusr.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/the-legacy-of-william-f-durand/

Brig. General William Eugene Gillmore 1875-1948

at the forefront of aviation in this country – Aviation in the US Army- 1919-1939



( Gillmore far right )

I am afraid to open one more file folder of news clippings because I just keep finding more and more. The only place in Lorain you will find a plaque mentioning “The GILLMORES” -is a little plaque at Lake View Park for General Quincy A Gillmore – the chap who started it these posts when he arrived in my dining room. And even that plaque is incorrect – the birthdate of 1820 is incorrect- it is 1825

.
Nowhere else in this community is there mention of the Gillmores- not on any house/home or even in what is now known as Veterans Park https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/veterans-memorial-park-fini/ – given to the city by General Gillmore’s sister Sophia Gillmore Leslie. And yet, there were veterans aplenty in this family.

The importance of the Gillmores to a fledging nation, the pioneers of Lorain, the fact that the house on 4th street, the last of the Lorain Gillmore’s is all that is left of those 1,000 acres!

This charming home the last “testament” to a founding family who did more than pull a city from the wilderness, their drive and expertise have touched and guided a nation. Their worthiness embraced and memorialized in other communities, as with Thomas Wilford, https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/capt-wilford-a-hero-of-the-inland-seas/ The State of Michigan commemorates his life and story whilst Lorain?????- well just another rental up for sale.
I cannot believe what little regard this community has for their very unique history. But what do you expect from the local Lorain community who remain ignorant of their “story”. Even the local historical society ( of whom Peggy was one of the original members) turns down a portrait “sight unseen” of a native son who gave so much to the birth of a nation including his part with freeing the slaves. Do THEY know “their history” one has to wonder?

I am tired of preaching to the choir on Lorain’s unique maritime and pioneer history. It seems most think the history started with the advent of steel , it didn’t.

Unless history has dollars and or “grants” attached it really doesn’t seem it is worthwhile in this city. The streets and homes where those that formed this nation walked and lived unmarked and unremarkable.

Could Lorain make money out of its heritage? Yes ! but first they have to know what it is and where to find it! For the most part Lorain’s tangible and tactile history is going down like the Titanic. Oh! you will find some archives, and memorabilia in the “museums” but along her streets where you can see the remnants of her early days- the homes of the “Captains Courageous”, of those nation builders, early pioneers, the movers and shakers are fading very fast.

Lorain historical home

Elyria Historical Home
http://www.lchs.org/

Peggy Gillmore 2007

Peggy , if you are somewhere close, I have tried my best to document and archive the Gillmore story. The links are there in the posts for those interested in finding more. I know I have just touched the surface and there is so much more .

General Quincy Adams Gillmore’s portrait has looked at me these many weeks reminding me of my guilt that I didn’t do more when you were just a few houses away. I know you would be thrilled the home you so loved built in 1895 has, thanks to your out of state family, been reroofed, painted and landscaped. The house once more something of which a “Gillmore” and especially you would have been so proud, as is the neighborhood. I wish I could do more. Unfortunately , unless there is “money in it” Lorain doesn’t see the worthiness of her history. How much more do they need ? This city has a history of which “movies are made” . https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/category/the-leo/

I am sorry Peggy. I have tried my best but sometimes my best is not good enough. I have not the expertise to make a town “feel the passion” of its history but I promise I will make sure your files and photos , portrait and print finds a home worthy of your family, and a home where they will be cherished – not dismissed.

Gillmore House Today!

General(ly) Gilmore

Part One https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/general-quincy-a-gillmore-the-dining-room-dilemna/
Part Two https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/general-ly-gillmore-lorain-the-early-years/
Part Three https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/13/generally-gillmore-lorain-the-early-years-pt-3/
Part Four https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/generally-gillmore-lorain-part-4/
Part Five https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/23/general-ly-gillmore-lorain-civil-war-part-5/
Part Six https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/general-lygillmore-recogniton-lorain-pt-6/
Part Sevenhttps://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/general-ly-gillmore-the-portraits-of-men-part-7/
Part Eighthttps://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/generally-gillmore-the-civil-war-part-8/
Part Ninehttps://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/10/09/generally-gillmore-the-civil-war-part-9/
Part 10https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/10/13/general-ly-gillmore-star-spangled-part-10/
Part Elevenhttps://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/10/17/generally-gillmore-lincoln-lorain-ship-part-11/

General (ly) Gillmore – Lorain- Civil War – Part 5

Part One https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/general-quincy-a-gillmore-the-dining-room-dilemna/

Part Twohttps://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/general-ly-gillmore-lorain-the-early-years/

Part Threehttps://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/13/generally-gillmore-lorain-the-early-years-pt-3/

Part Four https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/generally-gillmore-lorain-part-4/
Quartus Gillmore came with his father from Mass. to clear and work the 1,000 acres .

He had 4 sons and 4 daughters

Below is a photo of Quartus Gillmore and Elizabeth Reid. ( center) ( courtesy of Matt Weisman)-

The photo was purchased by Matt Weisman as a photo of Quartus and his family as stated with the text here :

Seller Notes: “Huge Vintage One Of A Kind Photo”
Original/Reprint: Original Print Photo Type: Huge Albumen
Listed By: Dealer or Reseller Subject: Quincy AdamsGilmore,Parents,Brother,AustrianKnight
Date of Creation: 1861 Region of Origin: US
Huge Old Photo The person seated at the lower right is Brigadier General Quincy Adams Gillmore (1825-1888). My guess is that the two people seated in the center front are Quartus Gillmore (1790-1869) and his wife Elizabeth Reid Gilmore (1797-1876)…..the parents of Brigadier General Quincy Adams Gillmore. My guess is that the person seated lower left is Cornelius Reid Gillmore (1841-1911)..the brother of Brigadier General Quincy Adams Gillmore. My guess is that the person standing furthest to the left is Ann Fitzgerald Gillmore (1840-1914) …the wife of Cornelius Reid Gillmore. —————– I believe that the photo album that this pic came from belonged to Cornelius Reid Gillmore. His is the pic in the album (not included) that is in the number 1 position. A pic in the number 3 position in the album is for certain Brigadier General Quincy Adams Gillmore. That pic is in a separate listing. Notice how the women behind Cornelius is close to him and has her hand on him as if she is his wife…an affectionate touching it really looks like…. Then notice how the women behind Quincy Adams is sort of further back and the hand is on him like she is feeling sorry for him in terms of Quincy losing his wife in 1861. I believe this pic was taken in the early to mid 1860s.Probably 1861. The Album which this photo came from included many cabinet photos of the people in this photo later in life. One of those cabinet photos was Quincy Adams Gillmore. Right smack in the middle of some of the other cabinet photos of people in this huge photo. Another Tell is look at the hair of Quartus and look at the hair around the ear of Quincy in the other listing of him as a Brigadier General. (if the other listing is up) The hair is sort of wavy around the ears of both of them.

**** ED. NOTE
This is, as stated, “guess work” by the seller- personally I have a reasonable doubt as to the person said to be General Gillmore is our General- however, I would love to have the people here confirmed as to their identity .

None the less General Quincy Adams Gillmore was the son of Quartus and Elizabeth and was born on the family farm – now known as Lakeview Park.

Matt Weisman

There are a great many stories and accounts of General Gillmore “some” of which can be found here

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/quincy-gillmore.html

http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Quincy_Gillmore

http://www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA546281

http://www.battleofolustee.org/reports/gillmore1.htm

and Matt Weisman local historian, researcher has presentations available on the fame and life of General Quincy Adams Gillmore .
You can reach Matt and read about the presentation in the document link that follows:

Local History Presentations by Matthew Weisman

There is a lot more to Quincy Adams Gillmore- a young man who authored a poem at West Point in 1846 titled Erie ( now for sale on E-Bay for $6,500 dollars ) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-1846-West-Point-Cadet-Poem-Titled-Erie-by-Quincy-Adams-Gillmore-

But I want to go back to recent history – that of the gathering in my dining room- as we salivated like kids in a candy store over the artifacts from Peggy.

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/history-mystery-lives-of-lorain-gillmore/

Of course there were the photos and history of the Gillmores and the pride they felt for their famous Civil War General. This was evidenced by an old print found tightly rolled in a cardboard tube –

COPY RIGHT 1890 STORMING OF FORT WAGNER – “CHARGE OF THE 54 MASS(COL) RGT JULY 18TH 1863- (UNION) GENERAL GILLMORE

Unfortunately, the whole print would not fit in my scanner but here is a jpg of the 1890 print .

http://www.gilderlehrman.org/collections/1341afdb-9ee3-4c39-819c-400444799327

The finding of this print sent us off on the little known “glory” of the General……….

https://sites.google.com/a/w-csd.org/civil-war/pop-culture/artwork/storming-fort-wagner

To be continued

September 11th- the Memory and the Terror -2014

Photo Mark Teleha

Since I cannot bring myself to use the visuals of what is still happening in Syria and Iraq – I have chosen Mark’s photo as yet another wave breaks upon our shore.

NOTE: We are now at the 13th Anniversary of September 11th – and still we are in fear and loathing of those that try to strike terror in the hearts of ordinary folk. Beheadings, torture, rapes and whole societies wiped out and today- September 11th we remember the day the terror came home to the USA! I wrote the following on the 10th anniversary, reprising once again as we take yet another step in the horror which the world of fanatical religions dictating our lives.

design by Chris Ritchey

10 years it is unbelievable to me a decade has passed – the sights and sounds of that day so vivid still- an act which will send the perpetrators to perdition.

Normally I would write an updated remembrance but I am in my own kind of man-made purgatory at the moment so I choose to remember as I did last year (below) . I also remember 9-11-09 …. the day of hope as Chris took his first infusion of SGN 35…… that September 11th dawning with hope just as years before a glorious September morn saw hope crashing to the earth…… the outcome was the same “grief and loss”………..a time to remember those that continue to give their lives ………………………….

Loose Change Poster – design by Chris Ritchey

‘Kind” -having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature

There was no “kindness” in the nature of that September day as terror flew into the everyday working lives of those who experienced the dreadful destruction of September 11th 2001

They say you remember where you were and what you were doing until you die certain events-

September 3rd- 1939

Dec. 7th – 1941

November 22-1963

And September 11th 2001.

ED NOTE:The linked video is from ordinary citizens with a view of the destruction- released 5 years after that September 11th day

I was sitting on the couch that morning, having my first cup of tea- my son- in -law to be called

“We are being attacked”

Knowing his penchant for practical jokes and phone calls I said

yeah yeah right- tell me more”

Just then my daughter came down the stairs with the phone in her hand , hair dripping wet –

Mum he is right a plane just flew into a building in New York – turn on the television.

Another call beeped in it was my mum

“Oh there has been a terrible accident a plane has flown into a skyscraper”

Just as she said that Tony ( my cousin who was over for a trip ) is heard in the back ground

“Bloody Hell there is another one.”

We all went silent, incredulous watching as devastation rained down from the sky on a beautiful September morning.

I called my son- he told me that they were being evacuated from the college and told to return home- there was something going on in Cleveland , as he was heading to his campus apartment there were agents and militia armed with weapons in and around the streets- it was very tense. They were told to stay inside.

That day had a profound effect on this nation – I remember for the next two mornings- as I watered the garden not a sound from the sky , no roaring of the high-speed boats out on the lake- traffic was almost non existent- the sound of a siren sent chills- flags appeared outside the houses and on the streets – as if a patriotic garden bloomed from the carnage.

We did not move from the television- we watched as if from another planet the “human” story unfold that day. We hardly knew how to express our thoughts -the ugliness of hatred brought home -engulfing and billowing out as the towers and civilization fell in the name of “Jihad”.

As for those that carried out these attacks there are no adequate words of condemnation. Their barbarism will stand as their shame for all eternity.
–British Prime Minister Tony Blair

My son used his talents , he did a series of posters – that I have yet to find since his passing. It was after that day my son wore his patriotism proudly – always one to fly the flag ( more on that at the closure of this blog) he defended her the way he knew best through his work.

Yes , I am remembering Septembers and they are tinged with pride , lack of understanding , helplessness and prejudice against those that cause pain to the human heart and condition ………

and all who weep including the willow WE REMEMBER SEPT 11TH IN OUR OWN WAY!

Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk- Lorain County Beautiful

Logo – Chris Ritchey

ED NOTE: Charleston Village Society

http://www.loraincounty.com/charlestonlorai/

received the notification a few days ago , Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk, received a nomination for the 2014 Award. Since we were required to send in information about the project and since our “defense” of the property caused such “blathering” recently,

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2014/08/13/freedom-of-speech-usa-really-pt-4/

I thought it would be a good time to share our response to the Awards Committee. We may not win but the people who have given so much are most certainly winners already!

ERIC BARNES’ HEROES WALK – Lorain County Beautiful 2014

A small pathway was originally planned as a way to connect the area known as Settlers’ Watch, 2nd Street and Oberlin Ave. to the area where Charleston Village Society Inc. had recently completed The Admiral King Tribute Site, 1st Street and Hamilton Ave. . The area of brush and trees in between the two sites had become a dumping ground for all manner of trash, garbage and undesirable activities within this Lorain’s oldest neighborhood. It took 25 loads of 5 ton dump trucks to clear what is now the area known as Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk.

At the same moment in time as this clearance was happening, Lorain City Council was looking to honor Eric Barnes, who had been killed in action in Iraq. Councilman Dan Given asked if Charleston Village Society (CVSI) could do something in his honor. Since we already had the Eric Barnes Eagle tree carving at Settler’s Watch

and the Admiral King Tribute site on the opposite side of the block of land we proposed a linking of the sites honoring two heroes, Eric Barnes and Fleet Admiral Ernest J King.

What started off as a simple walkway then grew as more information on Lorain’s lost heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan was researched. The walk became a huge project and is being done in three phases. The initial phase laid out the gardens of tribute for all the young men (to date) who were killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, who were also born in Lorain.

As you walk along the pathway, you will see signage depicting the personal information for each hero- a bench where one can sit and enjoy the views of Lake Erie, their own garden space and piece of individualized art work. Each of the heroes’ families were contacted as to what they would like to see the signage , which was designed by volunteers and paid for with donations from the community , as to the verbiage and which spot along the walk they would like for their sons or brothers as well as any favorite plants .

CVSI raised the money for the signs, plants, art work and expenses encountered through donations to our 501C3 s. The community also donated plants, trees and labor. Two of the benches, are from the now demolished Lorain Admiral King High School. The benches donated by class member were repurposed and were placed in the tribute spaces of the two Lorain City Schools graduates, Marine Lance Corporal David Hall and Army 1st Sgt. Bruce Horner. The other benches for Marine Lance Corporal Ryan Giese and Army Sgt. Louis Torres are also made of recycled material.

CVSI, as with the Settlers’ Watch site which is 95% repurposed and recycled material, including the trees and the mulch and the Admiral King Tribute Site which is also 100% repurposed and recycled ( apart from the flags which fly on the ship’s mast flag pole), has focused on recycling and repurposing for Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk .

All the lighting is “solar” and the pathway itself is being covered with recycled concrete, when we can acquire it, this also fits the requirement for the Americans with Disabilities recommendations. Phase Two was completed this past spring.

As we continue with Phase Three of the project, the community will find the United States Marine Corps. Monument being placed and a flag pole. The site has been prepared for that aspect of the walk thanks to the City of Lorain who actually own the property. The tree carvings from the tree lawn on 2nd Street will also be re-positioned along the walkway as they are being refurbished and the wood stabilized.

Every day there are volunteers weeding, planting and watering the site. The site is ongoing and growing with something different every day, every week

We have received in kind donations of lighted bollards, (yet to be placed) more trees and plants as the site grows. 100% of every monetary donation goes toward the site. However it is the labor and in kind donations from the community, as a whole, which make this honor for our heroes even possible.

Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk which started as a simple “pathway” has now become a place of tranquility , reflection and beauty , a place honoring Lorain’s young men who gave their all in this most recent of wars. The gardens along the winding path, once a place for dumping trash, are now places of pride within the neighborhood. Every summer evening will find people walking, children playing on the green spaces neighbors enjoying the cooling breezes. There is once again a sense of community, as noted on the 4th of July , as families gathered respectfully to watch the 4th of July fireworks and the freedom they represent- earned at the ultimate price to pay by the young men honored along the walk of heroes . This special place is reminder to all who now enjoy the sights , sounds , the fragrance of blossoms of our freedom every day and a pride has returned in this Lorain’s oldest and much abused over the decades , neighborhood.

Freedom- The Pride- The Glory – Remember

Who I Am – Chris Ritchey

The sky was robin egg blue this morning, the lake kissed with silver and gold. The air cooling to those of fevered brow. A day of glory, when all young men and woman who have given their everything are to be thanked for giving us the peace of this day with the freedom to enjoy. Their voices are stilled , their presence hidden from our world and yet they speak and are heard in the laughter of each child who is without fear of living in this city on the shore. Their presence can be felt when the voices of debate are raised in opposing ideas.

This is their gift to us who remain- we must not forget , we must cherish the gift of life they have given to us and maybe just maybe if we are quiet and still in our reflection as their symbol of country is flown against the robin egg blue sky they will hear our gratitude and know their sacrifice was not in vain.
Eric Barnes Heroes Walk

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/eric-barnes-heroes-walk-the-update/

Admiral King Tribute Site- Purple Heart recipient Don Fugitt United States Army raises the flags with Ernest Ritchey US Air force

Army 1st Sgt. Bruce Horner – Son of Ed and Betty Horner
Died June 1, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom assigned to the 127th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Support Command, Fliegerhorst, Germany; died in Seddah of wounds sustained when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire.

Airman 1st Class Eric Barnes – Son of Tom and Shary Barnes
Died June 10, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom assigned to the 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; died as result of an improvised explosive device attack on an Air Force convoy about 100 miles south of Baghdad.

Marine Lance Corporal David Hall son of Delmar and Lulu Hall
Died August 31, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Aug. 31 in Garmsir, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations.

Marine Lance Corporal Joseph “Ryan” Giese son of Larry Giese and Connie Wascovich
Died January 7, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 7 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Sgt. Louis Torres son of Albert Torres and Armanda Ellis. who was fatally injured Aug. 6 in Afghanistan Sgt. Torres lost his battle with his wounds on August 22, 2012 .Torres was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

History View- Lorain- Can you see what I see

Very early handwritten map of Lorain ( then Black River Township/ Charleston Village)

I can’t explain it to those that don’t have “past vision”- it isn’t 20/20 and it isn’t demo vision. Lorain’s history isn’t my history per se my Lorain history is very recent 1st generation- I too, was an immigrant from Britain. Actually Lorain was built upon “immigration” and had an influx of immigrants coming here for work in the last century . Lorain’s history is pretty recent history for those whose grandparents or parents settled here to work at the steel plant, Ford Motor etc .

They settled here because of work. A number of different groups Italians, Polish, Irish, Hispanic apparently clung to their “cultural backgrounds” and although they built homes, worked for the all American dollar, they celebrated and still celebrate their traditions and their homelands heritage. The clubs where they gathered now have for the most part gone the way of http://www.pulselorainmag.com/Main/Articles/Ethnic_Lorain_County_90.aspx Lorain’s older “history” .

In fact, I marveled when I came here as a young bride and was taken to the Royal Canadian Legion as that is where the Brits gathered. Although there weren’t many English, as I remember, some of the “old guard” at the Legion had come as War Brides etc. 1939-45. And in fact only the post commander Jake Verroni (sp) and I had any “Canadian” affiliation whatsoever.

I was welcomed into the Ladies Auxiliary being very young not yet 24 I was totally confused as to what this was all about. Fresh from London and a “happening London” to Lorain was definitely a culture shock. This was not my scene at all but I didn’t want to be impolite to the neighbor that introduced me to “culture” club :)

Marching down Broadway for parades in a kilt and velvet jacket and very unflattering argyle socks was even more of a shock too my system but you try to fit in in a new country and community and celebrate the traditions of that country and community . I will say the kilt, jacket and socks were soon left behind and community theatre and a small repertoire company in Avon Lake – Chef Henri took up more of my time.

However, the Pipe Band appealed to my husband and we dug up some Scottish ancestry for him in the way back and beyond ( His name was Ritchey after all) .

Ironically when the Scots were being spotlighted in , I believe 1983, I was the one they approached to chair the Scottish Spotlight Committee for that year. I politely pointed out to the “committee” having an Englishman ( woman) head the Scottish committee and Scottish Culture would be frowned upon by true Scots!

My family and I did get involved and a wee girl( my wee girl) rode upon Nessie as it pulled the float with castles, golf courses, covered in bluebells and heather, dancers and pipers, the front and sides covered in tartan. Only to lose the trophy to the Polish float with a huge picture of the Pope on a flat-bed truck – as the All American judges ( who obviously knew very little about Scottish culture said

there wasn’t enough representation of Scotland.

AHH ethnicity – depends whose is most prominent in the diversity of a community :) Note to the International ( old Guard) Now you know why there was never another float like Nessie-;)

One day the little girl was asked if she would like to ride on top of the Loch Ness Monster in a parade (the day of the parade the temperature hit 102, a drummer plopped his Glengarry on the little girls head as she rode 10 foot in the air on top of Nessie. (What was that mother (me) thinking?) The resulting photo did win a National award for the photographer Tom Whittington). Would she also like to learn a dance called the Fling? Everyone thought this sounded like great fun. So began the little girl’s journey of the dance

.http://lritch7.tripod.com/nikki.html

Today , there is no longer a Canadian Legion and a lot of the ethnic based clubs have also gone . I could never understand why this community and now indeed the USA needs to be hyphenated – Polish- American, Scottish- American – Mexican- American what is so wrong with just being American?This was strongly brought home to me when taking my citizenship three years after arrival that according to the Department of Immigration and Naturalization there is no such thing.

My thinking is back in the early days of Lorain the settlers were content in just having people of any nationality around to help build the cabins , cut the trails and hunt for food, prayed to their God all together in a little meeting-house, sent their children to learn from one another and with one another. Those early were not a hyphenated community – they couldn’t afford the luxury of being “hyphenated” .

Lorain still celebrates her ethnic diversity each year with the Lorain International Festival. More and more I have noticed the diverse ethnic clubs and churches of the past have in the Bazaar itself been replaced by commercial concerns and the selections have narrowed .

Ironically at the Celebration of Trees for the Light Up Lorain , as CVSI were decorating the “Lorain” tree with lilacs and heritage of Lorain’s past

https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/lilacs-of-lorain-and-now-roses-part-6/

I was taken to task by the lady trimming one of the Hispanic trees for not following the international flavor of the trees –

Lorain 365

What nationality of tree is that she asked – you are supposed to be celebrating Lorain’s ethic community.

I smiling pointed out to her without the settlers and captains etc carving a community ( as one people) -the “sufferers” -there would not be an “International Community” at all to trim trees

to be continued……….