Today would have been my Dad's 93rd birthday. Sadly, he didn't quite make it, but we ate some of those chocolate covered, liquid filled cherries in his honor. As far back as I can remember, Dad always got a box of those for his birthday and another box for Christmas. I guess we will continue this fine family tradition.
Sure miss you Dad.
Thinking about Dad today, I remembered one of his stories he told from his tour in Italy during WWII. He drove truck and carried ammunition to the front lines. Since he was a truck driver, he had access to gasoline, which he shared with an Italian man named Leo. During the war, the Nazis took vehicles from the locals and every other thing they could get, as well. So, Leo placed his car in the basement of his home, blocking it into the basement where it couldn't be found. He had barrels in the basement where he would store fuel, when he could find it. He and Dad struck up a friendship and despite the language barrier, talking with their hands (which if you stereotype, Italians do talk with hand gestures) Dad was able to supply Leo with "extra" gasoline he didn't need.
As a result of this friendship and international good will, Leo made a wood carving of a blacksmith and gave it to my Dad. He carried that carving back home to the U.S. as a cherished reminder of his friend, Leo. I have that statue now and it means so much to me to know what effort Dad went to in order to pass this on.
I plan to give this to a museum in Rochester Hills one day along with Dad's medals as a part of the skiing exhibit. I don't want my Dad's things to end up on Ebay!
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My favorite Walt story was the one where a German soldier was shot in the heel and it turned out he spoke pretty good English having gone to school in Detroit before going back to Germany.
ReplyDeleteI was remembering Walt Saturday and our friendly rivalry each year with the Army-Navy football game. Army had better fortunes during the years I was with Walt, but I never watch that game without remembering our friendly "taunting."
Nice memories Susan. Oh, and thanks for the food diet advice.
Thanks Jame L.
ReplyDeleteSunday, the 13th, was a tough day and this Christmas season just isn't the same without those choc. covered cherries for Dad.