[or-roots] Killed in action

Sat May 15 23:40:23 PDT 2004

Viola Rae:

You are a dear to come to my defense.  Let me inject something here that will explain why Lenore took that cheap shot at me.

"I'm sure you think that you understand what you think I said.  But what you fail to realize is that what I said is NOT what I meant!"

I can see that billboard clearly in my memory today, but I cannot read the names.  It was on the then vacant lot at the SW corner of 12th and Main (in Sweet Home).  It was painted white with the names in black; all caps as I recall.  I don't remember when it was taken down or what happened to it, but I do know that a Shell gas station took its place some time in the 1950's.

I was 6 years old when WW II ended, and I was aware of what was happening in Europe and the Pacific; we saw the newsreels at the Roxy theatre at least once a week.  I was just learning to read, and I remember walking up that mound of dirt to look close at that billboard (and I knew what it was!!!!!), to see if I knew anyone who had died in defense of this country.

I truly was disappointed that I did not find a name that was familiar to me.  That is NOT to say that I wasn't sorry that any of those names were there!  It's just that I didn't know any of them.

My great grandfather, Jacob Houk, fought (Union side) in the Civil War.  He spent some time in the Andersonville prison.  Do a Yahoo search on that!  It was almost as bad as some of he P.O.W. camps of the Axis forces of WW II.

While on active duty in the US Navy 1961-1981 I sent 6 months too darn close to Viet Nam.  In the mid 1960's I sent one month in Navy Hospital SD (Balboa for you folks in Reo Linda), building 26.  I will never forget the young Marine on my ward with 1/4 of his head missing.  Nor will I forget the seminar conducted in our solarium for the quadraplegics about to return to civilian life.

War is hell!  That is not the question.

What I remember is what I remember, and I remember that I did not know any of the names on that billboard.  And I was sad... because there were so many names I didn't know.

Cecil
a displaced Oregonian in sunny San Diego
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ViolaRae Kassing 
  To: or-roots at sosinet.sos.state.or.us ; PoesGirl at aol.com 
  Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 12:13 PM
  Subject: Re: [or-roots] Killed in action

         You poor woman.  You are working on genealogy?  Do you know the purpose of genealogy?  To learn about one's ancestors and one's heritage!  I'm very sorry to say I don't think your ancestors want to be found by such as you!  

        Even those that have 'gone across', died or however you want to express it aren't finding you a likable person!!!

        Go right ahead and delete to your hearts content because you are probably missing the names and/or referances to the information you desire.  Ugly breeds ugly!!!

         kassing at charter.net
        541-882-7859

        -------Original Message-------

        From: or-roots at sosinet.sos.state.or.us
        Date: 05/15/04 11:32:18
        To: or-roots at sosinet.sos.state.or.us; OREGON-L at rootsweb.com
        Subject: Re: [or-roots] Killed in action

        In a message dated 5/15/2004 10:11:35 AM Pacific Daylight Time, cchouk at cox.net writes:
        Much lip flapping is being made today about US service men and women being killed in Iraq.

        In Sweet Home, in the 40's there was a big billboard, on a mound, on the SW corner of 12th & Main Streets that listed our war dead in WW II.  A Shell gas station occupied that corner for a few years, but it too, is now gone.

        I remember feeling a bit disapointed that I did not know any of the persons named on that billboard.  Is there anyone here that may have seen that billboard?  Do you have a photo of it?
        I delete virtually everything that shows up on this list, which I have been a member of for years because something in my area might show up some day.  You are a bunch of clacking old hens, who should form a chat group, because that is what you want to do.  YOU were SORRY you didn't see any names you recongnized?  I totally support the war in Iraq but the boy who grew up 2 houses down from my house died in Iraq  and one of my grandsons is there now.  YOU should be GLAD you didn't recognize any of the names.  You totally disgust me.  Will go back to ignoring all this crap unless it mentions one of my surnames or Union County.    

        Lenore 

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