Roosevelt News

-- East Coast Edition –

 

-- Printed in Loving Memory of Wanda J. Jackson 1934 - 2011 –

 

News Center

Read old/current issues and send news or comments online at:

http://www.234enterprises.com/RooseveltNews/newscenter.htm

 

Editors:

E-mail: mmay@234enterprises.com

 Carolyn Niebruegge May                      Michael L. May

Vol. 1, Is. 46                                                                                      June 1, 2012

 

 

From the Editor

 

On May 29, 1970, forty two years ago, Carolyn and I started on a journey that carried me through 5 additional years of college, the birth and raising of our two children, the beginning and ending of our careers, the onset of “Grandparenthood” and our encroachment into the “Golden Years.”  It’s been a great “ride” with a few minor “bumps” along the way.

 

At the time of our wedding, Carolyn had finished a year of teaching at Southwestern State College at Weatherford.  She had completed her Masters the year before and I was working on mine at Oklahoma State University.  We carried our furniture to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in the back of one of her Dad’s grain trucks.  I wonder if we considered rain--as it wasn’t covered.  We started housekeeping in a one bedroom duplex.  The next year we upgraded to a new little 2 bedroom single family rental.  I planned to be there until I finished my Doctorate, but plans changed as we decided that it would be smart to “move on up the road” from Oklahoma to Kansas State University for that last degree.  Housing wasn’t as nice there--an old limestone home, with paint peeling off the walls, but on the right side of the tracks.  I know Carolyn must have cried, but she never complained.  It was quite a letdown, but it was “home” until 1975 when I finished my degree and we loaded our car (with our almost year-old baby girl), our pickup, and the rented Ryder truck and with the help of two friends headed to Washington, D.C. (actually Woodbridge, Virginia), for the job I took with USDA without consulting Carolyn--again, she never complained.  Carolyn has this unique ability to “go with the flow” unless the “flow” is totally going in the wrong direction.  Oh, and by the way, when it does she’ll let you know in no uncertain terms.  Throughout the college years, Carolyn held down good jobs with both Oklahoma State and Kansas State putting me through school (with a little help from me with an assistantship at both schools).  Talk about driven, she only took off 10 days when Karen was born and 3 weeks when Kevin was born.

 

We settled in our first new home in Woodbridge with little to no help.  Fortunately we had a great neighbor who ended up being our babysitter.  She was a good one.  Kevin was born while we were in that house.  We were there for three years until Carolyn decided that financially it would be to our advantage to move up.  We had to move out into a rental while our new house was being built.  That time I cried.  I couldn’t understand why we really needed to move, but as usual, again, she was right.  We moved into the new home--the one we’re still in--the middle of January 1979.  Obviously this is the house that the kids grew up in.

 

We were very fortunate with our kids.  Although, Karen was a strong willed child (Carolyn says it came from the May side of the family).  With the help of Kevin (the one who could have been raised by a pack of wolves and still turned out) we managed the stress of the teenage years.  The kids moved away for college--Karen to James Madison University and Kevin to the University of Virginia at the same time in the fall of 1994.  With their exit, the “empty nest syndrome” set in.  That was obviously a “slight period of adjustment.”  Life continued, but it wasn’t the same.  From February of 1991 (while the kids were still at home) to May of 2003 we faced the loss of both of my parents and Carolyn’s Dad.  By 2008 all of our aunts, uncles, and parents except Carolyn’s Mother and my Aunt Doris and Uncle Billy Field were gone.  This rather sudden departure of family brought to the forefront the fact that the wonderful family life we had so enjoyed was now only a memory--but fortunately one that will endure for the rest of our lives. 

 

Carolyn’s career was very stabile--a little over thirty years with the General Accounting Office (now the Governmental Accountability Office).  I spent all my years up to age 50 using my college training working with grade standards, meat purchase specifications for red meat, and meat grading in the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA.  My last 9 years were spent working in the Information Technology Section of that Agency supporting a website that reported the prices of all agricultural commodities.

 

Kevin and Karen married in 2003 and 2004, respectively.  Then Kevin tried it again in 2008 (one of those great second marriages you’ve heard about).  Karen and Mark gave us our first granddaughter in 2006 and Kevin and Brenda gave us our second granddaughter in 2010 and our first grandson this year.  Karen and Mark lost a little girl in 2008 and a little boy in 2010.  Let me say that was traumatic.  So hurtful to want to comfort your children when there’s really very little one can say.

 

That’s our 42 years “in a nutshell.”  We may be entering the “Golden Years,” but with grandbabies as a part of it I have no idea how life could be any sweeter.  What was the “glue” that kept everything together--the 42 year love and support of Carolyn, my partner and soul mate.  If I had it all to do over--I can’t imagine doing it with anyone else!  She was always able to make the little bumps a whole lot smoother and “carry me” when I wasn’t strong enough to carry myself.  Happy 42nd Anniversary Nana…

 

mlm

 

 

 

Content Contributors for the Week

 

Austilene (Turner) Borum, Class of 1961

Wayne Rickerd

Jack Whitson, Class of 1953

All those who sent messages to the Email “Bag”

 

Thank you all!

 

 

Thoughts from the Squirrel Lair

 

I Pray You Enough

 

I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport.  They had announced the departure.  Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, “I love you, and I pray you enough.”

 

The daughter replied, “Mom, our life together has been more than enough.  Your love is all I ever needed.  I pray you enough, too, Mom.”

 

They kissed, and the daughter left.  The mother walked over to the window where I was seated.  Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.  I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?”

 

“Yes, I have,” I replied.  “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?”

 

“Well…I’m not as young as I once was, she lives so far away and has her own busy life.  I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is—her next trip back will be for my funeral,” she said.

 

“When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I pray you enough.’  May I ask what that means?”

 

She began to smile.  “That’s a prayer that has been handed down from other generations.  My parents used to say it to everyone.”  She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.  “When we said, ‘I pray you enough,’ we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.”

 

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

 

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

 

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

 

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

 

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

 

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

 

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

 

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

 

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

 

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.

 

TAKE TIME TO LIVE…

 

And to all of your friends and loved ones,

 

PRAY YOU ENOUGH

 

 

 

Alumni Website

 

We have renewed the account that Wanda Jackson had set up at the photo sharing website, picturetrail.com for the Roosevelt Alumni:  http://www.picturetrail.com/rooseveltalumni.  She had posted many pictures from past reunions, class panels, and old schools buildings along with write ups about them.  We thought you might find these interesting if you haven’t visited this site in the past.

 

 

Interesting Tidbits

 

Even though we celebrated Memorial Day earlier this week, there are several more articles that I just had to include in this week’s issue—they are too good to wait for another Memorial Day.

 

Cemetery Watchman

 

My friend Kevin and I are volunteers at a National Cemetery in Oklahoma and put in a few days a month in a ‘slightly larger’ uniform.  Today had been a long, long day and I just wanted to get the day over with and get home.  Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 16:55.  Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day.  Full dress was hot in the August sun.  Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever—the heat and humidity at the same level—both too high.  I saw the car pull into the drive, ’69 or ’70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new.  It pulled into the parking lot at a snail’s pace.  An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a can and a sheaf of flowers—about four or five bunches as best I could tell.  I couldn’t help myself.  The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste:  ‘She’s going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts and I’m ready to get out of here right now!’  But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.  Kevin would lock the ‘In’ gate and if I could hurry the old lady along, we might make it out soon.  I broke post attention.  My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch.  I must have made a real military sight:  middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in Marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.  I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk.  She looked up at me with an old woman’s squint. “Ma’am, may I assist you in any way?”  She took long enough to answer.  “Yes, son.  Can you carry these flowers?  I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.”  “My pleasure, ma’am.”  (Well, it wasn’t too much of a lie.)  She looked again.  “Marine, where were you stationed?”  “Vietnam, ma’am.  Ground pounder.  ’69 to’71.”  She looked at me closer.  “Wounded in action, I see.  Well done, Marine.  I’ll be quick as I can.”  I lied a little bigger:  “No hurry, ma’am.”  She smiled and winked at me.  “Son, I’m 85-years old and I can tell a lie from a long way off.  Let’s get this done.  Might be the last time I can do this.  My name’s Joanne Wieserman, and I’ve a few Marines I’d like to see one more time.”  ‘Yes, ma’am.  At your service.”  She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone.  She picked one of the flower bunches out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone.  She murmured something I couldn’t quite make out.  The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC:  France 1918.  She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone.  I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek.  She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X. Davidson, USMC, 1943.  She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.  She paused for a second and more tears flowed.  “Two more, son, and we’ll be done.”  I almost didn’t say anything, but, “Yes ma’am.  Take your time.”  She looked confused.  “Where’s the Vietnam section, son?  I seem to have lost my way.”  I pointed with my chin.  “That way, ma’am.”  “Oh!” she chuckled quietly.  “Son, me and old age ain’t too friendly.”  She headed down the walk I’d pointed at.  She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted.  She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last one Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970.  She stood there and murmured a few works I still couldn’t make out and more tears flowed.  “OK, son, I’m finished.  Get me back to my car and you can go home.”  “Yes ma’am.  If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?”  She paused.  “Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my brother, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons.  All killed in action, all Marines.”

 

She had given her all.  She stopped!  Whether she had finished, or couldn’t finish, I don’t know.  She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.  I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.

 

“Get to the ’Out’ gate quick.  We have something we’ve got to do”

 

Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him.  He broke the rules to get us there down the service road fast.  We beat her.  She hadn’t made it around the rotunda yet.

 

“Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost.  Follow my lead.”  I humped it across the drive to the other post.  When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny’s voice:  “TehenHut!  Present Haaarms!”

 

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye—full dress attention and a salute that would make his Drill Instructor proud.  She drove through that gate with two old worm-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice for beyond the realm of most.

 

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

 

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer:  “Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas.  Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.”

 

Let’s all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts.  They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.

 

“In God We Trust.”

 

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!

 

If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!

 

********

 

Average Military Man

 

I think you will find the following thought provoking.  Again, as a follow up to Memorial Day, this is another fitting tribute to our soldiers.

 

http://www.leonashappyplace.com/average_military.htm

 

********

 

These are more of my thoughts on Memorial Day.  cnm

 

I am not sure I take the time to remember those who serve our country to insure that we all continue to have the freedom we have always known that I should.  Unfortunately, too many of those have given their lives so that we can enjoy this freedom.  As we celebrated Memorial Day on Monday, I thought more about those men and women who have served this country over the years.  People all across the country do stop to remember but here within throws of our national capital we really have a lot of activities to honor those who have served.

 

The D.C. area is home to memorials honoring those who served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marines.  Of course, there are national cemeteries all across the country but Arlington National Cemetery is the burial place for hundreds of thousands and certainly some of our most revered fallen troops.  Wreath laying ceremonies are held on Memorial Day at most of the memorials honoring our fallen soldiers.  The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is impressive no matter the time of the year you visit.  Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard Ceremony are always on our list of “must sees” for any visitors we have.  On Sunday of Memorial Weekend motorcyclists by the thousands ride into D.C. to participate in the “Rolling Thunder” tribute.  Many of them gather at the Pentagon to ride into the city to the area of the Vietnam Memorial and many others just go directly to the Memorial to watch their comrades ride in.  Several streets and bridges are closed to all other traffic.  When we watch the news coverage of all these activities, you can’t help but feel the importance of remembering our soldiers throughout the years.

 

Mike and I have had the privilege of visiting most of these memorials and what a privilege it is.  It is difficult to know which of the memorials is the most impressive as each one is unique in its own right.  You never go to the Vietnam Memorial that there aren’t family members there tracing the name of their loved one on tissue paper.  The Korean War Memorial with all the statues of soldiers dressed in their uniforms and carrying their gear hit me right between the eyes the first time I visited it.  I really didn’t realize there was a Korean War Memorial and when I walked up to it I was mesmerized.  We had the privilege of taking Mike’s Uncle Billy Field, a World War II veteran, to the World War II Memorial.  Unfortunately, they were cleaning the fountains that day and Uncle Billy didn’t get the full effect of the Memorial but it didn’t matter to him as he was just so proud to be able to visit that Memorial which honored the hundreds of thousands who served in that war.  Having had that experience we know how important the World War II Honor flights are to those World War II veterans who are able to participate.  As a side note, Uncle Billy Field, dressed in his uniform played the piano for the prelude at this past Sunday service at his church.  What an honor to have a WWII veteran soon to turn 87 play on Memorial Day Weekend.  So as we continue through the year, do take time to think of those we have lost in the wars to protect our freedom and thank those who are currently serving.

 

Following are links to each of the D.C. Memorials should you have interest in reading more about them:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_World_War_II_Memorial

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_War_Memorial

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War_Veterans_Memorial

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Veterans_Memorial

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy_Memorial

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Memorial

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Corps_War_Memorial

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_National_Cemetery

 

cmn

 

 

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

 

We have compiled all of the birthday and anniversary information we could from Wanda’s files.  We are sure we are missing some.  Please send us the birthdays and anniversaries for your family and friends so that we can have as complete as list as possible.  We are going to start with what we have from Wanda’s files so if we miss you, please send us the information so we have it for the news next year.  In addition, should any of the birthdays we list be wrong, also please let us know.

 

Happy Birthday To:

 

June 5 – Tyler Mahoney

 

 

 

Humor

 

Pregnant at 71

 

A woman went to the doctor’s office where she was seen by one of the younger doctors.

 

After about four minutes in the examination room, she burst out screaming as she ran down the hall.

 

An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story.

 

After listening, he had her sit down and relax in another room.

 

The older doctor marched down the hallway back to where the young doctor was writing on his clipboard.

 

“What the hell is the matter with you?” the older doctor demanded.  “Mrs. Terry is 71 years old, has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?”

 

The younger doctor continued writing and without looking up said, “Does she still have the hiccups?”

 

 

 

From the Email “Bag”

 

May 24, 2012

 

Mike and Carolyn,

Thanks again for a great paper.  Your labor was not in vain! 

Enjoyed Carolyn's article about going on wheat harvest.  (I've never seen one of those computer driven combines with 36 foot headers that are being used today.  Unbelievable!  Can't EVEN imagine what one would cost.)  Especially liked "Only In America", as well as, wisdom from a six year old. 

Blessings to you,


Marilyn (Morgan) Lester, Class of 1964

 

********

 

May 25, 2012

 

Mike and Carolyn,

 

You both do such a great job on the newsletter.  Keep up the good work.  I remember so much the hanging clothes on the clothes line and ironing.  I hated ironing, and don’t do much anymore, but rarely I feel I need to. 

 

I enjoy all the stories and always have meant to send you a few notes, but just don’t seem to get around to it.  Donald and I both retired in 2007, but we stay very busy.  We call golf our job these days.   And between the golf, garden, and fishing trips, we stay very busy.  Of course there also is the grand children’s soccer and other school activities take up our other spare time.

 

Just hope you both know that you are appreciated very much.  You have a whole lot of people enjoying the results of your hard work.  I know it isn’t an easy task, but truly appreciated.

 

Once again keep up the good work!

Malynda (Ankney) Adams

(405) 833-4798

Class of 1966

 

 

 

Political Fodder

 

Billion

 

This is too true to be funny.  The next time you hear a politician use the word ‘billion’ in a casual manner, think about it.

 

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

 

A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

 

A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

 

A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

 

A billion days ago no one walked on the earth on two feet.

 

A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

 

While this thought is still fresh in our brain…let’s take a look at New Orleans.  It’s amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

 

Louisiana senator, Mary Landrieu (D) was asking Congress for 250 Billion Dollars to rebuild New Orleans.  Interesting number…What does it mean?

 

Well, if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child) you each get $516,528.

 

Or if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.

 

Or, if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.

 

Washington, D.C.  Hello!  Are all your calculators broken??

 

Building Permit Tax

CDL License Tax

Cigarette Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Dog License Tax

Federal Income Tax (Fed)

Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Fuel Permit Tax

Gasoline Tax

Hunting License Tax

Inheritance Tax

Inventory Tax

IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)

IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)

Liquor Tax

Luxury Tax

Marriage License Tax

Medicare Tax

Property Tax

Real Estate Tax

Service Charge Taxes

Social Security Tax

Road Usage Tax (truckers)

Sales Taxes

Recreational Vehicle Tax

School Tax

State Income Tax

State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)

Telephone Federal Excise Tax

Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax

Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax

Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax

Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax

Telephone State and Local Tax

Telephone Usage Charge Tax

Utility Tax

Vehicle License Registration Tax

Vehicle Sales Tax

Watercraft Registration Tax

Well Permit Tax

Workers compensation Tax

 

And to think, we left British Rule to avoid so many taxes.

 

Still think this is funny?

 

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago…and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.  We had absolutely no national debt.  We had the largest middle class in the world…and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

 

What happened?  Can you spell “politicians!”

 

And I still have to Press “1” for English.

 

 

 

Obituaries

 

Lois (Davis) Higginbotham, 92, Class of 1937

http://www.rayandmarthas.com/CurrentObituary.aspx?did=b12bfbc0-1694-48f6-b7c8-b212cd835765

 

Useful Links:

 

Becker Funeral Home of Snyder, OK

http://www.beckerfuneral.com/?page=snyder

 

Ray and Martha’s Funeral Home of Hobart, Mt. View, and Carnegie, OK

http://rayandmarthas.com/

 

Roosevelt Cemetery Layout

http://www.234enterprises.com/Roosevelt%20Cemetery%20Layout.htm

 

Roosevelt Cemetery Markers (Picture Trail)

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/rooseveltcemetery

 

Roosevelt Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99397&CScn=roosevelt&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Hobart Rose Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99399&CScn=Hobart+Rose&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Hobart Resurrection (Catholic) Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2246374&CScn=Resurrection&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Mountain Park Cemetery on Find A Grave

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=99042&CScn=Mountain+Park&CScntry=4&CSst=38

 

Snyder Fairlawn Cemetery on Find A Grave

 

 

News Center -- Always Available Online

 

Remember--past, current, and all future editions of “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition” can be viewed online from any computer at: http://www.234enterprises.com/RooseveltNews/newscenter.htm.  We highly recommend that you bookmark this link.

 

In addition to viewing all copies of the paper, you can use this website to send comments or news items to us for publication.  Simply enter your name, your class year (if a Roosevelt graduate), your email address, and the comments you want to make or the news item you want to send and click on “Submit Information” button at the bottom left of the page.  The information that you submitted will show on your screen under a title of “Form Confirmation”—confirming that what you entered was sent to our email. 

 

 

Email Addresses

 

This newsletter is an email edition.  The only way for you to receive it and keep up-to-date with your friends from Roosevelt is for you to keep us informed of changes to your email address.  So please be sure to notify us at mmay@234enterprises.com should your email address change.  We also encourage you to send us email addresses for friends and family who might also like to receive the newsletter so that we can include them on our list.

 

 

Feedback

 

We welcome your comments and feedback on the “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition.”  Send comments and feedback to: mmay@234enterprises.com

 

 

Prefer to Not Receive the “Roosevelt News -- East Coast Edition

 

If you would like to have your name removed from our mailing list, click Opt out, then enter “Remove” in the Subject line, and click “Send.”  We will gladly remove your email from our mailing list.