Merry Christmas

Left us in 2014

On Wednesday this week as I was doing the morning dishes, one of my designated tasks by the Mrs., the TV had “Today” on and they were highlighting the past year’s happenings. One of the sub-segments was recognition of those who left this world. A name that made me reflect on the past was Casey Kasem. Casey Kasem died on June 15, 2014.#

Casey Kasem was born April 27, 1932 in Detroit, MI. His birth name was Kemal Amen Kasem. Casey was an actor, producer and DJ who for decades was the original host of “America’s Top 40.” It was for that show that the reflection to the past stimulated this aging brain of mine. I find it amazing how our thought process, works, mine anyway. It can go from one simple introduction of thought and follow a path to include history, geography and individual experiences.

The year was 1965, I was in the Marine Corps stationed at the Marine Barracks, Earle, Colts Neck, NJ. # This base was a Naval Ammunition Depot and I was a young Sergeant working as a supervisor for a guard platoon. The month was November and most of my thoughts were to my pending marriage to my girlfriend in a few weeks. We ultimately would elope to Fall River, MA and begin what is now a 49 year marriage.

USS Massachusetts BB-59

On the night of November 9, I was in the Guard Bunker with 1/3 of the guard shift deployed to various areas of responsibility. It was a clear night, Sometime close to 5:30 that evening one of our marines in a guard tower opposite the Guard Bunker called, asked for me and I remember him saying, “Sarge, New York City is gone.” After some further conversation I decided to make the trek across the street to what was then Tower one. After arriving at the top I gazed to the northeast, there was no New York City. At least there were no lights to where New York City was.

The Wiki account of the power outage.# 

Darkness prevails in the Northeast.

I can tell you today that one of the songs I was listening to was, “Do you believe in Magic” by “The Lovin Spoonful.” It’s certainly amazing how those things stay hidden and then resurrect themselves. I’m guessing my Thalamus gathered a bunch of stuff for distribution in it’s day. Either Casey or Cousin Brucie Morrow# was the DJ on the radio, which one I don’t remember.The top 100 of 1965.#

Shortly after this memorable event our wedding took place in Fall River, we acquired an apartment in Audubon, NJ, Mary Ages worked as a new Nurse at the “Cooper Hosp”# in Camden, NJ# and we began our life together.

Eventually I would go off to Japan in 1967 and once again Casey Kasem would bring the nostalgic songs of the past by way of Armed Forces Radio. We all looked forward to the weeks “Top 40”. 1967 Top 100.#

This old man and Marine of the past will always remember Casey Kasem. Rest in peace Casey.

Songs shall always bring about reminders as I close my eyes and search way back there to remember.

Sam, Zed, Mia and Anna on the Road

Let The Journey Begin

The Oklahoma crew departed Saturday 12/19 for Frenchglen, OR by way of Colorado, Utah and Idaho. The Davies crew will wake up Christmas morning at Roaring Springs Ranch with the bulk of the Davies family. I’m sure some cattle wi be near by blowing steam out of their nostrals in the cold high desert air. 

On their way to Castle Rock, CO the kids stopped at Black Mesa State Park, Oklahoama. The highest point within the state is located in the park, (4,975 ft.). http://www.summitpost.org/black-mesa/151933  While in Castle Rock they would stay with Eric and Melissa Bringhurst. The Bringhurst family were a sponsor family for Zed while he was a student at the Air Force Academy.

The next night would find the travelers in Vernal, Utah with The great grandpa and grandma Davies.

Welcome to Utah

Great grandparents Davies

While in Vernal the kids got to show off for their great grandparents.

Welcome to Wyoming

Flaming Gorge Dam

Welcome to Idaho

Great Grandfather Douglas

Business Class

Sam and Zed heading to Jordan Valley, OR for a
Basketball featuring his brothers Scott and Jeff.

Cadet Noah Sternat, USAFA

Rather than head out with the rest of the Cadet Wing and go home for the semester break, Noah hung around with the rest of the Drum & Bugle Corps and made the trek to Boise for the Potato Bowl. Air Force beat Western Michigan 38 - 24 in Boise. With the win I’m sure Noah felt better of the delay in returning home after six months away. 

Noah, have a wonderful Christmas with the family.

Where in the World?

Jeff with Canberra, Australia Firefighters

Jeff made it home from Australia safely has recovered from Jet Lag and is now back in the office 

in DC for a few days prior to time off for the Holidays.

Merry Christmas all from Kathryn

Krause House Neighborhood Bonfire

The Krause family

Nancy Krause is a former work associate of my daughter Kathryn from their days with Mamsi Health Care insurance company. Over the years we have shared sleeping quarters for their families' treks to the Eastern Shore for the Sea Gull Century and our families' visits to DC for Marathons and Cancer walks. 

Each year the Gaithersburg, MD neighborhood where the Krause family lives, has a community wide Bonfire and Feed to collect toys and donations for Montgomery County children in need. Last Sunday I went to BWI to retrieve my granddaughter Abby on her way home from Mississippi State and we met Kathryn at the Krause house for the event. We would spend the night, have a few glass' of “Worthy” and catch up on time gone by. It was a wonderful night, with old and dear friends. Thanks guys for your hospitality.

A Worthy cause for sure.

Breakfast in Bethesda 

For those of you who don’t know, from 1990 thru 2000 our home was a Bed & Breakfast. One of our early guests was the van Wagenberg family. Frans and Amal and their two children Frans and Maria Helena frequented our home often through the years. The family became more than customers as we watched their children grow. The beach and ocean at Assateague were a main attraction to the family as well as relatives in the area. On numerous occasions we and our family have been their guests when in the DC area.

I had called our Bethesda connection Sunday evening and talked my way into a breakfast for Monday morning on the way back home. Ms. Amal and her sister Nora, (A special Love of mine) always make one feel like a King or Queen when dining with them. This morning was to be no exception. Abby and I would not go away hungry.

After breakfast and great conversation catching up on the kids, Maria is a Lawyer working in international trade and Frans is a Resident Doctor in Thoracic Surgery Amal took Abby and I to a few Bakeries and a tour of Bethesda’s wonderful shopping district. As is the custom when visiting this home, one always leaves with enough food to sustain life should we break down and be stranded on the way home for several days. Thank you Amal for your friendship and generosity.

Amal, Abby and Lee at the Bakery

Christmas in Ireland

My wife Mary Agnes is of Irish decent, Hagany being the maternal family name. We have a wonderful family of friends, the Oleary’s, whose man of the house Edmond is from Kilkenney, IE.  Mary Agnes and Ed’s mother Rita bacame close when Rita visited a few years back. At the moment the O'Leary’s are in Ireland celebrating Christmas with Ed’s family. There are others whom we know that are quite Irish also. This being the case, as well a having Christmas just around the corner, I shall speak of Christmas in Ireland.

The O'Leary family in London visiting Ed's brother and family prior to returning to Kilkenny for Christmas celebrations..

IRISH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS 

Ireland, like most countries, has a number of Christmas traditions that are all of its own. Many of these customs have their root in the time when the Gaelic culture and religion of the country were being supressed and it is perhaps because of that they have survived into modern times.

THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW

The placing of a lighted candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is still practised today. It has a number of purposes but primarily it was an symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for shelter. 

The candle also indicated a safe place for priests to perform mass as, during Penal Times this was not allowed. 

A further element of the tradition is that the candle should be lit by the youngest member of the household and only be extinguished by a girl bearing the name 'Mary'. 

THE LADEN TABLE 

After evening meal on Christmas eve the kitchen table was again set and on it were placed a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to the house was left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any wandering traveller, could avail of the welcome.

THE WREN BOY PROCESSION

During Penal Times there was once a plot in a vilage against the local soldiers. They were surrounded and were about to be ambushed when a group of wrens pecked on their drums and awakened the soldiers. The plot failed and the wren became known as 'The Devil's bird'. 

On St. Stephens day a procession takes place where a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and families dress up in old clothes and with blackened faces. In olden times an actual wren would be killed and placed on top of the pole. 

This custom has to a large degree disappeared but the tradition of visiting from house to house on St. Stephens Day has survived and is very much part of Christmas. 

DECORATIONS: 

The placing of a ring of Holly on doors originated in Ireland as Holly was one of the main plants that flourished at Christmas time and which gave the poor ample means with which to decorate their dwellings.

All decorations are traditionally taken down on Little Christmas (January 6th.) and it is considered to be bad luck to take them down beforehand. 

TRADITIONAL GAELIC SALUTATION 

The Gaelic greeting for 'Merry Christmas' is:

'Nollaig Shona Duit'

......which is pronounced as 'null-ig hun-a dit'. 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Irish Christmas Traditions - An article provided by The Information about Ireland Site. 

(C) Copyright http://www.ireland-information.com reproduced with permission.

The Romspert Family Christmas

Aunt Barb holding court.

Once again the Romspert Family Christmas took place, as has been the custom for over 20 years. As is always the norm, Aunt Barbara went overboard and was more than generous to all. Thank you Aunt Barb. Not one of the 42 members of the clan, some not related but considered family left hungry or wanting for drink.

St. Joseph was once again in attendance and the customary shot of Old Overholt was consumed as a toast to our dearly departed, Willis Clarence being the first to leave the rest behind. Each year the statue is passed on to a new guardian for safe keeping. Matt Rossi, don't forget the statue or bottle of Rye next year. We must also thank Joe Gilbert for instituting this tradition over 20 years ago.

A new highlight this year was the appearance of the Holiday Chip and Dales. God bless those boys.

L to R - Jeff, Ron, Gary, David and Joseph

To All;

This shall be my Christmas card to all of you. We are well and thankful for what God has provided for us and we wish you all Peace and Love from our home to yours. There is food in the Fridg and clean sheets on the beds, if your traveling in the area come rest ye heads.   

     

Lee and Mary Agnes