To those that have given their all…

As I sit here safe & comfortable (not too warm and not too cool) I realize that I have many THANKS to give to those that have given the ultimate “ALL” so that we can be… Memorial Day in the USA is a time of joy and celebration on so many levels: spring is well established, most schools are on summer break with many families planning vacation adventures, brides & grooms pursuing their dreams-n-vows. What would it be like had so many not stepped-up and become one of creations flowers?  



Stonewall Jackson, MW* Chancellorsville



Our reflections today are for those killed in action (KIA), mortally wounded (MW) or taken from us during their roles as warriors and protectors. Before advances of medicine of the mid-20^th Century, that would include a lot of folks from sickness and disease while under arms. The numbers that perished from wounds that might now have survived now is significant: Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson comes to mind. We now have many warriors wounded for life that would have formerly been KIA or MW. Due to the sacrifices of so many we have had great advances in science and technology. War has been hated for a long time, most by the veterans of same that all too often left their youth, innocence, optimism and buried friends in the wake of war’s terrible toll. To those we left behind to the annals of history: we salute you today (and everyday).

Spotted Tail-Little Big Man & anti-Crazy Horse faction

Having been a NPS Ranger and historian at sites of conflict and peace (Little Bighorn, Chalmette/Battle of New Orleans, and Fort Laramie), I’m aware of the steep price that so many have paid for this Republic. Our very Uncivil War (aka: “The War of Northern Aggression”) spread carnage across many field, forest and wilderness. It impacted several generations and opened us to need even more immigration, which continues to this day. Intra-cultural struggles have been with us for as long as we can recall: Patriot vs. Tory; Confederate (and Copperheads) vs. Union (draft protests); Red Cloud/Spotted Tail vs. Crazy Horse, and the peace marches of Vietnam and last decade, etc. You never know if this conflict's adversary will soon become your allie...

http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/25/as-memorial-day-nears-a-single-image-that-continues-to-haunt/

http://store.ceutopia.com/2012_Combat_Stress_Conference_s/1874.htm

I am reminded 8-years ago I wrote a Father’s Day letter to my deceased Dad re: the evolutions I’d grown through since his death (1987). It was posted for awhile on some veteran’s web-page, the link to which was long ago abandoned. I still remember my pledge that I would never forget those that serve (or served). After all, without the efforts of those that gave their lives would I even be here: preparing for another work assignment in Petra? Certainly when our departure date was rescheduled from late March to June 7^th I immediately, thought: “D-Day + 1” - where so many gave-their-all. THANK YOU ALL that have performed your duty and forfeited you future: for your courage and the gifts of freedom and life for which I remain eternally grateful...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/petra-jordans-famous-city-of-stone-faces-a-preservation-struggle/2012/05/24/gJQAtBg5pU_story.html

Union General Augustus van Horne Ellis, KIA Gettysburg

*- Thomas "Stonewall Jackson was a victim of "friendly fire" when he was mortally wounded by Confederate soldiers while returning from a recon-mission. He lost an arm and 8-days later his life.

More heritage sites at risk…

If you know me, or have read some of the previous posts you realize that I can be passionate about heritage site protection. On Friday I attended the State’s annual Heritage Preservation Awards ceremony conducted at the Scottish Rite Center in Santa Fe. Of course I’m biased about these awards because I was presented one a few years ago. This year’s awardees are with-a-doubt a deserving group. I walked away from the event thinking: “Some really good work has been going on…” It is often noted that “preservation happens locally.” Without the buy-in of locals we’re doomed to see that which has been passed down to use become irrelevant. Our cultural continuity in New Mexico has some excellent stewards: individuals, tribes, communities and governmental entities. As I look at the list shown in the local paper I see that they listed only the northern new Mexico recipients (how parochial), but failed to include (que lastima!) the Lifetime Achievement Award for JIM COPELAND, the lead BLM archaeologist for northwest New Mexico. Great works Jim (and with the Boy Scouts too): www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Historic-Preservation-Division-State-names-winners-of-preservat

Meme brought to my attention recently a link on Newsweek about endangered sites in east Asia. Since a primary interest of mine as a student (history & anthropology/archaeology) was China I decided I should take a look. I’m glad I did. One site mentioned was in Bangladesh and the brief-blurb it gave about it and noted that archaeological protection laws there only apply on government properties. I thought “gee, the USA isn’t the only one…” I also noted they identified the site (Mahasthanarh) as being the earliest archaeological site in Bangladesh from the “3^rd Century B.C.” This time I found myself thinking: “If that is the earliest, they haven’t been looking.” Here is a link to some of the photos of these important places. As we know HERITAGE TOURISM IS SUSTAINABLE:

 http://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/photos-10-most-endangered-heritage-sites-asia  

My final thought is a tip-of-the-sombrero to our brothers-n-sisters in Scotland. Here in the U. S. we pride ourselves on heritage protection and our national parks. Our 1^st so designated was a place called Yellowstone (you may have heard of it). We’ve gone on to include Monuments, Historical Parks, Rivers, Seashores, Recreation Areas & Trails and other designations in our National Park System. Our colleagues in Scotland started with The Whisky Trail. God love ‘em for their proper priorities…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland%27s_Malt_Whisky_Trail

To MOM!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Of course we should ALL be singing praise to our mother every day: where would we be without them? Of course we get busy, and sometimes days or weeks may go by without saying hello. Here in the “good ol’ USA” we have that 2^nd Sunday in May set aside to remember our mater. It’ll be a hard-sell to claim that you “forgot Mother’s Day” as the greeting card, candy & floral pushers won’t let you.

So, here is to ALL Moms: THANKS for ALL you do, and here are some special memories I have of mine. MARGARET ANN NEWLIN preceded most of us into this world, the 2^nd of the 4 Newlin children of Henry & Ann. She spent her formative years back east. I remember hearing that she recalled the Great Depression very well: they had to let the upstairs maid go (contrasting with my father’s experience: the family farm blew from Colorado back into Oklahoma from whence my grandfather had emigrated). The 1^st day of school at Glendale High my mom spotted my dad from across the auditorium where new students had an orientation. She remembers well that one could tell he was a very popular young man (he told me later he was telling dirty jokes to the guys). While my mom was being courted by many an Ivy League hopeful that were courteous and polite to my grandmother, she recalls that my dad would pull into the driveway, honk his car’s horn and yell: “Come on Maggie!”

Margaret and Fred A. Young, were married in December of 1943- both still teenagers. However the times had a way of maturing folks very quickly. While my dad served in the Pacific (from Midway through VJ-Day) my mom worked in a munitions factory. To this day, I am proud of them both and have no regrets historically about President Truman’s decision to “drop the big ones…” Many my age owe our lives to that decision: Meme’s dad was also a WW II Navy veteran. It is interesting to me that there is a wartime photo of my folks with a dog. Many of you have heard me say “I was raised in a kennel” (Burbank & Malibu), and dogs certainly played pivotal roles in the lives of our family. My mom had 3 children: me, Christine Marie and Laura Jean. I remember mom telling me that she & dad knew well their limitations, due to lack of education, but always vowed to work hard and succeed.

Both had careers, of course my mom’s was primarily managing the kennels until my youngest sister started high school. It was about that time that my parents transitioned from AKC dog handlers to American Kennel Club judges. They shined. My mom had been a founder of Great Western Terriers Assoc., was active with the Beverly Hills Kennel Club, and helped the Burbank Kennel Club along the way. Both Chris & Laura are involved with dogs (Laura shows Aussies; Chris is an AKC Judge). Guess you could say I escaped the kennel-life to become a National Park Ranger: let nature take its course.

1975

Besides “the dog career” Mom was the office manager an orthopedic surgery practice, a docent at the L. A. Zoo, and an all-round great person. This blogger still remembers stopping at Foster’s Freeze and getting vanilla ice cream cones: one time I dropped mine while handing one to Chris. Before I could work up many tears there was mom with a replacement. THANKS mom, you were the best a lad could have…

a MAY DAY to remember…

1-year + anniversary post for Maureen Helene (Shapiro) Thompson

                                                                   

When I semi-recently learned from Peter Thompson that he had commissioned a sculpture in memory of Maureen and was working to get it placed in a public garden in their hometown (The Palomares House and park in Fallbrook, CA) I thought that a most worthy endeavor. I hope to see it someday, and want to THANK Peter and family for sharing some of their precious moments & thoughts of this very special person...

 

Located at The Palomares House in Fallbrook, CA

http://www.recreationparks.net/CA/san-diego/palomares-house-and-park-fallbrook

3 generations: maureen, Adrieene & Bea

Many of you “really” knew Maureen Helene (Shapiro) Thompson, and were touched by her life. Me? Not as much: I certainly didn’t know about her many accomplishments post-Burbank High School (keep reading), or that she’d become an accomplished Baroque recorder player, her favorite composers were Bach, Handel, Mozart, & Telemann, or that she’d performed at the San Luis Rey Mission with “Ancient Airs Consort.” I’m afraid our ships passed-in-the-night a long, long time ago. (BTW- a sample of her beloved genre of music is found via the link at the bottom of this post)

I found the story of Peter & Maureen heartwarming: he was in the Royal Air Force 1967-70, then he “Met Maureen 2 weeks after I was out. She was hitchhiking, I gave her a ride. 4 days later quit my new job, sold my car, bought a backpack, & went with her. Longest time we were ever apart from that 1st. day was the 3 weeks she was in the hospital before she died.”  Maureen, “here is lookin’ at you kid…”   (family photos courtesy of Peter R. Thompson)

                                         

Dear Maureen:

When I first glimpsed the photo of you from the early 90’s “down unda” (shown in the 3/22 post), I was speechless (yep, still after all these years): my 1^st reaction was “OMG, I know this lady… and not from high school.” I was sure that this Ranger had re-met you via some later connection: maybe the National Interpreter’s Workshop (in San Diego in ’88 and I coordinated the educational media awards competitions). Fire: how about when I was the Safety Officer for the Angeles/Cleveland Incident Management Team? Surely, not while doing special investigations? Then again, I was building a rep as a recoverer of “lost & stolen” scared objects & art (repatriating our patrimony), and I understand you were a patron of the arts. Or, maybe it was sometime when you and Peter sailed into an exotic port and I was making bubbles (diving @ GBR, Bonaire, Caymans, Fiji? Many possibilities). Truth is I lost touch with you a long time ago and it appears you continued your journey into being a remarkable person: spouse, mother, aunt, teacher, cultivator, musician/artist, sailor- lover of life.

As I told your husband (Peter): “Its’ not like we had an ‘I know you're out there somewhere’ (Moody Blues) relationship by any means (or creative stretch of the imagination), but just the thought of you being out there, cheering up lives, always made me feel better.” I miss that. Peter (BTW- seems like a great guy) has shared some photographs of the family that are seen throughout this post. Anyway, here is to you-n-yours Maureen!

                                                                                    

Kevin, Maureen, Peter & Adrienne

You have been, and will be, well remembered by many. Thinking about you, my memories are from long-ago at Burbank High School. Some recollections include: you were a young energetic effervescent being with sparkling eyes and a smile that warmed hearts & cast light upon the shadows; your mom was Bea(utiful) and it was easy to see you would be too; I think you know that I was but one of scores of young boys that had a crush on you; I recall the warmth you brought to Mr. LiPera’s Eastern Civilization class;  bumping into you once on the beach- you were with the Rupprecht sisters & Andrea Foley (?);our conversations were always very brief (though sometimes memorable); we almost had a date once- due to the actions of a friend (and a plot worthy of a “coming of age movie” or a covert operations plan). You cancelled…and we both went our ways traveling towards the loves of our lives: You with Peter… and me with Meme (Mary K. Medici)*; I still pinch myself when thinking about my invitation to visit me in Montana 36-years ago and she said “yes.”

Looking at the postings of your obit from a year ago, it was easy to see you had many interests that touched people: counting-coup in positive ways. A mother to Kevin & Adrienne, a life-partner to Peter, a teacher to so many, it has been noted that you were also an accomplished gardener/grower, musician, and sailor of seas.

Let’s revisit some of those memories:

Mrs. Thompson was my daughter's sixth grade Math Teacher. My daughter finally understood the Math thanks to Mrs. Thompson….was always there for her students, talk about being engaged and involved, WOW! This must be such a shock for all of the Thompson's, and Friends I will miss seeing Mrs. Thompson, and I really feel that she has made a mark on everyone with whom she frolicked. My heart weeps for her kids, if she was such a divine Teacher, imagine what kind of Wife and Mother she was. Oh my this is really sad.( Mama C)

My family was lucky to know Maureen. She was inspirational in so many ways. My daughter Jaclyn learned how to play Santana on the recorder from Maureen. She was a force of light on this earth that will be missed. My blessings to the whole family.  (Jennifer C)

I will always remember Maureen's infectious smile, her deep laugh, and her love of life. Truly, we have lost a wonderful soul. This lovely lady will be missed in so many ways, but in so many ways she will never be forgotten. My love to Peter, Kevin, Adrienne and the rest of the family. (Amy)

My friendship with Maureen was 'born' in 9th grade at John Muir Jr. Hi in Burbank during the early 1960's. Her wonderful mom, Bea took us on trips to Yosemite, Laguna, Mammoth and Squaw Valley. Maureen and I shared time in NYC seeing a play and visiting a World's Fair. We were room mates for a while in UC Stanislaus. She was my maid-of-honor and godmother to my daughter. I remember visiting Fallbrook days after Kevin was born. We always kept in touch over the years and miles. My heart is broken at our loss. (Dale [Michel] Flint)

                                                                                       

A memorial (statue) says a lot about a person and the impact they had on people; it says even more about those that commission the work in order to remember. Looks like you had a prince in Peter. (He tells me his therapy is staying busy and that the recent Ensenada yacht race was “very sobering.”)

                                                    

On March 10^th I chaired a college tennis match between BYU & UNM, and noticed that one of the players for BYU was a freshman from Fallbrook, CA; I couldn’t help but imagine that he “could” have been a student of yours and prospered in part due to your positive spirit.

You know, there is a theoretical physics hypothesis that says there are parallel universes where everything that is possible… is. I believe that you are out there somewhere, and I can even picture you and Peter sailing exotic places (with him singing this Dan Fogelberg [another sailor] ballad to you):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U979UYoZA7I

BTW- I think you would’ve liked this music too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2_TTKk7Us0

*- As you know, I was working at Petra when you sailed-on… the location used for Indiana Jones to encounter The Holy Grail (I still tell folks that it is safe & being protected by the Grail Guardian Knight). When I think of you & Peter and Meme & I, I think the knight would tell us: “You have chosen wisely.”