Thinking Back to 1966 this Holiday Season

All of us have memories regarding these holidays, which extend from Thanksgiving through this time of year. I know I do, as it was a difficult time of the year for my family due to the fact my dad passed a few days before Thanksgiving in 1966.  

My first thoughts this year would extend back to the great admiration and respect I still hold today for those men and women who came together from the American Legion and VFW, both of which my dad belonged to since his return from World War II. He served in the Navy and was stationed on what is known as an “oiler,” the USS Salinas,ensuring the munitions, equipment, and men arrived safely to the European Theatre. Unfortunately, many never made it home due to the relentless attacks by German U-boats in their efforts to break the back of the Allies. 

Tens of thousands of Allied seamen, including U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine personnel, were lost, along with 3,500 ships, with over 9,000 Merchant Marine men lost. That number of Merchant Marine personnel made their casualty rate the highest of any U.S. service branch due to U-boat warfare. Altogether, the Battle of the Atlantic saw 7,200 Allied naval and merchant seaman lose their lives. 

He never spoke much about that terrible duty he undertook as a young American who stepped forward in an effort to protect the free women and men of our nation, as well as all those around the world from the desires of those mad men who sought to dominate free-thinking citizens around the globe. 

But it was Christmas 1966 that brought the strength and courage of their generation more into focus for me. My mother was now a single mom, raising three youngsters on her own. My dad never had insurance, neither health nor lifeInsurance. He was self-employed as a barber and had passed a few days before Thanksgiving that year. As a veteran, he was able to avail himself of the services provided by the Veterans Administration, a Godsend for those men and women of that generation. 

After burying my dad two days before Thanksgiving, we came home and opened the door to our porch and found several boxes that would include everything a family would need to provide a wonderful Thanksgiving meal for the four of us. It was provided to us by my father’s fellow members of the two veterans organizations that he had belonged to and served as a Commander of since returning from the war 21 years previously to that day. 

To this day, I am amazed by the miracles my mom had pulled off that early Christmas morning to ensure we were never disappointed, especially my nine-year-old brother. I’mprobably telling a story that can be repeated by many of my age, as we have been so blessed by the strength and dedication of those women who lost their husbands as a result of the conflicts in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and others since those days. They did it through sheer courage and resolve!!  

A community came together during that holiday season to ensure our family was not forgotten. I guess that is why I feel so lucky to live where I do. Whether it is from those who come out to support the Meals of Hope efforts each year, the wonderful support given to those in need every week by the Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, or the wonderful efforts put forward by another of my favorite gals who make up “Al’s Pals” and their heroic efforts to assist those in need.  

In addition, once a month, a group will gather at the Lutheran Church for a gathering known as Lunch With Friends for those over 60 years of age to help feed the need for quality “social interaction,” as well as providing a great nutritional lunch with wonderful social interaction. 

I do enjoy my outreach to you via this means to remind you what a great community you live in. A community that comes together to help feed your many needs, whether they are nutritional, social, or spiritual. I can’t begin to think about a better place to call my second home, and I can only hope you feel the same. 

Wishing you a spectacular 2026 and a Happy New Year. Hope to see you out there, and make sure you say hello if we run into each other!!