Читать книгу LIVING THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS - Donald E. Wilson - Страница 2

In writing this book, I am unlocking memories of four lives that spanned monumental events of the Twentieth century, from the assassination of President McKinley, through the roaring 20’s, the great depression and three wars. My overall objective in telling our story is fourfold.

First, to be sure that our past is recorded not only for our family today but for generations to come. In researching history of the men who fought in World War Two, I found countless examples of incomplete stories of events in their lives, sometimes because they were too painful to relate, but in other instances due to their neglect in recording them. Consequently, many stories that are the thread in the fabric of American history will never be told.

Second, to encourage every reader to take the time to record their own past. While they may not realize it today, as they go through their busy lives and think that what they have done is not worth recording, I can assure them that such is not the case. For example, while we know that many members of our families made major contributions to the society and history in which they lived, when our dad’s passed on, there were so many questions Alleen and I never took the time to ask, and many experiences that were never recorded.

It is our hope as you read of the lives in this book, and especially those of our fathers, you will not make our mistakes. We are living in very complex times with historical events coming at us at a much more rapid rate than in the last century, and in far too much detail to be reconstructed in years to come.

Thirdly, to provide the reader with some grasp as to the unique lives and unusual sacrifices that thousands of military families yesterday and today have endured, and in the process tell them our story.

Many comments germane to the historical coverage throughout this story were extracted from my personal research and lecture notes accumulated over 30 plus years, and from the varied personal experiences Alleen and I lived. It is my hope that the reader will find in this book not only the story of our lives, but an understanding of the key historical events of the past half century

For the personal comments on James Watson, I am grateful to have the memories of Alleen, her sisters Sharon Hedrick, Edna Snodgrass and brother Chester Watson. For personal comments on my father’s personal life I relied heavily on my sisters Linda Porter and Doris Walling, and in particular on Linda’s article, “My Walk with Charlie.”

I am especially grateful to the University of Louisville Professor James Holmberg, “Archives and Records Center" for his oral interviews of James A. Watson, Jr. in 1987, nine years before his death.

For information on my father’s years at Transylvania College, I appreciate the assistance of the college librarian, B.J. Gooch and his associates in providing information from the 1929 Crimson,the college yearbook, specifically on Dad.

Finally, but certainly not least, I am forever grateful to Alleen without whom this story would never have been told. Her recollection of every phase of our Air Force life was crucial to the unraveling of history. Not only did I treasure Alleen’s input to the book as a primary source for the final manuscript, but also as a skilled proof reader. Her uncanny ability to detect errors in content and writing and provide me with many invaluable suggestions, went a long way in making this book possible.

Donald E. Wilson