Grandpa Russell, Pappaw Clyde, Pappaw Buck - WW II Veterans

Wednesday - June 24, 2009

This particular blog is dedicated to the latest WW II veteran who has gone home to be with the Lord. Riley Russell is Jeni's grandfather, her mother Carol's father. He went Home Monday and will be missed so much by his family and friends.

David found out on one of his first visits to Jeni and her family that Jeni’s Grandpa Russell was a member of the 10th Armored as was his Pappaw Clyde. Grandpa passed away Monday and has not only joined our Heavenly Father and his heavenly family, but he has also joined many members of the armed forces that have fought for our freedom. Grandpa loved his Lord, his family, friends, and his country. Grandpa is one of the reasons I’m writing this particular blog. He, along with Dad, Clyde, and all the other WW II veterans sacrificed so much to ensure our freedoms – one of which allows us to write blogs. All veterans (regardless of which war they were part of) and active members have and are scarificing much for what they sincerely believe in - freedom!

Grandpa Russell at Cora's baby dedication. Notice his tie! A proud American, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather - May 24, 2009.

Grandpa at Cora's picnic.

The last couple of days I have been thinking about our WWII veterans. Bill’s father and my father both served in WWII and have already joined many of their comrades. Jeni’s grandfather – Riley Russell – joined them Monday morning. I hadn’t thought about how many WWII veterans are still living until Bill had written a comment to David – “Another World War II veteran gone. It is so sad.” It got me to thinking about how many of our WWII veterans are passing away.

I actually was curious enough to do some research via the computer. The sites I checked out could tell us exactly how many, their names, and where they lived of the remaining WWI veterans. The latest statistics I found said there were only six left: two in Australia, two in the UK, and two in the United States – all were approximately 108 years old.

However, when I tried to find an exact number for the WWII veterans the statistics were not that easy to locate. According to the latest posting by the US Department of Veteran Affairs, there are 3.5 million surviving WWII worldwide. They did not have it broken down as they did for WWI. I’m sure had I chose to do more intensive research, I would have located the statistics I was looking for to use in this posting.

Bill’s father was a member of the 10th Armored Division. Clyde was part of the “Battle of the Bulge.” December 22-26, 1944 was a very scary time for Clyde and the men he was with – they were surrounded by the Germans and had no idea if they were going to get out alive. Not only did they have to deal with the being the enemy, but they also had to deal with the elements of the weather and the lack of food supplies.

Pappaw Clyde and a little buddy! We think this was a picture of Clyde at his home place - notice the fence in the background - looks like a WV fence! :)

Pappaw Clyde and some of his Army buddies! Clyde is the one sitting in the middle.

On June 6, 2009, I thought about Dad. It wasn’t until 1999 that he told us the boat he was on was to have been one of the first ones to land on Normandy Beach June 6, 1944. For some reason, the boat he was on got out of line (some said due to mechanical problems). Dad and the 2nd Armored Division landed along Omaha Blue sector of Normandy beaches. Had Dad landed the day he was scheduled to – history for the Layne family would be a lot different than it is today! He did tell us that by the time he got ashore, the beaches had been cleaned up. This knowledge that Dad could have been one of those soldiers who landed first is one of the reasons I haven't seen the movie "Saving Private Ryan." My dad could have been one who didn't come home alive!

Dad and his buddy - Cecil - entered the service at the same time, went through boot camp together, but were not together when they went overseas!

Dad (in the middle) and some of his buddies in a "fox hole."

Most of the WW II veterans did not share everything they went through during the war. It was something they only shared with their comrades. Only those men and women who were part of this war to ensure that their family and friends would be living in a country that was free knew what is was like to be part of this event in our country's history. WW II veterans were proud to do their part for their country. Sadly, we are losing these veterans every day. Grandpa is the latest one that we were privileged in knowing and who has left his earthly home. It has brought back the memories of when we both lost our fathers, and even though they didn't discuss their experiences, we knew they were proud to serve their country.

We do know that these “old soldiers” are now in a far better place. They are rejoicing with one another and our heavenly Father. I pray they know how much they are loved and will be missed. I also pray they know how much we appreciate their sacrifices to ensure the freedoms we all have today. I also hope that future generations understand what they did for them as well.

To all veterans and active members of the Armed Forces - thank you!!!!!

A Father's Influence - Happy Father's Day

Sunday - June 21, 2009


Hope all the fathers out there have had a great day! I started thinking about the fathers in our family - those still with us and those who have gone on Home to be with our Heavenly family.


The first two men I loved better than anything was Dad and Pappaw Layne. My grandparents lived in the house behind ours during the winter months and on Lick Creek during the spring, summer, and fall until they could no longer take care of the garden the way they use to when raising their family. I believe my brothers became the great fathers they are because of our father and grandfather. They learned by example!


Bill had great examples as well. His dad's father had already passed away before Bill was born, but he had his Grand-dad McCoy, his mother's father. Bill spent many of his summers in Inez, KY with his grandparents. Bill's Uncle Mack lived with them for many years until he moved into a Highrise in Williamson. Uncle Mack had a big influence on Bill, as well as his brothers. Bill's father was a hard worker and worked long hours. His work ethics filtered down to Bill and Twink. You have to work hard and provide for your family.


The following pictures are a tribute to just some of the men whom I think are great Dad's.

My Pappaw Layne holding Mike with Dink, myself, and, John standing close. We loved him sooooo much! He was a great father and grandfather.
Pappaw and Mammaw with Uncle Pak, Uncle Pete, Aunt Hammy, Dad, Aunt Oma, Uncle Son, and Aunt Dean. (Yes, my aunt and uncles all had nick names!)

This is how I remember my grandfather! This was taken the summer before his passed away - summer of 1969!

My father and grandfather sitting under the willow tree below the home place. Behind them is the crib we loved to go snooping - we found all kinds of treasures!

Dad with his three boys who eventually became great fathers!

One of my favorite pictures of Dad and Mom - Nags Head!! Love the black and white version.

My Dad and Dink - the first lesson Dad taught us - show your love!!!!

Dink with his precious family - he was and is not afraid to show his love for his family!

The latest picture of Dink - even though he is recovering from a massive stroke, he still lets the boys and the rest of us he loves us all! We all love you Dink and think you are a great father, husband, brother, son, and uncle!

This is the first Father's Day John's family will be having without him! Here is a picture of John, Laurie, Dawn, JD, and Lindsay on January 22, 1989. This was mine and John's birthday! I miss you John and you were a great father and grandfather!

The next two pictures are two I love - it captures the mischievous smile we miss!

Mike and Todd - 1989

Mike on the day Todd and Cassie got married - May 19, 2009.

Todd and Meghan - Mike's pride and joy - Mike has been and still is a loving and supporting father to these two - the love the three of them have for one another is what makes today a special day!

Bill's grandparents - Granddad and Granny. The love Bill had for them and they had for him helped mold Bill into the person he is today - he loves his son David and grand-daughter Cora with every fiber in his body!

Uncle Mack also influenced Bill - he taught Bill to keep score for the Reds' games!!

Bill's father taught Bill how to take care of family. Not only did he take care of Bill, his brothers, and his mother, he also took care of Uncle Mack. You love your family and you take care of them!

Clyde at Uncle Mack's making sure all is well. Even though Uncle Mack moved out on his own, Clyde always went over to check on him.
A proud grandfather, Clyde, and grandmother, Bertha Marrs, with one of their two grandchildren - David - about 1988.

March 27, 2009 - Bill a first time grandfather, and David a first time father! Cora Ann has changed both of their lives forever!

May 24, 2009 - Cora's baby dedication - a proud father and grandfather - three generations of Hardins.

David - a proud father with his precious baby girl, Cora Ann! The tradition of a loving and caring father continues!

I haven't included pictures of all the great fathers in the family, mainly because I'm at Mom's without my picture collection. Therefore I want to say that I think the following fall in the "Great Fathers" category: Bill's brother Twink (alias Charles); my nephew JD; and John's grand - children's fathers - Nate, Brian, and Chad. You all are doing a great job - continue doing what you're doing and you will be the examples for the next generation of fathers!

A Year of Blessings and Sadness

Saturday - June 20, 2009

It has been almost a year since we started this blog. The main purpose was to let our family and friends in on how we were doing, and what we were doing since we had retired from teaching. Teaching consumed most of our lives for over 30 years. Bill and I both had worked during the summer to prepare for the upcoming year.

Why would we do this? There were always new programs being implemented, and we had to stay ahead of the game (and the kids!)! We went to conferences; presented at conferences; and even helped organize conferences. Just because you have gone to four years of college, gotten a degree in a specific field in education, it was never enough for those in charge - state and national level. Teachers are required to continue their education, update their technology, attend seminars and conferences during the school year and the summer!!!!

Once we retired, we didn't have to prepare for a new school year! This was a strange feeling. However, we have kept busy. With the passing of my father, I have been staying with Mom at least three days a week. Bill stays home and looks after Toby - or maybe Toby looks after him! :)

When the newness of being retired wore off, and we realized that we could do something other than preparing ourselves to be more efficient teachers - we actually started doing things we hadn't taken the time to do. We started to going to concerts! We've been to see Celtic Woman, Celtic Thunder, George Jones, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Lord of the Dance, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, and The Gospel Harmony Boys Concert in Huntington and Hillsdale, MI. There are others, but right now my mind is drawing a blank! :):)

We have a concert coming up tonight! Roy Clark, the co-host of HeeHaw is performing in Ashland. Bill and I are going. We are celebrating our 21st anniversary, and we are spending the evening with Roy! :):) Last year we saw George Jones on our anniversary!

Our first blog was about our 20th Anniversary trip - a two week stay at Kiawah Island in SC. We love the peace and tranquility that the island offers! It was a very relaxing two weeks for a special milestone in our lives. We hope to go back for another two weeks to celebrate another special occasion - when will that take place ???? Hmmm, we'll let you all know! :):)

This past year brought to us our first grandchild - Cora Ann Hardin! This was a wonderful blessing for the whole family! She is a precious baby girl whom we love more than anything! Sadly, we don't get to see her everyday since she lives in MI. The time we have spent with her has been memorable!

Other blessings have included the continued good health of Mom (age 89), the marriage of Todd and Cassie, and the continued recovery of Dink from his stroke this past February. We love the time we have been able to spend with family - David, Jeni, and Cora coming in for a visit; Lori, JD, and Darcie coming in for Todd and Cassie's wedding; and all the times the family gathers at Mom's.

We have had many sad moments the last year - we lost Aunt Olive, Aunt Frankie, and John. All the passings have been hard, but when John left to go home and be with Dad, it was one of the hardest things to say good-bye. It is part of life, and yes we know that God has a heavenly home waiting for all His children. But it is still hard to let go!

Bill and I have reconnected with family and friends on Facebook - yes we have become addicted!!! It has been so good to be able to talk with high school friends, family who lives away from here, and to walk down memory lane reliving some of those "good old days!" Now that we have retired - we have time to "play" on the computer instead of entering grades! :):)

We hope to visit David, Jeni, and Cora; have plans for a few more concerts; and take more opportunities to spend time with other family members and friends. There is also the plans for home improvement projects!!!

We are staying busy and are happy with being retired. We are going to celebrate our 21st anniversary by going out to eat and then on to see Roy Clark. It is going to be a very pleasant evening thanks to Mike, Debbie, Billy, and Jamie, who have taken over and spending time at Mom's so Bill and I can have this get-a-way for the evening!!! Thank you all and I love you!!!!

Last but not least I want to say thank you to Bill for always being there for me and understanding me and why I do what I do - even if it causes a lot of work for me. Let's have a great evening tonight - Hee Haw!!! :):)

21 Years Ago Today!

April, 2009 - Bill and I with our precious Cora Ann!

Cora's Baby Dedication - May 24, 2009

My Dad

Tuesday - June 16, 2009

Today is Dad's birthday. He would have been 88 years old. He has been gone for three and a half years. It seems like only yesterday I was able to talk to him and tell him I loved him. We always teased him about double dipping on his birthday because it was always close to Father's Day - some years his birthday and Father's Day were the same day!

I miss my dad so much. Meghan and I walked into his work shop the other day and she looked at me as said "it smells like Pappaw!" The smell of the wood was characteristic of him the last few years of his life. He was always working with wood - making something special for someone in the family or friends.

Dad was special in many ways. He never felt sorry for himself because of his injuries he suffered during WWII. He always found a way to overcome his "handicap" and never really considered himself disable! He was a survivor and a fighter. He came through many medical procedures that some felt he would never make it. They didn't know Dad the way we all did. With God's grace and the power of prayer he came back to his family many times.

Mike and I, as do Rhonda and the boys, tell Dink that he is just like Dad. With hard work and determination, he too will survive! Dad taught us to never give up; always treat you family and friends with respect; never make fun of anyone, especially those less fortunate than we were; he taught us the meaning of love, commitment, providing for your family, and what it meant to sacrifice so your family can have food, clothing, and a home. He was a hard worker, and very seldom would he take off from work. His work ethics soon became our work ethics. My brothers and I all worked (Mike still does) at our jobs to do the best job possible.

Some say that as the years go by, it gets easier to accept losing a loved one! I'm not sure of that - I miss Dad as much today as I did the day he passed away. When I take Mom to the cemetery, I always tell him I love him and that we all are trying to take of Mom as he would have us do. He was worried about her those last few weeks. The boys and I assured him that we would take care of her. It was then he told Mom it was time for him to go home. He knew his time here on earth was coming to an end. He would soon be going to his heavenly home. He was at peace when he left us - he knew where he was going and that God was waiting for him. He also knew that Mom would be alright. His job here was completed, and it was time for him to go Home.

Dad will always be missed, but the memories will always keep him alive here on earth for us all!
The following pictures are some I haven't used very often on the blog. They take Dad from his infancy to the way we like to remember him - wearing his suspenders and coming into the house after having worked in the wood shop on a special gift.

Dad - 1921

This had to be before he entered the service - his hair is combed back rather than being parted on the side! 1940

Camp Haan, California - 1942

The Layne brothers - Uncle Pete, Dad, Uncle Son, and Uncle Pak sitting below the their home place - probably on a Sunday afternoon! Mike is in front of Dad! 1955

One thing that Dad delighted in doing was aggravating Mom! You can see that in the next few pictures!

1970

1970

Dad wearing one of his set of work clothes - during the 70's!

One of the activities Dad love to do was talk on his "ham radio!" His call letters were K8LNM - he would talk with people from all across the United States as well as across the world - depending on the weather. He built his radios himself!

Another thing Dad loved to do was fish. It was an activity he could do with the whole family. This was taken on one of his trips to Canada with Dink and Mike!

Dad all dressed up to go to church - since that's my car I would estimate this picture being taken in 1982.

One of my favorite pictures of Dad - he and Mom went to Nagshead with Dink Rhonda, and the boys! 1996

When looking at this picture, I can smell the wood shavings!

I love my Dad, and I really do miss him very much.

Where's the Compassion?

Sunday - June 14, 2009

When was the last time you or a loved one had to visit the ER? Yesterday, my oldest brother who had suffered a severe stroke and heart-attack back on February 13, 2009 had to be taken to the ER via ambulance. From the test results that were done yesterday when he was first taken in, it appears he suffered "the flipping of a clot" which caused him to be confused and lose his eyesight. Even though this seemed to last about five minutes, it was scary and could have had much more severe results.

Dink has been going through very rigorous therapy, first at Health South and now as an out-patient at Saint Mary's Physical Therapy. It has not been easy, but the strides of accomplishment he has made is amazing. To those of us who saw him right after he had the stroke, he looks so good and is improving far above what was expected when he first started his therapy. He has the will and determination to do what it takes to improve.

How much he will regain, only God knows. We pray that He will continue to give Dink the strength and the will to continue doing as much as possible in his therapy. I hope he knows that we are all in his corner and are there to root him on with what he needs to do in his recovery. His biggest fan is Rhonda. Very seldom does she leave his side! They two of them even work on his exercises at home - Dink has "homework!" :)

While being checked in the ER, a nurse came in to do "paper work" and ask some "baseline" questions. Dink can answer the questions , but does need to be prompted in the beginning with the beginning syllable. The nurse was shooting the questions out as fast as she could, not giving Dink time to have these questions register in his mind. She apparently hadn't read his medical report indicating his ability to talk. This overwhelmed Dink. Rhonda calmly started to let the nurse know how to get Dink to answer the questions. The nurse turned on Rhonda and informed her to stay quiet that the patient had to answer the questions. The nurse would NOT listen to what Rhonda was trying to say. Rhonda left the room!

A friend of Rhonda's, who is also a registered nurse and in the room, informed the nurse on duty that she was very rude, and yes Rhonda was upset with just cause, and that this nurse was going to be reported! Once the nurse realized that Rhonda and her friend were bona fide registered nurses. The attitude changed immediately, but it was too late. Dink was upset and overwhelmed with the bombardment of questions and the attitude of this nurse!! The nurse did apologize as did the head nurse! The damage had already been done.

Whether it was Dink, another member of my family, a friend, or a stranger, the way some people are treated is inexcusable. The compassion needed for these jobs is slowly fading away! If the patient was being unruly, then maybe I could see the nurse may need to be a little more assertive!

What is so sad is that this nurse could give the entire group of ER nurses a bad reputation because of her lack of compassion and the willingness to see what was best for her patient! There are so many compassionate people out there in the medical field. We have met so many of them, especially when Dad was still living. This nurse may have been having a bad day, but Dink and Rhonda were having one that was worse! The nurses that helped with Mom were wonderful and did what was best for Mom as well as for the rest of the family!!!

Whether it's the medical field, the teaching field, or even the business field we should all remember the feelings of others. Using compassion and understanding can go a long way when working with others!

To this nurse, I'm sorry you had a bad day, but there was NO excuse for the way you treated my brother! We will forgive you because that's what God wants us to do, but please think before you start the process with another stroke victim!


To Dink, just think of this as another "rough" bump in the road! You have successfully crossed many of them, you can cross this one too! I love you Dink!!!!!