A Trip Back In Time Part 2

We were at the Chase Mansion last. Now we go next door to the Aldrich House. The Aldrich House was the home to Thomas Bailey Aldrich,a Victorian novelist,poet,and editor.He is most famous for his book "The Story of A Bad Boy." He was born in Portsmouth on Nov 11,1836. He lived with his grandparents,who had friends in various literary  and acting circles. His "grandmother", Mrs Aldrich,was sitting outside the house and told us of how she  met her husband at a party held by the famous actor Edwin Booth (brother to John Wilkes) and informed us that she didn't like Mark Twain,because he was always inebriated and spoke very unkindly about her. The house was built in  1797. 

Coming into the kitchen,the "Good Morning"staircase was to the left. A "Good Morning" staircase is a set of stairs that connect an upstairs bedroom right to the kitchen. They reminded me of my Memere's old house when I was little. The stairs were very steep,and she forbade me to go up them without her (they weren't Good Morning stairs,though).

                              

 This is a fabulous fireplace to cook some food!

                                   Lovely bright sitting room

                                   I loved the pendant chandelier

                                   

                                      The parlor

     

                              I absolutely adore Mrs Aldrich's dress

                                    Such a pretty bedroom!

                           View out the window on the second landing

                          Another bedroom. I loved the various canopy styles

                            A more masculine looking bedroom

The next stop was at the Shapiro House. The Shapiro's a Russian-Jewish immigrant family,lived here in the early 1900's. It was built in  1795. The best room in the house was the kitchen.

                                      Love that old wood cooking stove!

We had just missed "Mrs Shapiro"demonstrating how to bake bread.She had stepped out for a moment. The bread smelled wonderful baking in the oven.

The Pitt Tavern was next. It was built in 1766 . There were several rooms with fireplaces and tables set up.

Some of the distinguished visitors to the Pitt Tavern include George Washington,John Hancock,and the Marquis de Lafayette.

                   A bit of the history of the tavern.

  This house is the Yeaton House. It's in the process of renovation. It was built in 1795. Thales Yeaton,a shopkeeper and tobacconist,lived here in the late 18th century.

This is the Marden-Abbott house and store. It was a neighborhood store during WWII. The building itself was built in 1720.

                                The store was exactly as it was kept during the war

  t was interesting to see how many old labels we could recognize that were still around when we were kids,but are now no longer available.

Behind the store and house there as the Marden-Abbott Garage,which had been converted into a small WWII museum. I loved the various posters.

 Back then,everyone chipped in to help the war effort. They grew victory gardens,had ration stamps,and recycled cans to be made into bullets.

                            I bet most kept the pledge!

By the entrance there was book with the names of civilian defense volunteers. We discovered that Rick's grandfather,Ray Shaw,was an Air Raid Warden. How cool is that? It was so random...there his name was. We poured through the other pages to see if any other family members were listed. I am not sure if Edwin or Oren are related :)

This was my favorite poster. It promoted working for the war effort,saving rubber by walking and not driving,conserving what you have,and buying war bonds.

Our last installment will show one of the oldest homes left in NH-built in 1695.

Have a fabulous day on this Fabulous Planet!

Happy Veterans Day

Today we honor those who have protected our freedom. Where Memorial Day honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,Veterans Day honors all those who were willing to put their life on the line for us.

As for my family,I have had many who have served: My Dad ( Army, New Guinea,WWII),my brother Valmore (Army, Vietnam),my brother in law,Tom ( Air Force,Vietnam),my brother Dennis ( Sea Bees,Gulf War),my niece Tara (Air Force,OIF),and her hubby Scott (Air Force,OIF), my Uncle Bobby (Army,Korea),and my Uncle Valmore (Army,WW II-killed in Hawaii by someone in his tent cleaning his rifle).Brother B was in the Army National Guard. My father in law,Dick,was in the Coast Guard during the Bay of Pigs. Rick's uncle was a POW in Vietnam.

                            

While my family has had many serve,Rick's family has a long line of military service.His family has been here in the US since the 1620's. They came over from England with the wave of Puritans fleeing for their religious freedom.In fact,he has family members that arrived in Plymouth,MA in the boat after the Mayflower,which was called the Anne.He has had family members who fought in every war since the French and Indian Wars.Some died in war,one at Valley Forge,and a  great great grandfather who died in the Civil war at Fredricksburg and is buried in Virginia.

A down time moment at Camp Shelby,MS

                                             
When I met Rick,he was already a veteran.He had been in Airborne in the 1980's,stationed in Italy and had been in many "quick" combat missions (which of course,he can't tell me about). I refer to them as "Reagan's Secret Little Wars." He did serve in Nicaragua,which is not a place he remembers with great fondness.

In 2000,he wanted to get back into service,so he joined the National Guard. Then of course, 9/11 happened,and he went to Iraq after doing two tours on Homeland Security at the Air National Guard base down in Newington(Former Pease Air Force Base,now the Pease International Tradeport)

Ready to meet whatever comes his way

                                   Rick was sent to Ramadi,which at the time was the worst place in Iraq. It is located in the Sunni Triangle,or,"The Triangle of Death." It is on a main highway from Syria,where many of the insurgents came from. To quote one solider, "In 2004-2005,Ramadi was the shit." Reporters were rarely allowed into the city because it was so dangerous. Rick became a Scout,which meant he could sneak around gathering intel,or kick in doors and take prisoners. He also called in air support,and was a "long distance problem solver." They were attacked daily,several times a day.He saw combat each day.He took lives. He also helped train the Iraqis,which on more than one occasion, fled when they were attacked,leaving Rick by himself. When they went on patrol in town,he was either on point or in the rear. He did not have the luxury of staying at Forward Operating Base (FOB).He stayed in Outposts in outside of town.They were wooden shacks,no shower,etc. There were those who were at the base who never left it. They were referred to as FOBBITS by those who actually engaged in combat,and it was not a compliment. When there would be hot water at the FOB,it would be gone by the time Rick and his fellow Scouts went to shower,because the officers used it all (who never left the base).

One of the outposts 

                                             

One of my favorite phots

                                                       
Before Rick was in the Scouts,he was in a squad that patrolled in Bradleys. He was in the turret quite often.

                                                               

He was wounded on July 28,2005 in an RPG attack. He spent two weeks at Landstahl in Germany,before being sent to Fort Gordon,GA ( Walter Reed was full) where he was in medhold until April 2006.

Rick home for good!

                                       

Of course,that is where our struggle as a family really began-living with PTSD and TBI and dealing with it. It has made us stronger,but it took a toll on our marriage for a few years. His emotional walls were up so high,I could tell as soon as I held him for the first time since he was wounded that he wasn't the same.I could feel it. It took a few years for those walls to come down,thanks to medication and therapy (which he still does) and he is more like his old self. Our connection finally returned three years ago,and it still took a while to get back to where we were even then.

So,while this day is about Veterans and their sacrifices,I want to give a shout out to the families of veterans as well. They cried tears of sorrow,tears of joy,and tears of frustration. There are some whose loved ones are no longer here,and there are those who lost their loved ones due to mental issues and who have seen their marriages crumble. There are those who are caregivers to the physically and mentally disabled,and there are those who are blessed with no issues.Whatever their circumstances,they also deserve to be thought of today.

A couple years ago,we went to Malone,NY to visit the boyhood home of Almanzo Wilder(Laura Ingalls Wilder's hubby). Our tour group consisted of the three of us and a couple from Ontario. The gentleman was a retired member of the Canadian Air Force. Rick thanked him for his service to his country and shook his hand. The gentleman looked taken aback at first,thanked Rick as well,then commented,"It took me 19 years and to have to come to the US before anyone ever thanked me." So...thank you. Thank you to our wonderful Canadian friends up North (hello,Kymber),thank you to all those countries who have sacrificed for the greater good and who have supported the US with your blood,sweat,and tears throughout our history,and of course,thank you to My Fellow Americans. You continue to keep us free. I am humbled and grateful.

On Behalf Of A Grateful Nation

Tomorrow is Memorial Day,when we here in the US remember those who gave their lives fighting for our country. I had hoped that Zach would not have to grow up having had lived through a war,let alone having a Dad that fought in one.I have had family members fight in each war since WWII. Rick has had members fight in wars since the French and Indian Wars in the 1600's. Zach has a mighty long line of veterans in his tree,some who died in the Civil War and at Valley Forge. He has much to be proud of.

Memorial Day is especially poignant for me, because I know how lucky we are to have Rick here. He came close on more than one occasion to losing his life. I count my blessings on a daily basis.

There are many who are not so lucky,and this is their day.For hundreds of years, our military members have sacrificed  so that we can keep the freedoms that we hold dear. I hold all of them in my heart...and am eternally grateful.

Thank you,on behalf of a grateful nation.

Happy Veterans Day!

Today here in the US it's Veterans Day,when we honor all those who have served or are currently serving in our military.

My family has many veterans in it,some still with us and some who have passed. Rick's family has veterans in it going as far back as the 1600's,when the French and Indian Wars were being fought.My family didn't arrive here in the States until the late 1800's,so our military past is not as long as his family,but we have done our share.

Although I am sure I had some members fight in WW I,no one has ever told me about them,so I have no direct knowledge of it. I know my Grandfather Lessard signed up for the draft,but he was never called up. My Dad was just a young boy,having been born in 1914.

Veterans Day stemmed from WW I. On the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918,a temporary armistice was signed,which was in effect until the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919,officially ending WW I,or,as it was called then,The War to End All Wars.No one could imagine another war being fought on that scale and magnitude. (Sad to say that would not last). The first official Armistice Day was signed in 1919 by President Wilson. In 1921,the Tomb of the Unknown Solider was created,and on November 11 of that year,Congress declared it a legal holiday in honor of the Tomb for all who fought in WW I. In 1938,Congress passed legislation making November 11 a legal federal holiday,known as Armistice Day. Up to then,it had been moved around a bit,and the states had control over if they celebrated it or not,which the majority did. Then WW II happened. In 1954,President Eisenhower signed legislation declaring that November 11 would be known as Veterans Day,to honor all Veterans who served.This became a national,Federal holiday that all states observe.

This is a photo of my Dad with some of his gun squad.He is in the very front. He was in the 197th Coastal Anti Aircraft Artillery during WW II,and like I mentioned in a previous post,he was stationed in New Guinea.This photo was taken when he was stationed at Camp Hulen,Texas,training,before they left for Australia.His brother,my Uncle Valmore,was in the Army as well,but he was in Hawaii,where he was killed by a fellow soldier who was cleaning his rifle.The rifle had a round in it,and when my Uncle Valmore walked into the tent,the gun accidentally went off,killing him. He was the first person from our town of Somersworth killed during WW II. The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) post in Somersworth is named the Gagnon-Lessard post ( first to die in both World Wars).

My Dad,come to find out,served in the same unit with my mother's Uncle Robert. My mother still wonders to this day how Uncle Robert got into the service,considering he was hard of hearing,but somehow he did.When he had to fire the big anti artillery gun,my Dad would tap him on the shoulder. (My parents didn't meet until after my Dad got back from the war).

My dad's brother,Bobby,served in the Korean War in the Army.My Uncle Bobby was very nice,but suffered from PTSD. From what family has said,he was in a convoy which was attacked,and he saw his friends get blown up. I am sure there is a bit more to the story,but that is all I know. He spent some time in a psych hospital,and struggled with it the rest of his life.

My Dad's sister,Margaret,was either in the WACs or was a WAVE...which one escapes me at the moment.

My oldest brother,Valmore,joined the Army and was sent to the DMZ in Korea during the Vietnam War.My sister's husband,Tom,was in the Air Force and flew tankers,and was stationed in South Vietnam at Ton San Nuht (spelled wrong?) air base. My brother Dennis was in the Sea Bees,and went to either Saudi Arabia or Kuwait as support during Desert Storm.

Then we have my hubby.....

Rick joined the Army National Guard in 1981,and then went into the regular Army,in the 4/325th Airborne Combat Team in Italy.Then,when he got back to the States,he was put in the 82nd Airborne. He got out,and then went into the Army National Guard in 2000. He then went to Iraq in 2005,where he was Scout. While there he was wounded,earning him the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge. As you long time readers of my blog know,he suffers from chronic PTSD and a brain injury.

My father in law,Dick,was in the Coast Guard and participated as support during the Bay of Pigs.Rick's Uncle George (husband to his Aunt Linda)was a prisoner of war during Vietnam. Rick and Brother B remember watching TV to see if his name would be with the list of POW's released. Dick's brother, Ray,also served in Vietnam in the Army. Brother B was in the Army National Guard,and came thisclose to going to Granada,but it was over really before it began.

As you can see, both the Lessards and Shaws have many veterans in them,and I haven't even written about them all.

Thank you,veterans,for defending this country of ours...we are the land of the free because of the you,the brave.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Zach-July 4,2005

Happy Fourth of July,Americans!!! 234 years of Independence, much of it hard won with the blood and sweat of our fellow countrymen. We are forever indebted to them.

Today is going to be a low key day. Yesterday, I like mentioned in my previous post,Zach and I went to our family reunion. There was about 100 people there,mostly second and third cousins I don't know. The only uncle and aunt were my Uncle Phil and his wife,Aunt Ann. There were a few first cousins,but some of them I didn't know,because they are the children of my fathers half brothers and sisters.Back in the 70's,we used to have family get- togethers more frequently and the only half sibling we ever saw was my Uncle Phil. Finally,in the early 80's,we had a big get together,and I was able to finally meet my father's other half siblings-Uncle Ronnie,Aunt Anita,Aunt Rita,and Aunt Lorraine.

After we got home,we sat in the screen house for a while,chatting. Rick's brother Dale came up to visit,and then later,we had our BBQ and fire. We had cheeseburgers,hot dogs,fresh white perch caught that morning,and homemade beans and potato salad. Our neighbors Kelly and Darlene brought down their son,Jake,and their granddaughter,Isabella (their son Kevin is her Dad),and then a bit later,our other neighbors,Jean and Ron brought down their granddaughter,Savanna. She is a grade behind Zach and they play together sometimes. Once dusk hit we set off our fireworks,and they lasted about an hour. Fireworks are not illegal here in town,as long as they are within reason and not creating noise after 11:00 PM ( it pays it live in the country!). Everyone had a nice time,and the kids had a blast,which was the main idea,so the night was a great success. We have a few fireworks left,so we will set those off tonight.

Yesterday was the beginning of heat wave which is going to last most of the week. It was in the upper 80's,will be again today,and starting tomorrow,will get into the 90's. That is HOT for us here in NH.The humidity is going to kick in as well. Yuck. We are very thankful we have a couple of air conditioners,so I have a feeling that most of the week will be spent inside. Any gardening or watering will have to be early or in the evening. No doubt about that!

For those of you in the USA,have a wonderful Fourth of July,and for those of you elsewhere,enjoy your Sunday!!!!

Remembering Those Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. It's the day when we reflect and thank those who have died for this wonderful country. Without those brave souls,the United States would not exist.

Having had a husband who served,and who came very close more than once to being one of these fallen,Memorial Day is very special for me.

Not only am I thankful for those who died in service,it reminds me of how much more I need to to thankful for. Someone was watching out for Rick. I am convinced of it.

Tomorrow Zach and I are marching with our Boy Scout Troop in the Rochester Memorial Day Parade,and will attend a ceremony at the Commons afterward.Next year Rick should be able to join us. We will lower our flag to half staff,and each of us will reflect on the day in our own,quiet way. We will probably watch the ceremony in Washington,and a few war movies in tribute.

And we will never forget. Without these brave men and woman,who gave their lives for the freedom of their country,there wouldn't BE a country. It's their selfless act that makes our country great. We should never forget it.


Rick wrote this poem.He started it in Iraq and finished it after he was wounded:

A Soldier's Fight
I fight for God and peace,I fight for duty,honor,country.
I fight for my family so my wife will have a husband
So my son will have a father
So my younger brothers will have an older brother
So my father will have an their oldest son
I fight for those who have already fought
Many of them making the ulitimate sacrifice
I fight so others will not have to fight
I fight for those who are unable to fight
But yearn to
I fight for the freedom of those who can fight
But choose not to
I fight for my fellow soliders who stand beside me
In battle
I fight for my own life,knowing all to well
Each fight could be my last

-Spc Richard F Shaw,Jr 2005

Happy Memorial Day!