Old Friends and Memories

I think I'm going to devote this page to some very special people in my life. I've probably got at least 5 megabytes of space left on this web site soooo, why not.

I'll start with my wilder days growing up in St. James, Manitoba Canada. There were quite a few good friends in the old neighborhood from Madison to Rutland Street. I'll name a few, you might know them. Dave M. who now resides in Australia; Fred Field who recently passed away; John E., Gary P., John T., Keith S., Pat A., Lewis McQ., Clark G., Earl R., Bob R., the Beers boys, the Kleins and many many more. These folks left me with some of the greatest memories from grade school at Britannia through my St. James Collegiate days. Remember Lorne, he was like a brother and his family was my family.

At one point in our lives we were known as the "Sudsy Twins". You figure that one out.

When we first met, he lived in a very prestigious neighborhood around 388 Parkview Street. I lived next to the tracks on Madison Street. Nope, he never let the uppity neighborhood stuff get in the way of being friends. He lived in a house with an upstairs and I lived in a two bedroom one level house. Anyway, as time went by, we did a lot together. I found it easier to live at his home rather than mine most of the time.

I've seen this guy about five times over the past thirty five years so hopefully we’ll see one another a little more these next thiry five years. If there’s a SJCI 55^th Reunion we’ll get together and swap old time stories. 4/02

After moving to the states at 17 and not knowing a soul I met this guy, known about Grant High School as “a good looking hood”, who quickly became a great friend . Some of the best times we had were rat racing about the various communities on our way to school. I know at least a few garbage collectors heard about us.

Speaking of life, if it had not been for this guy, I wouldn't be here writing this stuff today. One sunny afternoon we were having a great time on the Sandy River. We were almost ready to leave and meet some folks in town when we decided to swim across the river one more time. The Sandy has been known to take a life or two now and then. Anyway, we started across - I was in front and I found myself in a somewhat awkward situation. I didn't have the strength to make it across. Jack saw what was happening and floated with the current and when he thought he saw my hair he grabbed it and took me to shore. Good thing I was a “hood” or he wouldn’t have had anything to grab onto.

There have been some years between us when we haven't seen one another. Life styles, marriage, children etc. have kept us apart. We need to see one another more often. Thanks Jack.

I spent two years in the service after high school. Yep, drafted. I met a lot of friends in basic training who I wish I could see again. Alberto Mosquido--where are you? After basic I went to school in Augusta Georgia for six months. There was a tavern in Augusta owned by a very nice lady. For the life of me, I can't remember her name. We all called her Ma. Rene M, you remember her, don't you? A great lady who enjoyed our company and we enjoyed hers.

Shortly after this I was stationed in Ft. Riley, Kansas where the 9th Infantry Division was being built up. On or about the last week of November we found ourselves on a boat for South Vietnam. Kenneth Fay Cooper (Kenny to most of us) became a good friend of mine while at Ft. Riley and during our visit to Viet Nam. We went on R&R to Hong Kong together. While in base camp at Tan Tru in the Mekong Delta we'd play around with 50 caliber's sending tracers up and down the Mekong River; we devised booby traps for rats; we ate together and we made plans together. We planned another R&R together--to of all places--Hong Kong again. I went alone. Kenny died in Tan Tru. We planned on getting together when we got home. I think of him often.

Benjamin Kruger, well how are you? Just this past year we were in touch. Ben passed through Portland several times this past year and we were able to get together for a bit and share friendship stories. Ben was a great friend during our training in Kansas and while with the 2/60^th in SVN. A very capable guy who did what was asked of him and did it well. He’s living somewhere in the great state of Montana. Hopefully, once we’re retired we’ll be able to spend some time together fishing and telling more stories. Thanks Ben.

Now, here's another fine fella. His name is Dennis. I met him for the first time in Portland. This was back in 1970 and we've remained good friends since. Oh, he's been retired for about 14 years now after winning a lottery and as fate would have it, I'm still contributing to social security. We have a lot in common ie.; hunting, fishing, resting, eating good food, children, and fishing. Did I say fishing twice----good. Over the years our families have done things together, we've watched our children grow up, we've aged quite a bit and pretty soon now we can call ourselves senior citizens. (This of coarse won't happen for at least 10-20 years) Although Dennis now lives in a more remote area of the US , we still make sure we see one another several times throughout each year.