Friends
To my friends,
Friday 4 April 08, Twyla and I drove to our daughter and son in law's for a quiet pre-birthday dinner. We brought a bottle of homade wine that would go well after dinner, or with dinner. I walked in ahead of Twyla and went straight through to the kitchen and stopped short. There stood Stan Ortman, Ann McKendry, Kevin Distel and Brandon "Tex" McMorries, all grinning from ear to ear, I couldn't speak, I just stood there with open mouth, finally saying "What the heck are you guys doing here?"
They had all gotten together and traveled long distances by air, to my daughter and son-in-lays home in Holly, Michigan to share in my birthday dinner. We did have a wonderful feast, with some beer, wine, coffee and cake and a friendship that is very rare, beautiful and very hard to come by. It is said that one can count true friends on one hand, I found that it took a little more than one hand.
After dinner we made plans to meet the next day the 5th of April for a late brunch and say our good-byes for - until we could meet again. They all insisted that we have brunch close to Howell, where Twyla and I live so we wouldn't have to travel so far, I argued that we should have brunch closer to the airport so they could have an easier time to catch their flights the following day, they won and we would meet at a restaurant in Howell.
The following day we met in the agreed restaurant, had brunch and sat talking for a long time. I enjoyed every minute of it but insisted we had better get going so they could catch their plane. Ann said they had plenty of time and insisted she wanted to enjoy cold beer at the "B-Line Bar" that I spoke of often, having frequented that bar for 50 years or more. finally we all agreed and left to have that cold beer in the B-Line.
On arriving at the bar, now more of a road house and dining place than just a bar; I insisted on taking pictures of "The Gang" under the B-Line sign for a keepsake photo. We took the pictures and entered the bar. I was floored. There was a large sign over head that read "Happy Birthday Don." People filled the whole bar, many of whom I recognized, many I didn't, but there were a lot of people. Forty seven in all.
After a few explanations, beer and drinks all were around the food counter was open and all were welcome. I moved around meeting people I had emailed or written to for years but had never met in person. There was book and photo signing, which kept me busy. There were presents, a GI helmet, a new M-42 jump jacket from all who contributed but mailed out by Sparky, Major LaRue was on hand, as well as old and new friends; some friends such as Tom from years ago when we used to parachute as a team in my backyard in Howell. Then drink beer. All of these people traveled miles to be here for that get-together. Carl Horoho's daughter danced several Irish jigs for the people. She has been at this style of dancing for several years. A real treat.
Old friends, new friends, most who traveled many miles by air, and a few driving. Tom reminded me of times gone by when we parachuted with The Stancke Brothers, John Evanchek, Brian, and many others, now most gone, passed on. We stayed not too late but left enough time that we traveled to my home with a convoy following. We looked over my few prizes, the famed nickle plated .45, 1911, the Fairbairn Fighting Knife sent by Moose and the reenactors in Great Britain, My collectors books and my first manual typewriter that I wrote "Currahee" on. I do have an M-I rifle sent by a friend in Texas, and a collection of two genuine whales teeth that must weigh a couple of pounds each.
Again we had more to eat and a couple more drinks, I signed more books and in the end it all began to wind down. Most, as if on signal, said their goodbyes and quietly left. I know Reg and Ann, Paul and Myriam, Spencer and many others would like to have been here and they would have completed the most perfect birthday. There was a sudden vacuum of loneliness, it was as though saying goodbye to close family. I mentioned before; One can count his true friends on one hand. Now I do not have enough hands; but I do have a lot of true friends. God Bless you all.
A very grateful old trooper. Donald R. Burgett
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
Friday 4 April 08, Twyla and I drove to our daughter and son in law's for a quiet pre-birthday dinner. We brought a bottle of homade wine that would go well after dinner, or with dinner. I walked in ahead of Twyla and went straight through to the kitchen and stopped short. There stood Stan Ortman, Ann McKendry, Kevin Distel and Brandon "Tex" McMorries, all grinning from ear to ear, I couldn't speak, I just stood there with open mouth, finally saying "What the heck are you guys doing here?"
They had all gotten together and traveled long distances by air, to my daughter and son-in-lays home in Holly, Michigan to share in my birthday dinner. We did have a wonderful feast, with some beer, wine, coffee and cake and a friendship that is very rare, beautiful and very hard to come by. It is said that one can count true friends on one hand, I found that it took a little more than one hand.
After dinner we made plans to meet the next day the 5th of April for a late brunch and say our good-byes for - until we could meet again. They all insisted that we have brunch close to Howell, where Twyla and I live so we wouldn't have to travel so far, I argued that we should have brunch closer to the airport so they could have an easier time to catch their flights the following day, they won and we would meet at a restaurant in Howell.
The following day we met in the agreed restaurant, had brunch and sat talking for a long time. I enjoyed every minute of it but insisted we had better get going so they could catch their plane. Ann said they had plenty of time and insisted she wanted to enjoy cold beer at the "B-Line Bar" that I spoke of often, having frequented that bar for 50 years or more. finally we all agreed and left to have that cold beer in the B-Line.
On arriving at the bar, now more of a road house and dining place than just a bar; I insisted on taking pictures of "The Gang" under the B-Line sign for a keepsake photo. We took the pictures and entered the bar. I was floored. There was a large sign over head that read "Happy Birthday Don." People filled the whole bar, many of whom I recognized, many I didn't, but there were a lot of people. Forty seven in all.
After a few explanations, beer and drinks all were around the food counter was open and all were welcome. I moved around meeting people I had emailed or written to for years but had never met in person. There was book and photo signing, which kept me busy. There were presents, a GI helmet, a new M-42 jump jacket from all who contributed but mailed out by Sparky, Major LaRue was on hand, as well as old and new friends; some friends such as Tom from years ago when we used to parachute as a team in my backyard in Howell. Then drink beer. All of these people traveled miles to be here for that get-together. Carl Horoho's daughter danced several Irish jigs for the people. She has been at this style of dancing for several years. A real treat.
Old friends, new friends, most who traveled many miles by air, and a few driving. Tom reminded me of times gone by when we parachuted with The Stancke Brothers, John Evanchek, Brian, and many others, now most gone, passed on. We stayed not too late but left enough time that we traveled to my home with a convoy following. We looked over my few prizes, the famed nickle plated .45, 1911, the Fairbairn Fighting Knife sent by Moose and the reenactors in Great Britain, My collectors books and my first manual typewriter that I wrote "Currahee" on. I do have an M-I rifle sent by a friend in Texas, and a collection of two genuine whales teeth that must weigh a couple of pounds each.
Again we had more to eat and a couple more drinks, I signed more books and in the end it all began to wind down. Most, as if on signal, said their goodbyes and quietly left. I know Reg and Ann, Paul and Myriam, Spencer and many others would like to have been here and they would have completed the most perfect birthday. There was a sudden vacuum of loneliness, it was as though saying goodbye to close family. I mentioned before; One can count his true friends on one hand. Now I do not have enough hands; but I do have a lot of true friends. God Bless you all.
A very grateful old trooper. Donald R. Burgett
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!