Blog dangers of historical ignorance

My brother Paul’s birthday is June 22nd. Since his passing in 2019, we remember him by taking his widow out to eat. This year, my sister Karin from Kansas chose to join us. But she had another reason for visiting.

When Dad died in 1988 in International Falls, MN where he made his home, my sister, brother, myself and his wife and family went through his things to make choices for our families. Some items, such as his pastor's collection of books, were given away to other pastors, with other items going to his close friends. We were far from home and needed to return home so much of dad’s things were packed up.

Paul brought them home with the idea Karin, Paul and I would go through the boxes later. Only we never did, and years passed by.Then Paul died and now we had to deal with his things and Dad’s things. Two years later, we’re still going through things.

Part of Karin’s trip to Kearney included going through items from World War II he collected while he was overseas as well as Minneapolis newspapers Mom saved from the end of the war.

We divided pictures and got rid of negatives we would never turn into photos. We found any number of Bibles. one was special. It was a small worn Bible with a zipper that Mom gave Dad and, we suspect, the Bible went through the war with Dad.

There were maps, and books to help soldiers make their way around a foreign country. Dad was a medic in Italy and North Africa right behind the front lines. These soldiers went overseas to protect their own families and nation from the evil perpetuated on European citizens, especially Jewish people, evil that included torture, starvation, experimentation, and death.

At great sacrifice, American and other soldiers defeated the Nazi dictatorship that threatened the entire world. Yet today, and especially since many schools do not teach actual history, many individuals have no clue of the importance of the World Wars to keep America free, It gets worse.

Before Independence Day I heard a reporter ask regular persons on the street what we celebrated on July 4th. A great many had no idea. Our young people aren’t turning away from our Constitutional principles of faith and freedom--they’ve never been taught about them.

Many in schools are taught a form of history that is twisted, bigoted--such as the Critical Race Theory (CRT), and altogether false. If a nation loses its history, it loses its foundation and a nation without a foundation will crumble. There are far too many in places of education and government who are hoping for this result.

I was thankful that we had Dad’s reminders of what Dad fought for so long again. I was even more thankful, that when I contacted our kids and grandkids, they wanted those WWII mementos.

As long as we have citizens who care about the past and share it with the next generation, America might actually survive.

I pray the sacrifices of our soldiers have not been in vain.
© 2021 Carolyn R Scheidies
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Blog Bio Jiggs a Special Father-in-law

My father-in-law was a quiet, but strong man. He was the only father in my life since my own father died in 1988. While LaVern (Jiggs) Scheidies was not a loud, boisterous person, his quiet presence drew attention.

He was intelligent and a conversation with him was never boring. His family loved him. Since losing my mother-in-law in 2016, we, as much as he’d allow, pampered Him.

Dad was a farmer, an honorable profession. But he was so much more. In WWII he was a tail gunner. He attended Hastings College when he returned home, before joining his family in farming. He grew corn including some of the best popcorn around. He clerked sales and auctions. He bought property and houses that he rented out.

If you needed a part or some equipment, he’d know where to find what you needed. He was an entrepreneur. In their later years, after Jiggs and Bert left the farm and moved to Minden, I remember once when Keith and I visited. His folks were so excited as they shared the news. They’d purchased a post office of all things. I didn’t even know a private person could own a post office, but it proved to be a good investment.

Keith’s folks loved their five kids of which my husband Keith was the eldest—Keith, Mark, Randy, Rhonda and Tim. They welcomed spouses once their children married. And, they loved their grandkids. Our two enjoyed spending a week or two each summer at the farm. Chris even got to assist with irrigating.

Keith’s folks drove into Kearney to attend games, school and church plays, programs, and other events in which Chris and Cassie were involved. They were the ones who started the tradition of going out for ice cream afterward.

Eventually, the grandkids married and there were great grandkids to spoil. In 2016, we lost my mother-in-law. Two years later, Dad entered Bethany's Home with a staff that took good care of him. He kept his home.

Periodically, Keith and I bought Kentucky Fried Chicken, brought Dad to his home, and enjoyed dinner with him. We loved these special times with Dad. We thought we’d have many more of these times together.Then Covid19 hit and Bethany Home, like other homes for senior citizens, locked down.

No longer could we visit with Dad, except via phone—and he was hard of hearing. It was a hardship for us, but even more so for Dad. It got worse when April 30th Dad’s son Mark died of a freak accident and we could not hug and comfort Dad.

Bethany's staff did facilitate Keith and his siblings visiting Dad through an entry door where he could see them and communicate via a cell. Keith said he smiled the entire time they were there. Maybe we’d get through this.

Then blood clots sent Dad to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. We expected he’d recover. He didn’t. Once in Comfort Care more family could visit. It meant our two who’d come to visit us with Cassie’s little ones (who stayed with us), were able to visit and say goodbye to the Grandfather that they loved and who loved them.

The next day, he passed away. Two huge losses and so close together—neither from the virus. Thankfully, we could hold a funeral and have time to remember, visit those who came and be thankful for a man who honored God, his country, and his family.

I am sad. My heart grieves and yet, I also feel blessed. I am thankful for having two wonderful fathers who loved and influenced me and who left an example of caring and integrity.

© 2020 Carolyn R Scheidies
Published by Kearney Hub 8/3/2020
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