Seabees Marrying Seabees?? - 3/27/2008

Submitted by Jerry Montecupo (perhaps to the Williwa publication re: Aleutian Vets)

SEABEES MARRYING SEABEES??

Three Seabee Chiefs were sitting around at the chow hall bragging about how they had given their new wives ~ who were also Seabees ~ household duties.

The first Chief had married a Seabee Electrician and bragged that he had told his wife she was going to do all the dishes and cleaning. He said it took a couple days but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were done.

The second Chief had married a Seabee Builder. He bragged that he had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes, and the cooking. On the first day he didn't see any results, but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done and he had a huge dinner on the table.

The third Chief married a Seabee Equipment Operator and told her that her duties were to keep the house clean, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot food on the table at every meal. He said that the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything, but by the third day most of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye; enough to fix himself a bite to eat, load the dishwasher and telephone a landscaper.

No More EBO's

(A black T-shirt given to me from Grandpa with this description, I will later post a picture- it reads "No More EBOs")

The black shirt is a monument to effort and a memorial to failure.
Story (true).

My principal and his carpool buddy formulated a program "That would cause more positive reports to get into our personal files." They announced this at a staff meeting and gave it the name Education By Objectives. The fundamental idea was that each teacher would do something more or better, in addition to the many extras we already do- these extras to be added to each year!

We had a contract that agreed no major changes in the educational program until the teachers would be consulted. I made this point to our association President who would not contest the point. We had been "had." I complied but made my views known. Morale declined.

At my retirement the teachers presented me this shirt with much applause.

Found Photos

From Sue Powell:

Dale brought some old photos today and we fired up Grandma's new scanner for the first time. I'm sending versions that I reduced for the web in case you want to add any to the Grandpa blog: young Seaman Raymond Anderson, Mose with skunk pelts and the shop where Sophie worked making carriage cushions.

One is a very worn wallet size photo of a dog that Dale believes belonged to a neighbor when Ray was a boy. On the back of the photo is some very faded handwriting. With a bright light and magnifying glass, Sharon decyphered the text as Psalm 46 1,2 (referenced as "safety in turmoil"):

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea

We are guessing that Ray may have carried the photo and verse, tucked in his wallet, as a keepsake and comfort when he went to war.

DEDICATION- 1976

Em,

Cleaning out my (our) den. - came across the enclosed 8 1/2 x 11 which may be of passing interest.

Love,

Grandpa

DEDICATION

This yearbook will be dedicated to a person who has been teaching at Parker Junior High for fifteen years. He will be remembered for his ability to make math classes enjoyable in Room 205, and for his enthusiasm in planning outside trips. His sense of humor, his caring and understanding towards others, will be qualities his students will remember. Our 1976 yearbook is dedicated to a very popular teacher - MR. RAYMOND ANDERSON.

Mr. Anderson grew up and attended his first years of school in Merrimac, Massachusetts. He was graduated from Iowa State College, where he received a degree in Forestry and later earned a masters in education from Salem State College. During World War II, he served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946.

Before he began his teaching career at Parker, Mr. Anderson worked at several different jobs. His past employers include the New England Forestry Foundation and the General Electric company. He also worked for the Boy Scouts in the Boston area.

Mr. Anderson has varied interests and hobbies. Many students know him through his association with the local Boy scouts, where he is currently a Merit Badge Counsellor. He is active in outdoor sports and especially enjoys sailing and fishing. He also has a great interest in coin collecting; and as an extension of this interest, he has shared his knowledge and enthusiasm with many Parker students by establishing a Coin and Stamp Club.

As we leave Parker Junior High School, we will remember Mr. Anderson for his interest in, and active concern for, his pupils. We hope he will have good memories of us as well!

Class of '76

Story Time 4/25/09

he continued on after Notes from the Old Folks Home....

An incident from Grandpa's high school days. (Umm, might have told you about this previously)

We used to frequently skate in the evening at the little pond near the center of town, Merrimac, often skating with girls. To my high school girl friend I suggested we have a small fire and cook marshmallows at the far end of the pond in an older thicket. She thought that was a fine idea. Prior to evening I went to the location and prepared a fire.

In the evening we skated a bit together, then proceeded to my fire place. I lit the fire which quickly attracted other kids to the location. So much for an evening of high school romance.

End of "Story Time."

Love,
Your Adventurous Grandfather


Written in little letters in the margin, "Just want to say 'Hello, Emily. I love you.' Grandma"

Notes From the Old Folks Home 4/25/09

...Now, notes from the Old Folks Home.

Standing in front of the elevator door is similar to Forest Gump opening his box of chocolates, "You never know what's coming out." Yesterday I was awaiting the elevator when the door slid open and I was face-to-face with a sturdy woman, an iron bed rail in each hand, marking full force out the door. Retreat was mandatory.

Then there was an old male toddler who practices informally by holding his four legged walker in the full thrust position. Threatening.

Not to be excluded is the female motorized demon who is close to the interior of the door. With the flick of a switch she spurts out of the elevator, putting anyone awaiting the lift in jeopardy.

The proximity of elevators are a danger of the first order.

And finally, we've not seen the napkin thrower* since the incident a couple weeks ago.

End of Tales of the Old Folks Home**

*the napkin thrower refers to a story from a previous letter, which I'll see if I can find.
**Grandpa really did begin and end his tales with bold titles, such as this, centered on the page.

Letters To The Editor 12/18/1971

An excerpt from a Massachusetts newspaper, 1971.

The following letter was sent to Mr. James Collins, Chairman of the Board of Selectman by Raymond E. Anderson:

"As a resident of North Reading, and a teacher in another town, I urge your Board NOT to oppose the bill to raise the minimum salary for a teacher, as suggested by Selectman Keyes.

"I suspect society at large receives more benefit per dollar spent for teacher salaries than from nearly any other public expenditure. By encouraging a pupil to stay in school and perhaps encouraging training beyond high school, an altruistic teacher will cause more tax money to be returned to the body politic than a teacher would receive by any increase proposed in the Massachusetts Teachers Association bill.

"Also, Mr. Chairman, since this state ranks 35th out of fifty in the monies it provides Massachusetts cities and towns, it would seem more equitable to urge the Massachusetts Selectman's Association to back a move to allocate more state funds for educational use. A broader base not necessitate that the suggested funds be acquired by taxes on real estate.

"The 55,000 teachers in Massachusetts are citizens and are as concerned about the tax rate as everyone else.

"Additionally, Mr. Chairman, I hope that five members of your board do not collectively imply that they speak for everyone in the community in matters of this sort. To assure that this is clarified, I will shortly send a message to Governor Sargent and the legislators representing this district, assuring them there are those who feel that teachers are of immeasurable value to a community - - certainly more than $8,500 per year as suggested by the M.T.A."

Sincerely,
(Signed) Raymond E. Anderson

Bulletin From Old Folks Home 5/5/09

There is a pleasant semi-oval room, with nicely appointed chairs and sofas. In the center is a table with a plate of cheese and a basket of crackers.Prominently on the table are three large open containers of wine. Occupying the scene are all females, except sometimes me and another man who usually do not drink. But, sometimes I imbibe a small amount.

Over time I noticed these octogenarians down one, or usually two, glasses of wine on presumably empty stomachs. On signal that the dining room is ready, they arise, and without a wobble, leave for the dining room. They march to their appointed seat with nary an unintentional lean towards the nearest wall!

Over several days I drank samples of the light and dark wines. They didn't seem to have the body and taste of conventional wines.

I told Grandma the wines were diluted! Grandma doesn't agree. My subjective survey indicates otherwise. I suspect the management does not want a group of aged sots trying to march into the dining room.

END OF BULLETIN