To: beachn4fun
The old guy on the end was my Father's best friend. He was also the oldest man in the battalion. In most photos he is seen with a pipe in his hand or mouth. The interesting thing about him is he was in prison for moon shining when the war began. He was let out to serve in the army. Daddy said he was the best engineer in the battalion despite not being able to read or write. Even the college trained engineer officers would sometimes come to him for help. He specifically mentioned when they were trying to repair a flood control dam and railroad. They could not seem to get the rails which moved to match the stationary ones. Finally they got Newton and he showed them how to do it. After the war Newton using his wife's writing and my Father wrote back and forth until he died. We went to visit them and I was too young to leave at home so went with them. I was surprised that they were the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Not at all what one would think of a criminal. He and Daddy sat in chairs under a tree and talked about old times for two solid weeks. I guess friends you make in war are ones you stay friends with.
50 posted on
01/30/2014 7:35:31 PM PST by
yarddog
(Romans 8: verses 38 and 39. "For I am persuaded".)
To: yarddog
Really enjoying your pictures & recollections Yarddog. *Hugs*
To: yarddog
A criminal? I thought you said he was a moonshiner. A boon to all right-thinking men and women!
Freedom an' whisky gang thegither!
Thanks very much for all the great photos you've been posting, Yarddog!
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America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi! |
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O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
52 posted on
01/30/2014 7:44:07 PM PST by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Mlichael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: yarddog
A special friend forever.
Thanks, yarddog, for another great piece of history. You have a gold mine.
59 posted on
01/30/2014 8:13:50 PM PST by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: yarddog
62 posted on
01/30/2014 9:03:28 PM PST by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: yarddog
#50 Dog!I guess Newton was a moon shiner to support his family.
My dad's dad was one in the hills of VA
until he met my grandmother (at least that's the story).
He wanted to court her, but her family being Mennonites,
would not let him near their daughter because of that.
He was told if he got a respectful job he could court her.
He eventually bought the farm and got his Ollie Mae.
Personally, I don't think he ever gave up the shining business...
I remember him as being a mean old bastard.
88 posted on
01/31/2014 4:50:58 AM PST by
beachn4fun
(Guns are not the problem. People are. Forget the magazine...check your attitude.)
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
The old guy on the end was my Father's best friend. He was also the oldest man in the battalion. In most photos he is seen with a pipe in his hand or mouth. The interesting thing about him is he was in prison for moon shining when the war began. He was let out to serve in the army. Daddy said he was the best engineer in the battalion despite not being able to read or write. Even the college trained engineer officers would sometimes come to him for help. He specifically mentioned when they were trying to repair a flood control dam and railroad. They could not seem to get the rails which moved to match the stationary ones. Finally they got Newton and he showed them how to do it. After the war Newton using his wife's writing and my Father wrote back and forth until he died. We went to visit them and I was too young to leave at home so went with them. I was surprised that they were the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Not at all what one would think of a criminal. He and Daddy sat in chairs under a tree and talked about old times for two solid weeks. I guess friends you make in war are ones you stay friends with.
