Memorial Day

One, I can't believe it has been almost a year since I updated this blog!

Two, I was surprised that I had not posted this photo before.  I have posted it on my facebook page every Memorial Day for a few years.  It has photos from both mine and Kevin's side of the family.

Left column: Clarence Linenbach (WWII), William H. Nehring, (WWII), Richard Marshall (WWII); center column: David A. Nehring (Viet Nam), Lester A. Morris (WWII), Donald Caman (WWII), Harry B. Abbott, (WWII); right column: Agustus Caman (Civil War), Edgar Abbott (Spanish-American War) and Wilbur Love (WWI).

It is a day to remember and be grateful for those who have served!

Memorial Day 2012

For the last many years, we have always gone to the Memorial Day Ceremony at Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno, CA.  We love the Avenue of Flags that they have there, we "visit" Gpa Bond, and we attend the ceremony.

Amanda and Rebecca at Richard Bond's grave at Fresno Memorial Gardens - Memorial Day 2005

Katrina at Richard Bond's grave at Fresno Memorial Gardens - Memorial Day 2006

Katrina and Kevin with one of the many American flags in the Avenue of Flags at Fresno Memorial Gardens - Memorial Day 2006  (I love this photo!)

Amanda, Katrina and Rebecca at Richard Bond's grave at Fresno Memorial Gardens - Memorial Day 2007

Amanda, Rebecca and Katrina at Richard Bond's grave at Fresno Memorial Gardens - Memorial Day 2009

Katrina, Amanda, Rebecca and Lora at Richard Bond's grave at Fresno Memorial Gardens - Memorial Day 2010

Katrina places the flag at Richard Bond's grave - Memorial Day 2010

Rebecca, Amanda and Katrina at Richard Bond's grave at Fresno Memorial Gardens - Memorial Day 2011

The bagpipe corps that played at the Fresno Memorial Gardens Memorial Day Ceremony 2011

Over 1600 flags are displayed at the Fresno Memorial Gardens - 2011

This year we did something a little different.  When my Gpa, Richard Marshall, was buried in October of last year in the San Joaquin National Cemetery, my Aunt, Lindi, donated his flag to their Avenue of Flags.  This year we drove to Santa Nella, CA to the cemetery for Memorial Day.


We went to see my grandfather's grave first.  The grass has been put in since the last time I was there and it looks nice.

Richard Marshall's grave at the San Joaquin National Cemetery - 2012

Rebecca, Katrina, Lora and Amanda at Richard Marshall's grave at San Joaquin National Cemetery - Memorial Day 2012

The Avenue of Flags at the San Joaquin National Cemetery.  Somewhere in there is the flag that covered my grandfather's casket. - Memorial Day 2012

The Avenue of Flags at the San Joaquin National Cemetery - Memorial Day 2012

The San Joaquin National Cemetery Avenue of Flags with the pavilion in the right background that is near my grandfather's grave - Memorial Day 2012

 I was very glad that we could drive to Santa Nella and visit my grandfather's grave on Memorial Day.  There were so many people there honoring those they love!  It was wonderful!

Today I had the unique experience of being able to go out to Fresno Memorial Gardens and help other volunteers to fold and sort all the flags.  There were six volunteers who were folding the flags (several of whom were Blue Star Moms) and I was sorting the rolled-up flags into all the containers that were for each of the different areas in the cemetery.  It was very enjoyable, and I am glad that I was able to find that way to serve.

Sergeant Richard Marshall

My grandfather, Richard Allen Marshall, died back in October, but today my Aunt Lindi, Uncle Rich and I attended the Memorial Ceremony for him at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California.

At this ceremony they were honoring the fifty-four people who had been buried there in the last three months.  Before it began one of the Chaplains came around to ask us who we were there to honor.

The weather had been rainy, windy and cold, but the rain stopped before the ceremony began.  The ceremony was outside and the wind continued to blow hard, and I took this photo to remember how hard it was blowing.  It was cold too.  And windy!

They started the ceremony with a reading of Psalm 23 by one of the Chaplains.

There was a woman who sang two songs that she had written.  They were pretty good songs, especially the second one, but she sang them in a kind of airport-lounge-singer type way and for me it kind of took away from their impact.  The words were a very fitting tribute to those who we were there to honor.

Then a Chaplain from the VFW in Fresno read the names of those that were being honored.  When he got to Gpa's he said, "Sergeant Richard Marshall, another veteran of World War II, from the greatest generation."

Then the Marines took the flag that was folded up on the stand and unfolded it.  They held it up as the Merced County VFW Honor Guard fired the twenty-one gun salute.  Even when you know it is coming, that first shot always makes you jump a mile!  Then, behind us, another soldier played Taps on the bugle.  Then they refolded the flag and placed it back onto the stand.

Lindi donated the flag that honored Richard Marshall to the cemetery for their Avenue of Flags on Memorial Day.

When the ceremony ended, we thanked everyone, and one of the members of the honor guard came around with brass from the twenty-one gun salute and asked if we wanted to have one of them.  Lindi and I each took one and we felt it was very nice of them to offer us those!

We went to find the headstone, which is in Section 3-13, site 516.  The grass was not put in yet, so our shoes got good and muddy, but we got some good photos of Gpa's headstone.

Lindi and Gpa Marshall's headstone

I am glad we had this opportunity to honor my grandfather.

Honoring those who have served our country - Donald William Caman

(Ooops. I missed yesterday.)

Donald William Caman also began his military career in high school. He was in the ROTC, and in his Senior year he was a commissioned officer in Company C, Second Platoon. He was on the Boy's Rifle Team as well.



From the 1939 Scroll Yearbook of Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, California.



Donald Caman, bottom photo, standing far left

Donald Caman, bottom photo, front row sitting, 6th from the left

Donald attended the Citizen's Military Training camp in Monterey, California and was appointed corporal. This program covered four summers, but Donald's completion of the ROTC program in high school allowed him skip the initial "basic" course.



Donald was also, at some point, an R.A.F. cadet (?). He is seen in the lower right with his back to the camera.



In 1942 was at Ft. Riley in Kansas and at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina in 1943, before being sent with his division to European Theater, where he was stationed in Germany and France during WWII.



From an interview with my Gpa Don Caman, in 18 October 1998 he talked about his time in the military.

"When I was a very young teenager, my father used to teach me that American citizens had many privileges, but they also had some responsibilities. To fulfill the responsibility was to prepare yourself militarily. In those days they had what was called Citizen's Military Training Camps, CMTC. The deal was to go for a month in the summertime and be trained by the regular army, reserve officers on active duty would go through the basic course, or the red, white, and blue course, which I did, for four summers. If you successfully passed the four courses, then you coulees apply to take the tenth series course, the correspondence course, and then you could dapple for commission as a second lieutenant, which I did. There was no pay, the reimbursement was $.05 a mile for your travel from home to the military post. Well, I could have gone to Ft. McArthur or Monterey. Well, I took Monterey because it was farther away and I got more five cents. I joined the cavalry, which at the time was a horse cavalry, because I figured riding a horse beat walking in the infantry. So, that's what started my military career.

"After I completed school, and after about a month at Ft. Riley - I was teaching communications to the recruits our at the CRTC, which is the Cavalry Replacement Training Center - I got my orders to report tot he reconnaissance troop of the 100th infantry division at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.

"[I was in the Army] four years and ten days. I was enlisted, and officers are not enlisted. When my term was up and I had the points to get out. I got out and I stayed in the reserve and I got called for Korea, although I didn't go to Korea. I was instructor at Ft. Knox in Armored School, and then, that call up was supposed to for two years, but it only lasted seventeen months, so I separated and I came back [to California] and joined the Guard then, stayed in the Guard until April '65. I had command of the 1st battalion, 160th armored infantry battalion and the summer after I retired it was the battalion that was called in for the riots in Los Angeles in 1965. The Watts riots. If I had known that was going to happen, I would have stayed in."




Donald William Caman was buried with military honors in the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. He took his responsibility to serve his country seriously, and today I honor him.

Direct line ancestry: Donald William Caman --> Donald William (Caman) Marshall --> Lora Marshall Nehring

Honoring those who have served our country - Wilburta June Love

Next Sunday is the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I have been to the top of the World Trade Towers several times when I was studying architecture in New York. I have a drawing that I did of the New York skyline with the Towers in it. I remember that morning when I woke up and saw one tower burning, smoke billowing, on the television. It was surreal and at first I could not grasp what I was seeing. As the towers fell I cried and cried, knowing how many people must be in those buildings and the crushing destruction that was caused as they fell.

There is a website called 911day.org and I was impressed by their call to perform some act of service or tribute to honor those who lost their lives.

As I have mentioned before, we have a strong legacy of military service in this family. For generations, this family has served this country in it's times of need. I actually tried to join the Air Force when I was in college, but I wanted to fly jet fighters and I am unfortunately too short to be a pilot int he military.

In tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11, and in honor of those who serve our country each day in the armed forces, this week I want to post stories of the members of our family who have selflessly served their country.

I am starting today with my Gma Willie - Wilburta June Love. Willie learned a strong patriotism from her parents and grandparents. While she was in High School she was a member of the ROTC, and an honorary battalion major.



From the 1939 Scroll Yearbook from Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, California - in both photos, Wilburta Love is top center.

Wilburta was also the Captain of the Girl's Rifle Team which competed as high as the National matches which competed with squads from all over the United States.


Wilburta is on the left, holding the sword

After high school, Wilburta's military career continued.

From the book, "Grandma, Tell Me Your Memories. . . " WIlburta wrote to following:

"On 7 December 1941. . . I was just barely in Jr. College. Many boys in our high school class enlisted and many of us girls signed up for volunteer ambulance, nursing, etc. duty. We marched and took first aid, auto mechanics, etc. Many of us married instead of continuing our education because of "war fines". Nobody invaded the USA, but we thought it was a strong possibility in 1942 and 1943. Many friends - boys - died in the war.

"I could semaphore (signal) faster than anyone at a meet. Don't know why I remember that except the Morse code came into the lime-light during WWII.

"I was in parades only during '41-'43. I belonged to the Women's Ambulance Corps. Those were patriotic years!"


Wilburta is in the first row, third from the right


Wilburta is in the left center of the photo


Wilburta is in the group of two women in the center, in the back

Wilburta was promoted to First Lieutenant in the Glendale Women's Ambulance Corps and was in command of the first platoon.


an undated clipping from a Glendale newspaper

My grandmother is a very patriotic woman and I am grateful for the service that she gave for our country. I honor her today.

Direct line ancestry: Wilburta June Love --> Donald William (Caman) Marshall --> Lora Marshall Nehring

Explanation about the parenthases

Some of you may have noticed that when I write my dad's name in the direct line ancestry I always write it: Donald William (Caman) Marshall. I thought I would take a moment to explain why Caman is in parenthesis for those of you who are not familiar with that bit of family history.

My dad was originally born Donald William Caman, Jr., the son of Donald Caman and Wilburta Love. He was born at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina while his dad was training for his deployment to the European Theater in WWII.


Willie Love and Don Caman - circa 1939


Willie and Don - 1943

While Don was in France, he met a girl named Eliane (pronounced ee-lee-on) and fell in love with her and when he returned home he told WIllie he didn't want to be married to her anymore, so they were divorced.

I had a conversation with my Gpa Caman in October 1998, a few years before he died, and I asked him to tell me about what happened.

"Don was eighteen months old when I went to Europe. All three of us were living in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and when I got orders for the division to go overseas [Willie] came out to [California], and I don't remember, did she live with her mother and dad, or my mother and dad? Although I know that when Willie went to work that my mother and dad babysat for Don. They were more close to Don, even so than I was. Anyway, and of course, when I divorced Willie, you know that I divorced Willie, Willie didn't divorce me, and I told Don some time ago that if there is any blame to be placed, the blame is for me, not for Willie. I'm the villain in this case. My mother and father were really, really, really upset. They got over it."

I asked him how he met Eliane.

"About two weeks after the war ended, I was laying on my bunk - we were in Geislingen, Germany, starting the occupation, and about mid-morning a runner came down and said that the Old Man wants to see you. So I went up to see the Old Man, and he said, here are your orders. The Old Man and I did not get along. The Old Man is the Commanding Officer. Prior to this time I had been the, for about three of four months, I was the Commanding Officer temporarily. Of course, I was hoping to get to be the Commanding Officer and get promoted to Captain. When these guy came in, and there was no love lost on my part. And it turned out he wasn't really that great a commander. But anyway, so when he had an opportunity to get rid of me, I got the orders to go to Marseille. I thought I was on my way to the Pacific, but when I got there, there were forty-two first and second lieutenants, forty of them got assigned as hotel officers, mess officers, transportation officers, on the Riviera, and Cannes, and Nice. Two of us got assigned to build a base headquarters and I was stationed in Marseilles, and the other fellow was stationed in the staging area out in Marles (?), so in Marseilles I was put up in a crummy little hotel on the Canner Villa and I was in a section with a warrant officer who had been with the Delta Base section since Africa and Italy and all of that, so he knew everybody in the Delta Base headquarters, including the billeting officer, so he got himself and I and another lieutenant an apartment on Cessan Rue Paradie. Well, we had the apartment on what we call the second floor, Europeans callout the first floor, and Eliane and her sister Colette and Nanan, the mother, loved in the apartment above us. So, that's how I met her, and one thing led to another."



On the 29th of March, 1947 Willie Caman married Richard Marshall. She had Don and he had a son, Darryl.


Don Caman and Darryl Marshall - 1946

I have been told that at that time it was more "presentable" if you didn't have a family with a lot of last names, so Richard adopted Don and he became Donald William Marshall. And, a few years later, they had a daughter, Lindi.

In an interview with Richard Marshall in June 1999, I asked him how old [my] dad was when he and Willie were married and he adopted him.

"About two. From the time he was born, until the time we moved to Fresno, he was three years old when we moved to Fresno. That time your grandmother worked all during the war and lived with her mother. We were getting reestablished in several ways. First of all, I was an integral part of opening a new business, and my first priorities were getting that business running, being somewhat of a workaholic, and wages were not all that great. About $200 a month. I wasn't able to bring too much with him. Willie had absolutely nothing. I had to put the down payment on the house. It was my ambition back then to give him the best home that I could have, that I could afford, and live in the best neighborhood that I could afford. See to it that they went to summer camps and stuff."



So my dad is a Caman and a Marshall, hence the parentheses. There are interesting twists in every family story. To me it means that I have more family history to do! Woohoo! : )