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James Dad in Hokuto Japan
Right before this trip happened, the Russians shot down a passenger jet killing all on board. This put a little political spin on this exercise at the start, but at the end it ended up being routine and uneventful. We were told our visit was the largest deployment of U.S. troops to Japan since World War 2.
James Dad was deployed as a part of a 900 man brigade controlled Battalion task force from 9th Infantry Division to participate in a bi-lateral exercise with the Japanese ground self defense forces & United States forces from 2-21 October, 1983.
James Dad Goes To Alaska
James Dad went to Alaska for cold weather training, leaving from the high tech test bed at Ft Lewis, Dad remembers flames shooting out of the engine when landing and how the nose hairs froze instantly upon stepping off the plane.
Christmas 1982
Sandy and her family were in town for this celebration, along with her mom Aunt Terese, and the Trenton home never looked more festive for a holiday celebration as it did today, with an angel these both on the tree and on the dinner table. A very nice touch.
The Trenton house has been a fixture for so many parties taking place throughout the years that we lost count. In fact one could say every weekend was a party atmosphere as the family get together for a meal and then a card game. All are welcome and everyone knows where you will find members of the family on Saturday, at the Trenton house playing cards
James Dad was in Korea at the time and was unable to attend, but her heard nothing but good things from everyone in their letters about Christmas so he felt like he was there.
Bill Landis Wedding 1982
When William Howard Landis was born in 1956, in Nashville, Tennessee, his father, William, was 28 and his mother, Judith, was 19. He has one son and two daughters with Valerie Keel. He has two brothers and one sister.
James’ Grandpa Landis told us once on one of our road trips that James’ Mom was the one who introduced Valerie to Bill. Mom says she does not remember that exact moment as they had many friends they introduced to each other so Mom said that it was quite possible, she just did not remember that exact introduction.
The wedding was in Nashville and a great time was had by all.
Waldenwoods 1982
A visit to Waldenwoods pre A frame era (Waldenwoods built a really cool A frame for rental which was rented by the family in the future). Waldenwoods was an inclusive resort that featured swimming, boating, fishing, and a complete variety of activities. You could visit for a day or a week with membership, and the membership was not cheap and you had to commit to a 20 year membershp to get the best price. Waldenwoods is close to Brighton and located just off U.S. 23 at the M59 exit. Its about an hour drive from Dearborn Heights, an hour and a half from Trenton and the downriver area. You can see it on the West side of US 23 when driving on US 23 between Brighton and Fenton Michigan.
Niagara Falls 1982
Where we live in the midwest there are two very popular vacation points, each about six hours apart, the first is Mackinaw and the second is Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls is through Canada which means a trip through customs there and back (which is why we visit Mackinaw more often, who needs a customs headache on vacation). One advantage that Niagara does have is that you can drive your car to the Windsor train terminal and take a train to Niagara, spend a few hours there, then take the train back to Windsor and be back home the same day.
This is one of those train trips as Peg, Loretta, and Louise are making the one way trip. The train ride is fun as they make a stop and let you put pennies on the track, then the train runs over them, flattening them into souvenirs for the kids.
Mount Ranier 1982
Our travel across country continued and would end at Ft Lewis Washington, however before dropping Aunt Louise and Grandma Loretta off at the airport for their flight home, we made one stop at Mount Ranier and wanted to drive high enough into the mountain until we got snow (considering it was summer time this was a novel goal).
We did accomplish this and then Loretta and Louise were dropped off at SeaTac Airport and took a flight back to Detroit. Chuck (James Dad) would spend the next 2 and a half years at Ft Lewis which at the time was a high technology test bed for the latest technology in war fare. James Dad would do special assignments in California, Alaska, and Japan during his stay and would come home for good in 1984 with an honorable discharge, and a World Series Championship in Detroit (tigers winning over San Diego), just as his dad did in 1945 Tigers winning over the Cubbies).
Mount Rushmore 1982
After Dad came home from Korea he wanted to have a car while he was at his new location stateside (Ft Lewis Washington). Dads Mom (Loretta) and Aunt Louise drove out with him to his new base on the other side of the country and would take an airplane home. While in route they made a slight detour to see Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Completed in 1941 under the direction of Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln, the sculpture’s roughly 60′ high granite faces depict U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
After a quick visit the family continued onward to the Pacific Coast and Fort Lewis Washington.
Renee’s First Communion 1982
Renee celebrates her First Communion and afterwards went to Trenton where they were preparing for a party to celebrate the event.
Renee received her First Communion from Saint Timothy Church just off West Road on Manning street in Trenton. Saint Timothy Church is a relatively small parish that draws its members from a number of communities from the downriver area. This is the church where all the family members who live or lived in Trenton attend. Saint Tims altar was church is unique with a circular inside rather than the traditional square with pews.
As with every other event, Renee’s Aunt Loretta (James Grandma) and Renee’s Grandma (James Great Aunt) made sure that a proper cake was on hand for the event.
Christmas 1981
James Dad was in the army and missed this years Christmas in Trenton. The Trenton house has a huge picture window that goes from the ground to nearly the ceiling which makes it ideal for displays that can be seen not only from the inside dining room but also the outside. With that in mind a large Christmas tree in the picture window is about as close to a Christmas tradition as we have.
One thing about any visit to Trenton, whether it was for a birthday or holiday, the evening always ended with a game of cards. Pinocle was the game of choice and the Trenton card players were extremely good at the game. So much so that years later the “little friends” would challenge the sisters Loretta and Louise to a pinocle game each year on Labor Day at Camp Dearborn. The final score after 4 years of battle was Loretta and Louise 4, the little friends 1.
