Footnote
by David Ackley
1942. August 15th. On page 3 of the Nashua Telegraph, headed “Weddings and Engagements of Interest,” are the photos of four local lovelies, Camille Grandmaison, Joan Hubbard, Mary Joan Everett, and the petite blonde, Lucy Riley, one just wed, the other three, if intention leads to act, soon to be. Near the bottom of the same page, which is thick with announcements of a similar nature, is an item under “Personals,'” noting the enlistment of my cousin James Ackley, 19, one of uncle Eugene's 4 boys, in the US Navy. Some, perhaps most of those on the page, will go on to have families of their own, will have and raise children in Nashua. James will be lost in the Pacific two years later when his sub goes down. And with him the sons and daughters he might have fathered. War; family--these offspring of civilization wrestle on the floor of history.
***
Excellent.
Hoc est bellum... ad vitam aeternam.
And then some. ***
I so enjoy memoirs.
War; family--these offspring of civilization wrestle on the floor of history.
Civilization indeed.*
Each time I despair of this project( a frequent occurrence) you-all give me, like friendly bartenders on the cuff, a needed shot.
Thanks all...
A heart touching note.
Wow to the ending: on the floor of history.
Impacting piece. I like.
Nicely done.
*
Thanks W.R. , Roz, Sam and Ann. Still plugging away trying to figure out how history and the personal connect. thanks for your support.
One substantive footnote capable of becoming its own substantive novel or novella or story but in its concision already eliciting imaginative participation. The stuff life is made of.
Good work.
Last sentence is great. Semi colon and emdash. War and family siblings. Floor of history brilliant.
*, David. A sad, well-written, telling of war's consequence.
Thanks Edward, Eamon and David.