I Went Searching For an Indian and Found I Was a Dutchman

I Went Searching for an Indian and Found I Was a Dutchman.
I've always been interested in history so when my Uncle Wayne gave me some information about our family roots I had to begin changing the way I've always thought about where I came from. We had always been told, "there's Indian blood in our ancestry, we just haven't been able to prove it". I have been surprised to learn that while searching for an Indian link, I found a Dutchman. Now I'm not saying there may not be some Indian blood somewhere but the prospect looks dimmer the more I find out.
I also have had some general prejudices about folks back east, especially areas like Ohio (I grew up in the Woody Hayes era and couldn't stand Ohio State). What a surprise (and God ordained I believe) to find we arrived in Ohio in the early 1800s, my ancestor fought in an Ohio Regiment in the Civil War, and came to Kansas afterwards. That, and some visits to Ohio, has adjusted my thinking.
And the other reason why-to keep communication between the far flung members of my family and encourage them to drop a note so we can keep in touch with the details of their lives. We miss too much by not being there in the day to day workings of life. So, leave a post for all of us.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

43 Years Ago

On this September 7, 2013, it's a nice sunny, cool, morning with a wind expected to be 7-13 knots out of the south.  Many of you who know me also know I have a sailboat and this is near perfect sailing weather.  So you know what we'll be doing.
Unless you read this blog regularly (hopefully with more regularity than I write it) you know the Admiral and I have a sailboat, a 27' Newport, built in 1970, we've named the Glenn E.  You may also know why we named it that (see post "One of Those Weekends 2/26/12).  Knowing that, you might also know why today is such a special day.
Forty-three years ago today, the namesake of our boat, SSGT Glenn H English, Jr, gave his life for his buddies and our country in the Phu My district of South Vietnam.  For his actions, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. So this is an important day for us.  Would you take a moment to read this and remember Sgt English?  Maybe even pray for his family and the families of those who still to this day bear the scars of loss.  We show the fiber of our character by the honor we show to those who sacrifice.

GLENN HARRY ENGLISH JR served as a squad leader with Company ' E ', 3rd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade and was a posthumous recipient of the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR who rests in honored glory in section 1 - 288 - A in the Fort Bragg Post Cemetery, Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina.


CITATION FOR AWARD OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR TO STAFF SERGEANT GLENN HARRY ENGLISH JR

PHU MY DISTRICT REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM 7 SEPTEMBER 1970
Staff Sergeant English was riding in the lead armored personnel carrier in a four vehicle column when an enemy mine exploded in front of his vehicle. As the vehicle swerved from the road, a concealed enemy force waiting in ambush opened fire with automatic weapons and anti - tank grenades, striking the vehicle several times and setting it on fire. Staff Sergeant English escaped from the disabled vehicle and, without pausing to extinguish the flames on his clothing, rallied his stunned unit. He then led it in a vigorous assault, in the face of heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, on the entrenched enemy position. This prompt and courageous action routed the enemy and saved his unit from destruction. Following the assault, Staff Sergeant English heard cries of three men still trapped inside the vehicle. Paying no heed to warnings that the ammunition and fuel in the burning personnel carrier might explode at any moment, Staff Sergeant English raced to the vehicle and climbed inside to rescue his wounded comrades. As he was lifting one of the men to safety, the vehicle exploded, mortally wounding him and the man he was attempting to save. By his extraordinary devotion to duty, indomitable courage, and utter disregard for his own safety, Staff Sergeant English saved his unit from destruction and selflessly sacrificed his life in a brave attempt to save three comrades. Staff Sergeant English's conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the United States Army.

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR was presented to his family on 8 August 1974 at Blair House by the Vice President of the United States of America Gerald R. Ford
Plaque mounted on the bulkhead of the S/V Glenn E
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