Fifty Years Ago Revisited, Part 3

by Glenn N. Holliman

The Visit 

Soon Leo and I were swapping stories and catching up on our respective histories.  Tom elaborated on their shared hobby of collecting antiques and how they both ended up moonlighting in fine arts auctions. Daughter Grace listened politely taking in every word, probably thinking about what she would share with her grandchildren someday.  

Both Leo and Tom had long careers in education teaching English and social studies.  We had much to share exchanging stories and what we had learned from life. 

Tragically, only six weeks after his father’s death in 1969, Leo’s mother died of cancer.  Leo, not unsurprisingly, had to cope with the bitterness of time lost in the last year of their lives.... like soldiers of every war, Leo had his sacrifices.


As evening approached we moved to the garden. The white vino disappeared and soon another bottle was opened!  Conversation flowed as easily as the wine.

Right, Tom and Leo.

Grace presented Leo and Tom one of her hand made all natural candles that they could light for Christmas.  My wife Barb had prepared a framed 1969 picture of Leo (below) and me in our jungle uniforms posing on the steps to brigade chaplain's office, our quarters.

Well, that triggered the tears as a couple of old fellas stared back at a faded color representation of ourselves as very youthful soldiers in a time and place now very far away. 

In right back ground is an ammunition box with marigolds sprouting out of it.  Leo took some flower seeds from home and planted them in Asian soil.  There they took root, and started blooming.  Sadly a few weeks later Leo was called home for his Father's funeral.  After he left, the marigolds continued to grow and flower bringing a bit of cheer to homesick G.I.s.

That evening we lingered over dinner.  Leo had prepared elegantly wrapped gifts for us - a exquisite Nippon bowl for Grace and a pair of European crystal colored wine glasses for Barb and me.  All made it safely home including a one hundred year old miniature souvenir scotch bottle.

 
Right, Leo in 1969 prepared a late night snack over two watering cans.  Note the Big Red One patch on his sleeve.  The uniform is of that era.




Below,  He set the table for another dinner in 2019 in Iowa.  Tom and Grace in the kitchen prepared the meal.  The decor is no longer Army green but one that reflects a passion for the decorative arts.

The next morning, Leo and Tom took a walk and Grace a mile or so run through the town.  Already an early chill swept over the Great Plains.

After a long brunch, we adjourned again to the garden gradually moving to a lingering goodbye for it was time for us to go.  Leo and I had our pictures taken by his marigolds just as we had decades ago.

All of us hugged as we said goodbye, family to family, Leo and I experiencing something of a time gone but etched in our souls as long as we shall live.

As Grace and I slowly drove away, some thing flashed through my mind, that venerable refrain that old soldiers never die, they just fade away.  Overly sentimental yes, but a telling reminder that days are always growing fewer.

It had been good, very good to visit with Leo Wiley and learn of his long and useful life in service to his community.  Thanks Leo and Tom for our chance to rediscover yesterday and find comfort in today.

Next blog, some reflections from Grace