Posted by Ken See on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 1:59PM :
In Reply to: ot talk to the old timers before they are gone posted by dave on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 8:37PM :
At least once every 3 days I stop by Don and Mildred Beckwith's, sometimes more. They have been married 61 years, right after he was drafted in 1942 before he left home. I'll ask them something about their past and the flood gates open up, everything about their youth, the war and since. I love history, and these folks represent a different era, their values, ethics and beliefs are like no one else's. Or at least you never get younger peoples perspectives on these topics just by talking with them. Talking with them is the real thing, watching the history channel, or reading the most educational text on history is just too distant. Some day that's all we'll have. I make sure I bring my kids on occasion just so they can hear about the past first hand. They don't appreciate it now, but when they're adults they will. Beside that, Mildred bakes a mean loaf of bread, and if I'm lucky, I show up when it comes out of the oven. 4 loaves every week. Where else are you going to see that? Plus Don drives the biggest meanest Dodge I know.