My dad was born in Macon, Georgia on Feb.25,1919 his parents died soon after in separate instances. He was put in the Masonic Orphanage along with his two sisters and his older brother.

In the summers he would go to his grandmothers farm and work. His memory of his grandmother was a stern looking woman with a heart of gold.

When he was around 15 he had to leave the orphanage and was taken in by his uncle Bill who helped him get a job on the railroad. He then enlisted in the Army as work was scarce, in fact he had to go to FT. Georgia Mead to enlist. The quota for Georgia was filled because of the need for employment by a majority of the people.

His was a tank driver with the 9th armored division and was sent for training with the 3rd. Armored, stationed at Pine camp now know as Ft. drum located in Watertown, NY This is how he came to spend his life in Northern New York, as the troops would spend there leave time by visiting Ogdensburg and surrounding areas.

My mom and he met on one such occasion in '42 they were married and he went west to the dessert for more training. He was able to come home for a short leave when I was born in October ,1943 and then he went to the European theater.

He was in France, Italy, Austria and Germany during W.W.II. He reached the rank of Master Sergeant and fought in numerous battles including the Battle of the Bulge and the Bridge at Nuremberg and was injured at the bridge in Remagen in Germany. His tank was blown up and he sustained serious head injuries if you look close you can still see shrapnel today.

It was not known to what extent the damages would affect his life after the explosion, a few months later he was sent home. This was in 1945 he receive the purple Heart and the Bronze Star and a few other medals for his bravery and heroic efforts during the war. He never talks about it very often he is not one to brag or enjoy the thoughts of war and destruction he is a gentle person at heart.

A Rev. Dando helped him procure a position at the Diamond Match company as an electrician. Soon after this in 1946 his second daughter Patricia was born. He spent his time working both at his job and his home remodeling and his yard was his pride and joy.

In 1955 his third daughter Carol was born and in 1957 a fourth Susan. His home took on improvements over the years and his yard and flowers flourished.

There were fountains and plastic animals and then ceramic ones as the girls got older and bought presents for them.

He helped raise my son as we lived with them and he always had a dog by his side until later years the last one was 14 when she was put to sleep and he didn't want to see that again.

MY mom was very ill from 1980 on and he took care of her and kept up the house .

She died on October 5,1997 after 55 years of marriage it was hard on him and also a relief because she wasn't suffering anymore. His grandson still lived with him he was 28 then. He seemed to be managing fairly well it would be hard to tell because dad was not a real talkative person at times. I would stop a couple times a week to see how he was doing .

After Mom died a cat that had been hanging around the neighborhood adopted dad and after the funeral we were all outside petting him and talking to him. Dad figured he was there to remind him of mom so he got his shots and was declawed. He was so friendly for a cat that was a wanderer he made a nice companion for my dad.

In February this year I stopped one day and he said he thought he was getting the flu and was going to call the doctor for an appointment. I went home and later that day My son called and said they were sending him to the ER that his pulse was 30 I was surprised and scared I went to the hospital and they admitted him to the ICU and he was on standby for an emergency Pacemaker if the need arose during the evening and next day.

My sister Pat arrived from Horseheads, and they decided to do a permanent Pacemaker the next day and he went through it fine . He was released two days later and my sister stayed for the week and helped him. He did not spring back very good after this he started retaining fluid and his blood sugar was not controlled . He had numerous trips to the doctor but they said he would get better. At Easter time he ended up in the hospital for 14 days he had retained fluid and he was weak and discouraged.

This is a view of the backyard at my father's house as it is today.

He had banged his Great Right toe on the shower and he had trouble with it and it was very painful his first day home from the hospital the health nurse removed his toenail and instructed him to soak it and dress it.

His toe did not get better his doctor sent him to a specialist but when it was determined nothing would help it he was discharged from the specialist. He continued to retain fluid and went from wearing size 34 to a mens 3x for clothing and he went downhill.

I had talked him into going to an adult home as he was having difficulty preparing meals and other menial tasks. The health nurse had discharged him from her service and he needed help. The people who interviewed him for the adult home came and after they left they called the health nurse to come back and see him and also his doctor who kept saying the fluid would go away.

I took him to the emergency room two days later and he was admitted and given medication for the fluid and his diabetes was to be controlled, finally we would get some help. It was determined he would go to a nursing home from the hospital.

He was in the hospital for around 6 weeks and then a Nursing home bed was available and the United Helpers in Ogdensburg, NY We were pleased we were able to acquire a room here.

I took him to the home it was a hard thing to do knowing he may never return home. I wasn't sure where to drive up to when we arrived I could see an entrance with a roof over it and some people sitting there on their break. I went there to inquire and they knew he was expected, the social worker immediately got a wheelchair and he was taken to his room. 

t was a very nice room with another man also residing there. In no time he was settled and taken to the dining room for his lunch. Everyone was helpful and friendly a big difference from the hospital where the staff is cut to the bare bones. I felt at ease as did my father the help seemed happy in their work and liked what they were doing.

Dad with therapy girls

He has been there around 7 weeks now and the treatment is still the same everyone is friendly, courteous and very helpful it makes a difference in the residents life when this is now their home. I am very pleased and grateful to all that have helped my father since he has been there and I would recommend this establishment to anyone who has to be in a nursing home it is superb.

I think it starts at the top as the administrator is a very caring and friendly person who likes the elderly .He has come up through the ranks he himself is an RN who really seems to enjoy what he is doing . I feel it helps the rest of the staff feel they are doing a very worthwhile job and makes a harmonious working envoirment. I know there is a large support staff from top to bottom working together for the good of the patient.

Now that's just my opinion I spent 30+ years in the healthcare field and I am very impressed with the situation at the nursing home . I have included a few pictures of the home and also will give the e-mail address of their web site in case you are looking for such a place.

Thank for your endurance I could ramble on forever.