How did Grandpa's truck get to California?

While sorting ( because I am always sorting) I came across some newspaper articles about the time my grandpa Bert Grisso had his truck stolen out of the yard south of Scranton, Iowa.  I remember the story well because his truck ended up in California. I was 10 at the time and thought this was a really, really big deal. And I guess it was.

Veteran's Day

I thought it would be interesting to show some of the military photos from my family.  This my maternal grandfather, Bert R. Grisso, in his World War I uniform. I really don't know much about it. Something to research. His sister, Edith, also served. 

I thought this Family Veteran's post was such a great idea. Of course, this was several months ago. Lots of time. Oops. Time is up and I am missing many photos.

This is my Uncle Bill, son of Bert Grisso pictured above in his WWI uniform. Bill served in WWII and was aboard his ship when the flag was raised on Mt.Suribachi on Iwo Jima. The cheers were heard all along the coast where his ship was located.

Bert Grisso had four sons who served in the Military. They were all Navy men. In addition to Bill, there was John Grisso, Marvin Grisso,

and Donald Grisso. Marvin made the Navy his career and was buried at sea at age 49.

Bert's brother-in-law, Dale Smith, was in WWII and remained a career Navy man.

When I think of WWII, I am reminded that my dad's first cousin, Russell Wright, did not come home from that conflict.

Maybe another time I can add more details about some of our ancesters who participated in the American Revolution, Civil War, and the conflict in Viet Nam. 

As proud as I am of all my family members who served in the military, I have to show the pictures of a couple of my favorites.

My husband,Tom, served in the Iowa National Guard for 12 years. He was a helicopter pilot.

Our son, Scott, is our most recent family Veteran. He served in the Navy for 9 years. He was a submariner assigned to the USS Albuquerque.

Thank you to these Veterans for their service and all the others to whom we owe our freedoms.

The Necklace

 

The purpose of this post is to show the necklace inherited from my great aunt Neva Smith Walker.  She wore it proudly at special functions and family events. This necklace was dear to her because it had belonged or her grandmother, Ginevra Withrow Vorhies. Ginevra was my great great grandmother.

Ginevra "Neva" Mary Small Walker, is pictured above wearing the necklace. I wonder if GGGrandma Vorhies gave it to her because they shared the same name. Neva was apparently named for both of her grandmothers.  Her paternal grandmother's name was Mary.

The date on the back of this picture of Ginevra and John M. Vorhies says 1888. Sadly, this picture does not show the necklace.

This picture of my husband and me was taken  approximately 100 years after the photo of Ginevra and John M. Vorhies. I am proudly wearing my gggrandmother's necklace.

Tulip Time

 This picture was taken when I was about 4 or so. Those pictured are my Great Aunt Neva, my mom in saddle shoes, and my Great Grandmother, Estella Smith in her stylist hat.  We are at the Tulip Festival in Pella, Iowa. The fun part of this picture for me is that I actually remember that day. I wonder if all those beautiful tulips is what made such a lasting memory.

Of course, this would have been a better post at Tulip Time in May. However, I needed a post for today so I could wish some other descendants of Estella Smith a happy birthday.

Happy Birthday to David and Liz.

My Very Old Great Grandmother

 This has always been one of my favorite pictures. I was about 5 months old sitting on my great grandmother's lap in front of her house. I may have already posted this in the past, but I hadn't stopped to make the following realization. Grandma was only 69 years old. I think she looks about 99. However, she died at about 82 so of course she wasn't that old. Why am I going on about this?  The baby in that picture (me) is six years older now than Grandma Estella is in this picture. Do I look 99? Do not answer that.

Hawkeye Girls State

Someday my great grandchildren might read my blog. Just in case, here is a newspaper article so they can know a little more about me.

FYI

It is great and yet frustrating to be blogging again. Great because I have many stories to tell from my genealogy research and hand me down boxes of pictures and articles.

 It is frustrating because sometimes my posts go on line but those who are regular viewers of COUSINS do not receive a notice.

The first time was with the post about Mary Kate. I was very excited about that post but it did not go out to regular readers.

Then it happened again with a story about a fire. I have returned that post to draft form and will try again another day.

I hope you receive this post.

This is a test.