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D-Day 50th Anniversary: Story Behind the Photograph

By Just me, T.C. Misfeldt

Eisenhower Actor for D-Day Anniversary: The Story Behind the Photograph

It was the fiftieth anniversary of D-Day at Rail Fest in Green Bay. The National Railroad Museum board, staff, and volunteers planned to commemorate the anniversary by opening the Eisenhower train in the Lenfestey Pavilion.

My job, as Marketing and Development Coordinator for the Museum, was to obtain events, schedule presentations, coordinate with volunteers and staff, plus raise whatever money not covered by admissions. Oh, and I had to handle the public relations. That was easy.

One of the board members suggested creating a video presentation to promote the event. Without a budget allocation, a more reasonable option was created. I accumulated printed materials about the Eisenhower collection, the Museum, and other brochures. I went to the office supply store and purchased green manila file folders. I also had a special stamp made that read “Top Secret.” Folders were assembled with “Top Secret” on the flap and loosely stamped on one side. These were then sent to media sources in large envelopes also stamped with the need for secrecy.

I was amazed how many reporters showed up for the event with those green folders tucked under their arms. Oh, those were the days of “real” media and simple ways to convey an important message. Which brings me back to the description of the photograph.

We had decided, in opening the Eisenhower train’s passenger car for guests to tour on the 50th anniversary that we should make it more interactive for those coming to see it. A script was prepared for a docent stationed in the lobby area of the car. Their role was to tell some of the history of the train then General Dwight D. Eisenhower used during the build-up and execution of the Allied invasion on 6 June 1941. At a suggestion, I found a talented actor who agreed to portray the general for Rail Fest.

Bob was perfect for the role. He wore a general’s uniform as if it had been earned. His physical appearance and stature was performed impeccably. He is at the center of the picture. The big staff member with his arm extended was me and I’m instructing the docent at the far left of the picture to hold up the next group. In the background is the silhouette of the actual Eisenhower train exhibit.

Now, there was a hobo encampment as part of Rail Fest, train rides, and even a machine gun emplacement next to the Eisenhower exhibit. Guests were having fun in addition to all the other attractions at The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay.

What truly impressed me was the first time I witnessed the exchange in the passenger car lobby with guests and the docent. As the history was being told, on cue, Eisenhower (portrayed by Bob) came from the hallway on the side of the car into the lobby to greet the guests as the general. What was amazing was how many guests stood at attention and saluted the actor/general. It’s one of those things you need to be there for to gain the full experience. From my perspective, those simple acts of patriotism proved what was planned was executed with perfection.

Now, twenty-five years later, it is hoped those who also witnessed the actor’s portrayal of a true American hero and later President of the United States, remember their time at the National Railroad Museum. It’s worth a visit.

Side Swiped: The Story Behind the Photograph

As long as I’ve been driving motor vehicles, I can probably count on one hand (maybe both) how many accidents I’ve been involved in where I was the driver. One of my earliest happened in my first few years behind the wheel. The date stamp on the edge of the three photographs reads May 68. The photos show the damage and towing of the vehicle I was driving.

My dad was a car fanatic. He loved trading cars. It was not unusual for him to leave for work with one car in the morning and come home with a different one after work. Dad had found a 1963 or ’64 Mercury sedan that had a sliding rear window that opened with a remote switch. It opened from the middle to the edges and was wide enough for an average sized person to fit through. It was a cool car and powerful. In those days, most cars had V-8 engines, which this one did.

I turned eighteen in 1968 and earned my driver’s license two years earlier. My friend and cousin, Michael, was sixteen that summer. We were good friends and spent many hours together. Before either of us could drive, we would play war with plastic toy soldiers or shoot pool above the fire station. My dad was a volunteer fire fighter, so we had “permission” to be up there.

On the day in question, we had grabbed either our BB guns or .22 rifles and driven into the country. I don’t recall if we just went for target practice or were hunting squirrels. I drove out in the country south of home to shoot our guns. We were obviously not in school but what day of the week it was will remain an unknown.

Rare side swipe damage — Wiped out all four headlights when I hit a drunk driver.

We had our weapons in the car as I drove back into town on Highway 73. We were going north and approached the intersection with Highway 29. The main business district of our home town lie just ahead. At that time, Highway 29 was the main east-west route through town while 73 ran north-south. I believe it was late afterno

on. As a young driver with guns in the car, I kept to the speed limit of twenty-five miles an hour.

Before I or Michael knew what happened, a car came through a stop sign from the west on Highway 29. We hit that car solid as the Mercury side-swiped the other vehicle. I remember seeing a small, young boy in the other car’s front seat bouncing away from the impact. The other car spun around one hundred and eighty degrees before stopping on the east side of the intersection.

There were witnesses at the filling station on the southeast corner of the intersection…and probably others. Some people came out to see if everyone was okay. Mike and I were fine. The young boy looked shaken, but his father insisted he was okay, despite not being buckled up. The dad was mumbling and somewhat incoherent as I recall. There was glass and small car parts all over the intersection.

The Mercury died on the spot. We did not move once we crashed into the other car. We sat stunned in the car, not sure what had happened. A county sheriff’s deputy shoto investigate the accident. Mike and I got out and looked at our car. All four headlights were smashed. Gone. I learned later was an anomaly in side swipe collisions. We had hit the other car squarely.

Our car was totalled. I made sure Mike was okay and found a phone to call my dad and tell him what happened. It can’t be driven, I told him. It had to be towed. He told me to have it towed to our house. I think it was so an insurance adjuster could look at it…and dad could see it, too. Dad was not happy about the car but pleased both Mike and I were okay.

The other car could be driven. We were not at fault, but he drove away while we had to get towed. No citations were issued despite the other driver being drunk behind the wheel and running a stop sign…with his son in the car. No breath test was taken because he knew and may have been a friend of the investigating officer. The other driver got no warning or anything else.

The touch of irony in the story is that dad loved that car so much he found one similar to replace it. It was the same make, model, and color, but either a year older or newer.

On reflection more than fifty years later, the accident could have been far worse had the drunk driver hit Mike and I head on. I thank God no one was hurt in what was an event that could have been fatal to all involved. Cars can be replaced, as dad told me. People are irreplaceable.

Not long after the accident, Mike and his family moved to south central Wisconsin and we became distant relatives. I went off to college that fall and graduated in 1972. Less than three years later, Michael was dead. And now, slightly more than fifty years later, I still miss Mike and wonder what his life might be like today. Who would he have married? How many children would he have? Grandchildren? He was only twenty-three years old at the time of his death.

I wonder what our relationship would have been like had he been able to enjoy a longer life in God’s Kingdom. I know we will be reunited in God’s Heavenly Kingdom when that day comes. Rest in peace, Mike!

On Reflection: Learning By Doing

Closing in on my seventy-sixth birthday, I think about how I got to where I am.

I know the simple answer: A moving truck helped move my family from Danville, Illinois to Green Bay in June of 1990. We’ve lived in four different locations. The kids have grown, gone to college, and done well in their careers. We down sized and live in a rented duplex near Preble High School. Our three children attended and graduated from Preble.

The truth is that I have learned by reading books, studying, and mostly by doing. My mother taught kindergarten and inspired me to read anything and everything. I have studied World War Two, America’s Civil War, the Vietnam conflict, and Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. I have read Frank Herbert’s Dune and the ensuing volumes by Frank, his son Brian and co-writer Kevin J. Anderson. Dune opened my mind to the possibilities existing in this world…and in fictitious but realistic worlds beyond our own. I am a fan of science fiction writing. Mom also taught me how to write in cursive.

Sure, I have a college degree, but what I learned most during those four years was about people. I played chess with a black friend. Tossed snowballs with a classmate from Hawaii. Played different roles in two college plays. But I did gain experience in broadcasting, which was the emphasis of my major in Mass Communication. The most beneficial outcome was learning photography. That education helped get a job with a major corporation, then land a photojournalist position with my hometown newspaper, and that lead to becoming managing editor and editor of Future magazine, the official publication of The United States Jaycees in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

I travelled extensively as staff officer for the Jaycees, visiting forty-seven of our American states and two countries: Canada and Japan. That travel itinerary while my children were young quite likely inspired their wanderlust. Our oldest daughter raised the money she needed to visit four European countries during the summer before her freshman year of high school. Our youngest daughter spent a semester studying abroad in South Africa.

Life is about enjoying it…what you do…who you meet…and having faith in God. Few people realize it is that faith in God that gives meaning and purpose to life. Native Americans, whose cultures I have also studied, believed in a Supreme Being and lived simple lives dependent on what Mother Nature provided for their survival. I worked at a Native American casino and learned about reservation Life. That was also an educational experience.

Speaking of books, when I was young the Internet was far from anyone’s list of viable possibilities. If I wanted to learn something, an encyclopedia or a dictionary or thesaurus offered answers. On reflecton, the listings and information was mostly true but could have been biased. Times have changed. Getting information today is as easy as typing in your question on a smart phone.

I remember our family’s land line phone being on a party line. When it rang, everyone on the string of phones answered. Once the caller announced who they wanted to speak with, everyone else was supposed to hang up…but some stayed on the line. Now everyone has their own phone, a mobile one that works anywhere without cords…except to charge its battery. They’re called smart phones because they tell you the weather, feed you E-mails, text messages, and news…plus serve as a camera, video recorder, and source of games.

They do not, however, replace hugs, smiles, or face-to-face communication. I have found the younger generations are dependent on their phones and struggle with interpersonal relationships. Their perspective is skewed. That brings up another thing I have learned: Families are susceptible to challenges from smart phones.

My parents were strict about dinner being family time. We sat down to eat our meal at five and you either set the table, washed or dried the dishes afterwards. No dishwasher. The key take-away was family is the most important personal relationship we have, other than with God. Today’s families have lost that togetherness. They rarely eat together. That has the potential for long-term negative consequences. Family is everything.

Family members need each other…for comfort, solace, support, and many other reasons.

I admit I was a “husky” lad when younger. Coupled with flat feet and other maladies, my obesity made me a target for bullies. That meant fighting and broken glasses; yup, I was called “four eyes” among other things…like the nickname that stuck based on the heavier police officer in a black-and-white television comedy of the 1950s. I learned, through all that, to be my own best friend. Instead of hating my nickname, I embraced it and wore it proudly to let the bullies know their words only stung but didn’t hurt.

In time, I also learned that to be the best at what you do, study what professionals in your career path have done to make it where they are. Then adapt to your personality and grow.

Class Valedictorian

Senior class Valedictorian. Not me! My brother has the distinction of earning that honor for his Class of 1964. Obviously one might believe he is the smart one in the family. I was no slouch, graduating 21^st (give or take a few places) in my class of 104 (again, give or take a few).

As the younger brother, I believed it would be impossible to compete with my brother, so I did not apply myself to studying as ardently as he did. Yes, he was in the National Honor Society. No, I was not. Yes, he went on to the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he graduated with a degree in Psychology and a thesis of distinction in his major. I went to the university in La Crosse intending to be an optometrist and winding up with a degree in Mass Communications.

I started smoking when I was 14. I have since quit. He never did. I was also known to have alcohol on occasion…and sometimes a bit too much. I got suspended from high school for three days but that’s another story. I was active in school plays and loved playing baseball although we failed to win many games. My brother was a star for the basketball team. I tried to have fun more than win academic honors.

My brother got married before I graduated from high school in 1968. The four year difference in our ages made it challenging to remain close. When I got to high school after graduating from Catholic elementary school (Yes, I did graduate), my brother was already in college. Sure, I did get to see him for a few weeks during the summer but he was attending classes and I was on my own most of the time. Good thing I could get into bars before I was 18.

When I headed off to La Crosse, my brother was married with a young son. He got his Juris Doctorate degree and worked for a law firm near Milwaukee before moving to Eau Claire where he practiced until his retirement. He did well for himself.

Perhaps college is where my lack of applying myself led to trying to be all things to all people. I was active in the acting group that staged college plays. I was good at memorizing lines and putting emphasis on my character portrayals. I switched my major to mass communications with an emphasis on broadcasting. I helped launch WLSU, the National Public Radio affiliate of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. I drank a lot and did go to classes occasionally. I had to take 17 credits my last semester to graduate in four years.

I earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a grade point average somewhere above 2.00. I eked out graduating. I did learn a lot about people and my chosen career of mass communications. Photography became a passion. I did radio and television production and learned darkroom procedures (which are, by and large, obsolete now). The college years were exciting and at times tumultuous with fraternity life (my brother was not a joiner) and working in radio. And, of course, spending a few weekends inebriated.

What’s the point of this diatribe? Do you consider my brother more successful than me, or that he turned out better?

Here’s more to the story: Tom and his first wife had three sons before they divorced. He since re-married and travels often in retirement. He has done well financially, or so I assume. He has three grandchildren.

I am married with three children, two of whom are married. I was a staff officer for the United States Jaycees and have met with numerous celebrities, including a private meeting with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office. Anyone other than that is a bit less significant in my book. I was editor of Future magazine and became a chamber of commerce executive before finding my niche as a public relations, marketing, and advertising consultant. I have owned three companies and am a published author. Six grandchildren grace my existence!

The point: Even though our lives went in different directions, my brother and I both turned out to be successful offspring of Depression-era parents. We both turned out okay in my humble and somewhat biased opinion.

Independence & Dependency

In the United States of America, we celebrate our independence from Great Britain on July 4th and refer to it as Independence Day. Yet we celebrate our independence and freedom every day, whether we realize it or not. Independence is dependent upon continuous exercising of our freedom and our individual civil liberties.

We must not become dependent on our federal, state, or local government. The task of legislators is to represent the people and our interest in safety, law and order…not to dictate how we live our lives. If we want to protest, let’s resist government interference in our lives and fight to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

We are a nation of immigrants, people from virtually every country on this planet who came to America seeking freedom and the right to escape oppression. We resisted the British to gain our independence. We have obtained — and maintain — the right of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to keep and bear arms, and many other freedoms. Freedom being the operative word.

You have the ability to speak without being censored. You have the right to move freely about this great nation. You can make your own choices…and live with the consequences without fear of retaliation. Think for yourself! Be free!

America, as imperfect as it is, is still the beacon of freedom and independence that beckons the world to our shores. That light must continue to burn brightly which brings me to this point: If you have a problem with some aspect of being an American– whatever your race, creed, or gender–work to solve the problem or leave.

There are other nations that would love to have your American dollars in their country. Keep in mind you may not have the same liberties you currently enjoy when you leave.

Christmas 2020

As Christmas 2020 lies but two days ahead on the calendar, the global celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ inspires a time for reflection.

Of course, reflecting on the amazing influence the birth of a child can have on humanity is worth a mention. Think of someone who was born in less than sterile conditions, never drove a car or watched a television program yet is adored around the world. He healed the sick. Raised the dead. Showed us how to live and died for our sins.

Today there are thousands of churches where believers come to share their faith in Jesus Christ and, yes, share their wealth to have that religious freedom, especially in the United States.

And Christmas, which falls at the end of the last month of the year, is an opportunity to look back…and forward. Christmas 2020 sees the world still battling the Corona virus but excited about the potential of vaccines now becoming available. People have had their lives changed. Many have lost their jobs…and in some cases, their identities. Depression, drug use, and alcohol abuse are rampant. We have struggled, yet persevered.

That is the message of Christmas 2020: Be strong and persevere. We can get through this and survive. Can you change what happened in the past year? Six months? Week?

No.

Can you alter what lies ahead?

No.

What you have is today. Now. Tell people you love them. Enjoy life. Appreciate what you have. Know that faith in God gives meaning…and purpose to life. Serve others. Be kind. You are what you are. Embrace it.

Life in a Drawer

(Originally written in 2017)

My life can be analyzed, summarized, and described from the contents of my drawer in the bathroom.

The blood glucose meter has a spotty record of my blood sugar readings. It lets you know I’m a diabetic who doesn’t do a very good job of monitoring his blood sugars. Hence a recent visit to the clinic discovered my diabetes is getting worse. Doh! Three years later it is under control but still with me. Diabetes sucks and is the reason my father and my father-in-law left this world.

The Gillette razor tells the story of a man who prefers not to shave if he doesn’t have to and doesn’t change the blade often enough when he does. It also lets you know I now prefer a straight razor to an electric razor/shaver. Three years later, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine, I have grown a full beard and mustache. It is indicative of my preference to avoid shaving but I have expressed a willingness to shave if…and when…I harvest a deer.

The tubes of sunscreen identifies a man who has been advised by a dermatologist to apply the lotion before going outside to avoid another incidence of skin cancer. I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my high right cheek in early November of 2011. Three years later, I use sunscreen when officiating soccer matches but otherwise eschew the toner. I remain cancer free but am cautious about too much solar exposure.

The tube of Pepsodent toothpaste is still there in 2020, although it has been replaced a few times in three years. I keep referring to three years since I started on this writing expose in 2017 and it is now near the end of 2020. That brand has been around since my youth and I still remember the slogan: “You will wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.” It is also economical to purchase but difficult to find in grocery stores.

The nail clippers are useful in keeping my calcium deprived fingernails and toenails trimmed. They are essential to proper grooming, hence I keep both fingernail and toenail clippers in the drawer.

The pen is there for some unknown reason. As a writer, I like to have pens available in the event some thought inspires me and I need to write it down before I forget it. Only problem is I rarely keep any paper near where the pen is. It could be removed to make room for something else, like a pencil.

The medicine bottles are no longer in the drawer three years later. Oh, there is a bottle of ibuprofen on the bathroom counter, but I seldom take any of those pain relievers. My supplements are on my computer desk now. My regular medication is in one of those pill boxes that help you remember what you need to take each day of the week. And now the pill box helps me recall what day of the week it is. Surplus bottles are on a shelf under my drawer…so, close at hand.

The hairbrush resides in the drawer to be used after a shower when I brush my thinning hair back to dry it more quickly. When I have used some of the other items in my drawer, the brush is used to create the look that defines me. I was blessed with two natural parts for my hair, so I can brush my hair either left or right and either one appears natural. The preference is to brush from right to left…but I had to think about that for a second. Funny how what is natural, and commonplace requires thought to define.

There are now other grooming aids in the drawer that I seldom use, like hair pomade and beard balm, but they have a place in my life when I so choose. The fact I can describe what lies in my drawer is indicative of my need to be organized. If I need to use a nail clipper, for instance, I know where to look and if it is not in my drawer, it is in my traveling toiletries case on the shelf in the cabinet under that all important drawer.

That is my life…in a drawer.

Greatest April Fool’s Prank

Although I’m not much of an idiot when it comes to attempting April Fool’s pranks that are lame or go unnoticed, I do believe the greatest April Fool’s prank I ever pulled off was on my father. When you read the story, you’ll understand why I don’t attempt many any more.

Here’s the background: My parents had two large shakers for salt and pepper that were always available for meals. They had a white ceramic base or storage compartment that would easily fill the palm of your hand. Yes, they were that large! The tops were metal and screwed onto the ceramic base. Getting a hint where this is going?

Dad, having grown up on a farm, loved eggs for breakfast every morning. He was a meat and potatoes kind of guy. When we lived in Tulsa and he came from Wisconsin to visit, we took him to a fancy restaurant for brunch. They served quiche and other delicacies on the buffet but Dad’s comment was: “Where’s the meat?”

Back to the story. Long before breakfast was served that April 1st morning, I slipped into the kitchen and surreptitiously loosened the cap on the pepper shaker. Then I resumed normal activities and played the innocent son as breakfast was served.

When my father grabbed the pepper shaker to season his eggs, my heart raced a bit but I tried to remain calm and not give away my secret. The lid came off and pepper doused Dad’s eggs in the black condiment to his visible astonishment. I recall his comment starting with something like, “What the?” but I had to bite my lip and remain as stunned as everyone else.

I didn’t have the nerve to exclaim: “April Fool’s!”

Dad likely went to his grave assuming it was a freak accident while I consider it my greatest April Fool’s prank…and don’t do those any more.

Day 7 of Self-Isolation

It’s Sunday, the 29th of March. Day seven of Corona (Chinese) virus self-isolation (quarantine). I have not been in a public place since last Sunday when I ventured out for some basic groceries. Fortunately my spouse and I had a decent stockpile of necessities before entering this period of insulation from other human beings.

We have communicated with our children and grandchildren via electronic channels, but this scary pandemic and self-isolation strip us of being able to hug family members or share a meal with them. Distance also separates us.

We have gone for walks, taking care to avoid close contact with other people. I have visited with my neighbor briefly in his driveway, keeping the requisite six feet of social distancing between us. We’ve had basic groceries delivered, thanks to our daughters.

So…here I am at day 7 of self-isolation. Closets have been cleaned out. Papers have been filed or recycled. All the laundry has been done, including outside clothng several times now. Trying to follow the guidelines. Washing hands according to the CDC. Drinking lots of spring water. Resting.

The bad part is there are no sports to watch on television. Odds are that high school spring sports programs are likely to be cancelled since school’s are closed indefinitely. That eliminates my soccer official’s contracts if it happens…and the accompanying compensation. In my mind, soccer is one of those sports that enables athletes to keep a distance from most of the other players on the pitch and the fans…most parents…able to socially distance themselves as well. But, with no school, there’s no athletics.

I am thankful for my faith, my ability to write, the family tree I’m trying to build online, and my therapy pet, Charley. He’s a rescue cat that I’ve trained fairly well. He enjoys chasing a toy mouse that I throw and he retrieves. He follows me to the basement to do laundry and comes back up when I call him…or when he gets out in the garage. Besides my wife, Charley’s a good companion.

So far we’ve avoided any viral infection. We’ll see what day 8 brings.

Stay well and practice safe distancing.

Corona Quarantine Activities

Most Americans are self-imposing themselves in a Corona quarantine, and I don’t mean drinking a lot of that beer brand. Here are three Corona quarantine activities to while away the time stuck in your place of residence.

Read. Find the books you’ve been wanting to read, turn off the television, find a comfortable place, and read. Most libraries will still let you come in, browse the aisles and choose some reading material if you’ve read every book on your shelves. Check first to make sure your library is still open to the public. Ours are closed! Read magazines if nothing else strikes your fancy.
Write. Sit down with some paper and a pen. Write a letter to a loved one, a lost relative, or a pen pal (remember what those were? I had one who lived in France and I had to have every letter translated). Work on the family memoirs or write the novel you’ve always wanted to write. Take a break every now and then to enjoy the weather and get some exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the block.
Catch up. Clean out the basement or garage you’ve been meaning to de-clutter. Nap or get some extra sleep you’ve been denying yourself. Call a friend and see how they’re doing, especially if you haven’t talked to them in a few months…or years. Make use of this bonus time…and leave the television off. This too shall pass, but remember to wash your hands and get tested if you have any symptoms.

Terry C Misfeldt

Terry C Misfeldt personal Website