Roy was my big brother and always took care of me, even
when I did things that were not too good. These are just a few
of the things I remember as a child about Roy.
Mother sent Roy and myself to the Icehouse to get a fifty pound block
of ice. Roy had your normal small red wagon. We got the ice and
were on our way back. Roy was driving and I was sitting on the ice
to hold it down. Heck, it weighed more than I. We were moving down
the sidewalk that was made of individual bricks. Needless to say, one
of the bricks was missing and we hit it. I went flying out of the wagon
along with the ice. Somehow the ice came down on my leg and broke
it. Roy picked me up and carried me to the house. They told my Mother
that I would never walk again. I was walking in weeks in a cast.
Those are the kinds of things that are a lasting memory.
Another time, while living on 17th St, my Brother and I went to a
creek to catch crawdads. We were late coming home (dark) and Mom
and Dad were worried something awful. We got a good whipping for
that one for sure. Dad was a disciplinarian from the word go and
enforced it. Of course, Roy got it the worse because he was the
oldest. There were many times when Roy was getting whipped that I
cried right along with him and I wasn't even touched. That's what
you call Brotherly Love. Of course, both Roy and I had our ups and
downs with each other also. But the good times outweighed the bad
times one hundred fold.
My Brother was very sharp and had a technical mind at a young age.
He made me my first Crystal Set when I was just ten and he was about
fourteen. I use to lie in bed with those ear phones on and listen
to music half the night. When I would wake up in the morning my ears
were red and sore from having them on all night. Thanks Brother.
Another time when we were a little older. My Brother Roy bought
a used 1941 Chrysler Imperial automobile, and it was like new. I loved it, as he did. One day, I couldn't
stand it and wanted to try it out. I took it without him knowing it
and went for a spin. The problem is, I tore up the rear end or the
transmission. I knew he was going to beat me to a pulp, so I seriously
thought of running away from home. I didn't though and somehow he forgave
me. At least, I think he did.
Another time, I did run away from home to St. Joseph, Mo and was
starving. He came up there and rescued me again. Fed me good and
took me back home. I put him through a bunch of trouble when we were
young. Why he still loves me is beyond belief. But as they say,
Blood is thicker than Wine.
When I was almost nineteen years old, I went into the Marine Corps
for three and a half years. When I came back from Boot Camp, my Brother
bought me a new battery powered radio. It was my pride and joy. I
use to lie in the barracks for hours and listen to it and always
thought of him. His wife Nadine use to send me records and goodies
to eat while I served my tour of duty in Korea.
My Dear Brother Roy, should you read this on the internet which is
included in your page of our family history, I want you to know
what you mean to me. I wouldn't have survived my early years without
your guidance, understanding and patience. I may have never told you this face
to face, but our father was always my Hero. He is gone now but you
are filling his shoes, which is no easy task.
I just wanted you to know how I really feel about you and thank you
for being my Big Brother..
Your Loving Lil' Brother,
Chuck