Here's a hint about what Grandpa Rose really, really likes to do:
Here's a hint about what Grandpa Rose really, really likes to do:
Then in the summer of 1968 I decided, as both money and grades were elapsing for college, to join the Army. The Vietnam War was going on at the time. I was, however, able to extend my training in electronics.
As a young lady you will probably never have glorified dreams of going off to War and serving your country. I, however, bought the Hollywood story line. As I reported into my station, I quickly found out that I was the senior ranking NCO and therefore was the section chief.
This was typical Army humor. Here I was the section chief of a radar repair unit on a style of radar that I not only had not been trained on, but had never even seen. So for the first three weeks in Vietnam I'd decided as section chief to send myself to a Korean radar site that was stationed in Vietnam so that I could learn how to operate the radar that I was supposed to be able to repair. Once again, however, I out-smarted myself; there was no one on the Korean base that could speak English. So my education continued on both communications and operation of that style of radar. While I was in Vietnam I worked so much with the Koreans that I learned more on how to speak Korean in a matter of months than I had learned Spanish in two full years of school.
I don't regret, however, my twelve months in Vietnam. I formed several intense friendships and learned the hard way if your own bureaucratic government grows too big, your interest and welfare become unimportant or nonexistent. So thanks to the U.S. Army and the Vietnam war, I became a politically conservative American. I realized that big government was only good for bureaucrats and not Americans.
After the Vietnam War, when I had returned the United States for a 30 day leave before going to Germany, I, along with most of Vietnam veterans, found out that we had been sold out by our own government and a large portion of the American people. Rather than the returning heros of the Hollywood story line, we were treated with disdain, distrust, and sometimes even disgust.
After I was released by the Army, I went back to the University of Oklahoma. Unfortunately, now that I had the patience and dedication to buckle down and study hard, a large portion of the teaching staff were strong Vietnam dissidents, who thought Vietnam veterans were the scum of the earth. So after another year I decided that my college days were over. My father had been encouraging me to come to work for him as an electronic technician.
About the same time that I started my new career, I met my first wife Margaret. With insight and wisdom that I did not possess at the time, I now realize that after traveling all over the world for three years that I was too ready to settle down. Now I also realize that it takes two people to be of the same frame of mind to make a happy marriage. However, this is one mistake of mine that in the long run I would not trade for anything. Because this is when I first met my oldest son, Cory. He was just 13 months old when Margaret and I were first married. Within a short while I adopted him as my own. If every decision in my life was as right as this one, I would be one of the most wealthy and powerful men on Earth. Approximately three years later I celebrated the birth of my youngest son, David. It seemed from the start he was extremely intelligent and energetic and is one of the few things that I had a part in creating that I would shout to the world that I'm proud of and defy anyone to say any different. Within two years of his birth my first wife and I divorced for reasons that will not be mentioned here.
Approximately four months later in the position of sales manager, I met the light of my life, your grandmother. She had come in to apply for a sales position. She was very articulate and seemed to be enthusiastic, and, of course attractive with her wild Afro haircut. Needless to say she got the position.
After several weeks of training and going to business lunches together, she knew that I enjoyed tennis and she told me that she enjoyed playing also. She then suggested that if I ever needed someone to play tennis with, then she would be delighted to play. So I suggested the following evening and she agreed. Much to my amusement and I must admit a certain degree of ego, I was actually delighted to realize within a few minutes of playing that she had never played tennis before. It is always good for your ego when someone will make up an excuse just to be with you. Our first actual date was taking your mother and your aunt Andrea, who was just four years old at the time, to the amusement park. I guess that is when I actually fell in love with your mother, Heather, and your aunt Andrea. With your grandmother it took a little longer, even though I knew I was attracted to her the first day I met her, it must have taken a whole month or maybe even two before I knew that I was in love with her. I actually proposed to her with your mother, Heather, your aunt Andrea, uncle Cory, and uncle David in the car. Don't ask me to explain it, but somehow it seemed appropriate.
Your mother was 8 years old at the time and it was quite obvious even at that young age that she was definitely someone who would be in charge, whether the world liked it or not. She was extremely bright and had more energy than most children had. Your aunt Andrea was my early fishing buddy and could warm my heart anytime that she hugged my neck. You'll have to ask her sometime about our adventures in the "Indian Princess program."
Watching your mother grow up I quickly realized that she had as close as I had ever witnessed to "photographic memory." She used to amaze me, when she would ask me to quiz her on some of her studies. I would ask questions from the back of the book and she would correct me, word for word on how the question should read. Then I would be reminded that in that moment of time she could probably quote the chapter in question word for word. I was always proud of her academic achievements but was also proud that she seemed to want to be involved a lot of things. Her involvement in volleyball in high school turned me into quite a fan of that particular sport.
Some of the proudest times to my life had been watching my children graduate college and realizing in a small way that I maybe helped them achieve their independence. What I guess I really am, is one really lucky guy to be blessed with four children that are extremely intelligent and motivated.
Oh by the way, as a point of record, sometime during this process your grandmother and I bought A.E.C. Solutions from your great Grandpa Rose. Hopefully when you read this the business will still be thriving.
One of the great gatherings of our time was when your dad and mother got married. All of your aunts and uncles and grandmothers and grandfathers and even great grandmothers and great grandfathers were in attendance.
Now we come to the final part of this current story which I know will be an ongoing one. That is the time when your grandmother and I, along with your great grandmother Harrison, went to St. Louis to see you, Abby, the first time. I will never be able to describe the complete joy and happiness that I felt for the first time holding you. Hopefully I will be an integral part in your history too.
Love,
Grandpa Rose
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