Alvin Frank Todd
1923 - 2009
1923 - 2009
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A collection of some correspondence before his death
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: 7/13/2008 2:40:35 PM
Subject: Wow!!
I finally pulled up the link about our ancestors. I am truly amazed at the work and dedication you have put into this effort. I for one am truly greatful. I guess I will be able to make copies of this on my printer, yes.
I have'nt completed all of it yet, but I will. You asked my input if I ran across any errers, I did n otice a couple, ones that no-one else would notice. Douglas was not in the Navy, he was Army. And I was not on Iwo Jima. I made two campaigns. The first was Guadalcanal. The first sea invasion of the second world war. We were instructed to take ashore with us provisions to last three days. Thier estimate was a little off, it was six months and three days before we left that place. Not a nice vacation at all.
The second was Tarawa, that was a little jewel. The island itself did not encompass (area wise) more than a city block. The Japs felt their fortification of the island would withstand an invasion fotrce of a million men for a year.They apparently did not know the Marines were coming. There is a saying in the Marine corpsthat is drilled into every recruit from day one. That being "the impossible we do immediately, the imposible takes a little longer. This one fell in the latter case so small, so well fortified and we have swqorn after the initial bombinmg, shelling and straffing nothing would be left standing . We could see from aboard ship, there was not a tree left with any foliage. A piece of cake, a walk in the park. It turned out to be anything but that, all landing craft were met with deadly fire. Another surprise no-one apparently aware of, the tide, instead of being high was at a low ebb. the boats were stranded on coral reef about 600 feet out, from there the men had to wade in water, some times up to their neck and loaded with the gear they were carrying, they did'nt have a chance. Many drowned right there. To make a long story short, the bottom line is we secured the island in 72 hours., Ans we found out that every thing they had said about defense of the island was correct. Not a pretty sight. We lost over three thousand men killed in that 72 hours. I don't know but we heard there was alot of talk among the civilians about that. Questioning the necessity of the invasion.
You know for over fifty years after the war I never talked about my participation, not to my family or any one. That seemed to be the norm rather than the exception, I don' know why. Some day maybe we will have a chance to just sit down and I can tell you , as we marines call the, "Sea storie
Again I want to thank you for all the work and research that has gone into what you have accomplished.
Will Talk?write, later Uncle Alvin
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: 7/13/2008 4:49:59 PM
Subject: Confession
I'm sure you have noticed by now that I'm still a novice at this as reflectedin all my mistakes in typing. I never professed to be a typist and still don't . I make so many mistakes in my typing I I never proof read what I write because Im chagrin at what I would find. But I'm still trying and have hopes for the future. But I did reread something after I received an answer from you. I had mis-quoted the saying I told you about having in the Marines. It should have read"the difficult we do immediat ely and the impossible takes a little longer" sorry about that.
With regards to Jackie I cannot furnish any information at all about her. Douglas had left home before I did. I never kept up with him. At one time he was living in Witcha Falls and I left home in December 1942. War was declared on the seventh and volunteered for the Marines on the 18th. I did not come back home for over two years.
After Tarawa I was in the Hospital in Hawaii, until such time as they could process me for return back to the States. I Reported to the Navy Hospital in Seattle , after a short time I was transferred to the Navy Hosp in Corpus. After Discharge from the Hospital I was assigned to guard duty at one of the Pea Fields out of the main base at Beeville. After a short while at Beeville I was called back to Corpus where I was processed for discharge as b eing "unfit for further military duty. I went back to Waco for a while and after about three months I joined the Border Patrol.
So you see I was'nt around Douglas much of his adult life. Sorry. Write later - Uncle Alvin
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 10:12 PM
Subject: Idle chatter
You may rue the day I got your e-mail address. With my continuous stream of e=mail. I guess its just that I have nothing to do, I read alot, between that and this machine I pass the time fairly well. With this info about my service time, I find that my instant recall has forgotten what that means. But after 85 years, I'm entitled to a few idiosyncrasies.
ai don't think i could ever include everything that I experienced. There were many things that at the time could have been dangerous, but since it did'nt happen I look back now and they seem humorous.But there is no way I can remember them at this time to minclude here. There was one instance I will include here just to show you what I speak of
Every island we landed on was on e of several that compiled a chain. Some time you could wade from one to the next but others it would be too deep.At Tarawa after the secure signal was sounded,we were just kinda hanging around. We had not been advised as to when we would depart. So Jack Hardy, an oil field worker from the Houston area asked if I wanted to walk up a few of the islands and back. We knew the native islanders had been forced up the chail when the invasion started also more tan liklythere were some japs that had excaped and gone that way. It was probably around noon when we started walking and by the time we got to the either third or fourth island we came upon a group of natives who were living there. See next e-mail.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 3:21 PM
Subject: Hospitalization
This is something that I do not spend alot of time thinking about or talking. The reason, Even though I was effected in my walk and sleep. It was attributed to concussion.It seems strange but it happende like this. After we moved from the two small islands wheren we first landed, being an artillary unit and since there was none on the big island, where most of the action was going on, the infantry guys requested us. So we were moved on what was called YP boats across about 30 miles of bay. The YP standing for Yard Patrol, as they were used only for shuttling material and men between islands. We were distributed on two boats, as we neared our destination we were attacked from the air. You talk about helpless, we were that. One of the boats was hit and sunk, along with it went our artillary. Four 75 MM packhousers, along with ammunition and all of our personal belongings that we had lugged around in sea baga since we left the States. We had only one fatality, McCartney lost half of his face blown away by shrapnel. The first one lost in our outfit up until then.
I'm going to cut this short, now when I talk about back then I kinda get carried away. Maybe some day when we can get together I can go into more detail. Once we were set up on the big sland, guns replaced. Our job was to back up the infantry, where they went we went or tried to. We would advance as they did shooting just over thier heads but close enough to clear the way for them. Of course we didn't get them all, there was plenty laft to keep them busy. I recall how long we would stay at the front, but would then rotate back to a bivouac area which was in a coconut plantation. We had no tents, only a shelter half, which was just a piece of canvas we would attempt to string up between trees. It kept the incessantrain off directly but a blowing rain , we were soaked. To our chagrin, we had an uninvited nightly visitor. This guy arrived in an airplane by himself, you could just about set your watch by his arrival.
His sole purpose in being was to harass us so we got no sleep.
You never knew wher his bombs were going to fall, I don't think he knew, he just arbitrarily dropped a stick of bombs. Everybody had to dig his own foxhole. That was large enough that you could get in and conceal yourself. Everybody tried to dig as close to his place he called a bed as possible, Ideally was next to it. That way you could just roll out and into the hole, Well one night as usual he came, dropped his load. You could hear him coming, the plane moter sounded like a washing machine, so he was called washing machine charlie.This particular night the drop happened to be so close, I never nade it to my hole, just hit the deck and lay on my stomach. As fate would have it the drop was so close the concussionrippled through the earth and therefore into my body. I had ni im mediate effects from it, but the longer it went the more my back and legs began to bother me. It got to the point where I could not lay flat in bed. I had to sleep with one or the other leg drapped off the bed. After many sick bay calls, 22 to be exact, I finally gave in and was put in the Hospital.
This in getting long and drawn out so I'm going to do this in chapters. I will pick up where I left off here in the next cahpter. I hope this meets with your approval'
Maybe this bit will stir your interest and you will look forward to the next one.
Love to all, Uncle Alvin
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 3:08 PM
Subject: Continuation in New Zealand
After about three months I think all units had received their replacements, mostly recruits, therefore necissitating training getting them inserted in the ranks where needed. Once that was cpompleted training took on a no-non-sense attitude. Which was an indication to thoes of us who had been there to hang on as we could expect an wild ride and we wern't dissapointed. This of course we did not learn of until just before landing. The reason being understandable.
While in New Zealand there were quite a few of the guys who met and married their future wives. The bug even bit me , yep I met this pretty little maiden in Wellington., and guess you might say I was smitten, what ever that means. It was early on in our arrival that I met Peggy Madsen. She was from a small town north of where our camp was located. She was working in Wellington at the time and on week ends she would go home. I forget the name of the town where she lived with her parents and a sister.
Every chance I had to go to town I went to see Peggy. And we became very comfortable with each other, the feeling being mutual. To the extent that at one time we even discussed marriage. Afte some serious discussion we finally decided to waite. I explained to her, what I had just been through and we would soon be off again for some more of the same. And I did not feel it would be fair to her facing the possibity of leaving and never coming back., so we both agreed and she promised she would keep in touch.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 4:09 PM
Subject: Conbtinuation #2
On one ocassion while on leave I went to her home wher I stayed during my leave with her family and sister. Avery nice and friendly family. Peggy was working at the time during the day, so one day I decided I would rent a horse and go riding. There was a stable near by so I go over, proceed to get a horse, a fine looking animal. I didn't bother to inquire about his disposition, nor did they offer any anfo. The horse's name was sailor, so I'm up and on sailor and off we go. Sailor appears to be quite spirited and he takes off as in a dead run. Well that is not to my liking as I am riding an english saddle which has no horn on which to hold on to. I see right away sailor and I are going to have to have a serious talk, that is if I can stopo him, which I find easier said than done.
So for him to show me who is in charge, he grabs the bit between his teeth, when that happens I know I'm in trouble. So since my only salvation is to attempt to stay upon his back and I find my opotions have suddenly been reduced to zilch. I attempt to do the only thing I know, that is to try and pull his head around with the bridle and back as close to his body as possibe. But he has the advantage, he set his head before I made a move thereby making it impossible to pull his head around. My only alternative is to get ready for a wild ride. And that it was.
I mas'nt used to reding an english saddle, which made matters worse. People are watching me flash by I supose thinking I had missed the race track somewhere back down the road. TRhis horse is running all out and I have no control so I'm watching where he is going hoping to antisipate his every move. I see he's headed toward a rather wide ditch, I think he is going over it because of his speed. I brace myself for the jump, but instead at the last minute but I go straight over his head he veers off to one side but I go straight over his head into the ditch where I land head first with one side of my face plowing up the earth.
Well I was a sight for sore eyes. My face was peeled off, blood dripping down on my clothes, the hoirse nowhere in sight ( and I could care less) and I was affot to walk to Peggy's house through the neighborhoods. I was embarrassed no end. If I could have found a hole I would crawled in.
I walked to Peggy's house, she was at work but her mother was there. She never laughed, never critisized, she went to work cleaning me up, washed my shirt and doctored my face . I looked some better and felt much better but still a sight. Later that afternoon when Peggy came home she couldn't believe her eyes the condition my face was in. I knew it was time for me to head back to camp, I had already overstayed my leave anyway so I knew what to expect.
It was well after dark when I got back to camp the next day, so noone had seen me when I came in. I went on to bed and could'nt sleep because of what I was to face as punushment for being OWOL. Something happened that night that really had the camp stirred up the next morning. The old man, the battery commander wa out walkinbf through the compound the night before and apparently out of the blue, some drunk marine walked up without the old man seeing him and he cold cocked the old man. Knocked him out completly.
Well you can imagine, the camp was put on restriction, no one was to leave. and in turn avery man was interviewed regarding his wherabouts the evening before. Well you can imagine what they thought when my turn came, when they saw my face I guess they knew they had the culprit. And I guess you know my time being questioned was more than just a cursory interview. I had nothing to admit to, I did nothing, so finally I was released but they never did discover who did the dastardly deed.
Bur as expected I was given a deck court martial (the least serious of punishments) for the violation I had committed. But you know there was alot of guys with the same thought in mind., knowing they were going into battle again with the outcome in question, they figured they had nothing to lose by going AWOL but they might just lose their lives later so they were going to enjoy abit before all was lost. There were many that stayed over their permitted leave time, but they were always back in time to sail with the unit.
Wesailed for our invasion of Tarawa, I'll save that till next report.
Take care, hope you are feeling better. Love to all, Uncle Alvin
________________________________________
Some More
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: etpw@earthlink.net
Sent: 7/22/2008 3:28:08 PM
Subject: RE: Number #3 ( I think)
I picking these two questions out and will attampt an answer, otherwise they will get lost in the shuffle.
I'm assuming you mean friends when I was in my younger and teen years.
As you know there was seven of us siblings, five boys and two girls. Growing up in the 30's and 40's of course was during the depression era. Unless you have lived through such time you cannot vision the circumstances. No one considered themselves any worse off than others, everbody was in the same boat. Of course there are amways exceptions. But these were in the minority.
We always had our garden, friut trees, chickens so eggs were plentful, we always had milk cows, had as many as six at a time, Milk and butter, no problem, we even sold milk and butter. We processed and bottled our awn milk. I'm sure we could never have passed inspection by the health dept. but no one cared. All of this responsibility was that of the boys. As soon as a boy was old enough to walk he was old enough to work.
There was never a shortage of kids in the neighborhood, once the work was done you were free to do whatever. One pass time that was interesting, we would take a slat from a lettice crate, make a paddle , then look for tellow jacket or wasps nests, stir them up and see how long you could keep killing them before they got to you, and eventually they did. That was part of the game. The number of stings were like medals, you were proud of them.
Another pass time was make up football. We would attempt to get enough guys to make a team, then we would go to different neighborhoods for games, if you didn't have a full team you played with what you had. We caputured a barn owl one time, made him our mascot and carried him to all our games.Our mode of transportation was our feet, every where we went we walked. I could take this on and on but I wont.
When I got older I got a paper route, of course that curtailed my playing after school, I delivered papers. Rain or shine, cold or heat. Sunday papers were so heavy I used a little red wagon to haul them in.I used to get angry when people would run out on a paper bill and not pay me, all of 35 cents per month. Two summers I worked on a Martin Patato truck, one dollar a day. I cut yards for 50 cents, painted fences for a dollar a day, just huck finn. I guess that took me to when I started working for your dad. Frank Harris, cut donuts, Vernon Robinson fried them off , I dipped them and drained in icing, Your uncle Robert Dodge he did maintance. I think I started when about 14 yrs of age. Continued and when Frank quit, I took over the cutting. You weighed the ingredients, mixed the dough, let it rise then cut by hand every donut we put out. WEe had the contract to furnish the Girl Scouts donuts to sell for a couple of years. That meant turning out some time over six hundred dozen in one night. That was a plate full.
When I was sixteen Randall took me to Corpus Christi where he was opening a new shop. I by that time hadI mastered everything needed to know to produce donuts. So he left me in Corpus the run that shop. Uncle Elmer came down and it was his responsibility to peddle the donuts. That rocked on for a few months until I tought another guy to mix and cut, then I boogied home. But he had another job lines up for me, He had franchised handling the Dixie Cream Donut Flour, by doing that he would assist people open up a shop and they would buy their flour thru him. So he had a man over in Orange Texas who wanted to open shop.So here I go again, off to Orange to assist until they were up and running. I was getting a little tired at being shuttled back and forth, so when I went back to Waco, I left your dad and went to work at a Grocery store, where I remained until I went into the service
Asfor the brain recovering from all it absorbes in the time of war, well I guess thats one of the beauties of the make up of the human body. It has the capability of witnessing all that but still be able to revert back to a civil way of life without too much damage done. It's amazing
________________________________________
Another
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: etpw@earthlink.net
Sent: 7/22/2008 3:51:44 PM
Subject: RE: Conbtinuation #2
To answer your question re regards to Peggy. Yeas we did keep in touch after I came back to the States. And afer I joined the Border Patrol I heard now and again from her.Now that I was in the Immigration Ser. I found out all that I would ne required to get her over here. But for whatever reason, I never swe drifted apart and finally no more corrospondence. I went on with my life, met Laverne and after a couple of years we were married and had been for over fifty years. While we were living in Kerrville, I received a phone call one day, I answered the phone, the party asked if this was Alvin F. Todd, I answered yes, then they asked of I was the Alvin Todd who was with the Marines in New Zealand, to which I answered in the affirmative. There was then a hesitation on the other end, and so I aked what do you want? I had been receiving receiving call after call but no one would ever answer, that was what came to my mind another one of those calls. And I guess my question seemed a littl brisk, when I asked "what do you want", the answer , and it was a woman, said "I think we will just leave it at that" and hung up. I mattempted to get her attention before she hung up - but missed. After she hung up, I immediately thought of Peggy, but afte fifty years and no word, who would have thought. That was the last. I have no idea where the call originated. When I was attending the Border Patrol school in El Paso about six months after entering inti the patrol. She did call me twice from New Zealand and located me at school. Now she went to a bit of effort in locating me then and to call twice.Yoy know alot can be lost in intransmission over three thousand miles. These call were before I ever met Laverne and who knows things might have been different, But thats water under the bridge now. So that is the Saga of miss Peggy
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From: etpw@earthlink.net
To: altodd8@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Conbtinuation #2
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:14:04 -0600
Sounds like quite a gal. Any idea what ever happened to her?
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: L. Todd
Sent: 7/22/2008 6:55:52 AM
Subject: RE: Conbtinuation #2
She never said anything but the look in her eye was one of disdain. Your an adult, now your supposed to act like one. I told her I was going to stick to fighting wars, it was safer. Ha!!!
________________________________________
From: etpw@earthlink.net
To: altodd8@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Conbtinuation #2
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:26:04 -0500
So far this is the best one that you have sent. I love it.
What did Peggy have to say about your adventure?
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 4:09 PM
Subject: Conbtinuation #2
On one ocassion while on leave I went to her home wher I stayed during my leave with her family and sister. Avery nice and friendly family. Peggy was working at the time during the day, so one day I decided I would rent a horse and go riding. There was a stable near by so I go over, proceed to get a horse, a fine looking animal. I didn't bother to inquire about his disposition, nor did they offer any anfo. The horse's name was sailor, so I'm up and on sailor and off we go. Sailor appears to be quite spirited and he takes off as in a dead run. Well that is not to my liking as I am riding an english saddle which has no horn on which to hold on to. I see right away sailor and I are going to have to have a serious talk, that is if I can stopo him, which I find easier said than done.
So for him to show me who is in charge, he grabs the bit between his teeth, when that happens I know I'm in trouble. So since my only salvation is to attempt to stay upon his back and I find my opotions have suddenly been reduced to zilch. I attempt to do the only thing I know, that is to try and pull his head around with the bridle and back as close to his body as possibe. But he has the advantage, he set his head before I made a move thereby making it impossible to pull his head around. My only alternative is to get ready for a wild ride. And that it was.
I mas'nt used to reding an english saddle, which made matters worse. People are watching me flash by I supose thinking I had missed the race track somewhere back down the road. TRhis horse is running all out and I have no control so I'm watching where he is going hoping to antisipate his every move. I see he's headed toward a rather wide ditch, I think he is going over it because of his speed. I brace myself for the jump, but instead at the last minute but I go straight over his head he veers off to one side but I go straight over his head into the ditch where I land head first with one side of my face plowing up the earth.
Well I was a sight for sore eyes. My face was peeled off, blood dripping down on my clothes, the hoirse nowhere in sight ( and I could care less) and I was affot to walk to Peggy's house through the neighborhoods. I was embarrassed no end. If I could have found a hole I would crawled in.
I walked to Peggy's house, she was at work but her mother was there. She never laughed, never critisized, she went to work cleaning me up, washed my shirt and doctored my face . I looked some better and felt much better but still a sight. Later that afternoon when Peggy came home she couldn't believe her eyes the condition my face was in. I knew it was time for me to head back to camp, I had already overstayed my leave anyway so I knew what to expect.
It was well after dark when I got back to camp the next day, so noone had seen me when I came in. I went on to bed and could'nt sleep because of what I was to face as punushment for being OWOL. Something happened that night that really had the camp stirred up the next morning. The old man, the battery commander wa out walkinbf through the compound the night before and apparently out of the blue, some drunk marine walked up without the old man seeing him and he cold cocked the old man. Knocked him out completly.
Well you can imagine, the camp was put on restriction, no one was to leave. and in turn avery man was interviewed regarding his wherabouts the evening before. Well you can imagine what they thought when my turn came, when they saw my face I guess they knew they had the culprit. And I guess you know my time being questioned was more than just a cursory interview. I had nothing to admit to, I did nothing, so finally I was released but they never did discover who did the dastardly deed.
Bur as expected I was given a deck court martial (the least serious of punishments) for the violation I had committed. But you know there was alot of guys with the same thought in mind., knowing they were going into battle again with the outcome in question, they figured they had nothing to lose by going AWOL but they might just lose their lives later so they were going to enjoy abit before all was lost. There were many that stayed over their permitted leave time, but they were always back in time to sail with the unit.
Wesailed for our invasion of Tarawa, I'll save that till next report.
Take care, hope you are feeling better. Love to all, Uncle Alvin
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 7:28 PM
Subject: Betty Ann
I did happen to be there at the shop that fateful day. We must have been working as the other guys and your Dad were there also.
To the best of my recollection, your Mother came down the stairs as fast as she could, on the verge of hysteria as she could hardly talk between crying and wailing. Your Dad tried to calm her to determine the problem.He finally understood enough , something about the baby. They went up stairs as fast as possible. I think the three of us waited a few minutes and then went up also.
We found out the baby was gone, I believe even by the time your Dad got up stairs. By the time we got up there, your Dad had called ht epolice and they inturn summoned an ambulance and both were there in short order. I do not recall seeing the body. And I not sure but I believe your Dad called a doctor to get something to calm your Mother.
I know what had happened was not discussed with the three of us guys at that time. And when we did become aware of what happened it had to have come from your Dad, and here again, to the best of my redollection, we heard the your Mother was going to give the baby a bath in the tub. The baby was in the tub and the water was started , but here comes a short period of uncertainty. Your Mother stepped ouit of the room for a moment, for what reason is unclear, or the duration of the time out of the room,. Also the question of whether the hot water was on or could the baby have by chance turned the knob of the hot water on more. But whatever happen in thoes few minuted that water bust have been as hot as it could get coming out of the heater I do not know the extent of the burns nor how much of her body was involved. Hopefully it was so hot that it took her breath away and she passed quickly, I can't say for sure as I don'r recall ever hearing all the details.
It had to have been a horrible experience for your Mother and your Dad as well. I do know that it was not long after that the shop was moved to another location. I did not know where they were living at that time as there was no accommodations in conection with the shop.
I,m sorry I can't be of more help, but I was only thirteen at the time so maybe that accounts for the fact that I was not more involved enough to get all the facts.
Whether what I have relayed to you I have no idea as to the value of it But I do not think there is another source of information that could fill in the blanks.
The books were mailed today, enclosed you will find my stained glass album, the history book of the 2nd Marine div in the 2ns war. Also enclosed are three letters I had written to your Mother while I was over seas. Also the letter I mentioned , written by Uncle Elmer concerning Grandmother Todd. I hope all of this is of some value.
Take care and have a good one - Love to all
Uncle Alvin
_____________________________
Hi, I'm doing OK, the usual aches and pains that go with age, but if a person wants to continue he has to grin and bear it and move on.
Yes, your Dad was a few years my elder but that never seemed to enter into the picture where we were concerned. He never treated me as though there were any age difference at all. When I started working for him, of course there was the time period that I had to go through in learning what was expected of me, that was understood. I cannot remember a time in which he even raised his voice at me, but I'm sure there were times when he had to speak a little more srernly to make sure I had an understanding of what was at hand. I guess I was a fast learner as once I had instructions there was no need for repetition. And I guess you could say he trusted my judgement as evidenced by the fact that when he and your mother would go to Oregon to visit her folks, I was ledt completly in charge., from A to Z. And I considered that acompliment in that I was still a young teenager. I don't even remember if I had a drivers license, but was running the delivery routs all over town with no problems. Things might have been different had I been involved in an accident, but thank the Good Lord there was never arise during such times that required me to even consider callin him.
And that trust was also considered when he sent me to Corpus Christi at 16 years off age to completely operate a shop we opened there. Some kids, and I say that as I was one at the time, might have been overwhelmed at the responsibility involved, but I don't recall even having that feeling. I did call himon week ends just ti update him on what was going on. I had no phone so I went to the P.O to use a public phone. Had to have a pocket full of quarters, but there was never a crisis that I recall.
Outside of work, of course due to age difference he and I did not travel in the same circles. Also he was married by then so there was no expectation that things would be any different than they were. When he was teaching me the routes and introducing me to customers as I recall it was on an equal basis as I would shortly be doing what he normally would do.
I recall the time I got the itch to buy me a car. Of course I suppose like all kids with their firdt, they have grandiose ideas about what they desire. Well I was no different, after looking aropund I laid my eyes on a spiffy convertable, I guess I thought it was it was the "creme de creme". Since I was still under age, I had to have someone to sign off for me. Things like this I never discussed with my father at all, so the one I turned to was your dad. I rolled up to his house one day, went in to get him to come have a look. When he got to the door and saw the car, he stopped, said "no way", I will not sign any papers on a convertible for you, period!
We downhearted I returned to car and continued looking. I finally located a l939 Mercury, two door sedan. It had ther big engin in it that at the time I was told was being used in police patrol cars. But maybe I figured, if at all, that your dad would not ask such inane questions so I gave it my best shot. I thought it was a beautiful car, dark blue with very pretty upholstery, side mounted spot lights, a dream come true. Well you dad approved of that one and signed off for me. It cost me $495.00, payments were to be $25,00 per month. . That was OK, as I was making $25.00 per week, so no problem.
This must have been the latter part of 1940 or eary 1941. Because I was still paying on it when was was declared in Dec. 1941' Well ther was nothing to think about, since I made up my mind to join up, I had to take the car back to the dealer and tell him thanks for the use of it. Never saw it again.
I never knew anything about your mother until after they were married and moved into the house next door to where we lived in a house that daddy owned. So I know nothing nothing about her until after athat time. Sorry.
I think this is getting a little long winded, so will close and send my love to all.
/S/ Uncle Alvin
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Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 09:54:30 -0500
From: lurid56811@mypacks.net
To: altodd8@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: A couple of slight errors
Good Morning To You Uncle Alvin,
Thanks for bringing these changes to my attention. The changes will be reflected with the next revision. How far are your girls from where you live?
How are you doing?
I know my Dad was a bit older than you but wanted to know if you would be willing to share the fondest and least fond memory that you can remember of him.
Any idea how he and my Mother met?
Continue to take good care of yourself.
Love,
Randy
-----Original Message-----
From: Al Todd
Sent: Sep 5, 2008 9:28 PM
To: LRT
Subject: A couple of slight errors
I was reviewing your family tree manuscript and noted a couple of corrections to be made whenever, I would probably be the only one to ever know the difference, I was in two campaigns. the first was at Guadalcanal, the second was tarawa, no Iwo!
The second, Douglas was in the Army.
, not the Navy, he was attached to the Mediics
I know these are insignificant but since you asked it be done , here it is.,
I can't believe all the work and dedication that went into compiling these works, they are invaluable. I would doubted that it could be donme, but there is the proof of the pudding, so to speak.
Things are pretty slow here with me, Sue was up to spend the day with me yesterday, enjoyed her visit.
Will sign off now , All my love .
/S/ Uncle Alvin
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You are correct, my birth date is 12/6/23.As far as the Oregon trips, I have no idea when they were, I do definately recall at least two while I was working for your Dad.
I enetered the Service on Dec. 18, 1941, I had turned 18 years of age on the 6th before leaving the following 18th. I was discharged 4/21/45. I served 3 years 4 mos. . I was 18 when I went plus three yrs & 4 mos. =21 yrs & 4 mos. of age when discharged.
And yes, I did work awhile for your Dad when I came home. I was discharged in April 45 and worked until June 45 when I left to take the position with the Border Patrol.
I never knew anything about any connectiopn with a business in Temple, it must have happened while I was in the Service. And yes, also while I was in the Service I heard he had become envolved in a place on 25th St. where he was making all kind of pastries but that place had closed by the time I came home.
As you can see time has a way of dimming an old man's memory so if you will bear with me on some of the questions I'll try to get through them.
I don't know if this clears anything or makes things worse and more confusing but what ever you ask I'll make a stab at an answer and you will hear something.
Sorry I can't be of more help and I wish I could as I know you have alot of unanswered questipons. But I'll keep trying.
Will write/talk later.
Uncle Alvin
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 13:04:08 -0500
From: etpw@earthlink.net
> To: altodd8@hotmail.com
Subject: More question
Maybe you can help me with this one: my stats for your birth date is 6 Dec 1923; my "Oregon Vacations" sheet dates the first trip to Oregon in 1947. If these two stats are correct, Uncle Alvin would have been 23 years of age at the time of the first trip to Oregon. Are my stats incorrect?
More questions -
Your correct date of birth 12/06/23?
Where you back from the service at age 23?
Did you ever work for Dad after the service?
You joined the service in 1942?
At the age of?
Who managed the Temple store?
Any idea what happened to it?
Did Dad ever some affiliation with a bakery on 25th street?
So many questions.
Hope you do mind all of these question.
Thanks,
Randy
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: 7/13/2008 2:40:35 PM
Subject: Wow!!
I finally pulled up the link about our ancestors. I am truly amazed at the work and dedication you have put into this effort. I for one am truly greatful. I guess I will be able to make copies of this on my printer, yes.
I have'nt completed all of it yet, but I will. You asked my input if I ran across any errers, I did n otice a couple, ones that no-one else would notice. Douglas was not in the Navy, he was Army. And I was not on Iwo Jima. I made two campaigns. The first was Guadalcanal. The first sea invasion of the second world war. We were instructed to take ashore with us provisions to last three days. Thier estimate was a little off, it was six months and three days before we left that place. Not a nice vacation at all.
The second was Tarawa, that was a little jewel. The island itself did not encompass (area wise) more than a city block. The Japs felt their fortification of the island would withstand an invasion fotrce of a million men for a year.They apparently did not know the Marines were coming. There is a saying in the Marine corpsthat is drilled into every recruit from day one. That being "the impossible we do immediately, the imposible takes a little longer. This one fell in the latter case so small, so well fortified and we have swqorn after the initial bombinmg, shelling and straffing nothing would be left standing . We could see from aboard ship, there was not a tree left with any foliage. A piece of cake, a walk in the park. It turned out to be anything but that, all landing craft were met with deadly fire. Another surprise no-one apparently aware of, the tide, instead of being high was at a low ebb. the boats were stranded on coral reef about 600 feet out, from there the men had to wade in water, some times up to their neck and loaded with the gear they were carrying, they did'nt have a chance. Many drowned right there. To make a long story short, the bottom line is we secured the island in 72 hours., Ans we found out that every thing they had said about defense of the island was correct. Not a pretty sight. We lost over three thousand men killed in that 72 hours. I don't know but we heard there was alot of talk among the civilians about that. Questioning the necessity of the invasion.
You know for over fifty years after the war I never talked about my participation, not to my family or any one. That seemed to be the norm rather than the exception, I don' know why. Some day maybe we will have a chance to just sit down and I can tell you , as we marines call the, "Sea storie
Again I want to thank you for all the work and research that has gone into what you have accomplished.
Will Talk?write, later Uncle Alvin
________________________________________
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________________________________________
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: 7/13/2008 4:49:59 PM
Subject: Confession
I'm sure you have noticed by now that I'm still a novice at this as reflectedin all my mistakes in typing. I never professed to be a typist and still don't . I make so many mistakes in my typing I I never proof read what I write because Im chagrin at what I would find. But I'm still trying and have hopes for the future. But I did reread something after I received an answer from you. I had mis-quoted the saying I told you about having in the Marines. It should have read"the difficult we do immediat ely and the impossible takes a little longer" sorry about that.
With regards to Jackie I cannot furnish any information at all about her. Douglas had left home before I did. I never kept up with him. At one time he was living in Witcha Falls and I left home in December 1942. War was declared on the seventh and volunteered for the Marines on the 18th. I did not come back home for over two years.
After Tarawa I was in the Hospital in Hawaii, until such time as they could process me for return back to the States. I Reported to the Navy Hospital in Seattle , after a short time I was transferred to the Navy Hosp in Corpus. After Discharge from the Hospital I was assigned to guard duty at one of the Pea Fields out of the main base at Beeville. After a short while at Beeville I was called back to Corpus where I was processed for discharge as b eing "unfit for further military duty. I went back to Waco for a while and after about three months I joined the Border Patrol.
So you see I was'nt around Douglas much of his adult life. Sorry. Write later - Uncle Alvin
________________________________________
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 10:12 PM
Subject: Idle chatter
You may rue the day I got your e-mail address. With my continuous stream of e=mail. I guess its just that I have nothing to do, I read alot, between that and this machine I pass the time fairly well. With this info about my service time, I find that my instant recall has forgotten what that means. But after 85 years, I'm entitled to a few idiosyncrasies.
ai don't think i could ever include everything that I experienced. There were many things that at the time could have been dangerous, but since it did'nt happen I look back now and they seem humorous.But there is no way I can remember them at this time to minclude here. There was one instance I will include here just to show you what I speak of
Every island we landed on was on e of several that compiled a chain. Some time you could wade from one to the next but others it would be too deep.At Tarawa after the secure signal was sounded,we were just kinda hanging around. We had not been advised as to when we would depart. So Jack Hardy, an oil field worker from the Houston area asked if I wanted to walk up a few of the islands and back. We knew the native islanders had been forced up the chail when the invasion started also more tan liklythere were some japs that had excaped and gone that way. It was probably around noon when we started walking and by the time we got to the either third or fourth island we came upon a group of natives who were living there. See next e-mail.
________________________________________
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=========================================================================
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 3:21 PM
Subject: Hospitalization
This is something that I do not spend alot of time thinking about or talking. The reason, Even though I was effected in my walk and sleep. It was attributed to concussion.It seems strange but it happende like this. After we moved from the two small islands wheren we first landed, being an artillary unit and since there was none on the big island, where most of the action was going on, the infantry guys requested us. So we were moved on what was called YP boats across about 30 miles of bay. The YP standing for Yard Patrol, as they were used only for shuttling material and men between islands. We were distributed on two boats, as we neared our destination we were attacked from the air. You talk about helpless, we were that. One of the boats was hit and sunk, along with it went our artillary. Four 75 MM packhousers, along with ammunition and all of our personal belongings that we had lugged around in sea baga since we left the States. We had only one fatality, McCartney lost half of his face blown away by shrapnel. The first one lost in our outfit up until then.
I'm going to cut this short, now when I talk about back then I kinda get carried away. Maybe some day when we can get together I can go into more detail. Once we were set up on the big sland, guns replaced. Our job was to back up the infantry, where they went we went or tried to. We would advance as they did shooting just over thier heads but close enough to clear the way for them. Of course we didn't get them all, there was plenty laft to keep them busy. I recall how long we would stay at the front, but would then rotate back to a bivouac area which was in a coconut plantation. We had no tents, only a shelter half, which was just a piece of canvas we would attempt to string up between trees. It kept the incessantrain off directly but a blowing rain , we were soaked. To our chagrin, we had an uninvited nightly visitor. This guy arrived in an airplane by himself, you could just about set your watch by his arrival.
His sole purpose in being was to harass us so we got no sleep.
You never knew wher his bombs were going to fall, I don't think he knew, he just arbitrarily dropped a stick of bombs. Everybody had to dig his own foxhole. That was large enough that you could get in and conceal yourself. Everybody tried to dig as close to his place he called a bed as possible, Ideally was next to it. That way you could just roll out and into the hole, Well one night as usual he came, dropped his load. You could hear him coming, the plane moter sounded like a washing machine, so he was called washing machine charlie.This particular night the drop happened to be so close, I never nade it to my hole, just hit the deck and lay on my stomach. As fate would have it the drop was so close the concussionrippled through the earth and therefore into my body. I had ni im mediate effects from it, but the longer it went the more my back and legs began to bother me. It got to the point where I could not lay flat in bed. I had to sleep with one or the other leg drapped off the bed. After many sick bay calls, 22 to be exact, I finally gave in and was put in the Hospital.
This in getting long and drawn out so I'm going to do this in chapters. I will pick up where I left off here in the next cahpter. I hope this meets with your approval'
Maybe this bit will stir your interest and you will look forward to the next one.
Love to all, Uncle Alvin
________________________________________
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 3:08 PM
Subject: Continuation in New Zealand
After about three months I think all units had received their replacements, mostly recruits, therefore necissitating training getting them inserted in the ranks where needed. Once that was cpompleted training took on a no-non-sense attitude. Which was an indication to thoes of us who had been there to hang on as we could expect an wild ride and we wern't dissapointed. This of course we did not learn of until just before landing. The reason being understandable.
While in New Zealand there were quite a few of the guys who met and married their future wives. The bug even bit me , yep I met this pretty little maiden in Wellington., and guess you might say I was smitten, what ever that means. It was early on in our arrival that I met Peggy Madsen. She was from a small town north of where our camp was located. She was working in Wellington at the time and on week ends she would go home. I forget the name of the town where she lived with her parents and a sister.
Every chance I had to go to town I went to see Peggy. And we became very comfortable with each other, the feeling being mutual. To the extent that at one time we even discussed marriage. Afte some serious discussion we finally decided to waite. I explained to her, what I had just been through and we would soon be off again for some more of the same. And I did not feel it would be fair to her facing the possibity of leaving and never coming back., so we both agreed and she promised she would keep in touch.
________________________________________
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 4:09 PM
Subject: Conbtinuation #2
On one ocassion while on leave I went to her home wher I stayed during my leave with her family and sister. Avery nice and friendly family. Peggy was working at the time during the day, so one day I decided I would rent a horse and go riding. There was a stable near by so I go over, proceed to get a horse, a fine looking animal. I didn't bother to inquire about his disposition, nor did they offer any anfo. The horse's name was sailor, so I'm up and on sailor and off we go. Sailor appears to be quite spirited and he takes off as in a dead run. Well that is not to my liking as I am riding an english saddle which has no horn on which to hold on to. I see right away sailor and I are going to have to have a serious talk, that is if I can stopo him, which I find easier said than done.
So for him to show me who is in charge, he grabs the bit between his teeth, when that happens I know I'm in trouble. So since my only salvation is to attempt to stay upon his back and I find my opotions have suddenly been reduced to zilch. I attempt to do the only thing I know, that is to try and pull his head around with the bridle and back as close to his body as possibe. But he has the advantage, he set his head before I made a move thereby making it impossible to pull his head around. My only alternative is to get ready for a wild ride. And that it was.
I mas'nt used to reding an english saddle, which made matters worse. People are watching me flash by I supose thinking I had missed the race track somewhere back down the road. TRhis horse is running all out and I have no control so I'm watching where he is going hoping to antisipate his every move. I see he's headed toward a rather wide ditch, I think he is going over it because of his speed. I brace myself for the jump, but instead at the last minute but I go straight over his head he veers off to one side but I go straight over his head into the ditch where I land head first with one side of my face plowing up the earth.
Well I was a sight for sore eyes. My face was peeled off, blood dripping down on my clothes, the hoirse nowhere in sight ( and I could care less) and I was affot to walk to Peggy's house through the neighborhoods. I was embarrassed no end. If I could have found a hole I would crawled in.
I walked to Peggy's house, she was at work but her mother was there. She never laughed, never critisized, she went to work cleaning me up, washed my shirt and doctored my face . I looked some better and felt much better but still a sight. Later that afternoon when Peggy came home she couldn't believe her eyes the condition my face was in. I knew it was time for me to head back to camp, I had already overstayed my leave anyway so I knew what to expect.
It was well after dark when I got back to camp the next day, so noone had seen me when I came in. I went on to bed and could'nt sleep because of what I was to face as punushment for being OWOL. Something happened that night that really had the camp stirred up the next morning. The old man, the battery commander wa out walkinbf through the compound the night before and apparently out of the blue, some drunk marine walked up without the old man seeing him and he cold cocked the old man. Knocked him out completly.
Well you can imagine, the camp was put on restriction, no one was to leave. and in turn avery man was interviewed regarding his wherabouts the evening before. Well you can imagine what they thought when my turn came, when they saw my face I guess they knew they had the culprit. And I guess you know my time being questioned was more than just a cursory interview. I had nothing to admit to, I did nothing, so finally I was released but they never did discover who did the dastardly deed.
Bur as expected I was given a deck court martial (the least serious of punishments) for the violation I had committed. But you know there was alot of guys with the same thought in mind., knowing they were going into battle again with the outcome in question, they figured they had nothing to lose by going AWOL but they might just lose their lives later so they were going to enjoy abit before all was lost. There were many that stayed over their permitted leave time, but they were always back in time to sail with the unit.
Wesailed for our invasion of Tarawa, I'll save that till next report.
Take care, hope you are feeling better. Love to all, Uncle Alvin
________________________________________
Some More
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: etpw@earthlink.net
Sent: 7/22/2008 3:28:08 PM
Subject: RE: Number #3 ( I think)
I picking these two questions out and will attampt an answer, otherwise they will get lost in the shuffle.
I'm assuming you mean friends when I was in my younger and teen years.
As you know there was seven of us siblings, five boys and two girls. Growing up in the 30's and 40's of course was during the depression era. Unless you have lived through such time you cannot vision the circumstances. No one considered themselves any worse off than others, everbody was in the same boat. Of course there are amways exceptions. But these were in the minority.
We always had our garden, friut trees, chickens so eggs were plentful, we always had milk cows, had as many as six at a time, Milk and butter, no problem, we even sold milk and butter. We processed and bottled our awn milk. I'm sure we could never have passed inspection by the health dept. but no one cared. All of this responsibility was that of the boys. As soon as a boy was old enough to walk he was old enough to work.
There was never a shortage of kids in the neighborhood, once the work was done you were free to do whatever. One pass time that was interesting, we would take a slat from a lettice crate, make a paddle , then look for tellow jacket or wasps nests, stir them up and see how long you could keep killing them before they got to you, and eventually they did. That was part of the game. The number of stings were like medals, you were proud of them.
Another pass time was make up football. We would attempt to get enough guys to make a team, then we would go to different neighborhoods for games, if you didn't have a full team you played with what you had. We caputured a barn owl one time, made him our mascot and carried him to all our games.Our mode of transportation was our feet, every where we went we walked. I could take this on and on but I wont.
When I got older I got a paper route, of course that curtailed my playing after school, I delivered papers. Rain or shine, cold or heat. Sunday papers were so heavy I used a little red wagon to haul them in.I used to get angry when people would run out on a paper bill and not pay me, all of 35 cents per month. Two summers I worked on a Martin Patato truck, one dollar a day. I cut yards for 50 cents, painted fences for a dollar a day, just huck finn. I guess that took me to when I started working for your dad. Frank Harris, cut donuts, Vernon Robinson fried them off , I dipped them and drained in icing, Your uncle Robert Dodge he did maintance. I think I started when about 14 yrs of age. Continued and when Frank quit, I took over the cutting. You weighed the ingredients, mixed the dough, let it rise then cut by hand every donut we put out. WEe had the contract to furnish the Girl Scouts donuts to sell for a couple of years. That meant turning out some time over six hundred dozen in one night. That was a plate full.
When I was sixteen Randall took me to Corpus Christi where he was opening a new shop. I by that time hadI mastered everything needed to know to produce donuts. So he left me in Corpus the run that shop. Uncle Elmer came down and it was his responsibility to peddle the donuts. That rocked on for a few months until I tought another guy to mix and cut, then I boogied home. But he had another job lines up for me, He had franchised handling the Dixie Cream Donut Flour, by doing that he would assist people open up a shop and they would buy their flour thru him. So he had a man over in Orange Texas who wanted to open shop.So here I go again, off to Orange to assist until they were up and running. I was getting a little tired at being shuttled back and forth, so when I went back to Waco, I left your dad and went to work at a Grocery store, where I remained until I went into the service
Asfor the brain recovering from all it absorbes in the time of war, well I guess thats one of the beauties of the make up of the human body. It has the capability of witnessing all that but still be able to revert back to a civil way of life without too much damage done. It's amazing
________________________________________
Another
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: etpw@earthlink.net
Sent: 7/22/2008 3:51:44 PM
Subject: RE: Conbtinuation #2
To answer your question re regards to Peggy. Yeas we did keep in touch after I came back to the States. And afer I joined the Border Patrol I heard now and again from her.Now that I was in the Immigration Ser. I found out all that I would ne required to get her over here. But for whatever reason, I never swe drifted apart and finally no more corrospondence. I went on with my life, met Laverne and after a couple of years we were married and had been for over fifty years. While we were living in Kerrville, I received a phone call one day, I answered the phone, the party asked if this was Alvin F. Todd, I answered yes, then they asked of I was the Alvin Todd who was with the Marines in New Zealand, to which I answered in the affirmative. There was then a hesitation on the other end, and so I aked what do you want? I had been receiving receiving call after call but no one would ever answer, that was what came to my mind another one of those calls. And I guess my question seemed a littl brisk, when I asked "what do you want", the answer , and it was a woman, said "I think we will just leave it at that" and hung up. I mattempted to get her attention before she hung up - but missed. After she hung up, I immediately thought of Peggy, but afte fifty years and no word, who would have thought. That was the last. I have no idea where the call originated. When I was attending the Border Patrol school in El Paso about six months after entering inti the patrol. She did call me twice from New Zealand and located me at school. Now she went to a bit of effort in locating me then and to call twice.Yoy know alot can be lost in intransmission over three thousand miles. These call were before I ever met Laverne and who knows things might have been different, But thats water under the bridge now. So that is the Saga of miss Peggy
________________________________________
From: etpw@earthlink.net
To: altodd8@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Conbtinuation #2
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:14:04 -0600
Sounds like quite a gal. Any idea what ever happened to her?
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: L. Todd
Sent: 7/22/2008 6:55:52 AM
Subject: RE: Conbtinuation #2
She never said anything but the look in her eye was one of disdain. Your an adult, now your supposed to act like one. I told her I was going to stick to fighting wars, it was safer. Ha!!!
________________________________________
From: etpw@earthlink.net
To: altodd8@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Conbtinuation #2
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:26:04 -0500
So far this is the best one that you have sent. I love it.
What did Peggy have to say about your adventure?
=====================================================================
----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 4:09 PM
Subject: Conbtinuation #2
On one ocassion while on leave I went to her home wher I stayed during my leave with her family and sister. Avery nice and friendly family. Peggy was working at the time during the day, so one day I decided I would rent a horse and go riding. There was a stable near by so I go over, proceed to get a horse, a fine looking animal. I didn't bother to inquire about his disposition, nor did they offer any anfo. The horse's name was sailor, so I'm up and on sailor and off we go. Sailor appears to be quite spirited and he takes off as in a dead run. Well that is not to my liking as I am riding an english saddle which has no horn on which to hold on to. I see right away sailor and I are going to have to have a serious talk, that is if I can stopo him, which I find easier said than done.
So for him to show me who is in charge, he grabs the bit between his teeth, when that happens I know I'm in trouble. So since my only salvation is to attempt to stay upon his back and I find my opotions have suddenly been reduced to zilch. I attempt to do the only thing I know, that is to try and pull his head around with the bridle and back as close to his body as possibe. But he has the advantage, he set his head before I made a move thereby making it impossible to pull his head around. My only alternative is to get ready for a wild ride. And that it was.
I mas'nt used to reding an english saddle, which made matters worse. People are watching me flash by I supose thinking I had missed the race track somewhere back down the road. TRhis horse is running all out and I have no control so I'm watching where he is going hoping to antisipate his every move. I see he's headed toward a rather wide ditch, I think he is going over it because of his speed. I brace myself for the jump, but instead at the last minute but I go straight over his head he veers off to one side but I go straight over his head into the ditch where I land head first with one side of my face plowing up the earth.
Well I was a sight for sore eyes. My face was peeled off, blood dripping down on my clothes, the hoirse nowhere in sight ( and I could care less) and I was affot to walk to Peggy's house through the neighborhoods. I was embarrassed no end. If I could have found a hole I would crawled in.
I walked to Peggy's house, she was at work but her mother was there. She never laughed, never critisized, she went to work cleaning me up, washed my shirt and doctored my face . I looked some better and felt much better but still a sight. Later that afternoon when Peggy came home she couldn't believe her eyes the condition my face was in. I knew it was time for me to head back to camp, I had already overstayed my leave anyway so I knew what to expect.
It was well after dark when I got back to camp the next day, so noone had seen me when I came in. I went on to bed and could'nt sleep because of what I was to face as punushment for being OWOL. Something happened that night that really had the camp stirred up the next morning. The old man, the battery commander wa out walkinbf through the compound the night before and apparently out of the blue, some drunk marine walked up without the old man seeing him and he cold cocked the old man. Knocked him out completly.
Well you can imagine, the camp was put on restriction, no one was to leave. and in turn avery man was interviewed regarding his wherabouts the evening before. Well you can imagine what they thought when my turn came, when they saw my face I guess they knew they had the culprit. And I guess you know my time being questioned was more than just a cursory interview. I had nothing to admit to, I did nothing, so finally I was released but they never did discover who did the dastardly deed.
Bur as expected I was given a deck court martial (the least serious of punishments) for the violation I had committed. But you know there was alot of guys with the same thought in mind., knowing they were going into battle again with the outcome in question, they figured they had nothing to lose by going AWOL but they might just lose their lives later so they were going to enjoy abit before all was lost. There were many that stayed over their permitted leave time, but they were always back in time to sail with the unit.
Wesailed for our invasion of Tarawa, I'll save that till next report.
Take care, hope you are feeling better. Love to all, Uncle Alvin
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----- Original Message -----
From: Al Todd
To: Randy Todd
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 7:28 PM
Subject: Betty Ann
I did happen to be there at the shop that fateful day. We must have been working as the other guys and your Dad were there also.
To the best of my recollection, your Mother came down the stairs as fast as she could, on the verge of hysteria as she could hardly talk between crying and wailing. Your Dad tried to calm her to determine the problem.He finally understood enough , something about the baby. They went up stairs as fast as possible. I think the three of us waited a few minutes and then went up also.
We found out the baby was gone, I believe even by the time your Dad got up stairs. By the time we got up there, your Dad had called ht epolice and they inturn summoned an ambulance and both were there in short order. I do not recall seeing the body. And I not sure but I believe your Dad called a doctor to get something to calm your Mother.
I know what had happened was not discussed with the three of us guys at that time. And when we did become aware of what happened it had to have come from your Dad, and here again, to the best of my redollection, we heard the your Mother was going to give the baby a bath in the tub. The baby was in the tub and the water was started , but here comes a short period of uncertainty. Your Mother stepped ouit of the room for a moment, for what reason is unclear, or the duration of the time out of the room,. Also the question of whether the hot water was on or could the baby have by chance turned the knob of the hot water on more. But whatever happen in thoes few minuted that water bust have been as hot as it could get coming out of the heater I do not know the extent of the burns nor how much of her body was involved. Hopefully it was so hot that it took her breath away and she passed quickly, I can't say for sure as I don'r recall ever hearing all the details.
It had to have been a horrible experience for your Mother and your Dad as well. I do know that it was not long after that the shop was moved to another location. I did not know where they were living at that time as there was no accommodations in conection with the shop.
I,m sorry I can't be of more help, but I was only thirteen at the time so maybe that accounts for the fact that I was not more involved enough to get all the facts.
Whether what I have relayed to you I have no idea as to the value of it But I do not think there is another source of information that could fill in the blanks.
The books were mailed today, enclosed you will find my stained glass album, the history book of the 2nd Marine div in the 2ns war. Also enclosed are three letters I had written to your Mother while I was over seas. Also the letter I mentioned , written by Uncle Elmer concerning Grandmother Todd. I hope all of this is of some value.
Take care and have a good one - Love to all
Uncle Alvin
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Hi, I'm doing OK, the usual aches and pains that go with age, but if a person wants to continue he has to grin and bear it and move on.
Yes, your Dad was a few years my elder but that never seemed to enter into the picture where we were concerned. He never treated me as though there were any age difference at all. When I started working for him, of course there was the time period that I had to go through in learning what was expected of me, that was understood. I cannot remember a time in which he even raised his voice at me, but I'm sure there were times when he had to speak a little more srernly to make sure I had an understanding of what was at hand. I guess I was a fast learner as once I had instructions there was no need for repetition. And I guess you could say he trusted my judgement as evidenced by the fact that when he and your mother would go to Oregon to visit her folks, I was ledt completly in charge., from A to Z. And I considered that acompliment in that I was still a young teenager. I don't even remember if I had a drivers license, but was running the delivery routs all over town with no problems. Things might have been different had I been involved in an accident, but thank the Good Lord there was never arise during such times that required me to even consider callin him.
And that trust was also considered when he sent me to Corpus Christi at 16 years off age to completely operate a shop we opened there. Some kids, and I say that as I was one at the time, might have been overwhelmed at the responsibility involved, but I don't recall even having that feeling. I did call himon week ends just ti update him on what was going on. I had no phone so I went to the P.O to use a public phone. Had to have a pocket full of quarters, but there was never a crisis that I recall.
Outside of work, of course due to age difference he and I did not travel in the same circles. Also he was married by then so there was no expectation that things would be any different than they were. When he was teaching me the routes and introducing me to customers as I recall it was on an equal basis as I would shortly be doing what he normally would do.
I recall the time I got the itch to buy me a car. Of course I suppose like all kids with their firdt, they have grandiose ideas about what they desire. Well I was no different, after looking aropund I laid my eyes on a spiffy convertable, I guess I thought it was it was the "creme de creme". Since I was still under age, I had to have someone to sign off for me. Things like this I never discussed with my father at all, so the one I turned to was your dad. I rolled up to his house one day, went in to get him to come have a look. When he got to the door and saw the car, he stopped, said "no way", I will not sign any papers on a convertible for you, period!
We downhearted I returned to car and continued looking. I finally located a l939 Mercury, two door sedan. It had ther big engin in it that at the time I was told was being used in police patrol cars. But maybe I figured, if at all, that your dad would not ask such inane questions so I gave it my best shot. I thought it was a beautiful car, dark blue with very pretty upholstery, side mounted spot lights, a dream come true. Well you dad approved of that one and signed off for me. It cost me $495.00, payments were to be $25,00 per month. . That was OK, as I was making $25.00 per week, so no problem.
This must have been the latter part of 1940 or eary 1941. Because I was still paying on it when was was declared in Dec. 1941' Well ther was nothing to think about, since I made up my mind to join up, I had to take the car back to the dealer and tell him thanks for the use of it. Never saw it again.
I never knew anything about your mother until after they were married and moved into the house next door to where we lived in a house that daddy owned. So I know nothing nothing about her until after athat time. Sorry.
I think this is getting a little long winded, so will close and send my love to all.
/S/ Uncle Alvin
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Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 09:54:30 -0500
From: lurid56811@mypacks.net
To: altodd8@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: A couple of slight errors
Good Morning To You Uncle Alvin,
Thanks for bringing these changes to my attention. The changes will be reflected with the next revision. How far are your girls from where you live?
How are you doing?
I know my Dad was a bit older than you but wanted to know if you would be willing to share the fondest and least fond memory that you can remember of him.
Any idea how he and my Mother met?
Continue to take good care of yourself.
Love,
Randy
-----Original Message-----
From: Al Todd
Sent: Sep 5, 2008 9:28 PM
To: LRT
Subject: A couple of slight errors
I was reviewing your family tree manuscript and noted a couple of corrections to be made whenever, I would probably be the only one to ever know the difference, I was in two campaigns. the first was at Guadalcanal, the second was tarawa, no Iwo!
The second, Douglas was in the Army.
, not the Navy, he was attached to the Mediics
I know these are insignificant but since you asked it be done , here it is.,
I can't believe all the work and dedication that went into compiling these works, they are invaluable. I would doubted that it could be donme, but there is the proof of the pudding, so to speak.
Things are pretty slow here with me, Sue was up to spend the day with me yesterday, enjoyed her visit.
Will sign off now , All my love .
/S/ Uncle Alvin
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You are correct, my birth date is 12/6/23.As far as the Oregon trips, I have no idea when they were, I do definately recall at least two while I was working for your Dad.
I enetered the Service on Dec. 18, 1941, I had turned 18 years of age on the 6th before leaving the following 18th. I was discharged 4/21/45. I served 3 years 4 mos. . I was 18 when I went plus three yrs & 4 mos. =21 yrs & 4 mos. of age when discharged.
And yes, I did work awhile for your Dad when I came home. I was discharged in April 45 and worked until June 45 when I left to take the position with the Border Patrol.
I never knew anything about any connectiopn with a business in Temple, it must have happened while I was in the Service. And yes, also while I was in the Service I heard he had become envolved in a place on 25th St. where he was making all kind of pastries but that place had closed by the time I came home.
As you can see time has a way of dimming an old man's memory so if you will bear with me on some of the questions I'll try to get through them.
I don't know if this clears anything or makes things worse and more confusing but what ever you ask I'll make a stab at an answer and you will hear something.
Sorry I can't be of more help and I wish I could as I know you have alot of unanswered questipons. But I'll keep trying.
Will write/talk later.
Uncle Alvin
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 13:04:08 -0500
From: etpw@earthlink.net
> To: altodd8@hotmail.com
Subject: More question
Maybe you can help me with this one: my stats for your birth date is 6 Dec 1923; my "Oregon Vacations" sheet dates the first trip to Oregon in 1947. If these two stats are correct, Uncle Alvin would have been 23 years of age at the time of the first trip to Oregon. Are my stats incorrect?
More questions -
Your correct date of birth 12/06/23?
Where you back from the service at age 23?
Did you ever work for Dad after the service?
You joined the service in 1942?
At the age of?
Who managed the Temple store?
Any idea what happened to it?
Did Dad ever some affiliation with a bakery on 25th street?
So many questions.
Hope you do mind all of these question.
Thanks,
Randy
