THIRTY YEARS AGO

There are many among my collection of friends who would insist on saying I have been a "ham" all my life. They are thinking of that career which never came be a reality. I always wanted to be "on stage",I suppose,and as a result I was tagged early in my life as being the family "show off"..l the "jester", "joker" or or "clown."

I can deny it, either. In fact, I have never tried to stop being naturally aware of seeing humor of a sort in the manner in which we lived in those days. That would be the decades of the 1920's and '30's, I suppose. I even know from whom I inherited this tendency to be the family buffoon, or of being accorded the designation which - once it "took hold" it stayed with me the rest of my life.

The "blame" or "thanks" go straight to my maternal Grandfather John Loeffert who held the funny role in the years just ahead of my years of tenure. I have always felt honored by the words: "You are just like your Granddaddy Loeffert!" I remember him as a person who brought happiness and good cheer of our family even in the worst of times. Him music, his jokes, his "silliness" helped others to manage our family affairs in ways best suited our needs. He was guide of happiness, a ready help along the way - generous and loving all ways and loving -all of that - and "funny", too.

Today however I am being thankful for another "ham" decoration which has been with me for thirty year's ago. I received a letter in the mail his morning from Jeff Rinehart, W4PJW, Churchville, Va. remind in me that the 30th Year Anniversary of the Valley Amateur Radio Association will be observed November 7th at Lynn's in Waynesboro, Virginia. That is another reason for my being proud to be called a "ham." Ham radio has been a real friend to me and mine over the years. I look through a list of current membership and find more names missing - many who have become "silent keys". I remember much of the talk we enjoyed - both voice and code transmissions - the special events we had a part in doing, and the annual "Field Day"celebrations atop "Reddish Knob" with camping out "ham families".

KA4WSI...Andy... "ham"....all the way.

Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 10-23-06
[c412wds]

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