Facebook is my Thursday Place. My sister has
taken an interest in our family history and has been trying to connect with our
Uncle Dick Dollen’s fellow seamen aboard the U.S.S. Washburn.
For those who might not know, our uncle was killed
in a tragic accident. He was an apprentice seaman aboard the U.S.S. Washburn
when it went into dry dock for routine maintenance. His job was to scrape and
paint the left side of the rear of the ship. In the afternoon of 3 October 1952
the scaffolding in which he was standing gave way. His safety line failed and
he fell to his death. Our mother and grandmother spent the rest of their
remaining days mourning our uncle. As a result, very little was ever said about
his life. Uncle Dick’s letters written to our grandmother provide our only clues
to this uncle we never knew. Our curious minds sent us looking.
Facebook has played a key role in making
connections. Timing is everything. As we searched the web, the U.S.S. Washburn
was planning a reunion and created a facebook page specifically for the reunion.
Nancy messaged the facebook page owner, as well as, the reunion contact person.
It is through these gentlemen, she was able
to make contact with our uncle’s best friend aboard ship. His name is Bob Hall
and Bob has agreed to tell us what he remembers of our uncle.
I don’t know if our mother would be happy
with what we are doing but we do it out of love and with the hope of knowing
our uncle just a little bit better.
Isn’t that what this family history thing is
all about?
Linda
So grateful...
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