While vacationing in Osceola on Thursday, June 10, 1937, Dale wrote, “Went out to Louie and Ruth’s. They have a nice place.” Louie Schaffer was one of Helen’s brothers. Below: Ruth and Louie’s farm west of Osceola.
Visiting A Schaffer Farm
Whither Goest Thou?
In Muscatine on Monday evening, June 9, 1952, Dale and Stanley went to the movie, “Quo Vadis.”
Dreaming Of Retirement
In Muscatine on Monday, June 8, 1953, Dale wrote, “Helen, Dalene and I went to the plant at night to look up retirement records.” But it would be 15 more years before he retired. Below: Helen and Dale in 1953.
A Hot Day In Town
In Muscatine on Saturday, June 7, 1952, Dale wrote, “Very hot today. Fixed the furnace fan to blow cool air from the basement.” This was before home air conditioning was inexpensive enough for us. The only places I remember as air conditioned in the early 1950s were the local movie theaters.
D-Day
D-Day was Tuesday, June 6, 1944, when Allied troops landed on Normandy beaches to start the invasion of Europe and the defeat of Hitler and the Nazi Third Reich. See the massive deployment of ships, airplanes, and men here:
Back On The Farm
In Washington, DC, on Saturday, June 5, 1937, Dale tried a second time for a driver’s license and passed the test. He, Helen, Stan, and Lela and Nancy Yates started for Iowa that afternoon and arrived in Osceola Monday evening. Lela was Helen’s sister, Nancy was Lela’s daughter; they had been visiting. Below: Dale’s parents, Jettie and Williams Gardner, at their Iowa farm in front of Helen and Dale’s car loaded for the trip (look closely to see an awning hanging on the driver’s window).
We Shall Never Surrender
On Tuesday, June 4, 1940, Winston Churchill declared “We Shall Never Surrender” during a speech to the House of Commons, as British troops fought Nazi forces in mainland Europe. Five weeks later, on July 10, Germany began bombing Britain’s factories and military facilities, and on September 7, began bombing British cities and the air raid Blitzes began. To hear his “We Shall Never Surrender” speech, run this video:
Still In Ames
Staying with Gene and Lela Yates in Ames, Iowa, on Tuesday, June 3, 1952, Dale wrote, “Dalene and I drove to Des Moines by 2 p.m. and visited Helen. Went to the top of the Capitol building. Brought Dalene back to Ames and I went back to Des Moines to visit Helen at Still Hospital.” Helen was undergoing tests at the hospital. Below: the Iowa state capitol building in Des Moines.
Visiting In Ames
In Ames, Iowa, with his family on Monday, June 2, 1952, Dale wrote, “Took Helen to Still Hospital in Des Moines for three-day examination. Had lunch with Merle Osterquist and Wilson. Supper at Osterquist’s. Visited Helen in the afternoon and evening. Back to Ames by 9 p.m. Dalene and Nancy went to a show at night.” His lunch and supper were with old friends and co-workers. Dale and family were staying with Gene and Lela Yates (Helen’s sister), who owned and operated a motel in Ames. It may have been the 1928 Ames Motor Lodge, below. Nancy was their daughter.
