LeRoy Meisinger - War Diary

 I found LeRoy's WWI diary! But more about that later... For now here is the first entry:

IX

Ante-Bellum Preface

I am beginning a diary of my service in the army. It may be very short; or it may cover many pages. But, from the situation at present, it looks as if it might be a long one. A few months ago we did not dream for a moment that the European conflagration might sweep our shores. But now, we are a part of it; and if the developing program of war is carried out, our men will be swarming the shores of France, carrying Democracy across the Atlantic.

And it is my privilege to be a part in this war of righteousness! A small part, to be sure, but a part. And no matter, if it shall be accorded me no greater service that that which can be rendered as a private or musician in the band. If I do that as well as I can. I will be entitled to be proud that I was a part of the Great War.

I have enlisted with a group of my friends in an organization which, I believe, offers me the opportunities for the best service, but what will it lead to is useless to guess, for there are no more uncertain quantities than the fortunes of war.

But the diary! Will it be worth while? And why am I starting it? To the first question, I can only hope for an answer. I will be one of millions, and my story will very likely contain no harrowing tales of danger nor deeds of bravery. Indeed, it will likely contain no different story than a hundred thousand other diaries being started at this moment. But if no more, it will serve its purpose in the answer to my second question. I am starting it, primarily that I may send it home in loose leaf form to my parents, and those to whom they may choose to read it.

I will endeavor to be fair and tell things as they really happen, in order that the whole may be a true account of my experiences - interesting or commonplace, as the case may be. If it is interesting, perhaps it will be worth preserving, if commonplace its immediate purpose justifies it.

So here goes, my diary!

June 3, 1917                                                                                                                     C.L.M.

TO MY PARENTS

For whom

Each day of my Service bespeaks

a greater Sacrifice

than I could have been called upon to make,

THIS DIARY IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

LeRoy Meisinger - A Man at Work

 This blog is all about a fascinating and amazing man, Clarence LeRoy Meisinger. LeRoy was my grandfather's cousin...but more about that later. This is a picture of LeRoy at work. He is the man in the center looking at the camera and wearing a cap. ((Not just a cap, it is also known as a flat cap, cabbie cap, gatsby cap, longshoreman's cap, cloth cap, scally cap, Wigens cap, ivy cap, derby hat, jeff cap, duffer cap, duckbill cap, driving cap, bicycle cap, Irish cap, newsboy cap, crook cap, Vergon hat, Joao's hat, sixpence, or a paddy cap, and in regional varieties: in Scotland as a bunnet, in Wales as a Dai cap, and in New Zealand, as a cheese-cutter...per wikipedia.))

So...any clue about his profession?

LeRoy Meisinger - Family Life

LeRoy and his wife, Helen Hilton Meisinger. My guess this picture was taken around the time of their engagement or marriage. Isn't she beautiful!

Wordless Wednesday: Twins? Nope! My Mom and I

Tombstone Tuesday: Silk Family...From Chicago to Florida to South Carolina

SILK

John

1833-1907

Anna

1830-1917

Clarence Arthur Silk

5 Dec 1906 in Chicago, Illinois 

5 Oct 1979 in Boca Raton, Florida

Pearl Evelyn Jensen Silk

5 May 1906 in Manistee,Michigan

3 Sep 1987 in Charleston, South Carolina

 

Sports Center Saturday: My Mom the Majorette "We were much cooler than cheerleaders"

My mom as the Co-Captain of the Majorettes her senior year at Washington & Lee High School in Arlington, VA. Here is the caption from the yearbook:

High Stepping Twirlers Parade at All-Star Bout

State Champion Twirler Anne Pierce led the largest group of majorettes in several years as they brandished their flags and fire torches at featured events during the year. By special invitation, they appeared with the marching band at the first U. S. College All'Star Game and the opening of District Stadium, executing several precision drills to the martial tunes of the band.

Pint-sised addition to the majorettes, Elaine Pierce served as team mascot. She came to the group at the beginning of the year and performed in many of their routines.

By request the girls also appeared in the annual George Washington parade at Alexandria. As a tangible reward for their baton twirling at school affairs, the majorettes received recognition at the sports banquet in the early part of November.

Flagbearing majorettes, Co'Captain Sharon Sauls and Captain Anne Pierce, strut across the field during a practice session.

(Mom is the beauty on the left!)

C. LeRoy Meisinger: Oh the Places He Went! Part II

C. LeRoy Meisinger

In the last post, I asked if anyone could tell me what was Leroy's profession...hoping the image of a hot air balloon would stir up some interesting answers.

LeRoy's life was more fascinating than anything found in fiction. He worked as a Meteorologist for the U.S. Weather Bureau. In 1924, he conducted several experiments in a manned free balloon...which, I believe, made him the world's first Storm Chaser.