I have wondered about Larry the Legend, and just heard he has been sick! and now his Mom is real sick and in the hospital!
I knew you all would want to know and posted it here because he has become not just a part of this topic but a driving force in it! He is the reason I have made such rapid progress! and made such great recent discoveries!
Jean
Best to his family, and will be praying for a speedy recovery for both. I still follow this topic, and find all this research fascinating. You all should write a book when you're done- if it's possible to be done!! All the best.
I have been getting little bits of news from Larry. He writes these really cute 1 sentence updates - but only very occasionally. I get the impression that things are getting better. Thank goodness!
Now regarding Siegburg - have been working on things but slower than I want. I realize there is a clock and I could lose potential information by not working faster. Wish I could just dedicate full time to it - it is so compelling.
One gentleman that I found, we think was not at the Lazarett at Siegburg but at another 6G site. More conversations are necessary to totally confirm it - has been fascinating! He was wounded.
Another one of the gentlemen I found that was at the Lazarett - I tease that he was not there long enough because then he would of had more information to help me! He was moved on to other Camps. He has a great mind and is very articulate.
The great news is that I have a VMail from Dad to Mom during the period this man was at Siegburg. In the VMail Dad says 'and I am so busy caring for American wounded the time is just flying by ...' - I also tease the gentleman about this. He does not remember my Dad but I can confidently say that as of now there is only 1 in about 7 billion people that can claim that they have in writing that their Dad took care of him while at Siegburg. And of course, I will be thrilled to up the number from 1 if we get other documents, and that will still be one heck of a ratio.
All of these WW2 men, Siegburg related or not, are such a joy to know! Doing this research is such a privilege!
And another privilege is that I got to know Larry and Christoph and Marion!
Jean
I received a note from Larry. His Mom is doing better but still has serious health issues. She is now at another facility and he continues to be involved in all aspects of her care and recovery.
She is a very fortunate woman to have a son like Larry looking after her!
It would be fascinating to learn more about his Mom - she sure raised a great son!
Jean
Just a quick note, I have not been able to do much Siegburg research. I am always doing a little - but never as much as I want to.
Larry's Mom is still quite ill! And Larry is trying to recover from his bout of illness.
Jean
Glad I stopped in to touch base with this topic. I wondered where Larry was?????? Now I know....
All the best to him and his family.
I do not know where else to post this - but Larry sent a message that his Mom passed away in her sleep last night!
How I wish I could have met her in person! What a woman to have produced a son like Larry!
By knowing Larry, at least I feel that I had a chance to know his wonderful Mother!
A very very sad,
Jean
Well, I will stay sad for a long time - Jim F. Norton has passed away! You can google his obituary. Some of his POW experience is in the article.
He died from lung cancer.
I have my notes, my tapes, my photos, my memories but I don't have Jim!
He was a Great Man and he allowed me to come into his life and discuss things he had never wanted to talk about. He was eager for me to learn as much as I could.
His memories of Siegburg included his great memories of my Dad. And those memories helped me finally understand my Dad at a much deeper level.
My relationship with Jim started after I joined this site and it really does not seem possible that this could have happened ---but I know it has...
Jean
We World War Two researchers are in a race against the clock to get the information we need from first person sources, and to record the stories of the final survivors of this war. I fell bad for the elementary school kids of today, who will likely never hear a story from a living survivor that they will truly remember (due to their age). It is the sad reality I dearly wish were not true. Good luck to you as more information comes to light.
Thank you so much for your astute comments above!
Once I woke up last night, sleep was hopeless.
It is such a terrible personal loss for me! I lose Jim and through him I lose my Dad again - both at the same time. The complexity of my Dad and our lives were all entwined with the miraculous discovery of this beautiful man, Jim F. Norton.
I do not know how Marion has been able to handle her losses!
Jean
Jean
Jean, I go through this all the time. Each time I lose another veteran, I lose a little piece of my heart. I do know how you feel. The loss is so great.