A circuit that lights a light if you switch it on. A light that helps you see better.
I learned about it by living a long life. In that long life I had an experience that stuck with me. It happened in one of my many lives, and spilled over to many more, including my 13th Armored Division life.
The experience that was my game changer happened in the mid-1960’s when I was teaching about a brand new (at that time) subject – computers. Big ugly clunky ones that were fed by punch cards. Computers that took memories and compiled them in ways that would make things better.
To be able to do all that an electrical circuit had to be designed and wired. When wired properly the circuit could be powered to get a desired result. The computer operation I was teaching required a circuit board. If it was wired correctly it would get the desired result.
I am standing behind a table with a wired circuit board in its center. When that board was placed in the computer it connected the circuits so that the memories stored in each punch card could be organized to better understand whatever problem needed solving. The memories actually were the ingredients needed to find a way to get to a desired result. There are many ways to get desired results, but the best ways are to use tried and true memories. To relight them to show ways to better living.
What is so different about a 13th Armored Division reunion???
Process-wise, not much… Ingredient-wise, a lot…
We already outlined the basic process, so let’s get down to the ingredients. Of course they are different. Every problem has different ingredients. So, what are the results desired from 13th Armored Division reunions?
The list is long. First the memories we bring to reunions are stored in the memories of each individual who attends. We process them by getting together in a memorable place and share by sharing them in that place and enjoying their recollection. The recollection in itself being a re-connection. The connections being the desired outcome.
Connections that recall what, was and is really important in life. The aspects of good living found in respect, help, and forgiveness. The same qualities as in fatherhood. A fatherhood of necessity and loyalty. A fatherhood that creates an orderly and loving life for all family members involved. And, a unity of shared family identity.
My parting degree of evidence for the shared family identity came about as a result of a sequence of events that happened surrounding our 2014 reunion. I found myself involved with two very moving examples of the kind of fatherhood mentioned above. I have written stories concerning each. They involved sons of fathers KIA before their sons ever were fully aware of their being. They are found on the Relighting Us website.
Those stories prompted me to take a physical action that I am including in this story to bring out the deep connection that our 13th Armored Division Association and our reunions provide. I resurrected my old 1945 Eisenhower Battle Jacket and used it as a symbolic connection of a father and son through a joint 13th Armored Division sharing of identity. I wrote a story entitled: The Battle Jacket. It is posted on the Relighting Us website www.relighting.us . Posted under the dedicated link: 13th Armored Division stories. The picture below is taken from that story to show a real example of a relighted connection. We all have our own contributions to make. In honor of those who gave their all for us, we owe them their recognition. Relighting Us is a place where those connections can be passed on long after the original veterans are gone. You can do your part…
You, as in the bookmark, can be a lamplighter. Relighting Us is your wick. Take it and light up the lamp. The more light the better to see. The better to see the good of those who put it all up for you. Easier for your children and grandchildren to see as well.
Keep the lamps lit…