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David Foster GOING HOME turn to take off. We could hear the jets go
to full throttle, and we were pressed back
A CHANGE OF PERSEPECTIVE After having served my tour of duty with into our seats as the plane picked up speed.
Several years ago, after losing my the 25th Infantry Division, I found myself As we sped down the runway I began to
husband of 38 years and renovating sitting at the same South Vietnamese hear a low chant of, “go, go, go”! I looked
our house and yard, I decided it was airport where I had arrived a year earlier. around, and everyone was rocking back
time to leave the place where I’d made Most of the 200 plus men going home that and forth in their seat as if to help push the
so many wonderful memories and find day sat silently waiting for the plane that plane down the runway. When the plane
a new home and friends. It was a very would take us home, aware that we could lifted into the air, shouts of joy came from
difficult decision for me. I didn’t want come under attack at any time. Our flight everyone aboard with fists pumping in the
to go too far away, but far enough to was overdue, and we were getting anxious. air in celebration! After 365 days, we had
change my whole perspective on what Finally the plane arrived and taxied up to made it, and we were going home!
home was. the pavilion that served as the airport. The
I headed south to Sun City to look for plane door opened, and we began to board. Favorite song: The Letter by The Box Tops
a different living environment. Each We sat silently, anxious to get the plane
time I drove to Sun City, I listened going. The door closed and the plane taxied David Foster
to one particular song over and over out to the end of the runway and made its
and over and sang it out loud.
That song was I Can See Clearly HAWAIIAN PARADISE Doug and Eleanor Cowan
Now, sung by Jimmy Cliff. I still have
joy each time I hear it and know I On June 8, 1964, we flew into Honolulu hear the beginning of that song, we vividly
did what was best for me. I have no on our first wedding anniversary. We remember that wonderful time in our lives.
children, so finding good friends here happened to land on King Kamehameha Eleanor and Doug Cowan
and organizations compatible with my Day. A parade filled with beautiful floats Celebrating our 54th anniversary on June 8
interests made me happy again. Yes, covered in flowers wove its way around
I still sometimes go back to where the Bishops Palace. A week was spent on
I used to live and visit with Oahu; then we flew to the other islands.
good friends, but my dog and
I are always excited to come When we got to Kauai we decided to take a
home to our cottage in Sun City river boat tour to the Fern Grotto. There, a
- and yes, I still sing on the drive! large, lovely Hawaiian woman dressed in a
Katharine Johanns floral muumuu with a lei around her neck
started singing the Hawaiian Wedding
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG Song. The acoustics were wonderful,
the setting was perfect and she had a
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG spectacular voice. Now every time we
BEACH BOYS AND A RED MUSTANG
Graduating high school in 1969 and living in the northeast, I found that
the Beach Boys’ songs brought interesting thoughts of west coast beaches.
My favorite song, Surfin’ U.S.A., frequently played on the radio of my 1969
Mustang during the fun summer between high school and college.
Fast forward to 1991. I was now living on the west coast and
having a “mid-life crisis.” I told my husband, Jay, that I needed a
red sports car, so off we went to look at cars. As soon as I got on
the lot I noticed a red 1989 Mustang. A test drive was arranged,
and when I started the car, Surfin’ U.S.A. was playing on the
radio. Talk about a walk down memory lane! In an instant I was
taken back 22 years by a song. And yes, of course, I became the
new owner of a red 1989 Mustang.
Danielle Sender
JUNE 2017 SUNRAYS | 47
JUNE 2017 SUNRAYS | 47
