Researching my family history gives personal meaning to Memorial Day

“Time will not dim the glory of their deeds”

General of the Armies John J. Pershing

My father has this family photograph of his uncle. The photo is mounted on an old piece of cardboard with hand written captions above and below.  The handwriting is my great grandmother's; it is faded and very difficult to read.  I scanned it into Photoshop and zoomed in on the image to decipher it.

The top reads:

Prvt. Joseph Brady Collins II

Co. AA136MGBA

Camp Lee Virginia

April 28, 1918

Sailed on June 23

The bottom:

Gave His Life for His Country

October 28, 1918 (Gas Poison + Bronchitis

Pneumonia) at Toul, France

In Active Service

There is also a photocopy showing two of the pages from my great grandmother’s journal. Half of the words are indecipherable. Today is Memorial Day and I want to share this photograph, so I am driven to discover more. I know he is buried in France but I am not sure where.

First I googled “WWI servicemen buried in France” and one of the burial sites is Meuse Argonne which is something I recognize in the journal. But the journal context is about the offensive being from September 25th to October 1st 1918. From the journal I can also decipher “Flanders” and “Belgium” but those dates listed are early November and my great uncle passed away on October 28th. Flanders Field is an infamous burial site in Flanders. I wondered if his remains were transported to Belgium.

I was never a fan of the details on war history but now I have a personal interest. Searching the Meuse Argonne offensive I find a plethora of information. This offensive was the largest operation and victory of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. The American General John J. Pershing led the offense. This event is also known as the Battle of the Argonne Forest, the Grand Offensive and the 100 Days Offensive. According to Wikipedia “The objective was the capture of the railroad hub at Sedan which would break the rail net supporting the German Army in France and Flanders.” There were 26,277 American soldiers killed in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, which is the largest number of U.S. dead in a single battle. In spite of a great number of casualties by October 31st, they had advanced fifteen kilometers and finally cleared the Argonne Forest. This offensive proved to be the final straw, and German troops began to surrender in large numbers.  It was on November 11, 1918 that the Armistice was signed between the Allies and the Germans.

I tried searching “WWI Co. AA136MGBA” and found nothing. It’s rare that Google comes up empty but it did. I tried a few other things and finally searching “WWI Camp Lee 136th” led me to New River Notes.  This page contains a detailed itinerary of the 37th Buckeye Division and as I am reading it I find that the dates and places are lining up almost precisely with the journal. Handwritten words that were previously impossible to ascertain are suddenly clarified. I am certain that this was my great uncle's path. Understanding this I surmise that the journal entry appears to be an accounting that my great grandmother obtained of the division her son traveled with. I begin to plot the locations on Google maps; maybe I can determine which of the cemeteries for American soldiers is closest to their route.

Click here to see my map on Google

I look for additional family notes and find three letters written to my great grandmother in December of 1918 from the army chaplain. In the first he is returning a letter to her she had written to her son, he believes that she has already received from the government an official report of her son’s death. His letter is compassionate and he takes the time to offer her some details: “the pneumonia, though, was too severe to be successfully checked. It came as a result of the irritation of his lungs by gas at the front” Further on in the letter “ His body is buried at the new American Cemetery near this old city of Toul; and from it the view sweeps away across the fields….” “there it will rest in faithful keeping until the government determines what is to be done with the bodies of the soldiers that lie in France.” The second letter contains an apology “I am so sorry to see by the date of these letters to him (her son) that the government’s notification may have been very slow.” In the third letter it is apparent that she has received word of her son’s passing and he is answering her questions. Again burial is mentioned “The Government announced some months ago that the bodies of the men who fell in France would be carried back to America after the war.”

I know that his body was not returned to America, therefore it may still be in the American Cemetery closest to Toul France which is the St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial at the western edge of Thiaucourt France.

I can check with my aunt to see if she has anymore family notes or journal pages that verify the cemetery. However, the time spent researching is invaluable; I now have a lucid understanding of WWI history, France’s geography, and a visual idea of how the French countryside appeared to my great uncle. I also have a reverence for my great uncle, my great grandmother, all service people and the mothers of those who served.

Outdoor Living Rooms

Outdoor living rooms continue to grow in popularity, and they are not just limited to southern climates. With the addition of a chimea or a fireplace the season can be expanded. Homeowners as far north as Canada are increasing their living area by creating an outdoor space. If you are in a northern climate and want a true three season space think about adding a sunroom or conservatory.

The fireplace extends the season for this outdoor living room. The Portofino collection by Summer Classics features never-rust aluminum frames with a resin wicker designed to weather the elements.  Even area rugs can be woven of fibers that can be used outdoors. Photo courtesy of Summer Classics.

Because demand is on the rise, the number of products available continues to expand. Go beyond the grill and install a complete outdoor kitchen. Define your outdoor rooms with architectural features, such as a pergola. Fabrics designed specifically for outdoor application can be used to create a divider, curtain or even a cabana. Outdoor furniture is designed for dining and lounging. Add a television and a sofa and you have a new family room. (Careful planning and professional installation are a must if you use a TV outdoors).

 

The Denpasar collection by Richard Frinier for Century Furniture. Exotic styling includes Dutch and Indonesian Colonial elements with references to Balinese architecture. Constructed with Sunbrella fabrics, aluminum frames and synthetic woven fibers, this furniture can withstand outdoor exposure with routine maintenance.Photo courtesy of Century Furniture. 





Another great way to outline a room is with the flooring. There are many choices for the great outdoors. A terrace or patio can be fabricated from stone, brick or stamped concrete. Decks can be constructed of wood sourced from a supplier following sustainable practices, or built with a recycled product.        

 

Occassionally I find the time to enjoy my own backyard. Watching the fish and listening to the water flow through the ponds is very restorative.                      

There are several ways to enhance the relaxing ambiance of nature. Consider a water feature, such as a pond with waterfall, or a bubbling fountain. The sound of running water is very soothing. How about piping in your favorite tunes from your iPod? Professionals are expert in wiring hidden speakers and balancing the acoustics for your space.

Expertise in home automation can also be applied to your outdoor lighting projects. Light levels can be adjusted – brighter levels if you want to host family game night – decorative lighting to highlight a special feature or low light levels for a romantic atmosphere. One of the best reasons for an outdoor living room is to enjoy the landscaping and gardens. Correlate the placement of your living space to optimize the views, scents and sounds of the garden. 

The Power of Passion

Have you ever found yourself pondering something random, and then coincidentally a related topic comes up again the same day? I was driving into Philadelphia last week and thinking of my nieces and nephews.  They are part of my daily litany, for each of them I take a moment to be thankful for their good fortune, or pray for support if they need it.  For one nephew, I am grateful for his talent with automobile mechanics and more importantly that he recognized his gift, pursued it, and succeeded.  As I was driving I began to reflect on his situation.  He first started to pursue accounting and found that was not his strength.  After completing some accounting coursework in college, he decided to take a course in auto mechanics. 

I had attributed his success to mechanical talent, perhaps inherited from his paternal grandfather.  But I began to wonder, was it talent, or a passion for all things automotive that motivated him?  Since he was three years old, maybe younger he has loved cars.  Even at that age, he could identify the make and model of most automobiles. Throughout his childhood he collected and built all kinds of scale model cars.  So maybe it wasn't his ability, but the excitement and anticipation of working on real cars that propelled him through his educational program.  It has been a year since he graduated and he is gainfully employed in a tough economy.  When I see him he is more animated, outgoing and energetic.  Pursuing something he enjoys has positively affected all aspects of his persona.   

I arrived in Philadelphia to hear Eric Cohler speak at the Marketplace Design Center.  Lee Jofa Fabrics has just launched a new collection designed by Eric.  He gave a brilliant presentation of his design work and talked about what motivated and inspired him.  Eric repeatedly mentioned the "Power of Passion" and the role that it plays in success.  He pointed out several infamous people and their passions.  Julia Child and her love of cooking, and the Kennedy family with their passionate involvement in politics.  Eric's own zeal is portrayed through his dynamism. 

  

I drove home wondering, was my nephew's gift the talent, or the passion?  I concluded that they are both splendid gifts, and have contributed to his success.  But I believe the passion will carry him much farther than the talent. 

  

Timeless Design is Highly Sustainable

100 Year Old Color Palette is Fashionable in 2010

Photograph by Jack Carnell, courtesy of Fonthill Museum

Henry Mercer was an intellect, archeologist, artist, historian, writer, collector and tile designer.  His travels and studies became a great resource for design ideas.  In 1908 Henry began construction of his home. a concrete castle.  The architecture, furnishings, artifacts and thousands of tiles that decorate Fonthill were designed or selected by Henry. 


Some of the tiles are antiques that Henry collected. However most of the tiles that adorn the castle were designed  and crafted at his Moravian Pottery and Tile Works.  Henry used a well balanced color palette in his tile glazes.  The tiles were used to decorate walls, floors, ceilings, mantels, and stair risers throughout his home.  Even furniture was crafted of concrete and decorated with tile.  The few upholstered pieces are aged brown leather and tapestries were used to accent windows and walls.  All of the colors meld beautifully with the antiques and artifacts in Fonthill's forty-four rooms.



The colors in Henry's palette are recognizable in the "Treasured" palette from the Sherwin Williams COLORMIX 2010.  A major supplier of paints and coatings, Sherwin Williams is a leader in interior fashion and color forecasting.  Color preferences are affected by influences and trends ranging from the economy to the environment.  Technology helps us to communicate rapidly and cultural elements worldwide are adapted in new ways. 

Detail of Henry Mercer's tile (photograph by Jack Carnell, courtesy Fonthill Museum) with the Sherwin Williams "Treasured" palette. The palette reflects the beauty of natural aging, mellowing, and weathering; evoking quality materials that have stood the test of time and become heirlooms.

The Sherwin Williams website explains the influences of the 2010 color palettes:

The Sherwin Williams 2010 color forecast takes cues from the hues of the past to paint the way to the future.

"In uncertain times, we find comfort in the memories and traditions that provide us with a sense of solid ground", said Jackie Jordan, Director of Color Marketing for Sherwin Williams.  "Color plays a key role in triggering our nostalgia, and our trend forecast reflects the rediscovery of sights, sounds, smells - and colors - of the past."

The influences that pertain to the "Treasured" collection:

"A throw away society? That's so yesterday.  Now we are making savvy, resourceful use of what we have, discovering untold stories in exposed painted layers. From flea-market finds to artisan-made pieces, imperfection can lend a rich character to our environments."

I attended a seminar at which Jackie Jordan spoke, some other elements associated with the Treasured aesthetic are: Rough Luxe, distressed leather, and vintage tapestries.  It is not just the "Treasured" colors that evoke an image of Fonthill in my mind.  Other design elements of the trend and the ideal of appreciating artisan-made or found items strongly remind me of Henry Mercer.

As an interior designer, I believe that if you surround yourself with things that you love, you will not want to throw them away.  They will remain fashion forward for years to come.  What could be more sustainable?

Sherwin Williams and Robert Allen fabrics are collaborating to make color coordination even easier.  Sherwin Williams paint colors are designed to match the fabrics and trims in four of Robert Allen's new collections.  

Henry's home has been preserved as a museum, Fonthill is open for tours www.fonthillmuseum.org

Sherwin Williams is a great resource for color tools and information www.sherwin-williams.com

View beautiful fabrics and trims at www.robertallendesign.com

Decorating with Oriental Carpets

An oriental carpet underfoot is a sagacious luxury. A fine art investment, one beautiful rug can carry the entire room. Some carpets are so densely woven of soft wool that it feels like walking on velvet. Don’t let that softness fool you. A well constructed rug can last for generations.

Oriental Carpets are a sustainable choice. They are durable and constructed from natural/organic fibers. Reputable importers have improved the standard of living for weavers in villages around the world. When a space is designed with pieces of timeless beauty it becomes highly sustainable. When surrounded with things we love, we do not want to replace them.

An oriental carpet can be used to enhance a room that is already furnished. For a new project, it is easiest to start with the rug first. However, you will want to consider what size is best? How do you determine the knot count? What other fabrics, furnishings and wall coverings will complement your rug? Specialty carpet dealers are usually happy to show you how to look at the back of a rug and determine the quality. Interior Designers have several guidelines that they follow when mixing scale, pattern and color.