Letter From Eileen

President and CEO LIFE Senior Services, LIFE PACE, Vintage Housing eileen.bradshaw@LIFEseniorservices.org

Dear Vintage Reader,

As we head into the last months of 2021, we enter a time of year when traditions abound. Few arenas have as many valued traditions as the United States military, which we showcase in this issue of LIFE's Vintage Newsmagazine.

You will find in these pages a wonderful piece on Tulsa’s own Rosie the Riveters who kept the home front humming during World War II, and a look at how some local veterans are continuing the spirit of service through volunteer work in our community.

I have never served in the military, but my father and father-in-law did, as well as my brother and brother-in-law. I am aware of the sacrifices they made, both on and off the battlefield. I am grateful to all those who served our country, and to the families who stood in support of their service. Military service is no small thing.

My father’s military career was short but formative. He was in Air Force intelligence, the specifics of which he did not disclose even 50 years after his exit. He learned to speak several languages during this time, studying Hungarian through the military at the University of Indiana.

I only really understood that he had been spying when at age 70, he applied for the Peace Corps. Because of his intelligence background, he wasn’t considered a good “placement fit” in many countries. Since he spoke Russian, there was a posting in Siberia willing to take him. Because he had a less punishing climate in mind for his next adventure, he politely declined that posting!

I became aware of Fort Gibson National Cemetery when my father died. At his interment, I was struck by the beauty of the tidy rows of uniform grave markers and the flags blowing in the breeze. We wandered through the rows of markers, reading the short epitaphs. The gravestone wording is limited to name, dates, branch of service and a brief caption. The caption character limit is short, reminding me of Twitter. It is fascinating to see how lives are distilled into such brief statements. Some are faithful, some are familial and some are simply funny. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I think it's worth a day trip even if you don’t have a loved one there. It is a remarkable place, rich in history and character.

As we approach Thanksgiving, please know that I am thankful for you and your readership of the Vintage. Your support and your comments mean a lot to us all here at the magazine.

Best,

Eileen Bradshaw, President and CEO

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