J and Jay
Contributed by: Jyoti Date: May 31, 2011
At 51 years of age, the eldest son, Mr. J. Jr. unveils the plaque dedicated to his father. His heart is full of emotions. A roller coaster of happy memories, the losses and the sacrifices, flood his memories and he is totally lost for words. He has to give a little speech at the function and it doesn’t make it a bit easy as each memory clouds in front of his eyes and it is the most gratifying moment of his life! With all these mixed feelings, he delivers a speech which earns him applause and he is back in his seat with tears in his eyes. This memory of his father as a veteran is still fresh in his mind….
‘’ His father, a veteran and a soldier in the World War I in 1918, lived at Yonkers, New York after his services in the World War I, with his wife and sons. . He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest Award for services rendered during World War I.
Post war, he worked as the chief Administrator for the Parks and Recreation Department for 40 years. The building is named after him for his unrelenting contribution to its upkeep.
The plaque dedicated to him in recognision of his contribution reads…
‘We dedicate this administration building in the memory of J.Sr. to whom recreation was one of the most important ingredients of life. Through recreation he expanded our horizons, stimulated our imagination and encouraged our creativity. He made the lives of our people more worth living tomorrow than they were yesterday. But above all, recreation to J Sr. Was People first, last and always.’ ‘’
Encouraged by the spirit of patriotism and service and lead by ideals of his father, Mr. J at 18 years of age enrolled himself into the military, with a craze to kill Hitler in the World War II (1944/ 1946). He was commissioned to Philippines where he did an exellent job. Having served his term, he returned and enrolled himself in college to complete his education. As though sensing his dedication he was now summoned for the Korean War (1950 /52). The war soon came to an end and returned J back to his education and his high school sweet heart Jay , who all along stood by his side, supportive and steadfast.
I spoke to Jay to ask about her most memorable moments and this was what came up. She had enjoyed the very romantic days during her high school with J when everything was possible and those were the days when they had lots of l fun and to this day they are united, devoted and doting octogenarian couple!
She too now at 84 has unforgettable memories to share with J, now married for 64 years...
Her story is movie like when she met J first….…
At high School, J, 17 couldn’t take his eyes off Jay, 16 a beautiful and mischievous lasso’s .Jay, ever up to something could hang out with friends in the famous Ice cream parlor and maneuver salt and pepper shakers and do odd little pranks just to get the attention of J.
J, tall handsome and football captain, was every girls dream. But J had eyes only for Jay.He, was always on her tail and did not miss any of the pranks either .Attraction grew and one fine day a little prank of peppershaker got them introduced .Then there was no turning back. The romance bloomed with the well kept secret of ‘the pepper-shaker- episodes.
The dashing Basket ball captain J and the coy pretty girl Jay were soon united in holy matrimony and are very happy to share the fabulous moments of their lives
With Irish blood, J and Jay both are still full of life and verve, happy and content!
He is a Medicare counselor with the State Health Insurance Program of Medicare Services for the past 24 years...Every Monday he is faithfully at the St Clare’s Department of Medicare Volunteers, helping people with their Medicare issues.
He is so full of a young man’s spirit that, he sometimes even runs across the road and jumps the fence to get into his car in order to be with Jay as fast as he can!
When I first told him about this blog of ‘1000 moons’ and that I wished to write something for him, he was excited, enthusiastic and cooperative. Jay too was eager and willingly shared some of the momentous memories for this blog!
Cheers to the couple who have treasured 2000 moons together!
(The names changed to respect privacy)
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