Upcoming Reunion News...

The July 11th Maple Family Reunion will be held at Chief Shabbona Park .  E-mails direct to all family members will be forthcoming.  Written directions are in the e-mail and I hope to update this blog with a map after June 1st.  I will also send out paper invitations to those that do not have e-mail.  

The Washington Connection

Dustin Rud and Devery Rud Rielly have some great looking children, don't you think.  Devery sent these two great photos of the families, the larger one taken at Christmas 2008.

Back Row L to R: Shannon, Lenny Shaunte, Pam, Colton, Sidney, Greg, 

Bottom Row L to R: Darian, Dustin, Devery

  

Inauguration 101

Bill and Sue Go to Washington and

“Almost” Attend the Inauguration

Where were you the moment that Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44^th President of the United States?  This is our story.

Shortly after the election in November, Susan and I discussed attending the inauguration in person. I had joined the Obama grass roots effort in Omaha and wanted to witness the moment in the worst possible way. Suffice it to say, Sue’s passion for the quest was less intense. We agreed that if we could get tickets (a most unlikely possibility), we would attend. We would also learn to dance. Otherwise we would watch the ceremony on TV. 

I contacted our congressmen in the second district where we live and in the first district where my lab is located.  Surprisingly we were contacted by Jeff Fortenberry’s office (NE-1) and told that we would receive two tickets. Sue and I did take dancing lessons. We made our airline reservations. We stayed with our son Bill, his wife Jen, and their son Lucas in Catonsville just south of Baltimore. On Monday and Tuesday we stayed with Jim and Rita Reilly in Hyattsville, MD, just northeast of Washington and near a Metro station. They are the in-laws of one of our friends’ daughters.

We picked up our tickets on Monday, January 19. All 240,000 who were promised tickets had to pick them up at their congressman’s or senator’s office that day. We stood in line at the Longworth House Office Building for 3 hours before receiving them. That experience showed that we were not dressed warm enough for the inauguration. The weather for Tuesday was to be the same as for Monday; that is 27 degrees with a 14 degree wind chill.  While in line we chatted with many others, from Florida, Washington State, Colorado, Virginia, Kansas, Oregon, etc. One person had founded an organization to fight child trafficing in Benin, Africa.  In an odd coincidence, the young man behind us lived in Baltimore. His wife was from Lincoln, NE. He was also going to Congressman Fortenberry’s office. The tickets were color coded. Most of the tickets were silver which included the first two sections of the Mall. We received purple tickets. This section was standing but right behind the seats and just to the north. What good luck! (Or so we thought.) We would be on the Capitol Grounds about a football field away from the podium. We would watch the ceremony directly. With zoom and image stabilization, perhaps we would get some great photos. 

There was lots of advice about how to prepare for the inauguration. Be prepared to stand in the cold and wind for 6 hours. Bundle up in layers and bring ponchos, a blanket, hand and toe warmers, toilet paper, snacks, drinks (only clear fluids), maps, tickets, cell phone, binoculars, camera, etc. For security reasons your bag could not be larger than 8”x6”x4”

On Tuesday we got up at 5 am (all times are ET). The Metro started running at 4 am. Because we had tickets, there was not any particular urgency.  We bundled up; got on the Metro around 6 am and arrived at our appointed station just before 7 am. The stations were packed with people. At one stop where we changed trains, a young lady from Idaho asked if we had purple tickets. This was her first time to DC and she had been separated from her aunt. She stayed with us and incredibly found her aunt later on.

Many of the escalators were not running (for security reasons). We climbed the steps to the top. Our tickets specified where to go for the security screening. Unfortunately, there was a sea of people two blocks before that destination. They were waiting to get onto the Mall when it opened at 8. There was no way to get through them, so we decided to walk the opposite direction and go around them. There was still a mass of people but we were able to walk next to buildings and get near the screening station. Someone asked if anyone had purple tickets. She showed us the line for screening. We walked along the line for 2 blocks and asked one lady if this was the end of the line. She looked at us with incredility and said “oh no, it goes down this street for about a mile”. We walked and walked and walked. The line went the entire length of the Third Street Tunnel, which takes I395 under the Capitol Grounds and out the South side. As long as this line was (~.75 miles), it moved incredibly slowly. By 9 am there were reports that the Mall had been filled and was closed. 

Later we heard that one of the networks referred to us as the “Tunnel of Doom.” It was frustrating that the line moved so slowly. Sue also noted that there were no security agents monitoring the tunnel with about 20,000 in it, which was unsettling. Otherwise, it wasn’t that bad. Everyone was in a festive and excited mood. We talked with people all around us, from California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Mississippi, New York, etc. There was no wind chill in the tunnel. The acoustics were great. We began singing songs like “Lean on Me” and did Obama chants (All Fired Up! Ready to Go! And-- Yes we can! Yes we did!)

 About 10:45 give or take we were still deep in the tunnel. It collectively became obvious that we were not going to see the inauguration. It would have been justified to be angry or frustrated, but we didn’t feel or sense that. One older gentleman just behind us called out “I’ve been walking since Selma. I can walk a little longer.”  Many people abandoned the line. 

When we finally got back to street level there was no semblance of a line, just chaos. We followed the people in front of us. Even now things were festive. People leaned out of the windows and waived. As we got close to the gate to let us onto the grounds, many were leaving the gate, telling us that the gates were closed and they were not letting any more in. This was about 11:30. Initially Sue and I started to leave. I saw a secret service agent with a walkie talkie and asked what was going on. He said that there was a security breach. Once that was corrected the gate would reopen. We should go back to the gate. The gate never reopened. 

At the gate an agent on a megaphone told us to go to the gate for yellow ticket holders, which was actually closer to the ceremony. We did so. Just before that gate however, the crowd became a crush. As they pushed in the back you could feel the pressure on your hips, your chest and your back increase. There was no escape. I was holding on tightly to Sue’s hand so that we would not be separated, but eventually we had no choice but to let go. This was about 11:45 – 11:50 am. We were missing the ceremony but we might still see the swearing in. The agents at the gate kept saying that if we stayed calm they would let us in. We were calm but they did not let anyone in.

At 12 noon the gates were closed. Of course there were a few protests, but it is good that they did. The people in back of us stopped pushing. We could breathe again. Sue and I found each other. We were about 20 feet from the gate. One person just in front of the gate shouted “well, we almost attended the inauguration.” We could not see or hear any of the ceremony. Nonetheless, noon had passed. Barack Obama was now president! While discussing what to do next, we heard the roar of the crowd and then startled by very loud cannonfire. We were close enough to the Howitzers to feel the shock waves and see the smoke through the trees. We joined in the cheering. Indeed, Barack Obama was inaugurated President of the United States. The moment had happened! 

The rest of the story is anticlimatic. Later we found that as we were leaving, President Obama was giving his inaugural address. Nonetheless the streets, Union Station, and the Metro were packed. Clearly there were many others who “almost attended the Inauguration.” We briefly considered the parade, but only 350,000 could see that. The odds were very long. We got back to Hyattsville fairly quickly. Our friends were at the Washington Monument, about 1 mile from the Capitol. It took them 4 hours to get back as Constitution Avenue was closed and the Metro stations were opened and closed on a random basis for security reasons. 

That evening the four of us attended the All-American Ball at the Westin Hotel. It was not an official ball and Barack and Michelle did not attend. Perhaps that was a good thing. We had had enough of lines, crowds and security.  It was close to the White House. We passed Blair House while walking from the Metro Station to the Hotel. The dress code was “creative black tie.” The Girl Scouts presented the colors. Supposedly Buzz Aldrin was there but we did not see him.  We enjoyed talking with others, eating, drinking, and dancing. They had 5 bands performing in different parts of the Hotel. We stayed as long as we could. The Metro ran until 2 am. We arrived back at Hyattsville at 1:59 am. Jen and Luke picked us up later Wednesday morning. Before returning home we enjoyed crab cakes Wednesday evening with Jen and Bill at the Ellicott City Brewery.

In spite of all that went wrong, we consider this a very positive experience. A major reason that we went was to be with the million plus crowd to celebrate Obama's inauguration. In effect we were in the crowd and celebrating the entire trip: in the airports, the Metro, the lines, the tunnel, at the gates, at the ball, at Bill's, at the Reilly's. We met lots of people with tremendous diversity - race, age, geography, education, profession, religion, and politics. Yet everyone was excited and optimistic even while dealing with the weather, crowds, and security. That is contagious. You cannot help but love this America! We returned home optimistic. Yes, we can. That is our story.  Bill and Sue Beschorner

Here’s a little quiz. What President is described here? He grew up in poverty but began reading as much as he could early in life. His family moved from place to place. He idolized his father but was separated from him for much of his childhood. His mother died when she was still young. He worked in the Illinois State Legislature. The first time he ran for national office he was soundly defeated. Just two years after being elected US Senator, he ran for President of the United States. When he ran the country was deeply divided.  His main strength was as an eloquent orator. He was a deep thinker. He developed a sophisticated and extensive network for identifying and lobbying neutral voters and getting his supporters to the polls. This network proved invaluable in raising campaign funds. His main opponent for his party’s nomination was the Senator from New York, who was supported by the party machine and was generally assumed would win the nomination and the election. In contrast, our candidate was considered a long shot. After winning the election, he appointed his opponent for the nomination, the Senator from New York, as Secretary of State.  Who is he? 

If you said Barack Obama you would have been right.

If you said Abraham Lincoln you would also have been correct. 

Another Band of Brothers

With great pride and interest I have recorded a sliver of the Maple family history as it relates to the World War II military service of brothers Richard (Dick), Francis (Bud), and Robert (Bob).  In early summer of ’08 my nephew Greg Maple was enjoying the best seller Band of Brothers by author Stephen Ambrose.  While reading this now famous story his thoughts wandered to his grandfather and great uncles who he remembered had seen active roles in “The Big One.” In an email to me he professed hope that I could shed some light on family history, circa WWII.  

        I, like most, find our nation’s victory in WWII to be a powerful legacy.  Our own family members were heroes of the heartland too.  I find Greg’s intrigue with his heritage to be very special. I believe that, somehow, his Grandpa Dick and Uncles Bud and Bob are very pleased that he cares.

       With Greg’s inquiry, I soon called Uncle Bob, to seek his knowledge and reflections of the Maple’s service to their country.  He was eager to help, and for an hour he recalled the events of the 1940’s faster than I could take notes. Three shorter phone calls added a little more insight and clarity.  Reciting, with modest pride and remarkable accuracy, he told his story. I was in awe, captivated by the oral history that was of our very own. Thank you again, Greg, for the spirit that fostered this small study of our family’s past.  It is with hope, that the following record is worthy of the bravery and sacrifices that make these memories dear.

      At 8:00am on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor: “a date which will live in infamy”.  On December 11 the U.S. congress declared war on Japan.  Germany and Italy, as part of the Tripartite Pact with Japan, effectively were also at war with the USA.  A long and costly war ended in 1945 when Germany surrendered on May 7 (VE Day), and Japan following suit on September 2 aboard the battleship Missouri. With a loss of over 400,000 American lives, our homeland was safe again.

       The Maple children, Richard, Francis, Josephine, Margorie, Robert, and William grew up in Waterman, the typical Midwest village that worked hard, raised their families, and in the 40’s, sent their eligible sons to war.  Dick Maple at age 29 was the first Waterman family man to be called to the service during the war.  He was inducted into the US Army on February 7, 1944.  He was injured during training with Co. A, 292^nd Engineers Combat Division.  He then spent the tenure of his service at Lawson Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. As a Private First Class he received his honorable medical discharge on January 18, 1945.

       Bud Maple at age 25, entered the Army Air Force on February 18, 1943.  He was first assigned small plane training in Tennessee, then on to Atlanta to master the B-26 bomber.  Bud, highest rank 2^nd Lt, was a co-pilot in the 387 Bomb Group, based near Paris, France.  He flew numerous bombing missions, often experiencing heavy flak over enemy territory.  Bud was discharged from the Active Reserves in October, 1945.

       Bob Maple, at age 20, was called from the US Army Reserve to active duty on March 19, 1943.  He served as a Staff Sergeant in the 517^th Combat Regiment and was attached to the 101^st Airborne Division.  He also served in the 2^nd Division under General Gavin, the youngest general in the war and a paratrooper himself.  While participating in five major battle campaigns in France and Belgium, Bob would make 16 jumps.  The most dangerous was in Southern France to divert the German’s attention away from the main Allied invasion at Normandy.   Here, the American troops did not break through the German lines and the 517th Regiment was on the front lines for 93 straight days.   Much of the Band of Brothers story was centered on the defense of Bastogne in the Battle of the Bulge. Bob was attached to the same Division as the “band of brothers.”   In-circled, his group would spend November to February surrounded by enemy troops.   His unit, while bogged down along the Rhine River was loading up for another critical and perilous jump when it was learned that Patton’s Third Army was already in the drop zone.  Their jump was not necessary.

       In another combat assignment, Bob was awarded the Bronze Star for his successful planning and execution of an ambush on a German unit.  With only 6 men, he captured or killed 30 German soldiers.  Sustaining minor injuries, he spent a short time in a first aid station and was awarded the Purple Heart. 

       Soon after, with the German surrender and the US/Allied victory in hand, Bob was given two choices.:  stay on duty in occupied Europe, or to take a 30 day furlough before joining US forces in the Japanese sector of war.  He chose to fight on. While shipboard in route to the US, his unit was informed of the A-Bomb drops that vaporized Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing Japan to quick surrender.  This development spared his participation in the invasion of the Japanese mainland that was estimated to suffer over 1,000,000 casualties.  Bob was discharged from the Army in October, 1945.    

       Brothers Bud and Bob, both in the European theatre of war at the same time, would see each other twice.  With a pass in hand, one or the other would hitch a ride to make a rendezvous. Once, they missed each other, inadvertently travelling in opposite directions. Both were involved in special missions, so communication was difficult.  In the shortest of meetings, Bud, with info from a friend in a hospital, made his way to Bob’s station. When he arrived, all the brothers could do was wave at each other as Bob’s unit pulled away in trucks. On another hitch-hiking trip Bob rode with another young man from Waterman (small world!)  Bob also had the fortune to fly with Bud on one of his bombing runs. He sat in the plastic nose bubble where he saw “it all”, including the light flak coming their way.

       So, there you have it, a little bit of written memorabilia, Maple brothers’ style.  Of course there is more, much more.  But, with just a little portion of history in hand, it does give us a small window into our family’s past.  Yes, our family who stood firm and courageous in this epic era of war, were part of “The Greatest Generation”.

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not the absence of fear.”            -Mark Twain

Submitted – December, 2008

Tom Maple

Darian, Devery, Grey & Sidney Reilly-Pam Prestegaard's Daughter