The Great Thanksgiving Project

00:01 All right, I'm Alex McConnell and I'm here with my grandma, Martha McConnell or Nana. I'm just gonna, you know, go through a couple questions. So when and where were you born?

00:15 I was born in Chambers County, a small place out in the country. And the name of the little place was Dudleyville.

00:29 Okay.

00:31 Way back in the day.

00:33 What was it, 1931?

00:36 It was, yes. It was a long time ago. Absolutely long time.

00:46 Yeah.

00:49 It was a good time. But it was, of course, then I really didn't realize how difficult it was to parents, but they did not have. They were like other people there, you know, they were struggling, making ends come together and being a family. Yeah, I think they were. Back then, families were so united, you know, that they worked together and shared and it was. You just have to look for the good times.

01:33 Yeah. So kind of, what was your childhood like with your parents and school? Yeah. And did you work any jobs?

01:44 We did not have per se jobs. Our jobs was working at home, helping them, you know, whatever was harvested. You know, back then, everybody had to can to preserve their foods, to carry them through the winter months. And so, no, we didn't have that thing like you have a job, you earn money and that kind of thing. It was a family event that you worked together to keep the food planted, gathered and preserved. And I look back on it, and back then it was not hard, but now that I look back and I think what we really had had to do there was lots of work. We didn't have the time to. Of course, you know, they had the school events like the basketball back then, I think was the main gathering. You know, people would go to that. But, you know, I don't recall when I worked was like, when I was in. I was going to school. I was in the fifth grade. Fifth grade.

03:28 Okay.

03:28 And I lived in a small community called Lafayette, Alabama. And I would go to school and when I was in the fifth grade, I would walk back up to this little town which was, you know, 10 minutes.

03:47 Yeah, yeah.

03:47 I would work in the 10 cent store.

03:50 10 cent store.

03:50 What they call the 10 cent store. It was. It was owned by a Jewish, Jewish couple. And they. That was really interesting at the time that I was there because there was two 10 cent stores in town and one was by the Jewish people and the other was just by, you know, like Americans. Ok. And so my sister. I had a sister that was two and a half years older than myself. I worked in one of the stores and for a whole week's work where you went to Work every afternoon. And you worked all day on Saturday. And I had $2.90 for a whole week's wages. The whole week.

04:40 That's pretty.

04:41 You think about. You go in the afternoon, you'd say, there's two or three hours.

04:45 Yeah.

04:46 And then all day Saturday. And you stayed open on Saturday at night until about 8:00.

04:51 Yeah, it's pretty late.

04:53 Yeah.

04:54 Yeah.

04:55 And. But I was making 290, and my sister that was working over at the other 10 cent store, she made $5 a week.

05:04 Sean's making what you were.

05:08 I was making the 290 and she was making.

05:12 That's just not fair.

05:13 And it wasn't fair. And so my sister finished high school and went to work at the probate office. And I went to. I went to work to the. At the store where she was making $5 for the whole week.

05:31 Yeah.

05:32 And my father had to go to these people where I was working and explain to them that I could make more at the other store. They wanted to. Wanted me to continue to work there and that they would pay me $5. But we did not agree to that. Yeah, it was not as comfortable.

05:53 Yeah, I understand.

05:56 So it was. But that's the type of work that I did growing up. And it was nice, you know, because Lafayette was built on a. What we termed as a square where the courthouse was in the middle of the town and the shops were built all the way around. Yeah. And then on Saturday night, people would come to town, park their cars, you know, and then they would go to the. To the places that sold ice cream.

06:36 Oh, yeah, that's cool.

06:37 We only had one or two.

06:39 Yeah.

06:40 But you visited on Saturday night downtown. Yeah, that way.

06:44 That's cool. That's really cool. So I know we're kind of gonna go forward a little bit.

06:49 I'm talking too much.

06:50 No, you're talking just fine. I promise you. It's okay. Where did you meet Richard, Mr. McConnell?

07:00 Oh, goodness. I mean, through a classmate at school.

07:06 Okay.

07:07 I was. I was introduced that way.

07:14 Okay.

07:14 That's been a long time ago.

07:16 Was that. Was that in high school that you were.

07:18 That was in high school, yes.

07:20 Okay.

07:20 Yes.

07:21 Yeah. All right. It's pretty. That was. That was a pretty. So what. What age did you get married at?

07:29 I must have been 20 or 21. I'm not sure. Really.

07:37 Pretty young.

07:38 Time has just slipped by.

07:40 Yeah.

07:41 You would think I would remember that.

07:43 Yeah, that was. I mean, that was what, probably.

07:47 Oh, ain't that strange?

07:48 Like 70 years ago. So. Something like that. Yeah.

07:53 A long time.

07:56 Yeah.

07:56 Yes. I must look that up because I can't remember.

08:01 Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sure dad might know.

08:04 He might know. Yes.

08:06 So speaking of dad, you know, what was he like growing up as a kid and teenager?

08:13 Very energetic. Always doing things. Riding his little red bike here. Oh, he just used to. First off was the little red tricycle.

08:30 Tricycle, okay.

08:32 And he would just. Oh, ride that thing. Oh, that was his transportation. And then he finally. We bought a red bicycle. And he was constantly out building or playing this thing.

08:52 Yeah.

08:53 Yes. Because he. Woody was started to kindergarten. He went home with a friend and didn't call or let me know anything. And the mother of his friends called and asked me if I realized that he was at her house. And I said no. He was a very interesting person, you know?

09:24 Yeah.

09:26 And having a older sister and a brother. Yeah. You know, they could. They could lay all of their problems off on John. Oh, he did it. I didn't do it. And then who got punished?

09:42 John did.

09:44 That was a lot of certification.

09:46 Yeah.

09:47 Like breaking the window out in the front door.

09:50 Breaking the window.

09:52 Oh, well, one client around here, he was a good child, but they're interested in and, you know, so he kept us busy, I'm sure.

10:13 Yeah, I'm sure he did.

10:14 It was amazing. Oh, that's been a long time ago.

10:19 Yeah. He's pushing 60 now. Isn't that pretty crazy?

10:26 Yeah, it is.

10:27 He doesn't like to hear that, but.

10:29 Oh, no, he's 55, and I don't like tearing. It makes me feel old, even though I don't feel it.

10:38 Yeah, No, I don't. You shouldn't feel old. You're. You're still doing great. You just. You just witnessed a lot of history, that's all.

10:45 I tell you what, it's been amazing.

10:47 It's been a good life, I think. I always think it's cool to like, think, because, you know, we've been doing American history the past couple years in high school and stuff. So I think, like, you were born into the Great Depression.

11:00 Yeah.

11:00 And then you were like 10 years old in the middle of World War II.

11:04 Yes.

11:05 And then, you know, Richard went to. He served in Vietnam.

11:09 He did.

11:09 And then, you know, you've been through 9, 11, and you've been through Covid. You've just, like all these huge world events is just really, really cool to think about that. You've kind of experienced all of them, you know, I think that's really cool.

11:29 I mean, the years that if you stop and start counting what did take place during my lifetime. It's hard to believe.

11:39 Yeah, it is. I've only lived through one of those events I just named.

11:43 And yeah, it's. By the way you explained it, it sounded like that we were just on a roll one year to the next, but. And it was different all the time. You know, you don't. Maybe you don't stop and think about it. You just assume that's the way it's supposed to be.

12:19 Yeah. Yeah.

12:21 So there's a lots of ups and there's a lots of downs in your life. I mean, in your family life, even with all the things going on. And mine was like many other military families of being in service. Like, Richard was for 20 years, very fortunate. We were in Enterprise a great deal because he went through the helicopter school.

13:03 Yeah. Find the Chinooks.

13:08 You know, I was trying to think of the helicopters that he flew. And I was talking to John about it. And you said Chinook.

13:19 Yeah, the Chinooks.

13:23 I'm very embarrassed that I can't remember the plane. Aircraft.

13:28 It's got a funny name. So, you know.

13:30 Yeah, he might have flown that. I know he flew that big helicopter that, you know, looks like a banana.

13:37 Oh, yeah.

13:38 You know the one that's kind of dips.

13:40 Kind of like. Yeah, it dips right there in the center. Yeah, I know what you're talking about.

13:42 And that I'm not sure of the rest of that.

13:45 I'm sure he flew a lot of.

13:46 Different helicopters because he was kind of, you know, in a way, he was kind of into the beginning of that, you know, that training here and Enterprise. Yeah, they trained on those little 13s, I think, is what that. Little bitty ones. And then progressed.

14:05 Yeah. To the bigger ones.

14:05 And I'm not. I can't remember.

14:11 It's a lot to remember.

14:13 Gracious.

14:14 So I know. Kind of touching on that. You lived in Germany for a little bit, right?

14:19 We were over there four years.

14:21 For four years, yes. So, you know, what was kind of. What was it like? You know, what was maybe your favorite memory from living over there?

14:30 Germany was quite. I mean, for back then, for that. We went over in 60. 60 and we came back in 64. And living over there was. When we first got there, we lived on the economy and we rented from a German couple and we had the first floor. And you know, we just take for granted. We did. It was like if you wanted to take a tub bath, then you had to build a little fire under the hot water heater to have Hot water. Otherwise you didn't. You had a cold shower.

15:20 Yeah, that's hard to tell.

15:22 They had. Like, when you turned on the water, the gas would come on and heat the water as it flowed out.

15:30 Yeah, that's. That's crazy.

15:34 Driving was. Driving was kind of difficult over there. I remember that we took over a big automobile, which was the wrong thing to do because the streets are bad over there.

15:53 Oh, really?

15:54 They're very narrow and. But that's what we did. And for a second call something. I don't really know how we came by it, but we got an old Mercedes and I could always. I used to drive it and I would go to post, which I've forgotten how far away from where I live, to the post. But invariably coming home, I'd have one of the tires. Something would happen to one of the tires, and, you know, of course the German would stop to help me. And then what they wanted was cigarettes.

16:40 Oh, yeah. It's the kind of cigarettes.

16:43 And I didn't have any. And I should have, you know, put. I should have bought some and had with me, but I didn't. But, yeah, traveling over there was not difficult, but yet it wasn't easy. And of course, way back then, which we weren't accustomed to here in the United States, they had the circle you know, driving, you know, like, they have some here in the States now and. Oh, goodness, now the Germans really did like to go fast. They really, really did. They did, yeah. And. And of course, I had to shop. I didn't have to, but I did shop at the commissary instead of shopping. Investor was, you know. Oh, I don't know. The clothing over there at that time was different because it was cold back.

18:00 Then, but it was real cold over in Germany.

18:03 Oh, I don't. It was minutes. It was definitely. I will tell you, the buildings were different. When we first got there, I started. My goodness, these places, they were just building. But that wasn't true. They were built and they just looked that way. But at that point in time, people over there really didn't have that much.

18:29 Yeah. Because it was just right after World War II.

18:33 And when we were over there that first year, it was. It snowed really. But we did. We did buy a tent while we was over there. And we went with another couple. We went camping. That's what lots of people did over there back then.

19:00 Camping.

19:00 Okay, Was camping. And I just want that Kleenex I got you. We went to. We went to Luxembourg while we were over there. Let's see where we went, we touched on. We had to go on a boat over to this place. I can't think of the name of it. Saw the White Cliffs of Dover. Oh, I don't know. We did a good bit of camping because the children were little. Yeah, I think our son was about nine months old and Lolisa was two or something like that.

19:52 So were they, were they born in Germany?

19:54 No, they were not born in Germany.

19:56 Okay, so they were born here and then y'all moved over there.

19:58 Yeah, it was a long flight.

20:02 I bet it was with us newborn kids.

20:05 8 hours or longer to get there.

20:08 Yeah, it's a pretty long flight.

20:11 And I know, you know, when the couples got ready, got orders to come back to the United States, you had to have at least you needed somebody, a friend that you could go and stay with until you went to port. I think I had about three of those.

20:37 Three of those.

20:38 I mean it was good. It was good. It was friends and that's been a long time ago. You think about from 60 to what.

20:49 It is now, it's what, 46, 63 years.

20:52 A long time.

20:53 It's a long time ago. So you were.

20:55 But it was late 20s. We saw it at. We were there at the time when you know, things were low keyed and the people didn't have much.

21:05 Yeah.

21:10 And you know, you just had to. Somebody had to sponsor you when you got there so that you'd have a place to stay. That was truly. When we was in Germany was the only time that we had to live on naturally had to live on post. Really the other times we have lived on the economy and you didn't have to have porters but you meet lots of nice people and yeah, definitely, definitely.

21:45 A cool experience to go travel international or even live international. Well, with all these years of life, you know, 90, almost 93 years, what would you say, you know, what would be some advice that you'd give to, you know, to me to.

22:06 Use advice to give to you. You're doing so well and you enjoying school and you have a plan to. For what you would like to. You have a plan you do for the future and what you want to do and how it's going to be done and everything. Over my years, I definitely think that a family should. They do, do God's work. You really need to be focused on what you can do, you know, be a part of a community of. I just think going to church during this period. Of course, I'm not saying that I was. I am a dedicated Christian, but You know, way back in your early years, you went. And I'm not just.

23:29 Yeah, yeah.

23:30 I don't know how to explain it, but I think families should be focused and I don't know, it just gives you a feeling of security during your life. And, you know, I think of family life is so important. I just think that there should be quality time in a family, being together, doing things together, of that. To me, that nature, you know, loving each other and showing respect for your nation is a great thing to me. It really, really is. Because I think about the way it has been and the way it is right now and it's like. It's just kind of hard to say. I just, I think, you know, you coming up and living, you need to be able to respect people and respect their ways and understanding and just enjoy life, have some fun. I mean, you could work, you know, all day, but at the end of the day there's got to be relaxation. I do know that for a fact.

25:30 That's true.

25:32 You really need it and be able to go and do something, plan trips, family and friends and all that kind of thing. So it's been a great life because I have been on tours with the church and with other groups and it's been great. It's been great.

26:02 Has been. Spent some good time with some family over Thanksgiving this year.

26:07 Yeah. And all the, you know, the people that you associate with and it's just. Life is what you make it.

26:15 Absolutely. It's very true.

26:18 You can go and enjoy either. You can complain and stay at home.

26:24 That's right. I'm going to go enjoy it.

26:26 I don't know. It's just a simple life. Oh, it has been for me, simple life.

26:35 It's been a good life. Sure has been.

26:37 Ryan is an awful nice young man. I have enjoyed Alex from the day he was a little boy, a very cute little fellow and watching him play and look forward to him coming to my home and being together on Thanksgiving and Christmas and during the summer at the lake some and everything. It's just been. We just have a wonderful family. I am sure.

27:14 We sure do.

27:15 I am so blessed. I am so blessed that I'm in a family that we just have good relationships. We want to visit, be with each other and they're just growing up, growing up. I can't believe it. How much, how fast the time has gone by. It's just unreal. But it's all good. It's all good.

27:43 It is.

27:43 Truly is.

27:45 Alrighty.

27:46 So I hope you have a good rest of the year.

27:50 I hope you do, too. I'll be seeing you in about a. About a month, I think. Christmas break. We get out of school December 15th, I believe. So we should get about three. Three weeks to a month off of school, which would be really nice.

28:06 We never had that much time off. I don't normally we would get the week of it.

28:10 Yeah, they've.

28:11 Before Christmas, but I don't understand.

28:13 They've upgraded us. They said they've upgraded. You know, they're getting us a couple, three, four weeks now. It's nice now.

28:20 When do you get out, though? In.

28:24 Like. When do I go back?

28:26 When do you go back? And just.

28:27 Okay, so we get out of school. The Last day is December 15th. We probably go back sometime in the beginning of January, maybe six or seventh. So about 20 to 25 days.

28:40 I do know that. And it affected John a lot at Christmas time when he was in the first grade, they let them go. I have a week, a week and a half out of school. And when they went back. Excuse me. When they went back. He never did. I mean, it just that he was in a good momentum, you know, he was doing real, real good. And then they had the break. And then it looks as though that what he had learned was lost.

29:20 Yeah, it's hard to get back into.

29:22 The swing of things to get back where he should. Which it should have been easy to have been out and then get back in.

29:31 Yeah.

29:31 But that wasn't so with him.

29:33 Yeah.

29:34 That he kind of lost that.

29:36 Kind of just missed that continued practice of whatever you're learning around break. Because, I mean, I know I'm not, but I know a lot of kids don't go home and practice school over their Christmas break, because I know I sure don't. So they're gonna go back to school. I mean, I don't blame them, though. You know, you need a break from school.

29:52 That's what it's all about.

29:54 Yeah. Spending time with family and friends and.

29:56 Just having fun and then, you know, working.

30:02 I'll be working over the break a little bit.

30:06 You know, I think. I know you want to. I mean, you don't want to do slightly around the house all day.

30:12 I need to make some extra money to get me through the rest of the school year.

30:16 Crazy. Yes. But it'll be good. Whatever they've got planned and it'll be good. You have to adjust to it.

30:30 Yep. Sure will be.