Jinglebob
Well-known member
I'm not too sure why I decided to write this and/or post it here. Maybe it's just something I felt needed to be said.
The passing of an era
Few will note or even realise the passing of another era. Wayne Dennis, the youngest of the three Dennis boys, has passed on. He and two older brothers, both deceased, were raised on a western South Dakota homestead at the beginning of the 1900's.
Harry, Roy and Wayne grew up on the praire and went from using horses for the primary source of power, to seeing man circle the earth and explore deep into space, in vehicles that they could only imagine, as young men. What lives they lead!
From humble means and bordering on what would now be thought of as poverty, where you worked for what you earned and literaly lived "from the sweat of your brows". They lived to seeing people travel in automobiles in an hour, to make a trip that would have taken two days with a team and wagon, when they were young!
The three all grew to manhood and went thru' the "dirty thirties'. All worked for a dollar a day or less and were glad to at least be able to earn that amount.
When the United States entered into World War 2, all three young men were called to duty and all answered. Wayne was the only one of the three that Uncle Sam would except. He went and served his country honorably and was awarded commendations for service, above and beyond the call of duty.
All three young men took wives and brought them home to the family ranch, for at least a time.
Harry eventually moved to Whitewood and worked for many years at Fort Meade.
Roy welded for a tank company during the war and moved back to South Dakota after the war was over and worked at Tri State Milling company. Eventually, he moved back home and bought the family ranch from his parents. He remained there until his death.
Wayne moved his small family close to and eventually into Rapid City and worked as a carpenter and later for a building supply company for many years.
With the death of Wayne, we lose one more of that generation who went when they were asked and were proud to serve their country. They did a job and never complained or bragged on their deeds.
In light of the conditions in the world today and especially in these United States, it causes me to admire these men and their generation, the likes of which we will probably never be fortunate enough to see again. And I am proud to have known them and the many others like them, who gave so thanklessly of themselves. They were real men!
The passing of an era
Few will note or even realise the passing of another era. Wayne Dennis, the youngest of the three Dennis boys, has passed on. He and two older brothers, both deceased, were raised on a western South Dakota homestead at the beginning of the 1900's.
Harry, Roy and Wayne grew up on the praire and went from using horses for the primary source of power, to seeing man circle the earth and explore deep into space, in vehicles that they could only imagine, as young men. What lives they lead!
From humble means and bordering on what would now be thought of as poverty, where you worked for what you earned and literaly lived "from the sweat of your brows". They lived to seeing people travel in automobiles in an hour, to make a trip that would have taken two days with a team and wagon, when they were young!
The three all grew to manhood and went thru' the "dirty thirties'. All worked for a dollar a day or less and were glad to at least be able to earn that amount.
When the United States entered into World War 2, all three young men were called to duty and all answered. Wayne was the only one of the three that Uncle Sam would except. He went and served his country honorably and was awarded commendations for service, above and beyond the call of duty.
All three young men took wives and brought them home to the family ranch, for at least a time.
Harry eventually moved to Whitewood and worked for many years at Fort Meade.
Roy welded for a tank company during the war and moved back to South Dakota after the war was over and worked at Tri State Milling company. Eventually, he moved back home and bought the family ranch from his parents. He remained there until his death.
Wayne moved his small family close to and eventually into Rapid City and worked as a carpenter and later for a building supply company for many years.
With the death of Wayne, we lose one more of that generation who went when they were asked and were proud to serve their country. They did a job and never complained or bragged on their deeds.
In light of the conditions in the world today and especially in these United States, it causes me to admire these men and their generation, the likes of which we will probably never be fortunate enough to see again. And I am proud to have known them and the many others like them, who gave so thanklessly of themselves. They were real men!