MEGAPHONE
Elwood, Indiana Elwood High School(s)
Volume 6, No. 3 Tuesday, March 1, 2005
Contents
(Page numbers on the left can be used as links!)
Page 1 . . . The Melting Pot -- Deborah (Bozell) Donahue
Page 2 . . . The Return of the Buzzards -- Nancy Sumner
Page 3 . . . Family -- Cindy (Benedict) Odom
A New Wal-Mart Store -- Gertha Cabbage
Page 4 . . . The Anderson Jinx -- Episode V -- Jane Ann (Seright) Lemen
Page 5 . . . Willkie Buttons -- Nancy Sumner
What To Write -- Karen (Stine) Hollies
Page 6 . . . The Red Head -- Louise (Mountcastle) Romine
Wild Life -- Estel Harney
Gun Slinging Cowboy -- Louise (Mountcastle) Romine
Letter From a Farm Boy -- Louise (Mountcastle) Romine
The Melting Pot
by Deborah (Bozell) Donahue
*One of the first articles I wrote for the megaphone was called "The Melting Pot" acknowledging all those brave men and women in all ethnic groups who endured days, weeks, and months in a steerage compartment of a vessel that brought them to America. Since St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, I thought it might be fitting to reprint the article on behalf of all those good and gifted people, the Irish!
Genealogy has become a popular hobby in the past few years for many people who are in search of their family’s heritage. The question paramount in my mind was what constituted such a strong determination of these ancestors to make their enduring voyages? These are people who dropped everything in a moment’s notice and boarded sailing vessels heading off to what they hoped would one day be their promise land.
In many incidents these families lived for days in conditions beyond description in steerage compartments of a vessel. While hostage, many endured a way of life unimaginable to us today. They not only shared their conversations in small spaces, but also shared their most private daily functions there as well. For many of the immigrants the deplorable conditions on the ship were no worse than what they had been living with, except for the confinement and loss of life they faced daily.
What crossed my mind often was once they saw these conditions did any of them have second thoughts of returning to the dock they once boarded with optimism?
As I continued looking for answers, it was even hard for me to imagine the way of life back then were conflicts, famine and religious beliefs tore families apart and away from the only land they ever knew.
After reading and hearing stories from descendants of all ethnic backgrounds, I came to one conclusion, there had to be a common denominator that contributed to the fortitude of these individuals. My final conclusion was it had to be their faith!
We as human beings are like a quilt made up of all the beautiful patchwork that contributes to the lovely coverlet. It is the same with our religions. We are made up of many, but the one denominator is the faith that comes from all the beliefs that we hold dear to us. Our faith as a nation sustained us throughout this past year as Americans, and for the brave souls of many nationalities who suffered the many crossings that brought them to a better life; it too was their faith that led them to the end of their long anticipated journey!
My sincere thanks go out to all the brave immigrants who were responsible for creating and giving a little bit of themselves to each and everyone of us. Most of all, they are responsible for the strong values they instilled within us all so we can be proud to say we are truly blessed Americans!
Deborah (Bozell) Donahue, 2002
Ormond Beach, Florida
Ó2001 by Deborah (Bozell) Donahue
to Page 2