One Tough Dude

In the post office, I hand a filled-out form to the clerk.

He reviews the form and says, "Chance, is that how you sez it?"

"Yeah," I reply.

"Well, when I was in boot camp, I had a drill instructor: Sergeant Chance. He was one tough dude. Do you know any Chance like that?"

"I don't know of any Chances that were drill instructors. How long ago was that?"

"Oh, gosh, over thirty years ago. Don't think things in the military are as tough as that anymore."

"Yeah, nowadays the DI probably gives out M&M's for good behavior," I joke.

"They never let us have sweets in boot camp. When we got CARE boxes from home, we had to open them up in front of the DI and the troops. I remember when a friend opened up a box from his mother that was all cookies--chocolate chip. Sergeant Chance made him dump them on the ground and then Sergeant Chance stomped them into dust. I'll never forget that Sergeant Chance--one tough dude."

Uncle Dick

Natalie and Rebecca,

 

Here is a scanned copy of a copy that Aunt Elvera sent me a decade ago.

 

The first time we Chances met Richard Slabey was in August 1947, when Elvera brought him from Minneapolis to Great Falls by train to meet her older (by 13 years) sister's family. Two years later we drove to Minneapolis to attend their wedding; Mom and Judy were part of the wedding ceremonies.

 

This picture was taken by one of Hindel's Cabins where we stayed on Lake McDonald in Glacier Park. This picture triggers many great memories.

 

I am six and standing in front of Mom. Sister Judy is almost four and standing in front of Dad who is wearing his coat and tie in Glacier. And Elvera (Fautsch) and Dick are on the right.

 

In all of these years, Uncle Dick has been my hero, role model, confident and friend. I  treasure the times he made us laugh: not ordinary laughter; not laughter experienced anywhere else; but tears in your eyes laughter that hurt and brought us to our knees.

 

Sixty-five years have gone byand now he is gone; I am deeply deeply saddened.

 

Rest in peace dear Uncle.

 

Geoff