EP266: Ilene Hall Joined the Army to Search for Her Husband During WWII and Special Neat Treats: A Dad's Gift to His Children with Down Syndrome

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Depending on your employer coverage. It can seem confusing, but it doesn't have to be UHC Medicare health plans.com to learn more United healthcare helping people live healthier lives. This is Mrs. our American stories we tell stories about everything here on the show from the arts to sports, from business to history and everything in between including your stories. There are some of our favorites are X story. Well, it's one about service love and sacrifice. Let's follow Eileen Hall's incredible journey across Europe. She searches for her husband in the middle of World War II. Eileen was a member in the women's Army Corps for what we got together with Eileen and her daughter Sherry both live in Clinton, Ohio is I'm from Canton, Ohio. I was born in 1011 23 and my mother and dad had a restaurant in downtown Canton and we had a hotel up above the restaurant and that's where I was raised.

We lived right across the street from McKinley high school so all I had to do was walk for high school was walk across the street go to school after my mother made it to my high school graduation and shortly after that she passed on and my dad remarried and I felt very uncomfortable at home. Different mother really working at roller bearing company so it's a long time that 75 years ago. You know, so I'm trying to remember a lot of what I'll never forget, but in there I met a girl and we became friends and we worked in the stationary supply office and she had a boyfriend from Galleon Ohio and every time he came up to see her.

He brought his brother, so she said you think you'd mind dating his brother if he brings them up nice. I don't know well that was it because we just melted and it's just worked out so but he was being drafted. Like all he was going to be sent to Oklahoma so after my dad remarried. I just didn't feel comfortable at home so I said, I think I'll go. I always want to go to California so I said, I think I'll go to California because I've always wanted to go there so I boarded the train and it stopped in Oklahoma and I thought well I'll just see you know him while I'm here so that's as far as I got got married after I was there a few days we had to go through blood tests and it was really you know so and we were married in the Parsons office and then it wasn't long after that that he was sent overseas so I thought well since I'm married to a my go back home and see what I can do you know it. So I went back home and I decided to enlist in the service so I went in downtown Canton where they had their recruiting office and told him I would like to join the Army well the Navy what really wanted but you couldn't get in that one until later. So I decided to get in the Army. If I could.

So even though I was married I had to get my dad's consent because of my age. I couldn't do it unless I had my parents consent. So I went to where he worked and told him and he said well if I don't do this you'll do something else crazy so he signed.

He was a World War I veteran, so he signed and I took it back and after that I got into basic training in Daytona Beach, Florida. From there I was, I violent. They said as we were being interviewed girls that had already volunteered, said you'll be sorry and so but I volunteered for everything. So I always got the pic of things that I wanted to do so. I thought that was a good idea. From there I was sent to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia for driver training and I let convoys through Georgia is one of our tryouts.

You know, to see how we did so and then we had to go in gas chambers and take off of gas mask and stay for a few minutes then go out and get your breath again and then we had to lay down in fired shots over us. You know, to see how we react and then we had to go through other training abandoning ship.

We had go to a top of the ship that would be in go down the sides and a couple of the girls order just terrified of doing it so I helped along with them and then after that was all done I was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington, and I was only there for a little while. The fellows in the barracks were used to having women there. And boy every time we'd walk out everywhere. You guys walking with us but anyway, I volunteered. They will ask for volunteers to go overseas so I volunteered, but there were too many so I wasn't going to get to go, but that the last minute, 1 gallon dropped out until I took her place and then it wasn't long after that that we sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey, and boarded the Queen Elizabeth and headed for France.

So on a ship that in peacetime would accommodate two people there were 24 wax in one room and and then we went on and we landed at Glasco Scotland and the Isle of Clyde and there we were met with them. Red Cross and Salvation Army, and they gave us food and and until they decided where we were going to go from there. It's some of us boarded the train and headed for Sutton coalfield England.

That's where I was one of the station for a while and we been listening to Eileen Hall's journey to find her husband in the middle of World War II. A great back story. Can't wait to hear more. Sure, you can either only come back more Eileen whole story here on our American story. Folks if you love the stories we tell about this great country and especially the stories of America's rich past. Know that all of our stories about American history from word innovation culture and faith are brought to us by the great folks at Hillsdale College placement. Students study all the things that are beautiful in life and all the things that are good in life. If you kick at the Hillsdale Hillsville will come to you with their freedom.

Terrific online courses go to Hillsdale.edu to learn more and we continue here on L American stories with Eileen whole story. What an adventure. This lady was my goodness.

And so many other women who served in the war she wanted to be in the theater and volunteered for.

Let's pick up when we last left off. Some of us boarded the train and headed for Sutton coalfield England. That's where I was going to be stationed for a while so that's where I had to drive a G guy I went through the motorcar so I was allowed to drive a Jeep and up to 2 1/2 ton truck, so I drove the everybody in Sutton coalfield in England had to list them if they had a room available for GIs because they didn't want the women staying in room as they one of the men to be there so that's what I did for a while got them all done and then I was sent. I drove a major layer that for four of us were drivers and I we all drove an officer, so I drove a major, so we were on call 24 hours a day for whatever reason they wanted us so that I had to drive in the fog so bad that I had put my foot up late drive on the left side on the curb so I know where I was going and because of that my left leg is is not as big as my right. It took that much. It froze, you know, and I had to go back to the barracks and they put me up behind the bakery so I could thaw out to my late so frozen from drive and so I we had gone through many air raids at Knighton and one of the gals said if I'm going to get killed. I'm going to do it right here and so the rest of the site.

We stayed together so that was it because there were nightly air raids in auto after I left England I went to France and was with the post office. There is a driver, so every morning I drive into Paris and you could sit there with this streets were empty except for people going through garbage cans trying to get something to eat people and dogs, and that's something I'll never forget.

And as I drove to the post office that I was yeah just as I drove in something cracked in the steering wheel and I couldn't steer, but I was already there so I was that I felt that was a blessing because if I done that out in the you know out on the streets.

It would've been something else. I have faith and I just felt odd be protected. Whatever I did because I if I volunteered for some. My felt the that's what I should do so.

I just had a different life than some of the other wax but the Battle of the Bulge was going on then, and they were bringing the wounded into the hospital in Paris and our commanding officer was called from the hospital and asked him to send some wax down to help that wounded were coming in so fast so I our commanding officer called me and said you know going to take some wax to the hospital so I got a ton and 1/2 truck and loaded it with wax and drove into the hospital and from the hospital and walked in and hear the GIs are all land on the floor. You could just walk sideways and so they we wouldst kneel down and talk to them.

Take, you know, we all went and talked to each one and ask what where they were from disk items calm down before and then they finally found room for them all so but when I had time off. I was allowed to take the Jeep and I became acquainted with two fellows from Iowa and one was had his left leg amputated below his knee so he was going to be sent home and he said he hated to see go home without see in Paris and I said well I'll see what I can do. So I went to my commanding officer told her to the store and she said you take a deep and showing wherever you want to go. So where there were two wax in the back and me driving in him sit beside me and took them all over Paris so he was in almost excited about that and we kept in touch for years after I got home so but as I got a letter from my husband saying he was going to be sent to the CVI that the China Burma and I thought 10 I started crying and the officer was below me and she came up and one to know why I was crying and I said well my husband is going to be sent to CB area and I said I I'd probably never see me again and she said I'll see what I can do.

So she got me orders attached to Mark Clark's but he never knew I was part of his service so but that got me to the airport and asked if you know if anybody was going to Paris and there there was a plane just out there that was going to be going to Italy and I told my story to the guy at the desk and so he said that plane right there, you can get on so they put down the bomb bay doors and I walked out and they did one on one side and one on the other lifted me up, putting in where the gun turret is and that's how I rode from there to to Italy and I got off of the plane and I was standing on the road and I didn't realize right in front of me was the Tower of Pisa because I didn't realize it was that big. You know, and so I walked out and I started hitchhiking and along came British Guyana truck three soldiers in the back and one was they were tending to one and I said what happened.

He said he got hurt, but not by fire. I don't know exactly how I got hurt in their going into Rome so they stop for water and the driver of the truck had to come back and stand in front of me so I could lean to the back because the people just came from everywhere. They want to touch me tonight. I didn't know what to do so they would look out for me and then we left and went on to Rome to the Red Cross. There and they put me up for the night. The next morning was a Sunday so was church so I went down and went to church and after a little while before church started fellow sat down beside me and he looked at my practices. You're not from around here are you and I said no I can.

I told my story. He said I'll see what I can do so the next day the had gotten permission from his officer and he was able to take me from Rome to Milano, and on the way it started to rain and the fellow didn't know how to do that the top to the Jeep so I showed them how to do that in took me up and my husband was waiting for me. Waiting there. So we had our honeymoon on Lake and I had our own villa attached to a regular one, which is owned now by George Clooney and I'm sure George Clooney doesn't know it but I'm going to write a letter to sometime if he ever gets it. The ability asked ST yeah so yeah that was the fifth Army rest camp so we left from the harp on the DB Alexander headed for United States as we pulled into New York harbor all the lights came on and they took us off the boat and fed us the best Thanksgiving dinner. We ever so and from there we had to go to Fort Dix to get released from the Army and then I boarded the train for Canton, Ohio and when I got to Canton. There were my husband and my my dad just welcomed me home.

We got home seven days before I did, but other than that way. I think my experience was something that not too many people have the opportunity to experience so that's my love story and I love to tell it so thanks for the opportunity to tell it that's it that's it.

Thanks for the opportunity to let us know, and what a beautiful story about so many things particularly just a sheer sense of adventure off to Europe to fight Nazis searching for each other. Learning how to drive trucks and tanks supply lines defeat one of the world's worst enemies in history. Eileen Hall's journey to find her husband in the middle of World War II story here on our American story soon. Millions will make Medicare coverage decisions for next year and United healthcare can help you feel confident about your choices for those eligible Medicare annual enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. If you're working past age 65. You might be able to delay Medicare enrollment. Depending on your employer coverage.

It can seem confusing, but it doesn't have to be this@uhcmedicarehealthplans.com to learn more United healthcare helping people live healthier lives.

I know everything there is to know about running a coffee shop for small business insurance. I need my State Farm agent and make sure my business days piping hot and I think cool and confident their small business owners to help you best. State Farm is in your corner and on like a good neighbor.

There call your local State Farm agent for quote today. IHeartRadio and the black affect podcast network are sponsored by better help online therapy to help online therapy a more convenient, affordable and accessible way to try therapy and heavy brown host of the chopping gems podcast podcast about the death and potential of personal growth and the human spirit, and surveys to our liberation, and an internal go to better help.com/black affect for 10% off your first month and were back with our American stories and up next. Robbie brings us the story of Joel Wegener and educator in fundraiser who lives in Cincinnati with a beautiful story of facing the unexpected challenges life throws our way. You stroll as I grew up in Southeast Kansas went to college there and became a teacher taught Kansas for a few years. Then I moved to Cincinnati right after I was married for one year. Then we moved from Cincinnati to the St. Louis area took a teaching position there. We stayed there about 16 years.

Many of our 10 children were born in the St. Louis area still have our friends back there.

One of my daughters is also living back in that area. Then, in 2002 we moved to Cincinnati I started a fundraising business and was also doing some teaching a local Christian school now while I was in education and then also now that I'm doing the fundraising business. Most of my time was filled up during the school year and I have time during the summers to do other activities and try to make a little extra money to support by family. I've done a lot of different things in the summers.

One of the most interesting things that I've done before the ice cream truck was. I ran a fireworks business in Missouri attempt along Highway 61.

My children help me do that. We have a lot of stories, a lot of fun, a lot of hard work on a Goodyear made us pretty good money doing that I sold that business several years ago so over the last few years I have been looking for something else to occupy my time. Last summer I saw an ice cream truck here locally and that planted a little seed in my mind something that I might want to do in the future, so I put it in the back of my mind until January of this year and then started doing some research and trying to find out if it was a viable business option. I joined a couple of Facebook groups and was able to find an ice cream truck on this Indiana and because I wasn't real sure. This was good to make a ago other than my older children were not all supportive and that they thought it was maybe another one of my crazy ideas I went low-budget but I found it an ice cream truck owned by some people that have a special needs daughter.

They used it to help raise money for her therapy as well as give her something to do and so we went over and met them. They actually also have a storefront where they sell hotdogs and other things and employ special needs individual so it was really a neat connection there. Once we went over there and really felt that it was the right thing to do, but God was directing us to that particular ice cream truck so we purchased it. It needed some repairs it needed some cleaning.

We started doing that now that along with my other responsibilities with the fundraising business and on April 15 I set that is the devil walking for taxes this year, but the deadline to hit the streets with my ice cream truck so I found a local wholesaler went through all the licensing and all that Mary Kate by 21-year-old Down syndrome daughter and I went out on April 15 for about an hour and we sold $74 worth of ice cream and I said were on our way just to back up a little bit about our family. We do have about 10 children. But in 2000 the year 2000. Of course the world was shaking in their boots about Y2K that maybe all the computers were going to crash and all that on January 1. Well we survived the during that time my wife was pregnant and in March 19, 2000. My daughter Mary Kate was born and we did not know beforehand but soon found out that she had Down syndrome. She also had some other health issues was in the hospital for about 10 days and that was a very pivotal time in our lives and we were so fortunate to have such support from her family, friends and church and but it was a change. We did not expect that were not fully prepared for the journey that God had chosen the places on why we work through that we work together and we were just counted Mary Kate a blessing like all the rest of blessing from God.

So we went through that and then we had another child which was a son about a year later and he was normal. I guess I haven't decided if any of our kids are totally normal, but he was considered normal.

And then we moved to Cincinnati then delivered here in Cincinnati our next child, Josh. He also had Down syndrome and had some health issues, heart issues had to have open heart surgery four months, but has more or less fully recovered from that little heart so we been blessed with that too Down syndrome it's been a journey and I told people. I'm sure my wife and I are better people. Because of this journey that God has placed us on with with Mary Josh. So when Mary was born. Every parent when a child is born wants to say mom spine babies five. Everything is normal if that's what you want to say that's what people want to hear.

And so when it isn't what you say and how you handled and how do you still accept it and and have joy in having a new baby in your life. Even though it's not the baby that you would've ordered. If you had there was a catalog order babies. Nobody would flip back to the Down syndrome section are whatever else fill in the blank. Nobody would go back to that section of the catalog are on why go go to back click on that tab. I have a high degree of respect for people that are willing to adopt special needs kids from other nations and all that's just incredible that process of accepting that child as years and as a blessing from God and for others to see it that way as well and so that you know that takes a process you we had I worked in a school near St. Louis and of the faculty and staff were so supportive of us. During that time church and just family friends. I remember my aunt and uncle sent me a book. I think it's entitled sometimes miracles hide as we had people that just came alongside us and help us in that in that journey and we all know it. Sometimes miracles do hide 10 kids too. Down syndrome children. My wife and I are better people because of the journey with Mary Kate and Josh, the story of Joe Wegener continues here on our American story to millions will make Medicare coverage decisions for next year and United healthcare can help you feel confident about your choices for those eligible Medicare annual enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. If you're working past age 65. You might be able to delay Medicare enrollment. Depending on your employer coverage.

It can seem confusing, but it doesn't have to be this@uhcmedicarehealthplans.com to learn more United healthcare helping people live healthier lives. I know everything there is to know about running a coffee shop for small business insurance. I need my State Farm agent make sure my business days piping hot and I think cool and confident business owners to help you past State Farm is in your corner and on my neighbor. There call your local State Farm agent for quote today. I radio and the black affect podcast network are sponsored by better help online therapy to help online therapy a more convenient, affordable and accessible way to try therapy and heavy brown host of the chopping gems podcast podcast about the death and potential of personal growth and the human spirit, and surveys to our liberation, and an internal audit better help.com/black affect 10% off your first month and were back with our American stories and the story of Joel Wegener and special meat treats and ice cream truck. Joel bought to run with his two adult children with Down syndrome, we last heard from Joel. He was discussing the difficulties that often come with raising children with special needs, but also the community that rallied around him and his wife during those hard times back to Joel, but it is an adjustment and then it's not just one time when they're born they have to do it you have to continually process almost more so when they get older because when they're young, even though they may have a disability they're still cute still go through, counted the normal steps at a delayed rate but then at some point you then you have to think about careers. You gotta think about their long-term care or physical issues that there could have in it as an adult and then you were facing now their desire to to get married and have children and how about all plays out for someone with a disability. So those are all things, they're not easy and I'm not complaining about to say hey that's what life is. But once you realize and make that firm commitment that for some reason that we will never fully understand God allowed ordained. However, your you want to explain it to yourself or to others for us to have Josh and Mary and people can talk about unconditional love. All they want until they been around the Down syndrome kid. They probably haven't seen that's their stubborn but they also they have a very very good unconditional love you. We get so caught up in worried about all these things and sometimes is just a reminder when all Josh and Mary want to know is what are we going to have for supper. Can we watch a video you know what are we to do Friday night as a family, you know, so they kinda keep us focused on things that really matter, as opposed all these other little things that were worried about in the state of Ohio when they turn 22. They a job somewhere.

Kate will be 22 within the school year so she was unable to continue with the public education so that is a big challenge for all special needs parents is what is the next step after being in the public education. She has often mentioned that she would love to work with her pop with the fundraising business. I found a few little things periodically that she could do to help, but nothing that I could really utilize her in a great way so as we develop this idea of the ice cream truck. We started the this would be ideal to bring Marianne and also Josh and and I'll let them be a part of.

We were thinking about the name for the truck in the business of my wife had the brilliant idea in my opinion somewhat of a play on words, special needs, but special meat treats and so that's what we name the truck when we first started we went to neighborhood somewhat randomly fairly close to Loveland, Ohio, where we live here there was a local magazine that asked if they could feature us. It is also an online magazine and so this magazine came out in July and right after that I started getting so much attention locally and some local TV stations that asked to do features and it just has exploded since then it's it's funny because when I first had this idea thought well you know it be something I wanted to go out. Mind if I want to stay home someday I'll see what happens. But now it's just taken off and the response has been so unbelievably positive. Seems like almost every day that I go out to a neighborhood I meet families with special needs kids and just to be able to share with them.

They see Mary Kate and are Josh working with me but just them seeing my kids in the in the truck working with me gives them hope it gives them some ideas. Probably my one of my all-time favorite stories that I really do like was a turning point in my mind. As for what the purpose special meat treats was all about Thursday afternoon several weeks ago I went to school they were doing a summer program or special needs kids so they contacted me they heard her story and they went with the low-budget thing and I was fine with that. There was all that many kids so from a business standpoint, it wasn't a real profitable afternoon but I wanted to do it and so I went out there they had the kids come out onto the parking lot of the school they got there treats everybody got the trees and very Josh had something going on that day so I was by myself but I a little girl came back up to the truck. I asked her name is Maddie. She said thanks for coming so you've made my day. So I started chatting with her. I showed her a picture of my kids and she shared with me her her disabilities and her diagnosis has several several things that she's been diagnosed with. She was very talkative. We just had a short little visit.

There and without even pre-meditating or planning it.

I looked at her and I said Maddie I just want you to know that God made you just like you are and he has a special plan for your life and I get emotional thinking about that moment because I was able to make her day.

I was unable to cure her autism.

Her other disorders. It I didn't cure those for one day. Maddie had a good day and I had a real small pardon. When I drove off. I'm not generally a roof emotional person but I get I got emotional eyes, wiping tears and and II thought you know I made her day, but she made something come into focus. In my mind that had been somewhat building throughout the summer, but at that point I was like you know what God has me doing this for some unknown reason. But here's part of the reason being able one at a time to make their day to give them hope and encourage and boy do we need some hope and courage.

During these days. This happened even more recently, I was up in Dayton Ohio, north of here I was, that in the event and they have a playground. Therefore special needs kids and after it was all over. I had Marianne Josh with me and I said, just hate you want to go over and see the playground so they went over there and they played and I did a few things truck and then I walked over there and Josh was on a piece of equipment and there was a little down syndrome girl that was more or less in his way and Josh was waiting in the mom's always going on came rushing over there and said sorry move her little girl the way I said no problem no problem and up, she looked at at Josh and Mary that she looked at me and she said are you the ones that have been on the news with your ice cream truck and I said yeah that's us. I was just showing that article to my husband this morning or yesterday and so we chatted for little better and share the school down syndrome daughter named Esther and then the mom came over to me and she told me she said she started getting choked up a château which goes I was telling God this morning. I needed something to let me know that he was still there. He cared about our family.

She said we been going through a lot and she needed a reminder from God that everything was good be all right and she said this is and I was like, while it is not me. That's a lot of workers hot days.

My air conditioner went down. I had a lot of setbacks with the with the equipment this summer, but I've determined to push through because I I see now that that there are some real purpose in an old ice cream truck. I never hid my wildest dreams thought yeah buying ice cream truck and you can really make a difference in somebody's life but I think it's one of those things you yeah you trust God and make the best decisions and just watch and see what happens and what a beautiful story.

Special thanks to Robbie for finding it for editing it and for producing it. Special thanks to Joe Wegener sharing his story and fridges loving is down syndrome kids and doing something special for them and himself. In the end his neighborhood and all those families with special needs kids. And frankly just people seeing unconditional love at play in miracles at play. I made her day. He said about that young girl Maddie but in the end she made his two mentally trying to hear on the show is spread this kind of joy and possibility Joe Wegener story Mary in Josh's story the Wegener family story dear on our American system soon.

Millions will make Medicare coverage decisions for next year and United healthcare can help you feel confident about your choices for those eligible Medicare annual enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. If you're working past age 65. You might be able to delay Medicare enrollment.

Depending on your employer coverage. It can seem confusing, but it doesn't have to be.

Visit UHC Medicare health plans.com to learn more United healthcare helping people live healthier lives and dramas may know me from the recap on LA TB abdominal podcast life as a going to come at you every Tuesday and Thursday will be talking real and unapologetic about all things light and culture and everything in between. From someone who's never quite been listening to life as a gringo on the iHeartRadio app or web, you get podcast brought to you by State Farm like a good neighbor, State Farm is there to start. You have a better future for everyone.

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