|
|
|
An Old Geezer’s Story Mrs. Miriam Pellman, widow of Edwin Pellman (USS Abnaki 1943-46)
Dear Pete Pilgrim Here is a story that my late husband Edwin Pellman (Abnaki 1943-46 loved to tell. If you spot any details that I have wrong feel free to make corrections. In 1990 we were received an invitation (Either from Abnaki or NAFTS) from the Captain of the Paiute ATF 159 to visit the ship in Norfolk during the summer. Ed was thrilled, we replied and drove down. The guard at the gate told us to park and wait at our car for an officer who would escort us into the base.
Needless the young officer was very embarrassed. But when Ed would tell the story I always pointed out to him that it really was a compliment. Since he had a gray beard but the officer had not thought that he was the “old geezer” for the visit. Anyway we had lunch with the officers and a wonderful tour of the ship. It was such a thrill for Ed after leaving the Abnaki 50 years before. And having so many memories revived in the Paiute, a sister ship. The Captain and Officers were terrific host and seemed to be eager to hear Ed’s memories (Like the fact that he loved the food! We never told his mother about that! Ed passed away in January 1997. We had also been able to see a sister ship at the intrepid museum near where we lived in New York. I hope your members get to go there when they visit in New York. I also recall the reunion in Chicago where we saw the U-505 with your group. Ed’s greatest regret was that he was too ill to join you on the trip West to see the Abnaki in Mexico.
Best wishes to you all, Sincerely, Miriam Pellman
ED Note: It is really great to hear from Miriam. Hopefully this will inspire some of you other ladies to send us a note about some of your Abnaki experiences. Also a reminder that you are always welcome to join us at the reunions. We would love to have you and I know you will have a great time. So… start making your plans to join us in Maryland. |
|
Presented by the
Abnaki Association
|
While we
waited, a young man in khakis parked next to us towing a huge trailer. He said,
I see you’re admiring my new Conestoga, would you like to see the inside? We had
a tour of the beautiful trailer and heard about his family and how they loved to
travel and about life on the base far his wife and children. Sometime passed
when he looked at his watch and said “ I’m supposed to meet some old geezer here
for a visit to my ship. ED promptly replied, ”I’m the old geezer!” 
