An emotional Ohio memorial

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Driving through northern Ohio we stopped at a small store for a travel break, Maj spotted not only an antique road grader but a tall monument topped with a proud eagle.

This is the inscription on one of the four panels below the obelisk:

IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE
VOLUNTEERS FROM HUNTINGTON
WHO OFFERED UP THEIR LIVES TO
PRESERVE THE FEDERAL UNION
IN THE
GREAT AMERICAN REBELLION

The oldest soldier listed here as mortally wounded in battle was 24

The other three panels are adorned with the names of the local boys who volunteered, where they were killed in battle, and how old they were. Reading these names, the date when their final battle occurred and the location where they were is quite striking. Brings home the impact of the American Civil War.

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Lanthier Winery and Distillery

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The Lanthier Winery and Distillery in historic Madison, Indiana fits the tag ‘historic’ in several ways. The site of the facility has quite an interesting history going back to the 1700’s.

The stately historic building

Beautiful garden paths to the entrance

We made this winery a stop on a recent trip to southeastern Indiana. The path to the entrance door leads through a beautiful garden. The flowers had begun to grow, and a few daisies had begun to bloom.

Wine vats and start of bottling machine, right

Distilling column, gathering 94% ABV spirits

Once in the building we headed to the tasting counter where free tastings are offered. We tried 5 different wines and landed on two of the sweet wine offerings. While we were sampling I asked if the winery and distillery were operated on this site. Immediately a nice fellow said “We are making wine and distilling vodka…

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Seattle’s Space Needle

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From the official website of the 605 feet tall Seattle Space Needle comes a to the point introduction to this world famous attraction: The Space Needle is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and is a treasured Seattle icon. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair … whose theme was “The Age of Space”. 

See views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges from the tower

On our first trip to Seattle we went up in the Space Needle. At that time there was a restaurant that rotated a full 360 degrees in an hour. In 2017 a large reconstruction project revamped the entire top of the tower. Now the restaurant is gone, but a lounge, cafe and a wine bar with glass floors lets you look straight down to the ground over 500 feet below you! The rotation still gives you a chance to sit and view the total 360 view of Seattle.

Spoils of war

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My maternal grandfather, Rex R. Forsyth, volunteered to serve in the United States Army Ambulance Corp in 1917. His unit was attached to the French Army. His unit operated Ford Model T ambulances. His time overseas included being part of the army of occupation after the was ended. His unit was billeted in Kaiser Wilhelm’s castle in the Black Forest. Rex brought back many photographs, personal items and quite a few things taken from Bosch (German) POW’s.

Pickelhaube, Bosch “Spiked Helmet”

Another Pickelhaube

Bosch officer’s epaulettes

Belt buckle says “God With Us” (Gott Mit Uns)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granddaddy Rex did share stories of his time overseas with me as I was growing up. He never spoke of the horrors of war that I know he witnessed, but he did share day to day activities. He told me that when Bosch (German) POW’s were brought to holding areas they were stripped of helmets, medals, belts and even uniform epaulettes. He did share that one time a Bosch soldier tossed a grenade while he was standing in line. Fortunately it was a dud, and a Poilu (French soldier) “dispatched him right away”.

The Obverse side of a Bosch Iron Cross medal. The “W” stands for Wilhelm.

The Reverse side of the Iron Cross medal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have many examples of these spoils of war. Note that the belt buckle states “Gott Mit Uns” which translates “God With Us”. Seems like it is common in warfare that both sides claim the high ground and Divine support. The term “Bosch” is one that was used to refer to German soldiers and personnel during WWI, aka The Great War. While some consider the term to be derogatory, it is how my grandfather always referred to the Germans. It seems strange to realize that WWI ended over 100 years ago.

An 1890 hardware store turned restaurant

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The three story brick building was built in 1890 and housed a hardware store for decades. The locally owned J.G. DePrez Co. was a prominent feature in downtown Shelbyville, Indiana. The building now houses a unique restaurant on the first floor .

Pudder’s storefront

Looking out on the town square

 

 

 

 

 

Pudder’s opened in 2019 and was able to survive the pandemic. It has maintained its local patron base, and is beginning to gain a reputation in surrounding areas. The restaurant is spacious, has two bars and interesting interior decor.

Full service bar

Interesting rustic decor

 

 

 

 

 

Sher and I went to Pudder’s for a late lunch. We were seated immediately,  there were a couple of other tables occupied. The service staff is very attentive and meets your needs without delay. Sher started with one of the signature cocktails and really enjoyed it.

“Fancy” cocktail menu

Sher’s Pink Drink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their menu offers an assortment of burgers, wraps, salads, wings and tons of appetizers. Sher ordered the veggie wrap, which was absolutely filled to overflowing with good stuff. I wanted to go with the Fish and Chips. The two pieces of cod were served piping hot, and each piece was very thick and filling!

We had a great lunch

Pudder’s has live music each weekend and a regular schedule of trivia nights. The drinks, food and service is good. Hard to beat that combination, plus for us Pudder’s is close by.

World War I Model T Ford Ambulances

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My grandfather was an ambulance driver in Section 625 of the United States Army Ambulance Corps (USAAC) during World War I. His unit was attached to the French Army.

Note the Indian Head design on the back panel. The wrapped package on the top holds two spare tires.

This framed canvas Indian Head came from Granddaddy’s ambulance. The “SSU-1” stands for Sanitary Service Unit 1.

Granddaddy learned to drive the Ford Model T ambulances at the fairgrounds race track at Allentown, Pennsylvania. His unit shipped overseas via troopship from New York Harbor. The ambulances performed well, and were remarkably effective driving across the war torn battlefields of France.

My grandfather’s heroism in 1918 France

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The actual Croix de Guerre he received

My grandfather, Rex R. Forsyth, was in France during WWI (The Great War) serving in Section 625 of U.S.A.A.C. (United States Army Ambulance Corps). He had volunteered, learned to drive the Ford Model T ambulance in the Allentown, Pennsylvania fairgrounds. Once his training was done, Rex was shipped overseas. His unit was attached to, and served the French Army.

My grandfather was a true hero. On May 2, 1918 members of U.S.A.A.C. Section 625 were awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery in action on April 17, 1918, having crossed a “zone violently bombarded by the enemies artillery” to continue to remove wounded from the battlefield.

Shown is Colonel Bertrand, 162nd French Infantry, pinning the Croix de Guerre on the coat of Rex Forsyth. Note in the right background that you can see the front end of one of the Model T Ford Ambulances.

Detail of certificate

Compare to photo of medal

Certificate that Granddaddy received in 1926 from the French Ministry of War

Because his unit was attached to the French, not the American Forces, photography was allowed. We are very fortunate to have photo albums and his diary among other “memorabilia”. Section 625 was part of the post war Army of Occupation. His unit was stationed at Kaiser Wilhelm’s castle in the Black Forest.

Impressive monument

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Sher

While Sher and I were driving around Vincennes looking for interesting things, we spotted the steeple of a large church.  We parked, got out and went up to one of the historical information signs. Then we looked to the right and wow, there was a huge structure that looked like a monument you’d see in Washington, D.C.

What we were seeing was the George Rogers Clark Memorial. The monument honors the 1779 victory of General George Rogers Clark over the British at Fort Sackville, on the Wabash River in what is now Vincennes. This was a hugely successful campaign during the Revolutionary War and led to the United States claiming the Northwest Territory from Britain.

Detail of the monument inscription

Francis Vigo, with the Wabash River behind

The State of Indiana built the monument in 1933 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated it in 1936. The site was turned…

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The Lincoln Memorial Bridge over the Wabash River

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One of two pylons on Indiana side of the bridge.

This bridge carries U.S. 50 Business across the Wabash River from Vincennes, Indiana to Lawrence County, Illinois. The east end of the bridge is in the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park. At this entrance to the bridge you will find two large pylons made of granite, each with a raised sculpture depicting  a Native American Chief.

The bridge is what is called a deck arch design, and has two traffic lanes and wide pedestrian walks on each side of the roadway.  It was opened to traffic in September, 1933, the same year that the George Rogers Clark Memorial was completed. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the monument in 1936.

View from the George Rogers Clark Monument

Wabash River walk, Illinois is on the other side of the river

Parked after crossing the bridge

This was one of the attractions…

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