362 Infantry

Marvin, front row, center

Quoting from Granny's journal...

"In the years following his [Marvin] discharge he used to speak on various occasions about his war experiences. I remember once in particular, when he had been telling some of his terrible and terrifying experiences, President Wayne H. Redd said, "Marvin, don't ever forget these things." I well remember Marvin's words, "There is no danger of me forgetting them, President Redd, although I wish I could. I close my eyes and I can still see so many awful things." Oh, if he had just written them down, how wonderful it would be to have his children and grandchildren read them in his own words. Mike, our oldest grandchild, was always so interested in the stories. Each time he came to our place, about the first thing he did was to get his grandpa's History of the 362nd and read it. There were several stories he liked, especially. One was also a story very special to Marvin called, "The Battle of Turnip Patches."

Granny gave this book to grandson, Michael Douglas Christensen, on his birthday in 1975. She wrote this inscription in the book.

Mike still enjoys reading about the 362 Infantry.

(This wasn't a posed photo)

Sidenote: Did you know that this book has photos of Marvin in it?

http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Holy-Story-Christmas/dp/1590381661

I, Sidney, actually remember this Christmas Concert by the Tabernacle Choir. Mike and I were dating and I had invited him to come with me, but he didn't accept. Walter Cronkite narrated this story and the photos of Marvin in this book were used that evening and depicted on the large screen. While I knew at the time I would marry Mike, I had no idea that his Grandfather, or my soon to be grandfather, was part of the program. It is a fond memory for me and a regret, too, that Mike wasn't there to see Grandpa Lyman 'participate' in this concert. The next Christmas - 2003 - Caroline gave all of the children this book because of her dad's pictures were in it.

How did the pictures come to be part of the program? Well, Jess Crissler (I think that's his name) was a member of the Tabernacle Choir. The directors asked members of the choir if they had any family members who had served in WWI. Jess knew that Uncle Marvin had and so he contact his daughter Caroline and Caroline provided the pictures.