Tag: world war ii

Bill and Lawana Clem, formerly of Gilroy, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary July 26. The couple married in San Martin in 1945 and raised their four children, Larry, Glenda, Marilyn and Bruce, in South Santa Clara County. Bill Clem, a World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Force 303rd Bomb Group, worked as a carpenter for 16 years and later became building inspector for the City of Gilroy until his retirement. Lawana Clem worked for Gilroy Cannery for 39 years. The Clems retired to Oklahoma in 1989. They have six grandchildren, one step-granddaughter, two step-great-grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs celebrated the restoration and dedication of the newly restored Texas Cabin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 18.The Texas Cabin was built in the early 1920s utilizing elements from an earlier building on the same site. Built during the period in which Gilroy Hot Springs was owned and operated by the William J. McDonald family, the cabin provided four separate accommodations with two bathrooms. Later it housed Japanese families recovering from their time in internments camps during World War II.The Texas Cabin is one of the largest remaining cabins at Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs. The restoration was jointly funded by California State Parks and private donations with work completed by Southwest Construction and overseen by state parks staff.Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs can be toured by reservation only by calling (408) 314-7185 or e-mailing [email protected].

On a warm spring afternoon 22 years ago, my dad and I sat chatting on the lawn outside a clinic where my mother, who suffered from early onset Alzheimer’s Disease, was having an MRI. My dad had been her caregiver for nearly 10 years. During a lull in our conversation, he took his worn leather wallet from his pocket and, from between two old photographs, he pulled out a lock of hair. “I think it’s time I told you about Helen…” he began.

This 2013 piece contains disputed material. Please see updated story here. —Editor

This year’s Fourth of July fireworks display in Morgan Hill will be bigger and better than previous shows, the parade Wednesday morning will feature everything from musical performances to aircraft flyovers, and veterans and school children promise another rousing performance at the annual “Patriotic Sing.”