Ghosts of Halloween

A couple of strange things have happened in the last few days. At first I received an email from a John Shekitka. Now a member of my aircrew in WWII was named John Shekitka. I had been trying to find him for many years. As it turned out this John Shekitka was my crewmate's grandson! Of course, I was delighted to see/hear the name again after 60 years of not hearing it or seeing John again. It didn't matter to me that this was his grandson of the same name and not the Shekitka I knew. (We never called him "John"). I was simply amazed that a Shekitka was writing to me after 60 years. And this is what he said:

Dear Dr. Ross: On occasion, I Google my name on the internet, to see if my digital self has gotten into any serious trouble, or if one of my friends has been playing a prank on me with some sort of profane website, for all the world to see. Since my grandfather and I have the same name, (although my middle name is Patrick) I used to also get a hit for the picture you had posted maybe a decade ago of the crew. Now, it seems, Google is in the business of loading selections of books online, so a few pages from your book also made it online, including the few that you mention him. Since you already had a presence on the internet, I googled your name, and found your blog, as well as what I think is your PhD thesis from back at Teachers' College. (Since I went to Columbia as an undergraduate, graduating in 2007, I was still able to access that material as well.) The magic of internet. I spoke to my father today (formally named Jon without an h for some reason, but who everyone has always called Mark) , and he seemed to remember you, or at least stories about you from back in the day.

Cheers, John

Now, I subsequently learned that John's grandfather had died several years earlier, and I was quite sorry to learn that I wasn't going to have the opportunity to see or speak to him again. Primarily because I'm sure Shekitka made it to Heaven, and I assume I'm expected in the other place where there are no opportunities to exchange emails with him.

Strangely enough, yesterday I got a phone call from someone who asked if I were Dr. Ross. I told him that indeed he had the right person, and his reply was, "It's an honor to talk to you." I thanked him for that and I asked him who he was and why was he calling me. He said his name was Dick, as I recall, but the Caller ID on my phone indicated "James Helling." Anyway, it turns out that Dick lives in Oregon and that he read my book, "Memoirs of a Tail Gunner." First of all, I was awestruck that someone I didn't know actually bought my book clear across the country. Secondly, I couldn't believe that the reader would call me (how'd he get my number?). Seems a few members of his family were also in the Navy and he wanted to quiz me about some of the things that were left unanswered in the book. Well, I thought that was awfully nice of him to call me, but now that my book was sold in Oregon, can I still claim that I am "a famous unknown author"?

And about authorship. I haven't heard of anyone buying my book of poetry called "Shadows in the Sunset". But of course I have no way of knowing. However, I found a "review" of this book that I hadn't come across before; at least I don't remember reading it. However, in the event some stranger out there loves poetry, and hasn't "googled" the book, here is the review:

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: (A really nasty remark!)

A Great Poet Shares the Beauty of Language, November 19, 2007
By
Ancient Viking - Because Norman Ross is a modest man, he has hitherto not published many of his best poems. After many years of urging by friends, critics, and former students, he has finally consented to reveal some of the work that has gained him a first-rate reputation among the privileged literary elite. Dr. Ross is truly a Renaissance man--military hero (two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 11 Air Medals before the age of 21); outstanding athlete and coach; an incredibly talented teacher; a published author in many disparate fields; a loyal patriot and friend; and the progenitor of four outstandingly talented, successful children. If you are a poetry aficionado, you will relish these finely-crafted works of art. If you are not, you may become one as a result of the lively expression of ideas that Dr. Ross has put into verse.

Thanks PB.