
The Soldiers Home in Chelsea (photo from YellowPages.com, HERE. © infoUSA.)
A week ago Saturday I received this delightful e-pistle:
From: Debbie [email deleted]
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2015 12:18 PM
Subject: Thank you
I am a second generation fan of your Saturday broadcasts. My father, a devoted and looong time listener, is 97 years old and is a patient at the Chelsea Soldiers Home 2 Center. One of my dad’s nurses, Jeff , often plays your station for my Dad. You wouldn’t believe how many of the “guys,” all Veterans, will gather at his bed and listen. Many seem disconnected and unaware of much UNTIL Hillbilly at Harvard broadcasts!! I feel I’m with my Dad in our kitchen listening with him when I listen in as well.I have been concerned for the health of Cousin Lynn over the last couple of months and so happy that you are playing prerecorded shows. I hope this stalwart effluvianado of Bluegrass is well and that you keep the beat going. We love you all and your show lights up the day of the staff and Veterans at Chelsea Soldiers Home 2 Center! Thank you for everything.Sincerely, Debbie O’Connor, daughter of Walter Edmonds.
To which I responded,
Howdy Debby–Many thanks for your heart-warming note. I am glad to report that I am well, but had to spend some time away from the show to help clean out my parents’ house so that it can be sold (my mother passed away this spring at the age of 101). I’ll be back next Saturday.I can’t tell you how gratified I am that many of our veterans are gathering in your father’s room at the Old Soldiers’ Home to listen to Hillbilly at Harvard. I know we have had listeners there for many years (a gentleman named Bill Hughes used to write often with requests), but it is wonderful to have your first-hand account. Let me know of some of your father’s favorite songs, and I’ll try to work them into the show in weeks to come.With all best wishes for you, your family, your father, and the guys in Chelsea,/Lynn JoinerHost/Producer
And I asked her for permission to reprint her letter here. It was gratifying to get her assent:
I am thrilled to receive your wonderful reply to my email! I would be honored for you to publish my letter.Your show this morning is exceptional and I called the Chelsea Soldiers Home 2 Center, to tune in for Dad, staff and guys! Just returned from errands so looking forward to rest of show, hopefully.My Dad’s favorites include anything Hank Williams (especially Honky Tonk Blues, Jambalaya, Cheating Heart. Lonesome Whistle? He loved also Lefty Frizzell, Hank Snow, Tex Ritter. The songs “Found Her Little Footprints in the Snow,” Little Jimmy Brown? Something about a chapel ????You’d be heartbroken to know how many precious 78 records my dad tossed years ago!!! A treasure trove I would’ve been happy to give you. 😦All the best in this time of loss and transition.Thank you again!Debbie O’Connor
Lynn, Debbie: Thanks for sharing your exchange.