Thanks to Doug Freeman for his gift of friendship
- A Tribute
By John Neumann
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Thanks to Doug Freeman for his gift of friendship By John Neumann |
| September 22, 2006 It is my 77th birthday and I couldn't help reflect on the many blessings in my life. The friendship of Doug Freeman ranks high among those benefits. I would like to take just a moment or two and reflect back on Doug Freeman and the wonderful friendship he gave to me. Doug and I went through school together pretty much from the first grade. Doug lived on a farm and came from a large family (12 kids). I was always completely in awe when I had a chance to stay overnight at Doug's. First I was amazed that his parents were always so welcoming (I thought the last thing they needed was more kids around). The second thing that always got my attention was early morning chores (everyone, family or guest, was welcomed to participate in chores). The boy's chores were milking the cows, removing cow dung and bringing in hay and feed for the cows. Jobs were selected based on skill and all the Freeman boys were experts at milking. I was given an opportunity at milking but usually qualified for the latter two jobs. Upon completion of chores we all went in and sat down at the large breakfast table. I can remember looking up and seeing a whole loaf of bread on a plate starting it's circulation around the table and seeing it reduced by one 12 or more times as it wound around the table. These were always good times for me and I thank Doug and his family for those memories. I can remember a touch football game at the Freeman's and I still shudder about an attempted tackle (or touch) on the runner Doug. You may not remember that incident Doug but you were pretty injured in the melee and I wondered if you were ever to become a Father as a result of the injuries. Thank God you later had a family. I owe my lack of desire of cigar smoking to Doug and his brother Dunk. Doug and I were quite grown up (maybe grade 7) when we decided to indulge in the pleasures of cigar smoking. I can remember as if it were yesterday when the three of us walked into Doug's uncle's store and Doug calmly said his Dad had sent him down to get some cigars. The Uncle was somewhat suspicious of the three of us and asked Doug-"How many cigars does your Dad want?" Doug calmly said three (and the uncle was keenly aware of our plot but went along with us). We returned to Doug's house and out in the fields to savor the three cigars. We puffed strongly and soon Dunk indicated he wasn't feeling so well and had enough. Doug and I had to show our manhood and finished our cigars as well as Dunks. As we treaded across the field heading for home we both got a good case of the heaves. Those memories stood with me for years and I rarely ever tried a cigar in my adult life. The junior high and high school years were a little interrupted. I moved to Bellingham for two years after my Mother died and then returned to live with my sister Cheryl the last two years of high school at Blaine. We all took agriculture class and I can remember the teacher "Doc" who stood about 6' 7'' and when he talked to you -you were aware of sprays of chewing tobacco coming from above. One day (I think we all were guilty of throwing peat moss at mailboxes) but Doc was trying to get to the bottom of the problem and stated he would stand behind the person or persons having the integrity to admit throwing peat moss at the mail boxes. I always had a feeling of a tinge of guilt as Doug was the only one of high enough integrity to admit the deed. Doc lived up to his word and was behind Doug as Doug got suspended from school. Sorry Doug-I should have been suspended too. I always remember Doug as a super driver. Whether it was a car or tractor he had the knack and confidence to become a super driver. It is with great respect that I acknowledge his driving caterpillar bulldozers around the hills of Korea while the North Koreans were taking pot shots at him. Thanks for your service Doug. Doug and I can reflect on a few outings involving driving, country dances and of course a few beers. My ability to handle a few beers was always much less than Doug's and I am thankful to him for bailing me out a few times. I can remember once when a few beers enticed me to collect the large scale outside the Bordertown Tavern as a gift to Doug for his bathroom. As I lifted the scales the coins at the bottom all shifted and it crashed through the plate glass window in the front of the tavern. I was very very fortunate that my price for this foolish adventure was only to bring fish (I was commercial fishing then) to the owner each weekend during the summer. There were lots of subsequent years where I was in California and only saw Doug occasionally. Doug excelled in real estate and built up a great business and inventory of properties that made him one of the most successful names in Blaine. It must be a good feeling to leave a successful business (Doug Freeman Real Estate) to one of his kids. I admire his success, his devotion to his family and the strong faith he developed. I was always so thankful for Doug having such a great partner in life as Ardy. As a fan of Doug's, I realize how important she has been to his life. Later in life, Doug played major roles in Blaine class reunions. I guess to sum it up-I feel really blessed in life by Doug Freeman's friendship and so admire his many qualities. Thanks Doug for that friendship over the years (77 for me) -it has meant a lot to me. You are a great guy! Your Friend, John Neumann |