Returning to the ARC Christmas Day, 2022, from Christmas lunch with my San Antonio family, the 9th Floor Sunday gathering had just begun; Cindy Benedict urged the small group to recall a happy, memorable Christmas.
Mine began in Vietnam; three young Air Force majors on an R&R in Australia. We served in the 834th Air Division at different operating locations. In Saigon we boarded a Pan Am Boeing 707, to Australia. At the R&R center in Sydney, a volunteer assisted us in planning our stay. It was March and the weather was beginning to turn chilly, fall in Australia. “The Man of La Mancha”, was advertised for a discounted price. Our volunteer hostess, Marian Bembrick, arranged for tickets and transportation to the performance, then asked if we had other plans. We shrugged and she asked “would you like to meet an Australian family?”
Her parents lived in the northern suburbs of Sydney and hosted other “Yanks” during their R&R. We jumped at the opportunity. Marian’s mother might have been in love with a “Yank” during WWII, from her remarks about those years. She was gracious, thoughtful and a great cook. Marian’s father was a banker in Sydney, treated us to some excellent Australian wines. This photo was taken outside their home. Marian was a professor at the University of Sydney, taught in the Science department. We promised to keep touch.
A year after returning from Vietnam, I received a letter from Australia, Marian was coming to the US for a visit, could she stop by? I offered her a place to stay and asked if she would like to spend Christmas with an American family? My Sister and Brother-in-Law had a large home in Oklahoma City, about a seven hour drive from Scott AFB, and family guests were always welcome. Her arrival would coincide with the holidays and she would be visiting other “Yanks” she had met during her time as an R&R hostess.
My sister had a large family, two boys and two girls, and a large German Shepherd dog. The dog guarded and lived in a separate garage apartment. Her home was once been owned by the mayor of Oklahoma City, had a circling stairway in the entry to the second floor, a ballroom on the third floor, and at the time of our visit there was a huge Christmas tree in the entry. A dusting of snow had hit Oklahoma City before our visit, Marian had never seen a white Christmas and her excitement was palpable. I wish there was a picture of her surprised face as she arrived.
I’m not sure who got more pleasure out of Christmas 1970. Certainly, my nieces and nephews have never forgotten the blonde Australian lady who brought gifts for everyone, happily exploring their home, making friends with a German Shepherd that was not friendly (she had a way with dogs). Fifty years later they recall her wide-eyed pleasure at seeing the huge Christmas tree, her generosity and kindness. We had a happy, memorable Christmas, sharing it with a happy, memorable young lady.