Growing Up Without a Family (ePub)

This story follows the life of a very young boy, Stanley Robert Wilson, after his parents terrible death in a car accident, through his entry into a Boys Home at eight years of age, to his retirement at age 65. Stanley was an active boy, always searching for the answer and trying new ideas. He was active in sports, the Boy Scouts and had a special interest n airplanes.

Stanley resided at the Home for ten years without a real family.

Upon his departure from the Home for Boys at the age of 18, with WWII at it's peak, Stan immedilately enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Within a year he found himself flying reconnaissance over Germany and France. Stan stayed in the Army following WWII and became involved in the fast developing helicoptor service. Eventually he was promoted to a Captain and served as a helicopter instructor.

He remained very involved and intrigued with the expansion of the helicoptor. When the Korean War broke out he was promoted to Major and transferred to the M.A,S,H. division where he made many rescue flight missions.

After the Korean War, Stan served in various positions around the country. During his travels, quite often he went the extra mile to search out and visited many of his old Home roommates and cabin buddies.

When the Vietnam Conflict broke out, Major Stan was in a key position. He had had years of work in the development of the helicoptor and was automatically placed in-charge of helicopter flight training in Vietnam. During a flight mission he was shot down and injured.

Often during his leave time, he would stop by his old Home and visit and was aware of how the Home had grown. In 1963 Stan was invited to be the guest speaker at the Home's graduation cceremony. He accepted, and enjoyed his vist.

He remained in the Army and retired after 24 years of active duty. His experience and intereest in aviation led him to find a flying position with a private charter company and one day while reading a publication from the Home For Boys, he learned that the home director was about to retire. After a little thought he applied and was immediately hired.

After serving 24 years as the Home Director and 22 years as Scout Master of Boys Scout Troop # 37, at the age of 65 he retired from the home in 1989.

Following his retirement he settled in to an easy going family life. He had a life-time association with boys, and young men in the military and now found himself with a wonderful wife and daughter who he truly adored. And to no ones surprise he bought an airplane and remained an active pilot.