More Dammers

Once in a while I come across group photos that show lots of the family at some point in time.  This photo was taken in May of 1946.  The event was the marriage of Margaret Dammer and Bill Nelson, the two in the center of the front row.

The front row, kneeling, is my Grandpa Dammer, Betty Dammer (Herman’s wife), Margaret, Bill, my mom, Elsie, and my Seattle aunt Betty.

The back row is mostly the Nelson side of the family; Tante Marie (sister of my grandfather) is in the center between Margaret and Bill and over on the right is Aunt Sue and Uncle Herman.

Fast forward to 1948 and here’s my cousin, Mark being christened.  Bill, Margaret, Mark, my mom, Elsie as godmother, and Bill’s brother, Al as godfather.

Seattle Aunt Betty holding Mark.  She says this was right about the time she found out she was pregnant with Billy, her first-born.

At left is Herman, Jr. with step-mom Betty holding Karen.  This photo was taken at Betty’s parents home on Staten Island; spring, 1943.

On the right is Herman, Jr. and Tony.  Below is Uncle Herman with Tony and Karen.

These photos were taken in Puerto Rico in 1949 when my father was on a route check for Pan American.

From Karen: the photos, “...were taken in Puerto Rico, on the Army post that Dad was commander of, called Henry Barracks...” and...

 “the pic with the cannon is on the parade ground at Henry Barracks.  The cannon was actually fired (with blanks) every day at 5pm, and the bugle played Retreat and To the Colors as the flag was lowered.

  Dad was always a stickler for proper procedures, and, anyhow, he was preparing a battalion of PR soldiers to go to Korea and he had to worry about discipline and procedure and morale and cohesion.  It seems to have worked, if you read the history of that unit in Korea (Puerto Rico’s 65th Infantry Regiment).  They were very distinguished.”

Uncle Herman got his second Silver Star in Korea.