AMERICAN HERO II

My father, Harlan D. Reins, nicknamed Hod, was born in Chehalis, Washington on February 22, 1923, the same birthdate as George Washington. Sometime later he and his family moved to Grays Harbor Washington. However, when Hod was 5 years old his father decided to move back to Joplin, Missouri where he was originally from, so the family packed up and left. Below is his 1st grade class picture. Do any of these cute little kids look like they will be come an American Hero? Hod is in the top row, 3 from the right. Notice some children have no shoes, the 2 boys on the left in coveralls. It was the time of the great depression. But my dad never complained. He did not know they were broke.

Here is a close up. It sure would have been fun to be with him back then and play! Your parents were little and cute once also. This little boy would grow up and do great things. Right out of the heart of the United States of America. He was the 3rd of 4 Children. There was an older brother Robert, older Sister Oleta, and a younger brother Dorcy, nicknamed Shorty. When he was 7, before finishing the 2nd grade, he said his father remembered why he had left Missouri for Washington. So they packed up their 1926 Chevrolet. Dad, Mom, the children and all their belongings. Oh yes, and the dog too, Tippy. Tippy had to ride on the running board, but loved every mile. Tippy was a Scotch Colly. More on the trip later and the life and times of an American hero.

Oh, by the way, I bet your father could be an American Hero.