Navy/Post High School

 

 

Don was in the Navy from May of 1952 until October of 1954.  He was an Aviation Electronic Technician.  He had to take a test to get in to the school and he scored really high.  It was the hardest school to get into.  His Navy career started in Great Lakes, Illinois in boot camp.  Boot camp was tough.  He described hell week as one week were he learned many things but mostly about discipline.   He then went to an AV prep school in Norman Oklahoma and then on to Aviation Electronics School in Memphis Tenn.  After AE School he had a choice of billets and he could have been assigned to Olathe KS but everyone said the place was nowhere and boring so he chose Commander Forces Far East.  He was assigned to a base at Iwakuni Japan where he spent almost two years.  He said that the Navy was a valuable experience and if he had the opportunity he would do it all over again. One of the things he ended up doing was spending a month aboard a seaplane tender and sailed to Hong Kong where he purchased a wedding set.  To this day he gets choked up in Veterans Day parades and honors and remains loyal to the Navy

 

After the Navy, Don wanted to finish his degree at Western Michigan University.  He had also met a wonderful young lady named Eunice who he would later marry in 1955.  He ended up going to Western Michigan from 1954 until he got his BA degree in 1956 and an MA in 1960.  Unlike the Navy, Don does not feel as loyal to Western Michigan.   Don lived in the dorm for the first semester and after marriage he and Eunice lived together for one year in a cheap duplex and their focus was to get a degree and finish the program.  The two of them pretty much scraped by while they were there.  Don had a ladder on the dorm lot near where they parked their car so that when a job came up around town he could throw his ladder on his car and go do the work.  He mostly roofed, painted, pointed chimneys, cut branches and simonized cars for $5.  Don became a teacher because an Aunt who his parents really respected was a teacher and she always had a job during the depression years.   After graduation from Western Michigan, both Don and Eunice and little Dave moved to Wyoming and rented a home on Burlingame Ave for about nine months and then bought their first home at 3487 Bluebird as Don started his teaching career.

If you ain’t Dutch you ain’t much

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1: Dutch   To start, both sets of Don and Eunice’s parents came from the Netherlands.  The Dutch heritage has certain characteristics.  I have come to be very proud of the heritage but I asked my brother’s and sister’s what it’s like to be Dutch.  Some random responses:

 

  • I don’t see that penny pinching so much in this generation of American Dutchies. The first/second generations of Dutch immigrants were clearly looking for ways to save and/or not spend money. I think by the current generation this trait is gradually being lost.
  • Drink lots of hot, dark coffee.
  • Hit the second hand stores for stuff that is as “good as or better than new – considering the price.”
  • Borrow and lend…not money but tools, trailers, eggs, etc
  • Do it yourself, even if you can’t
  • Know the value of things and able to spot a deal
  • Go to church or feel guilty about it
  • Smoke…changing, fortunately.
  • Eat liquor soaked raisins using toothpicks and eat mashed potatoes with other vegetables stirred in.
  • Basically, I think the American Dutch trait is a lack of other ethnic traits. It’s like when Loa Tsu was asked to define the Tao he’d say “It’s not this and it’s not that and not this and it’s not that.” Look for someone without Italian characteristics or French or Hawaiian…that’s the Dutch guy. I guess we’ve assimilated
  • The Dutch were green before green was cool. If something can be saved and reused, it will get saved and reused. If there is a place to pinch a penny, we’ll pinch it! If something is worth buying, it’s worth buying after it fell off the truck, too…and a better deal. We’ll look to save where we can, but in ways that are all above board.
  • Tall and blond
  • Eat bulk and brie and pigs in the blanket
  • Frugal with your money
  • Not very outwardly affectionate
  • Plant tulips in your yard
  • Drive a car with over 100,000 miles
  • Make sure your car is washed before church on Sunday
  • Go to church 2 times a week
  • Stand up when Veterans march by in the parade
  • Drink beer but don’t want it sold in your town

 

Other Dutch facts:

  • As of 1991, November 16th is “Dutch-American Heritage Day”.
  • According to the 2000 United States Census more than 5 million Americans claim total or partial Dutch heritage. They are particularly concentrated around Grand Rapids, Michigan   Sioux City, Iowa, and Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Dutch cheeses are world renowned with famous cheeses such as Gouda, Edam and Leiden.
  • The Dutch have all sorts of pastry and cookies (the word “cookie” is in fact derived from Dutch), many of them filled with marzipan, almond and chocolate.

The Beginnings

 

 

Donald Buning is the older of two children.  He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1932 at Butterworth Hospital.  He went to Diamond Elementary in Grand Rapids then to Ottawa Hills Junior and Senior High School.  His best friend in Junior High was Homer Noordyk.  He kind of got by in high school.  He started out with easy classes and his senior year saw a counselor and switched to college rigor.  To make this work, he had to go to two different high schools at the same time.  He ended up hitchhiking from Ottawa Hills to South High school then had to walk home from South High School every day.  He had to take summer classes his senior year before he could graduate.  He graduated from high school in 1950.  In the fall of 1950, he enrolled at Grand Rapids Junior College and completed the year.  In the fall of 1951, he enrolled at Western Michigan University.  He was not really focused on school so in 1952, joined the Navy.  He spent two and a half years in the Navy (more on that later).  In 1954, he re-enrolled at Western Michigan and earned his BS degree in 1956, later earning his Masters degree.

 

 

 

Eunice Mae Devries was the middle of three children, the oldest girl.  She was born in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois.  She actually had a sister that was born in 1932 who was also named Eunice Mae but she died a few days after she was born.  Her parents never talked too much about the sister named after her.  She started school in Chicago at Cicero Elementary Christian.  In the seventh grade, they moved to Michigan.  She went to Muskegon Christian through 8th grade and Kalamazoo Christian through high school.  She graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School.   Her best friend in school was Mary Koning who later became Mary Bosker. After graduation, Eunice worked at Boom Insurance then for a dentist and lastly for the National Union of Christian Schools before getting married in 1955.  After she got married she worked at Atlas Press at Kalamazoo Stamping and Die until 1956 when Dave was born.  During Don’s career as an educator, Eunice worked various jobs including a library clerk, an Autistic job coach but mostly was a stay at home mom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet The Grandparents

 

I was lucky to have known my grandparents.   We had many Sunday afternoon meals with both sets of grandparents.

 

Herm Buning was born February 2nd, 1898 and died April 22, 1987 Herm was born in Michigan and both of his parents were from the Netherlands.  Herm was the fourth of eight children.  Herm’s first job was as a carpenter’s apprentice.  He was soon out of work for awhile because of the depression.  He later worked as a carpenter/ maintenance worker at Kelvinator Appliance where he retired.   If you have carpenter or painting skills you probably inherited it from him.

 

Teresa Buning (Alkema) was born December 5, 1901 and died February 16, 1986.  Teresa was born in Michigan and both of her parents were from the Netherlands.  Teresa was the sixth oldest of seven children.  Her mother died when she was 6 years old.  A neighbor, the Bazuin’s raised her after her mom died.  The Bazuin’s had twin boys named Clayton and Leonard.  Teresa was old for her age when she got married at 27.  She worked at Baxter Laundry until she got married then did not work anymore.

 

 

Gerritt DeVries was born July 25, 1906 and died June 30, 1982.  Gerritt was born in Holland, Michigan and both of his parents were from the Netherlands.  Gerritt was the only child from poor parents.  He got a bachelor degree from Calvin College and a master’s degree from Northwestern University.   His first job was at Chicago Christian High School where he taught Chemistry and Math.  He then went to Muskegon Christian for two years as a principal.  Then to Kalamazoo Christian where he was a principal for six years and lastly opened South Christian High School and was their first principal and stayed for six years.  Gerritt semi-retired at Dordt College in Iowa as dorm parents and later retired for good in Holland, Michigan.

 

 

Jennie DeVries (Hulst) was born May 8, 1905 and died August 9, 1988.  Jennie was born in Holland, Michigan and both of her parents were also born in Holland, Michigan.  She was the fourth child in a family of ten.  She was the second oldest girl.  She had seven sisters and two brothers.   Her parents were wealthy and owned a general store first in Bentheim, Michigan then later Holland, Michigan.   After high school she attended a business college then later worked as a secretary at Holland Furnace doing odds and ends.  My daughter Jennie is named after her.

 

 

 

Growing up in Little Village

I grew up in a pre-dominantly Hispanic neighborhood, called Little Village in Chicago.  The homes in Little Village are mainly brownstone and our block was on 26th and Sawyer.  My parents rented the 2nd floor space of the home owned by my grandmother we called, ‘Ma’.  Our brownstone home had a long crooked staircase in the front door where I used to sit, watch and observe people in the neighborhood.  One of the many activities I used to do was read and color on that staircase. I would also pretend I was a teacher while reading stories to the kids on my block.

About my uncle

I knew my uncle, David was super funny and friendly.  As I got older, I rarely got to see my uncle David.  I wish I would’ve known how David had lived throughout the years before his passing.  I have mixed memories of my uncle growing up and wondered what his thoughts or dreams were.  I miss talking to my uncle about life and things he enjoyed.

About my Corgis

My current pets are Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The first one is Mochi, she’s 6 and loves to play frisbee in our backyard. She also likes belly rubs and is super sociable with people. She’s a sweet girl.

Our youngest, is Hiro. He is 2 and loves to fetch. He’s very energetic and loves to socialize with other energetic pups. His Corgi nature comes out sometimes and he likes to keep other pups in order by playfully nipping their backside.

Leuka

Leuka was diagnosed a year ago with diabetes and she got really skinny, and she’s been on insulin for 14 months.  She was always usually really good about taking her insulin.
 I noticed on January 7th that she had to stop eating as fast as she normally does. Leuka, when she would eat she would gobble like she was afraid somebody was going to come to get her food.  I called it toothpasting, and it’s hard to describe, you have to see her do it to understand.
On January 9th she started giving issues with getting her insulin she just didn’t want it and it was a fight to get her to take it and she continued this eating and I thought that maybe it was just the medicine for Cushing’s.
January 10th Leuka started vomiting, and she had diarrhea because I had to give her a certain food if she stopped eating her food from the vet cooking chicken breast and rice, with sweet potatoes to feed her.  I have been cooking for her for a couple of months.  The last time she was at the vet, they didn’t think she was going to make it through that Friday and that was back in November.
   January 11th okay stop eating and I didn’t want to give her insulin not eating that would have brought her sugar too low Titania figured maybe you know her to stop coming he’s not doing well because she would get these upset stomach sometimes and dinner came around didn’t eat and was throwing up I was determined to take her to the vet the next day to find out have some test done.
 Tuesday evening Luca was restless, she would get up, she would go drink water, ( she was drinking a lot of water)  she had diarrhea but nothing was coming out just foam. She would get up she go to her kennel she would turn around a little bit lay there for about a minute get back up walking back to the blanket that was on the floor, do a little turn around there and repeat, and it went on all night long.  I was so tired I was trying to get it just a little bit sleep been up all night sleeping until noon and it walked out of my bedroom and see it but I guess well I was sleeping and come by my bedroom and she had messed there, but all it was I saw was blood.  she continued to worsen throughout the day I was taking her outside earlier that morning before it was about 11 I accidentally slept until about 11.  I went out to see if I can dig a hole and the ground is frozen so there was no way I was going to be able to dig in the ice,  as fast as she had declined I knew what was coming. At 4 pm.,  I was able to get her into the Vet,  on that table was the same blanket Hunter was put down on.  They were supposed to give me an imprint they’re going to take her back, inserted an IV, make the paw print, and bring it back.
Having to decide to put my little girl down was the hardest decision I ever had to make she lay there in my arms I knew the exact moment that she went from there from the overdose never remember looking down afterward at her limp body,  her bowels that let loose and all that was there was blood clotted blood so as much as it kills me to have to do that, If I hadn’t got her into the vet, I doubt that she would have made it through the night, and I would have woke up in the morning to her passed in a pool of blood. I think it would be even more devastating to me.

The Family Tree

The easiest way to tell our family history is to write this book from my perspective. Especially from the Kon/Maeda side. The Millin family history will be much more difficult since there is limited information available. 

My mom, Hatsuko (Mimi) was born on March 6, 1933 in the mountaineous island of Hokkaido, Japan. Her birth was not registered by her family until December 5, 1933. No one really knows why. In accordance with tradition the registered date is the celebrated annual date of birth.

If we go back further in history, In the early 1900 Hatsuko’s mom, insert first name, Maeda had seven brothers and she was the only girl. Mimi has some memories of her uncles on her Mom’s side she talks about a couple of them. One was an artist and a creative type person and of course, Hadeo which is her uncle and became her brother-in-law later in life which is an entire chapter of information. Mimi’s dad, Hatchi Kon grew up and was also from the same region of Hakkaido as Insert name, they met there and eventually were married when my grandma was young. Like 17 or 18 years of age. 

Her father, Hatchi, had four brothers and two sisters. One brother was killed during the war since he volunteered to be a kamikaze pilot and at nineteen went to war and did not return. Hatchi’s two sister were sold to a geisha house in southern japan after the war by Hatchi’s mom. Mimi has vivid memories of each of these women and even visited one of them in Tokyo in the early 1970’s on a return trip to Japan. Mimi remembers the beautiful kimonos and their makeup and hair mainly, but she does recall that they play instruments as well. She says that the money her grandmother received for the sale was wasted away in alcohol since her paternal grandmother was an alcoholic. We are not sure what happened to the other 2 brothers at this time. 

On the Millin side of family like I stated earlier, there is limited information. My Dad’s name is David Leonard Samuel Angus Millin. He was full blood Scottish. His father’s name was Samuel Millin and he disappears from the family history after David’s mom was killed in a automobile accident in and around 1936. David’s mom’s name was Margaret Mathaney. In the early 1990’s I found a death certificate for Margaret in Culhogua Falls, Ohio. Most of my Dad’s family was immigrated to this area of Ohio. David had a younger brother named Samuel but it is my understanding that during the 60’s, 70’s he was in and out of prison and he lost touch with any of the Millin family.  David did not have a relationship with him that I am aware of. After his dad disappeared and his mom died, David went to live with their grandmother. But for history sake we don’t really know if she was really his grandmother or a friend of the family. I vaguely remember her and we called her Grandma Genshimer. Sam went to live with an aunt. Their last names were “Hook” and again, I vaguely remember Aunt Hook. It was my understanding that she was Samuel Millin’s sister, but this is not substantiated either. David Millin joined the Army when he was 17. I will leave those adventures for another chapter.