Mike and I met in 1962 (I was 15) while I was vacationing in his summer home of Red River, New Mexico, a small mountain village where Mike worked during the summer for his parents and grandparents. Our courtship continued through his years at West Point while I was studying at the University of Kentucky. We were pinned (how proud I was to wear the Army A-pin which was a promise like a fraternity pin, to belong only to each other), engaged and married the day after graduation at the USMA chapel in 1969.
Thus, began our exciting life together in the Army. Short assignments included Ft. Sill twice, Ft. Benning, Duke (1974-1976) for graduate school where daughter, Natalie, was born and serving on the faculty in the USMA English Dept. (1976-1980). Perhaps the most exciting years were 1970 – 1973 in Germany where Mike served as a battery commander for the 2/27th Field Artillery and later aide to Gen. Kraft (commander of the 3rd Armor Division) in Frankfurt. It was there our first child, Rob (USAFA, 1994), was born at 97th General. Those stories and sights could fill a book but for now will just remain in my heart and memories. The army people we met along the way became the fabric of our lives and even continued into the civilian years as we reacquainted with old friends and met new ones on the class reunions, cruises to Alaska and Baltic and our last trip to Ireland shortly before we lost Mike (September, 2013) to a cancer he fought so bravely.
It was on this class trip to Ireland that Mike perhaps left the greatest impact and memory on his classmates in attendance. Asking to speak at the last minute during the invocation, Mike opened his impromptu remarks with a challenge issued by Ulysses as penned by Tennyson. Mike had a remarkable memory and, when added to his forceful recitation, was sure to stir your soul and his spirit made a lasting impression on all he knew and met. In fact, it was later at the 45th reunion during the Chapel memorial and roll call for fallen classmates that Norm Brown, passing away himself a few years later, singled Mike out during his speech.
“Remembering! – in our past there have been many inspiring classmates that have passed on but one of them that personally impacted me was Mike Taylor. While in his last months of life Mike had the courage to attend a mini-reunion in Ireland where at a meal with all classmates and wives gathered, he provided an invocation. Fitz shared this invocation with me and as those at the mini-reunion who also remember Mike’s words will probably also agree, I felt the need to share it with the entire class. In the invocation, Mike told a story about a friend of his suggesting for a New Year’s resolution to pick only one word to contemplate throughout the year. Mike went on to tell our class that his word was “Joy”. He explained how part of the reason for selecting this word was that he was joyful at being able to be with those whose lives and examples have meant so much to him as well as to so many of us. Mike was on inspiration right up to the moment of his death and that is true Joy.”
Military memories began with my visits to West Point to be with my C-4 cadet, Mike Taylor. Those were like fairy tales to me with all the fanfare and pomp. But oh, the Army-Navy weekends were the best! What fun we had in Philadelphia, though I remember sitting on icy bleachers either cow (Junior) or firstie (Senior) year. Still today I get a lump in my throat as I view the yearly national ritual on TV.
The 1969 Army-Navy game, our first post-graduation contest, found us stationed at Ft. Benning, GA for the three week jump school. Mike missed the game totally as he was jumping out of airplanes that day.
Meanwhile, the rather new bride was back in our rented mobile home, watching the game in front of our small rented black and white TV, ironing his starched (until they could stand up straight all by themselves) work uniform called fatigues with my rented ironing board and iron.
Some new brides felt this is not what they signed up for. Me – I would do it all over again in a second. Being married to Mike and becoming a part of the Long Grey Line and Class of ’69 was the greatest blessing one could ever seek.
Funny, but after all the fantastic experiences we had, especially in Germany, I chose to write about the ironing.
We traveled with Gen Kraft in his general’s train and limo, met great diplomats, skied the alps, saw the Eiffel Tower, Roman ruins and Coliseum, tulips of Holland, fjords of Norway, Anne Frank’s hidden room, castles, cathedrals and on and on. Even saw Crete by motorcycle. Yet it was the everyday life of the wife of an army lieutenant that shows the love and devotion to her man and her country.
Thank you for sharing your inspirational stories, Janie. JOY is a marvelous word for all of us to remember,every day of the year.
With best wishes to you and to your family,
BOTL and Beat Navy!
Bob and Marianne Ivany
Thanks, Bob and Marianne! It’s great hearing from you! Game on! Beat Navy…. and always remember, JOY! Janie
Janie,
Thank you so much for sharing this memory !
How proud I am to have also shared that little piece of time with you and Mike. You both have been great inspirations to many of us over our careers, and we continue to cherish the “Joy” of your friendship.
Jim
Jim, Mike was always so proud of you and we DID have great times. Being able to share in your first shuttle flight was a thrill! I still have the quilt your dear mother made us when we were married. So glad memories will always be in my heart. Janie
Great story, Janie, thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Ray, for reading it and taking the time to comment. It’s my blessing to be part of BOTL. Janie
I just reread your story after reading your comment on Cindy’s recent story. I like Mike’s idea of meditating on one word for a year. I shall give that some thought and see what word the Lord gives me for the rest of this year. May God bless you abundantly.
Ray, thank you for commenting once again. Every time I try to come up with a new word I keep coming back to Mike’s “joy”. I guess that is because God asks us to find joy in every situation – sickness, struggles and relationships as well as the good things in life. With that “joy” comes peace and trust that God know best. Romans 8:28. So, I wish you JOY today and always.
Janie, do you remember the frog clicker from that Army-Navy game? My wife found her’s this past weekend going through some memorabilia.
Sorry, but I have no recollection! Doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, though. It’s funny the things I remember and don’t remember.
So proud of my parents, Mike and Janie Taylor, and the legacy of love and pride they share with everyone they meet. Dad is smiling on this article, Mom. What memories our family treasures from our West Point days. Go, Army! Beat Navy
Natalie, we raised you right, I see. Your daddy was and still is so proud of you. He was many great things in his life but the title he loved most was “daddy”. Carry on his legacy of pride, honor, dedication and, most of all, joy. Mom
I loved Mike. Wonderful, wonderful man. Merry Christmas and God Bless you Janie.
Thank you, Fred. He was so proud of his classmates and West Point. You are a part of the fabric of his life. Merry Christmas and best wishes to you and yours. Janie
Thanks for the memories, Janie. Those days in New Brick were the best!
Thanks for your kind words, Mike. Memories are the best and can never be taken away. Wishing you the best for 2018! Janie
Thank you Janie, Mike’s remarks in Ireland have remained front and center for me since then. I still remember sharing a sandwhich with Mike in the departure lounge at Shannon Airport at the end of the minireunion. Mike’s love for his family and Red River were always explicit in our conversations. Roger and Beth Balog reminded me recently how special Red River is at our last minireunion.
Merry Christmas, and if you are ever up in Seattle visiting your son, we are not far south of there.
Bruce, thank you for your kind thoughts! I just returned from Christmas in Red River and saw Roger and Beth. I’m sure you must love the Seattle area as much as my son and family.
Wishing you a wonderful 2018 and thank you for allowing me the privilege to continue being a part of BOTL. Janie