PRELUDE.
Many times temptation overwhelmed me to show you some of my treasures, mostly in my heart, so you get to know better, who I am. Missed many opportunity to do so, at my Parents Anniversary. My Mothers Funeral, my Sisters wedding and last, but least not least the Baptism at my birth. Of all the listed events one, the Anniversary of my Parents choose to participate. At the Baptism, the participation of mine was
Many times temptation overwhelmed me to show you some of my treasures, mostly in my heart, so you get to know better, who I am. Missed many opportunity to do so, at my Parents Anniversary. My Mothers Funeral, my Sisters wedding and last, but least not least the Baptism at my birth. Of all the listed events one, the Anniversary of my Parents choose to participate. At the Baptism, the participation of mine was
TIME OF ADVERSITY - 26 -
We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes, which were, for the moment, unpopular.
- Edward R. Murrow
- Edward R. Murrow
CLEAN UP!
Elkhorn 1972. The contractor, Cliff is the son of a well-established and honorable construction Company, specialty earthwork on Highway construction: Centrally located in northern Wisconsin. After a waiting a drying period for about two weeks, Cliff and his subcontractors brought in more Equipment and hired more help to manage the damage caused by two 100 Year storms. To begin all our Environmental installation either was totally destroyed or filled, useless for future protection. It took a while to continue our grading operation, which developed to be Priority Number one. The settling Basins refurbished, the river cleaned from silt deposit and prepared all washed out drainage ditches with heavier quarry stone as prior to t the calamity.
EMBANKMENT/FINISHING
After about two weeks, it starts looking again nearly as a normal earthmoving operation performed by a combative Contractor. Soon the mayor task was in high gear to continue to build the necessary embankments, support the planned nine-Inch reinforced concrete Pavement. At the same time landscaping, a most very important Part of a locality like Hodunk Valley, moved in to start their work Placing topsoil, ditch lining with different material what is so difficult to do accomplish under the prevailing condition. A part of the Contract on this location the construction of two Rest Areas, outfitted completely, in each direction of the traveling lanes the location of their site a little more sold and not involved with the Slough on the mainline. A big portion of the earth use to build the Embankment were hauled in from the outside, mostly a little dirty granular but very good for the purpose used. The earth found on the worksite not usable to carry the load put on it. There came a time when I was approached by some of my superiors to present in images, text, and talk, documented in detail all what happened down here in Hodunk Valley. The purpose to inform my peers, nothing in our work to serve the People of Wisconsin is impossible. The time of Environmental Protection touched us, and glad I am about it. Like in so many happenings, a little humor is good for the soul and heart and very seldom refuses to participate or endure. For a while after the presentation, they called me "Mother Nature."
SURFACING ROADWAY AND SURRISE VISIT
The weather spoiled us somewhat in recent days and weeks, our progress moved rapidly, comparing it with prior work. The heavy earthwork, building the embankment, is nearly completed and the placing of granular graduated gravel base course began. A total of twelve inches where needed to carry the future load and accommodate training in the same time. Maybe the explanation is a little to detailed, but I think after all we had to endure on this Project, we were a little proud to turn the calamity around and tell you that we can do better. It took a little time to complete the placing of this granular base course. The following consisted of placing a ten-inch Reinforced Concrete Pavement. The Concrete transported with special trucks and unloaded ahead of the so-called finishing machine. Produced and mixed at the site The aggregates used in the concrete mix were brought in and washed. A very technical and clean operation if everything works. The average lifetime of this so handled Concrete Pavement is about fifty years when it still can be rehabilitated to
Elkhorn 1972. The contractor, Cliff is the son of a well-established and honorable construction Company, specialty earthwork on Highway construction: Centrally located in northern Wisconsin. After a waiting a drying period for about two weeks, Cliff and his subcontractors brought in more Equipment and hired more help to manage the damage caused by two 100 Year storms. To begin all our Environmental installation either was totally destroyed or filled, useless for future protection. It took a while to continue our grading operation, which developed to be Priority Number one. The settling Basins refurbished, the river cleaned from silt deposit and prepared all washed out drainage ditches with heavier quarry stone as prior to t the calamity.
EMBANKMENT/FINISHING
After about two weeks, it starts looking again nearly as a normal earthmoving operation performed by a combative Contractor. Soon the mayor task was in high gear to continue to build the necessary embankments, support the planned nine-Inch reinforced concrete Pavement. At the same time landscaping, a most very important Part of a locality like Hodunk Valley, moved in to start their work Placing topsoil, ditch lining with different material what is so difficult to do accomplish under the prevailing condition. A part of the Contract on this location the construction of two Rest Areas, outfitted completely, in each direction of the traveling lanes the location of their site a little more sold and not involved with the Slough on the mainline. A big portion of the earth use to build the Embankment were hauled in from the outside, mostly a little dirty granular but very good for the purpose used. The earth found on the worksite not usable to carry the load put on it. There came a time when I was approached by some of my superiors to present in images, text, and talk, documented in detail all what happened down here in Hodunk Valley. The purpose to inform my peers, nothing in our work to serve the People of Wisconsin is impossible. The time of Environmental Protection touched us, and glad I am about it. Like in so many happenings, a little humor is good for the soul and heart and very seldom refuses to participate or endure. For a while after the presentation, they called me "Mother Nature."
SURFACING ROADWAY AND SURRISE VISIT
The weather spoiled us somewhat in recent days and weeks, our progress moved rapidly, comparing it with prior work. The heavy earthwork, building the embankment, is nearly completed and the placing of granular graduated gravel base course began. A total of twelve inches where needed to carry the future load and accommodate training in the same time. Maybe the explanation is a little to detailed, but I think after all we had to endure on this Project, we were a little proud to turn the calamity around and tell you that we can do better. It took a little time to complete the placing of this granular base course. The following consisted of placing a ten-inch Reinforced Concrete Pavement. The Concrete transported with special trucks and unloaded ahead of the so-called finishing machine. Produced and mixed at the site The aggregates used in the concrete mix were brought in and washed. A very technical and clean operation if everything works. The average lifetime of this so handled Concrete Pavement is about fifty years when it still can be rehabilitated to
So God will, after a rest I will be with you again. Together we will continue the Journey. We have along way to go.
Sincerely Alfredo De` Eljama
Sincerely Alfredo De` Eljama
"There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have grown helpless about them"
- Doug Larsen
- Doug Larsen
not in question. This are some of the Element which always reminds me of a time past which not always was accommodating but often very gruel. If you followed our journey you heard and seen most everything what happened. Sometimes to detailed, but the purpose of this Journey is to learn and do better in your own future. Do not forget the Ultimate Goal of mine "To make a Difference." The treasure mentioned is the Image of the Church where all our Family's Weddings, Baptisms, First Communions and Funerals This Church was erected in the year 1200, over eight hundreds Year old. The picture is hanging in our Living room, made on one my visits to there. Every time I look at the thought are going back in time and ask the Owner of this place, my Friend my God to stay with me.
SCENIC VIEW - After Construction, Elkhorn Slough
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9
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9
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I-43 East Bound Lane
Rest Area
Rest Area
I-43 West Bound Lane
2 Miles SW of Elkhorn
2 Miles SW of Elkhorn
last some years beyond these estimates. Now we are very close to the completion of this very trouble causing Project and can be proud of each other, could not resist to thank my Friend with all mind and heart. The Surprise visitor mentioned above is my Father. While he is still here, he asked many times to witness this Pavement placing operation at site. Back in Germany, at that time, operation like these is only possible in America. One can feel how proud he was to tell his friends and associates after his return, I was happy to please him, and he is proud of his son, after all. Now I am father myself and can easily put my selves in his position. The afternoon together was a time of connecting, and never will I forget.
IS PARADISE NEAR? Elkhorn, September 1972
The expression History Repeat it self-known to many of you. Other similar happenings could find a relationship with the deep meaning of such expressions. A peculiar episode occurred during the beginning of our Journey who started in 1952. If one goes back in these pages you will find the first page called " From Hell to Paradise " Partial paradise my being in the U.S.A..,served me well and I am very grateful to all who assisted in a most kindly way . That is not the Paradise talking to you today. Now I will communicate what happened during one of the last days on the Project. Most Equipment and Manpower left the Project to another assignment close by. A small finishing and repairing crew planned to be finished for the final Inspection. It never meant to be that way. Suddenly I experienced terrible pain in my left chest cavities, somewhat familiar during previous times, but not as gruesome as today, the day in my live which I never can or will forget. To say it very clear it did totally change all my former plans. I was aware during my last five years that my body was ailing with heart problems, which most the time I ignored. On the other hand, what could I have done other different? At these times the choices were not to plentiful. On hand on the Steering wheel and the other hand on my hurting chest drove I home. One of my neighbors, a doctor, admitted me to the Waukesha Memorial Hospital. After lengthy examination and tests I was informed that, a Hearth Attack occurred with fifteen % killing of the Hearth muscles occurred and a stay of approximate three to four weeks will be most likely to happen. Although to be used for loosing weight, quitting smoking and multiple other corrections of my habits to improve. I was prepared by now to meet my Friend, which I still love so much, but
The expression History Repeat it self-known to many of you. Other similar happenings could find a relationship with the deep meaning of such expressions. A peculiar episode occurred during the beginning of our Journey who started in 1952. If one goes back in these pages you will find the first page called " From Hell to Paradise " Partial paradise my being in the U.S.A..,served me well and I am very grateful to all who assisted in a most kindly way . That is not the Paradise talking to you today. Now I will communicate what happened during one of the last days on the Project. Most Equipment and Manpower left the Project to another assignment close by. A small finishing and repairing crew planned to be finished for the final Inspection. It never meant to be that way. Suddenly I experienced terrible pain in my left chest cavities, somewhat familiar during previous times, but not as gruesome as today, the day in my live which I never can or will forget. To say it very clear it did totally change all my former plans. I was aware during my last five years that my body was ailing with heart problems, which most the time I ignored. On the other hand, what could I have done other different? At these times the choices were not to plentiful. On hand on the Steering wheel and the other hand on my hurting chest drove I home. One of my neighbors, a doctor, admitted me to the Waukesha Memorial Hospital. After lengthy examination and tests I was informed that, a Hearth Attack occurred with fifteen % killing of the Hearth muscles occurred and a stay of approximate three to four weeks will be most likely to happen. Although to be used for loosing weight, quitting smoking and multiple other corrections of my habits to improve. I was prepared by now to meet my Friend, which I still love so much, but
it has to be another time. My Mission to Make a Different not completed yet. Shortly before my Father returned to Germany he came once more to say "Auf Wiedersehen" and expressed his good feeling how I, his son, made him very proud. No body ever knew how much that meant to me. He promised, if God will allow, a return to visit us again, Particular the children love him very much.