Watha James Eddins

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Victoria Davison on December 20, 2013:

As I look over the friends and family that have gathered here today, my heart soars to know that each of you were able to know and love my father, as he surely loved each and every one of you. And although his corporeal body is no longer here I know that a part of him is in each one of us. We spoke about his wisdom in his Obituary. He had a wonderful way of teaching through some wonderful sayings. Every time I feel put out because someone is not behaving the way I think that they should, his tolerance saying of, "Well you know...Every tub has to sit on its own bottom" rings in my head and I try to ease up and remember the grace he always showed no matter the situation. Or when perhaps I am not doing what I should, I sometimes feel that "stare" you know the one...the one eyebrow arched up by about two inches! While he was a wonderful father, he was also a brilliant man who was humble and generous to everyone he encountered and was always a joy to be around with his quick wit and wonderful sayings. I think that his own words will demonstrate this much more eloquently than I could ever hope to, so I would like to read to you a few passages from letters he wrote to his Uncle George and Aunt Mary Louise when he was in Viet Nam. Recall that he was shipped overseas in 1966, leaving my sister Reby, my pregnant Mom and myself in Sarasota Florida. The first letter is from March 26th 1967... Dear Mary Louise & George, Received the cake and fudge about two weeks ago, please forgive the tardy acknowledgement. Both were delicious and well appreciated I can assure you. Was there crème de menthe in the fudge? I had never eaten fudge quite like it -- you should patent it. We've been pretty active here lately, since we're at the height of the dry season, when our armored vehicles have maximum mobility. Last weekend I attended an Armor conference in Saigon. I enjoyed meeting the other senior advisors from around the country, some of whom I already knew, but was happy to get back to Xuan Loc. Saigon is hopelessly crowded. Edith is going to be with Bev during her initial new baby period, which pleases me, although those two girls will undoubtedly lead her a merry chase. 9 April is the due date, and the latest info from Bev is that the doctor is running checks for possible twins!! She usually has large babies so that may be the situation this time. ... Of course as you all know now the Triplets were born on April 15th, almost a week after their due date of the 9th. It is amazing to me that with only about 3 weeks to go, my mother and father were clueless that it was a multi-bundle on board! More of my dad's humor and grace comes out in the second letter after the triplets were born, this letter was written May 25th, 1967... Dear Mary Louise and George, From letters I have received, I gather you all are aware that Bev and I have equaled you in the field of reproduction. Actually I had not thought of competing, but you know how the Army is -- everything in triplicate. Bev just sent me the Mother's Day edition of the Sarasota paper, which had the whole front page of the society section devoted to the Eddins family, including an 8 X 10 photograph of the whole brood. With this and the other articles, its fairly evident where the action is since 15 April. At the risk of repetition, their names are: Catherine Anita (Katy), Melissa Elaine (Missy), and James Stuart (Jamey), in the order of birth. Preliminary analysis indicates that the two girls are identical except in size. I have changed jobs in the interim -- I am now the academic advisor to the Department of Science at the Vietnamese National Military Academy in Dalat. In accordance with a governmental decree in December, the curriculum was expanded from a 2 year to a 4 year program. Based on a request from the Vietnamese authorities, and pursuant to Gen Westmoreland's orders, 4 former instructors at West Point were selected from among those serving in Vietnam and were assigned as academic advisors to Depts in their fields of interest. In my initial briefing, the MACV Training Directorate pointed out the fact that I would be in "on the ground floor" of the expansion program, but in arriving it became painfully evident that somehow I had gotten off in the basement. ... I won't read this entire letter as it goes on to ask Uncle George for some advice and assistance about setting up a science department from scratch. He also expressed his gratitude for Edith's assistance with the Triplets and asked about his Grandmother's reaction to the news of triplets. I know I am not really telling any of you something that you are not already familiar with, that Dad was a fantastic person and we were all better people because of knowing him. One of the more touching items that I have found while trying to help Ann organize some of Dad's effects was a hand written poem that he wrote for his 50th class reunion. I will close with this poem as it again shows his grace and wit... Gratitude: To Family, Friends and Classmates By Jim Eddins for his West Point 50th Reunion To see Mortality arise Is, at our age no surprise. But we recall, with some delight, Classmates, friends and family who visit, call or write. First the family had its run, Then came classmates from D-1: Ryan, Bergen and Bob Newton; followed on when it was best By Drummond, Jim and Tommy West. The Trobaughs and the Heinrichs too From the west coast they flew. Last to come was Ludwig, Dan. All to help my dear wife, Ann. Inspired by Ryan our great class scribe, Your cards and letters encouraged me to imbibe with you in celebration, Of 50 years since Graduation. But of the others I've discussed Family, friends and classmates robust. Most want no credit to accrue to recognize the acts they do. But as each of them must surely know, They are to me a true hero. There is no award I can impart, But my God has given me a start, By writing each name upon my heart. That poem is quite ironic to me as he has always been my hero and he is certainly written upon my heart. I miss him dearly, but take solace in the fact that he is once again able to walk in God's Garden.

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