It's funny how things so simple as where we grew up, what type of music we listened to, and even our choice of job defines us. Changes us into the person we are todayw ithout so much as a second-guess as to when, why or how.
For Derwin Emerson -- this certainly is the case.
Emerson was born and raised in Jonesport, Maine. Being a coastal region of the State, Jonesport provided Derwin with plenty of fishing oppertunities (as well as 'worming', sardine factories and boat building). Between he and his brothers, Emerson remember keeping to very odd jobs. The first being: walking up a hill to a small cabin where posters of Aircrafts in silhouette. Jonesport being a tight-knit community, relied on the boys to identify the planes that flew over the town.
At this time the Cold War with Russia was happening, and so the government paid Derwin and his brothers to sit and observe through binoculars from dusk till dawn. At the end of the end they gave in their reports, and immediately sent notice should a 'red' plane be seen. None, however did.
The second jov Derwin contributed to was shooting sea gulls. Armed with a .22 caliber and a bagged lunch, the boys trudged through acres and acres of blueberry fields before settling down for the day. At this point in time, Sea Gulls were considered to be 'protected', however since they were destroying the crops it was alright to shoot them.
Besides identifying planes and shooting a protected species; Derwin was justa normal kid. Participating in sports such as baseball and basketball, as well as 'playing guns' and ice skating when the weather permitted. It was a time of the Lone Ranger and Rin Tin Tin, and Derwin and his friends would spend countless hours outside playing in the forest out back his house.
Throughout the course of his life Derwin Emerson, much like the rest of us, encountered moments and unimaginable disasters that impacted his life. For the better or for the worse -- who knows, but the outcome remains the same.
The Beetles and their rocketing success, New York Yankees winning the World Series several years -- as always a powerhouse. Attending a secondary school in Charleston named Higgins Classical Institute, sometimes called 'Huge Collection of Idiots' as a joke among friends. Here at HCI, Derwin encountered many a different races. It was a place where everyone was accepted.
The "Bay of Pigs" invasion, which launched three days after Kennedy assumed presidency in the United States. However, the fight only lasted three days.
The Death of the 'King' Elvis sculpted Derwin as well as the many assassinations of JFK, RFK, ML King, John Lennon and the attemped assassination of President Regan.
Derwin remembers Watergate and Jogn Dean's week long testimony! As well as President Nixon leaving in disgrace to the office of the MOST powerful country in the world.
Rolling stones and Mick Jagger! The 70's -- in general -- with all the 'hippys' and drug controversies, including the promiscuous entities that come with it.
Ted Bundy, Jim Jones, The hooded terrorists in Munich as well as the unforgettable fight between Muhammad Ali and George Forman.
All of these events have turned Derwin into what he is today; an well-known, successful aged man at Nokomis Regional High. From a boy to a teacher whose hosted witness to more than his fair share of America's greatest and worse moments.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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