My dad died in 1997, and one of his most cherished memories was being part of a ground breaking force that helped construct the Alcan Highway. He was a Staff Sgt. in the Army’s 18th Engineer Combat Regiment. He moved from Skagway toward Whitehorse and then inland for the better part of a year under extreme conditions. He also spent very hard times on Attu & Shemya in the Aleutians. His origins were from the hills of West Virginia, near Panther. Eleven children, a farm, coal mines and a lumber mill. Stills and shotguns. He left home young. He grew up quick. This was my dad. That was my surrounding aura of expectations. My dad worked til he died at 76 y/o. He never really learned how to relax. He did take me camping and as often as not, it was where I steered him toward possible fish. He didn’t fish, but he drove that way anyway.
I have a calling toward that mega roadtrip in his honor. Time is passing. I figure I would need a month to move up and back from Oregon to some meaningful end point to say we made it and to incorporate the fishing of B.C. and part of the Yukon. I am not sure I will make this happen. But, to write about it and the tough men that endured that experience is at a minimum important. It reminds me of my blessings. It reminds me of my genetics and upbringing. It reminds me to not be a complainer….he wasn’t. Duty, honor, country. He was man of complex components and a simple result…a rock. Love you dad.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/277490/Construction-of-the-Alcan-Highway-1942
http://www.alaskahighwayarchives.ca/en/chap2/7neal.php
http://www.historynet.com/alaska-highway-the-biggest-and-hardest-job-since-the-panama-canal.htm
If anyone knows of viable fly fishing opportunities up that way, let me know sometime. I may make it in a year or two.
My father has also passed on. He was a civilian worker on the highway and i am trying to find out if there are any organizations that might exist compried of these men. Any information would be helpful.
Thanks
Hello JR…there was. Not sure now how many still live. My dad attended a gathering in Whitehorse about 15 years ago (passed 13 yrs. back). You can find books that celebrate the units involved. There is a PBS show about the AlCan but it took the slant of highlighting the black platoon/company that was stationed there and less about the others. If you a little research you will find a few small pamphlets and maybe from there mention of a current group. I would have to believe with few exceptions they have mostly all passed. My dad was in, I believe, the 18th Engineers.
Gary
Действительно интересно написано, но мне кажется, что все-таки автор что-то не договаривает
Спасибо, Сергей, и благодарим Вас за посещение. Могу ли я спросить, что если вы столкнетесь с соотечественниками, которым нравится летать летают рыбы или галстуком, будете ли вы так любезны, направляйте их на мой сайт? Спасибо, Гэри
SB,
Go for it!!!
My BLOG is-in a way-to honor my Dad who introduced me to Fly Fishing in thought, if not in deed.I say “hello” to his spirit each time I enter the Owens Valley. My brother and I and my three kids, scattered his ashes there -in five locations – in August, 2001.
PT/TB
I found your story as a result of Dennis’ post on his blog. It is so nice to see a man who respects his Dad’s accomplishments – so many people just put their family’s history in the garbage or on eBay. The cabin I lived in at Carcross for several years (and still own) may have sheltered your father at times, as it was built in 1943 by the soldiers based there, to be used as a gambling and drinking getaway! I’m a nut for Alaska Highway history – as well as having almost 100 books about it in my collection, I’ve written 2 of my own (a small one is in print now, a much larger one hasn’t quite made it that far yet).
Thanks Murray. I have found so many facets of this story amazingly fascinating. Not just the soldiers, but those that followed and were already at outposts. Good luck with your literary efforts. Gary
Great post. I appreciate your feelings towards your Dad and the significance of fishing. I am in Whitehorse, Yukon and can direct you to some great Yukon fly-fishing spots.
I will link to this story on my website http://www.fishonyukon.com. Thanks again.
Dennis,
You are most kind. Thank you for visiting and I greatly appreciate the assistance.
Gary