Capt. Leif K Strand
I was thinking about Capt. Strand the other day...this is how I found this thread:
In 1977 I was 20 years old and living in Atlanta. I had done poorly on the SAT exam and was waiting to take it again to enter University/ I took a sales job at a small store in Downtown Atlanta, Hoffritz cutlery and gifts. I think Capt. Strand bought some small item from me and returned later in the day ...he invited me for coffee, and we spent the early evening talking, he explained briefly who he was and that he had left New York to settle in Griffin, Ga (an undistinguished small town approx. 50 mi South of Atlanta). we exchanged addresses and he said he would come to see me again...A few weeks later I started to receive post cards (in envelopes) from around Europe, London, and Paris ( From Hotel George IV !) these continued for some time ...finally a real Letter from him arrived and he was asking that I meet him for a dinner when he came to the city again ...surely enough after a few days he appeared at the shop (I had agreed to join him) We went to a famous restaurant at that time called: Pleasant Peasant...I remember I had Coquille St. Jaques and he remarked that the Chef " really knew his stuff" we talked more, and he explained that he had been given US citizenship after WWII (some heroic action, not clear) Told me that he had left NY because of COLD winters, that he had arthritis in his hands, he had some vague connection with the town from friends, I remarked why not go to Florida? too HOT he explained.
He invited me later to come to Griffin to spend the weekend, which I did. he was living in a small house on the edge of town. we talked a lot, went for walks, he showed me some medals and decorations, He had an original MONET (small) we drank some brandy. I did notice his hands were very worn and shaky. He put me to bed in the guest room, I remember him sitting on the edge of the bed, he was down to Boxers and T shirt (It was pretty clear what was going on) But he did not make an advance I expected that, and I was not going to make a move myself (just did not seem right, he was years older than my father ! and I was in an off and on relationship)
I don't think I saw him again after that. maybe a letter or two.
he was a very fine gentleman always, and I have wondered about him many times. now myself at a " Certain age" I think back on the weekend and wish I had been a little more " Forth Coming".. He was obviously lonely and needed some male companionship ..it makes me feel bad now because getting closer to him would have been a kind and generous act I hope this recount is not upsetting , but this what happened
