[S.D. Kelsey--home movies] Reel 1

Date1942 – 1946

AbstractCan notes: " 1) Engagement pictures May, 1942 2) Stevie's first holy pictures July, 1943 3) Christening day - Marge" 4) Stevie with Jack for first time in front of 150" Add: Long shots of the family walking with the toddler outdoors

Anecdotal Comments & ReflectionsREEL ONE 1942-1944 The scene opens with pre-marriage expectations. The date is May 27, 1942. The location, Post Chapel, Lemoore Army Flying School, California. The time, 12:30PM. Eileen Elizabeth Fee, (Mother) who had turned 20 three days earlier, is radiant in a long organza white, floral, scoop necked gown. Ruffles are seen on the bodice and the hem of the sleeves and the skirt. Her betrothed, Captain Straughan Downing Kelsey is not seen, as is tradition. Aunt Marj, Eileen's sister, Marjorie Jane Fee (Waller) is dressed in the same style dress but in a flattering blue hue. Aunt Marj is the Maid of Honor. Major Joseph G. Reddal is the Best Man. He is not shown, either. Also seen are John Michael Fee, the father of the bride, (Grandpa Fee) and Marguerite Tracy Fee, the mother of the bride, (Grandma Fee). They are radiant with joy and expectation. Grandpa Fee is wearing a dark suit with tie and Grandma Fee is wearing a black and white patterned suit. We inherited our curly hair from her genes. Mother is seen showing some of the elegant wedding gifts she received; Royal Danish silverware and silver cocktail glasses. After the wedding Mother is seen smoking a cigarette and looking very happy and elegant. She is wearing the graduated pearl necklace strand that was to become such an important accessory in her wardrobe. When Daddy, Colonel Straughan Downing Kelsey, had her image painted in Japan, during the Korean War, she was wearing those pearls. The scene then shifts to Straughan Downing Kelsey, Jr.'s, (Stevie) Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church. The time is July, 1943 and the location is Brooklyn, New York, where Mother was born and raised. Daddy, a southern Baptist from Newport News, Virginia, had agreed to raise their children Catholic. And, we were. Grandpa Fee is seen with Mother and Stevie. Stevie is seen sleeping, at one month old. His father was in Europe, to fight the Nazis during World War II. Mother is wearing a black dress with an orchid and is very elegant. Grandpa Fee is present wearing a straw hat, which he always favored. Grandpa and Grandma Fee are seen pushing the pram that lovingly holds Stevie. Stevie takes his first steps, with Mother helping him along. The year is 1944. It is obvious by the radiance on her face that her love is very strong for her first born. 1944, Daddy is seen for the first time during war leave from Europe. He has been promoted to Major and is an Army Air Corps bomber pilot. He is seen wearing his Army Air Corps dress blues and Mother is in a stylish red suit. Stevie is adorable in a blue jumpsuit. Daddy shows his cocky side when he rolls his hat off his head. They are beautiful together. It is very plain how proud and grateful they are to be together, all three of them.

Creator

• Straughan Downing Kelsey, Sr.

• Straughan Downing Kelsey, Sr.