Touching the Ancient One

 Guestbook Entries 2007–2014

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Hi Rupert. I had the pleasure of meeting you and Millie while you were in Palmer for the book-signing. (I helped you get set up at Vagabond Blues after construction work limited access to Fireside Books.) Last night I finished reading "Touching the Ancient One". Your story of the C-47 crash, the rescue, and the subsequent reunions with the suvivors and their families, is truly remarkable. As a long time Alaska resident, I have a special appreciation for the conditions that you endured in 1954 and the people and places that you have re-connected with during your visits. Thank you for sharing your story and for continuing to keep these important memories alive. ––August 15, 2007 | Joe Nolting

Thanks, Joe. We were really impressed by the way everyone pitched in to make what could have been a book-signing disaster into a really good experience. We saw that helpful attitude everywhere we went in Alaska, which speaks volumes for your wonderful state. ––August 16, 2007 | Rupert Pratt

Mr Pratt,
I visited the AK Veteran's Memorial this year with a friend. While in the gift shop I purchased your book and gave it to my friend to read first since he is an Alaskan and it sounded interesting. He is a 20 yr retired POL from the Air Force and I had no idea what the book was about until he started telling me over the phone a few days later. Needless to say, it freaked him out a bit that I picked your book of all in the store. It is truely an amazing story that now has significance for both of us and someday we will climb to the ridge & visit the crash site. Thank you for sharing the story and history of the crew & the groups efforts to create a memorial for the one's lost that day. The next time I visit the Memorial again, it will mean so much more to both of us.  Hope to see you in Alaska again sometime. Would it be possible to purchase a signed copy of your book? Best Regards, Sarah ––August 18, 2007 | S Craig

Sarah, I love it when I hear stories like yours. Glad you and your friend enjoyed the book. As for signed copies ... yes, they are available. Several places in Alaska where I did signings last month had some copies left over, including the Veterans Memorial. I don’t know where you are located, so if you would send me email using the link in the sidebar I can give you more specific information. Thanks again. ––August 19, 2007 | Rupert Pratt

Dear Mr. Pratt, I read your book when a friend named Libby (who reviewed it up here) let me and a coworker borrow it. I really enjoyed it and am going to buy a copy for my husband (a retired Air Guard KC135 jet engine mechanic) as well as one for my mother & father in-law. They live in Allegany NY. There were so many things in the book that I enjoyed and you gave me a few more places to go see in the state I love. Thank you. Michelle Blair ––January 23, 2008 | Michelle Blair

Michelle,
And thanks to you for the kind words. Alaska is a quest for many, mine having begun back in the fifties and still progressing. Millie and I have covered many portions of the state in the past few years, but there is still much more to see and experience. Thanks again. ––January 24, 2008 | Rupert Pratt

 As an aviation enthusiast, researcher and collector, I was fascinated with your website and the fitting tribute you have created for the crew of this aircraft. I spent quite some time here looking over the site and undoubtedly be back! Thank you for all the hard work, it's a terrific site.––July 2, 2008 | Clint Daniel

 Glad you like the site. Although I get feedback about my book, I seldom get comments about the site itself. I often look at my administrator’s page, see the hits I get from all over the world, and wonder who they are and what they might think. Thanks for taking the time. ––July 3, 2008 | Rupert Pratt

 Capt. James Hill was my uncle, and died a few months before I was born. My father was in the USAF serving in Okinawa at the time of the crash, and learned of it weeks later, when mail arrived by ship. I have heard various versions of what happened on that flight, but your book seems to answer most of the questions. I am a pilot now, and flying through freezing rain and snowstorms is something I have learned to avoid. Since my uncle was in the 101st Airborn during WWII, I always assumed it was a bunch of paratroopers on board, and that's why the survivors found themselves floating through a snowstorm after the plane broke up. I hads heard that my uncle made sure everyone had their parachutes on, and was preparing to evacuate the plane just before it broke up. Your book explains no one on the plane had any jump experience, but USAF regulations required all passengers to wear parachutes. Flying must have been pretty interesting back then. And making your first jump in a blinding snowstorm into a boulder strewn glacial landscape has to top just about anybody else's story of their first jump! Thanks for taking the time to track down the families, and putting your memories into print.––July 30, 2008 | Dave Hill

 I am the granddaughter of Ed Olson, and I wanted to show my appreciation for your website. I plan to get the book for my daughters to share a piece of their family history with our future generations.––August 17, 2008 | Michelle Fredlake 

 Michelle, little did I realize back in 1954 when I was in the hospital with your grandfather at Elmendorf AFB, that I would one day be writing to his granddaughter through a technology that was then beyond our wildest imagination. Life is wonderful and full of surprises, isn’t it? Thanks for liking the website and for sharing the book with your children. If it has been able to help people make and keep those kinds of connections, I am pleased.––August 18, 2008 | Rupert Pratt

 Hi, Mr.Pratt, I'm Dr. Russell's daughter,Debra and i would like to make a correction about your book. Nancy wasn't married to my father, she was his companion and lived with him.Thanks, Debra––September 13, 2008 | debra

I’m really sorry about the error. I apologize to both you and Nancy. I respected your father very much, not only for his part in our rescue but also as a friend. Should there be any further editions of the book, I will certainly correct it. Again, I apologize for the error. Sincerely, Rupert––September 13, 2008 | Rupert Pratt

Dear Rupert

Thank-you very much for having a book signing at the Ekader Public Library. We really enjoyed your talk and were very happy to get our books signed. I only wish all of our book club members could of been able to come. Your book touches everyone even though they did not have a family member involved in the crash. You and Mille are very special people and my life has been enriched by getting to know you and your family. Debra. Melissa,––September 22, 2008 | Melissa Patrick

 

Visiting Elkader was, once again, a wonderful experience. I plan to post a story about our visit on this website in the very near future. Watch for it. My thanks to you for inviting us and for the great reception we had at the library. Millie and I hope to get back someday.––September 23, 2008 | Rupert Pratt

A great site. I run a website dedicated to RAF Greenham Common, a former USAAF and USAF base which had C-47s in WW2 and after. www.greenham.greatnow.com––November 11, 2008 | Jonathan

mr.pratt just found this site and your book i was a flt.eng. with the 5001st ops sqd at the time searched for you with my pilot john roberts in a L-20 beaver often wondered what happened to that crew after 53 years im glad you are well had many anxious moments in the L20 as well as the C47 during my stay at ladd. regards R.Emery––December 3, 2008 | zurgenbugen

Robert, thanks for telling me about that. We've had several men identify themselves as being in on the search and rescue when our C-47 went down. One of the first was Dr. Stan Nelson who flew over the crash site and took photographs a couple of days later. He even supplied film which we showed at our first reunion in 1996. He and I had a nice telephone conversation just last week. It's good to hear from someone who shared that space (Ladd AFB) at that time. I thought it was difficult then, but now I see it in a favorable light. I probably filled your fuel tanks at some point.––December 22, 2008 | Rupert Pratt

 Mr. Pratt, just ran across your site while looking up facts on my home town of Johnsonburg, PA. I know live in Pittsburgh, PA but remember very much the crash in 1954--I was 9 years old and Bud HIll was married to my Aunt Dolly, my mother, Viola Candalor's sister. There were so many years of sorrow for my Aunt and I don't think that she ever recovered from her loss. Bud gave my Mom a silk parachut and she made a slip for my sister's wedding gown from it. I flagged your site for my brothers and sisters and intend to get your book. After all these years with my Aunt and my Parents gone I will learn the whole story. Thank you. Cece Candalor––September 28, 2009 | CEce Candalor

Cece, I was quite impressed by your Aunt Dolly. Imagine joining the Peace Corps at her age! I never met her in person, but we did correspond through the mail for a time. As I related in my book, she wrote to me after learning through a People Magazine article (about our first survivor's reunion in 1996. Several of James Hill's relatives stay in touch, as well. Our reunions and the publication of my book opened a whole new set of relationships. Although our full reunions seem to have ceased, we still keep in touch. I think you'll enjoy the book. Even though it's written from my own viewpoint, it contains a great deal of historical material about the crash and the families involved. Thanks for your letter. Please keep in touch.––September 29, 2009 | Rupert Pratt

 Mr. Pratt My sister Cece sent me the info on your web site. I was 13 when Uncle Bud died. I remember him well. He and Aunt Dolly made a handsome couple. I ordered your book. All I ever knew was that his plane exploded. Am looking forward to learning more. Rita––October 1, 2009 | Rita Candalor Armanini

 Thanks, Rita. There have been many contacts made with friends and family members since the book's publication in 2006. Most of those are discussed on my website, so after you finish the book, you might want to search this site for additional information and photographs. Rupert––October 1, 2009 | Rupert Pratt

 Mr. Pratt: When I was in Alaska in 2008 I purchased your book and finally got to read it last spring. If you remember, I called you as I was so moved by the book. I promised myself if we ever returned to Alaska I was going to look up the memorial. Well last summer I had that chance, and as I stood there looking at the memorial, I was once more moved as I recalled so much I had read in the book. (I saw many more copies of Touching the Ancient One on this trip than on the last.) Lois––October 17, 2010 | Lois Ferguson

Lois, yes, I do remember our phone conversation. I’m happy that you were able to return to Alaska and that my book enhanced the experience. Alaska continues to tug at me. I’ve not been there since 2007, but hope to return soon. Thanks for keeping in touch.––October 19, 2010 | Rupert Pratt

I was stationed at Ladd 1957-1958 449th FIS. We had just received our first F-101, before that we had F-89D, then 94-C. I was in radar maint. sure would like to find pictures of that era.––March 5, 2011 | Osie Jackson

Osie, These 38 photos deal mostly with the crash I survived but were taken within three or four years of your Alaska service. You might find some of interest.––March 7, 2011 | Rupert Pratt

I also trudged up Little Coal Creek Trail to Kesugi Ridge several years ago and was so in awe of the majesty and sacredness of that place. Sydney Lawrence was a constant with Denali over my shoulder. I got behind in all my picture taking and stopped to look at a rock pile way up the ridge. I figured I could catch up with my fellow hikers so clambered up the slope. There was a strange statue.....I climbed some more to look and there was a man size inukshuk. I walked around and around it.....why was it there? what did it mean? For at least 4 years now I have been searching for it's meaning, its existence and who put it there? Searching online did not help. But one day in a used book store I saw the picture on a book with the title, Touching the Ancient One. I grabbed the book and said to myself, "This is it!!!!!!' So bought the book. Inukshuks are built to commemorate something. So your friends who died there now have a guardian spirit. If you contact me I will send the three pictures I took.–– November 7, 2011 | elsena Horton

Elsena, Kesugi Ridge is a special place, isn’t it? I’d like to visit it again, but I fear time may be against that happening. Yes, I would very much like to see your photos. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.––November 9, 2011 | Rupert Pratt

I just received my copy of the book this week and I cannot wait to read it. I am the Great-Niece of Jacob Siplivy. Thanks for writing this Rupert.–– December 17, 2011 | Nicole Simpkins

You're welcome, Nicole. Writing the book was just something I felt I had to do. I didn't meet most of the members of your family until it was already published. If I ever do another edition I'll add some details about Jacob.––December 17, 2011 | Rupert Pratt

 I just finished your book Mr. Pratt. James "Bud" Hill would have been my uncle. He died three years before I was born. I was born and raise in Johnsonburg, PA. My aunt Dolly and family lived on the west coast and I only remember meeting them a few times. Because of my age, probably, I never knew much about Jim Hill other than he died in a plane crash. From what I've learned, he was a very special man. Thank you for bringing him to life for me, I really enjoyed your writing.––May 12, 2012 | 

Thanks, David. I’ve always felt I owed much to James Hill. His words, “Just grab the D-ring and throw it away” were fresh in my memory as I fell toward the snow-covered peaks of Kesugi Ridge that long-ago day. I’ve heard from many members of his family, more than any of the other families, in fact. He was loved and respected, and still is, which is as it should be. Thanks again for reading my book and for joining the family of “those who remember.”–– May 14, 2012 | Rupert Pratt

 Hello All. I was stationed at LADD AFB, from June 60 to Aug 62, after the Army took over. I started at at Preventive Medicine, then was transferred to Radiology, I was the Medical Administrative Specialist in those two sections at Ladd. I worked part time, helping clean a Government office down town, & attended Calvary Baptist Church. We played in the Midnight Baseball Games on 21 Jun of each year. I enjoyed those 2 years & 2 Months at Ladd, but it did get to -75 degrees F one winter. 89 Degrees F in summer. Enjoyed the long days of summer, but not "Short Nights" of Winter. Many of the USAF folks are now deceased, that were with me at Ladd, but I'd like to hear from those that are left. Bob Gwin Sr, Aged 73, now, In Oklahoma. CGwin@SBCGlobal.net.––April 12, 2014 | Robert A. Gwin Sr.

 I was stationed at Ladd and Galena from 1952 to 1954. I found the story of the crash of the C 47 very interesting. I spent a number of trips aboard "Gunney Birds" and Beavers in the dead of Winter between Nome and Fairbanks and was always very mindful of the dangers involved. The survivors of that crash were very fortunate indeed. Thanks for creating the web site as it sure brought back memories of flying in Alaska as a 21 years old kid. I just turned 83 this month but the kid still survives. Regards ––October 17, 2014 | Robert "Bud" Stanley

 I was born at Ladd AFB August 9th, 1955 in the elevator of the old hospital. The lady that drove my mother to the hospital was a holocaust survivor, and I was named in honor of her. Both my parents are deceased, and with all those who lived there during that time, that are reading these posts, I hope someone remembers Anneliese. I don't know her last name. My parents were Charles (Charlie) and Doris Parrish. I had 3 older siblings, Pam, Jerry & Sylvia. Jerry was the oldest and was about 7 when I was born. Sylvia was 5, and Pam was 18 months.––October 29, 2014 | Patricia Anneliese Parrish