Most people enjoy retirement by relaxing and tuning into the Price Is Right in the mornings, at least that’s my plan.  However, Past President of Harris Ferry Chapter Bill Jackson I don’t think knows what retirement is.  This is a man who still writes for The Sun, does public talks on historical topics, and is working on an autobiography.

I stopped by today to talk to Compatriot Jackson and award him his 20 Year Service Certificate to the SAR.  This was my first encounter with Bill, with my only prior knowledge being some of the past chapter newsletters I’ve read and scanned into the computer.  What was meant to be a relatively brief meeting ended up being an almost two hour chat on any topic you could imagine.  From old school racing Pre-WWII cars with Carroll Shelby overseas, to paling around with Dick Winters in Hershey.  Bill has stories for days, if it would stop at that.  Every word, every story, every finite detail that’s stored away in his memory is captivating.

Tomorrow is Bill’s 91st birthday, and he’s taking time out of his day to go hold a WWII round table discussion to talk about his father and step-father, both veterans of the war.  Jackson, a U.S. Army Veteran of the Cold War and graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, has lived a life many of us could only imagine.  He told me during our talk that he had so many different paths in life he could have taken, ended up in one career or another, ended up a millionaire in some, and yet the path he chose led him here to Dauphin County.

Here is a thirty minute interview from 2006 with Jackson where he discussed his father, World War II, and his youth.

https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.51061/

From one Chapter President to another Chapter President, I’d like to formally thank Bill for allowing me a few moments out of his day to talk and even educate me on a few things.  From one history guru to another history guru, I can almost promise that I will be asking him for another moment at some point in the near future to potentially talk to the chapter about a topic he may wish to expand upon.

Happy Birthday Compatriot Jackson, congratulations on your 20 year service award from the Sons of the American Revolution, and thank you for everything you’ve done for the SAR, our country, and our community!