My Treasured Memories

My Treasured Memories by James Dale Branner April 4, 2008 I wrote this story so my family, to include grandchildren and great grandchildren would know the story of my life. I have included a great number of pictures to support my memories. Most of the pictures were from family albums, as my family had great interest in collecting pictures. Through my memories, I have relived the greatest days of my life. To keep my story in a chronological perspective, the story starts with my first day at Sunny View Elementary, lists successive memories to the end of high school, and highlights various events and periods during my life. I hope readers will recognize my attempt to accomplish this. I also hope that this writing will inspire future generations to continue to tell their stories for others to read. I am indebted to several people for helping to document my story. I wish to express my special thanks to my Masonic Brother Gerald C. Matthews Jr. of Aberdeen, Maryland; who spent hours on my computer helping to organize topics and pictures; to my sister, Annalyn Hatten of Indianapolis, Indiana; and nephew, Llewellyn Ivory Giles of West Saint Paul, Minnesota; who read my story and advised me on the arrangement; and finally, to my wife, Margaret, for tenaciously encouraging me from the beginning to put my life story in print. As you read My Treasured Memories, I hope you will find it enjoyable. I encourage you to make good memories, to keep them, and to ?Treasure them for the rest of your life?. - James Dale Branner, April 4, 2008 Post-Author note: The royalty proceeds from each book sold are donated to the "CSM James Dale Branner Faith Memorial Scholarship". This fund is in memory of my father, who believed in helping others achieve their educational goals. You can donate directly to this fund at: http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/donate.aspx - Ricky Branner, July 31, 2012