Leroy
08-16-2006, 01:09 AM
A lot of things happened in the past 29 years. It's almost a life time. I have grown over the pain and sadness. Life goes on but Elvis is still a daily part of my life. First of all because I'm part of several message boards and also because every room in my house contains something of Elvis like books, DVD's or CD's. And I'm always busy researching his wardrobe.
But I was wondering; not only what you did the day you heard Elvis died but also what it meant to you and how you finally dealt with it and got over it. That is... if you ever got over it. I truly hope so because if not you really need so see someone.
In 1977 I was in the militairy service. I was only sixteen years old at the time when I joined the professional army on January 10th, 1977. In August I was in the final stage of the basic training and in the afternoon of the 16th I heard I had received my militairy driver's licence. That called for a celebration and my mates organized a small party after "working hours".
It must have been about 11:00 pm I tucked in for the night (remember there is a difference in time between the USA and Europe).
I do not remember what time it was but the night watch woke me up and told me I had to report to the company sergeant. I got dressed, a little groggy off course, and went on my way. When I reported to the company sergeant I saw he was crying. Several mates were standing around and they had tears in their eyes too. Then he broke the news. To this day I'm still thankful I did not had a rifle because I surely would have shot something.
We listened to Radio Luxembourg who broadcasted everything about Elvis they could lay their hands on and we talked and talked.
The sergeant got me off the hook for the next couple of days (who were filled with shooting exercises) and we spend those days together. He was a big fan too and later I realized he did not only think about me but also about himself. He needed these days too.
It was a hard time, not only because the loss of Elvis but also because it reminded me of the loss of my mother, only four years earlier. I had still not gotten over that and the feeling I was experiencing was the same all over. Although Elvis did not replace my mother, being busy with Elvis stuff did ease the pain a little, so in a way Elvis relieved me.
But the hardtest part was the way my surroundings reacted, especially my father who seemed to be very cheerful about Elvis' death. He must have realized it hurted me tremendously because he polished up his act a little.
In September 1977 I was promoted to Soldier First Class and was replaced to another unit. From now on I had to study for car mechanic but I didn't make it. I was not able to set my mind to it. After a few months I asked for a change of function and was replaced to yet another unit for training as a tank driver which was far better.
Like I said before, life goes on and slowely I started to pick it up again. I grew older and although Elvis always stayed a part of my daily routine, his death got a place it deserved. I have fully accepted what happened and can talk about it without regret or crying. Life and death are integrated and although it's allowed to grieve, because you have to go on without a loved one you also have to grow over it eventually because it's one of life's lessons. Besides that, I you believe in a better life you can only be joyful in the end.
So I have come to the point that I celebrate his life instead of mourning his death. Elvis has brought many people together like us on this- and several other message boards. I believe it is because of Elvis so many people are showing their real faces too. People like Col. Parker, executives of RCA and BMG, Graceland Enterprises, his so-called friends like Joe Esposito, Red- and Sonny West, the Stanley brothers and all other figures who betrayed him. They have all had their coming out. Because of Elvis we see the right and the wrong. Because of Elvis we see who we are or who we want to be.
Elvis is still changing the world. He's not only larger than life, he's even larger than death.
But I was wondering; not only what you did the day you heard Elvis died but also what it meant to you and how you finally dealt with it and got over it. That is... if you ever got over it. I truly hope so because if not you really need so see someone.
In 1977 I was in the militairy service. I was only sixteen years old at the time when I joined the professional army on January 10th, 1977. In August I was in the final stage of the basic training and in the afternoon of the 16th I heard I had received my militairy driver's licence. That called for a celebration and my mates organized a small party after "working hours".
It must have been about 11:00 pm I tucked in for the night (remember there is a difference in time between the USA and Europe).
I do not remember what time it was but the night watch woke me up and told me I had to report to the company sergeant. I got dressed, a little groggy off course, and went on my way. When I reported to the company sergeant I saw he was crying. Several mates were standing around and they had tears in their eyes too. Then he broke the news. To this day I'm still thankful I did not had a rifle because I surely would have shot something.
We listened to Radio Luxembourg who broadcasted everything about Elvis they could lay their hands on and we talked and talked.
The sergeant got me off the hook for the next couple of days (who were filled with shooting exercises) and we spend those days together. He was a big fan too and later I realized he did not only think about me but also about himself. He needed these days too.
It was a hard time, not only because the loss of Elvis but also because it reminded me of the loss of my mother, only four years earlier. I had still not gotten over that and the feeling I was experiencing was the same all over. Although Elvis did not replace my mother, being busy with Elvis stuff did ease the pain a little, so in a way Elvis relieved me.
But the hardtest part was the way my surroundings reacted, especially my father who seemed to be very cheerful about Elvis' death. He must have realized it hurted me tremendously because he polished up his act a little.
In September 1977 I was promoted to Soldier First Class and was replaced to another unit. From now on I had to study for car mechanic but I didn't make it. I was not able to set my mind to it. After a few months I asked for a change of function and was replaced to yet another unit for training as a tank driver which was far better.
Like I said before, life goes on and slowely I started to pick it up again. I grew older and although Elvis always stayed a part of my daily routine, his death got a place it deserved. I have fully accepted what happened and can talk about it without regret or crying. Life and death are integrated and although it's allowed to grieve, because you have to go on without a loved one you also have to grow over it eventually because it's one of life's lessons. Besides that, I you believe in a better life you can only be joyful in the end.
So I have come to the point that I celebrate his life instead of mourning his death. Elvis has brought many people together like us on this- and several other message boards. I believe it is because of Elvis so many people are showing their real faces too. People like Col. Parker, executives of RCA and BMG, Graceland Enterprises, his so-called friends like Joe Esposito, Red- and Sonny West, the Stanley brothers and all other figures who betrayed him. They have all had their coming out. Because of Elvis we see the right and the wrong. Because of Elvis we see who we are or who we want to be.
Elvis is still changing the world. He's not only larger than life, he's even larger than death.