By Laverne Larson Swanson
November 2009
In December of 1951 I made cookies for my brother, Blaine Wallin, who was in Korea. At that time we didn't have all the good packing that we have today, so I took the Minneapolis Sunday Tribune paper and wrapped over the box of cookies.
At that time I didn't know that my brother, Blaine, had been wounded and was at the Medic. When he was being released, he was told he had to get over the mountain ahead before nightfall or the enemy would get him. He hurried along and soon saw a lift at the foot of the mountain. He hurried a little faster and when he got there, he asked if he could get a ride over the mountain. They said, "Yes," and soon another fellow came along and also wanted a ride over the mountain. They got going, and halfway up the mountain the lift stopped. They all worked on it and soon got it going again, and before evening Blaine got safely back to his unit.
Then he got his box of cookies. As he was unpacking his cookies he noticed the Minneapolis Sunday paper and started reading it. Lo and behold, there was a story and a picture of the lift he had just ridden over the mountain. When he was telling me this, I asked, "What did you do with the paper?" He said, "I sent it home to Phyllis [his wife] and she has kept it all these years." I think the paper was more important to him than the cookies!
[Note from Cart to Cupboard: Our thanks to Laverne for sharing such a special story!]
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