Letters/EMail

Hi,

My name is Emith M. Fludd; I live in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. I was at the House from April 50 thru September 54. I actually came upon your site by accident; I love it. Like many of us, I can't stop telling folk about my time at Sparkill; it is still part of me even after 50 years. http://www.stagnesalumni.org/PhotosStAgnesHouseGrounds.shtml made me feel as if it was just the other day. I can still hear Sr. Josephus and her window pole.

The House is responsible for many of my "better" qualities, ... some of my not so good ones too. All in all I had a great time, even though I believe that I was "paddled" everyday (not that I didn't deserve most of them). I never tried to run away, but I helped others to do so. I had a good thing going on; I was a "loan shark", so money was never a problem. I had to go for speech therapy in the city on a regular basis, so I could easily get things in and out with no problem. I used to get visitors about once a month and I was home 12 days in 4 years. For a while I lived in the Cottages until I was falsely accused of trying to burn them down.

When I left the House I went back to my folks and attended Rice HS (a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence). I worked my way through high school; I actually worked in the school. Oddly enough I was staff and student. What helped me get the job was my ability to run the floor machine. I also worked my way thru college. I have a degree in electronics, ... I have never used it.

When I enlisted in the Army, I was able to make a bed and all that stuff. Also, because of all the harassment I got at the House, basic training was a joke. Because of my very high electrical/electronics scores (EL score of 143) I attended the Signal School in Ft. Gordon, GA.; I was the honor graduate. People thought it was funny because I had moderate to severe stutter. My first assignment was at Ft. Bragg, NC with the 50th Signal Battalion. of XVIII Airborne Corps. By no means was I the ideal soldier but I was tops in my field. I always spoke up for what I believed. Because of my outspokenness, before my enlistment was over, they were trying to throw me out. I let them know that I really didn't want to be in the Army, but that I would leave when I was ready. When it came time to reenlist, I was told that it would be better for the Army and me if I left, because the Army was not for me, and that I would never make it in the Army. I retired, from the Army, with the rank of Chief Warrant Offer Four(CW4). I also retired from the Federal Civil Service. I feel that I owe much of my determination to St. Agnes; it taught me not to back down or to take no for an answer. I don't think that was what they meant to teach me.

I hope to hear from you with some information on the St. Agnes Alumni. I would love to reconnect with some of the others and to find out how they made out in life.

Your brother in Christ,

Fludd

Hi Fludd,

Great to hear from another House Kid. I am placing your name on the House Kids List and would like to post your email address with your name. I also think your email needs to be posted on the website and I would like to do that as well, with your permission. Please let me know if it's OK with you.

I'm copying our Information Researcher Joe Stanaitis. He may be able to help you get info. Let him know what you are looking for and he'll let you know if he has any info for you.

Stay Well, God Bless,

David
St. Agnes Alumni
1945 - 1952 (?)
dtf@StAgnesAlumni.org
www.stagnesalumni.org

I am looking forward to hearing from and about my House Brothers. I answer to many names, ... mostly to Fludd or Emith. I also would like to see some of my old buddies, and see how they have changed. I use to be skinny, now I weigh 200+, I'm 6' tall, so I don't consider myself fat.

Keep in touch and keep well,