Some Stories

While he was here, Markku gave a lecture in the professor's class.  He was talking about US-Finnish relations, but started off with some history about his country - Suomi.  Most of its existence Finland has fallen under either Swedish or Russian rule.  Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, Finland was torn apart by a civil war.  There were White Finns and Red Finns.  The resulting conflict was bloody and destructive in this small nation.

During the lecture, Markku showed a black and white picture of men marching carrying flags of two colors.  Half white and half a dark color.  Marrku said that while he was doing his compulsory military service, he wished to go to officer's school.  However, when an instructor asked the class if they knew what the two colors of the flag were, Markku didn't hesitate to answer.  The two colors were white and red.

"No, no," said the instructor.  "The colors are white and blue."
Markku protested and insisted that they were white and red.
Then the instructor asked Markku if he had proof that the flag was white and red.
"Yes, I do." Markku responded.  "My grandmother was only a girl of 15 at the time of the civil war but she made the flags.  I have two flags that she left for her posterity."



Markku completed 11 months of military service but the discussion about the colors of the flag finished all of his dreams for attending officer school.

Another story that I liked was about Finland paying its debts of reparation following World War II.  Finland was the only nation that paid the amount that was placed upon them.  Because of this, Finland became known as a nation of honest people who paid their obligations.  The paying of the debt was not easy for the small nation and was done with sacrifice on the part of its people.  They two were suffering from the results of years of war.

When Ritva and Markku were young, they came to the United States to study in Madison, Wisconsin.  At Christmas time, they decided to travel and see some of the vast nation.  However, they were concerned that they would run out of money while traveling.  They would not be in Madison when their regular funds were paid into their bank account on January 1st.  In order to be sure that they would not be stranded without cash in the pre-credit card world, Markku applied for a loan at the bank.    The bank manager made it very clear that he was not going to advance money to a couple of students. The discussion went on for some time.  Finally the bank manager asked, "What country are you from?"  When Markku replied, "Finland," the manager said, "That's all right then.  Finns always pay their debts. You can have the loan."

Markku said that as it turned out, they did not need the advance on their Fulbright money, but he always remembered the manager's response.

Turk is the sweetest little boy.  He has a smile for everyone.  Last fall Turk and his mother Leanna visited us while we were in Finland.  At that time the two of them met Markku when they visited the professor in his office at the University of Helsinki.

On Monday night most of our children and grandchildren gathered at Leanna's home for dessert.  When Markku saw Turk, he said, "Turk and I are old friends."

Turk responded to the attention from Markku with pleasure and proved that they were indeed old friends.  Markku lifted Turk into the air and put him on his lap and suddenly let Turk drop between his legs as if Turk would fall onto the ground.  Turk responded to all of this with excited laughter and lots of smiles.

For some reason Turk went and sat down with his head on the back step.  As you can see, Markku talked to him and tried to figure out what he was doing.

The next day Markku told us several times that he had enjoyed meeting the family.  And Turk's mother and grandmother were very delighted with the new bond between Markku and Turk.