The largest family group of actual survivors were us six Danielson "children": Laurence (CO), Eleanor (KS), and Evelyn (CA), Luella (AR), Wilfred (VA), and Lois (KS). The Danielsons are included in the 'Survivors', pictured above. God has been so good to keep us well through all these years.
Laurence Danielson gave the official "welcome" at the reunion's opening meeting Friday evening, and Al Harrell led devotions. Others who led devotions throughout the week-end were Elaine Rodriguez, Gordon Smith, Evelyn Ternstrom, David Carlson, and Hans Botha (in absentia). Hymn singing, in addition to being accompanied by pianist Elaine Rodriguez, was accompanied by trombonist Lois Carlson, reminiscent of the missionary band on the Zamzam and Dresden.
At the opening session, the survivors together told the Zamzam story, recalling personal memories and feelings, as well as giving the facts. But survivors are not the only persons who tell the story! Jim and Mattie Jones, who had driven from Ohio to be with us, are an example of the expanded sharing of the story, in groups and one-on-one. It has been noted again and again that the story of the Zamzam is not only a dramatic story of faith, wrapped in God's miraculous care, but also part of the history of World War II.
The British American Ambulance Corp also is part of history. Based on his dad's diary, David Stewart told us about his dad, who was one of the 24 British American Ambulance Corp members headed for North Africa on the Zamzam. A book is forthcoming, based on Jim's diary.