My brother was eight years old when I was born December 17, 1943. Because my mother was RH-negative and my father RH-positive, they had lost their second child—a still born daughter. A few years later, when I was born, someone must have learned more about the Rh-positive/negative situation because, I received a blood transfusion, which may be the reason I lived. Years later, my parents told me that my blood donation came from Lawrence Fitzwater, a member of Hagerstown Church of the Brethren, who became the music director there from 1945-1949.
I have no memory of my dedication, but I am sure Paul Robinson dedicated me, since he was the pastor at HCoB from 1940 to 1959, but the dress in the photo may be what I wore for that. Mother had saved two of my baby dresses, both of which I used to dress one of my dolls and handed on to my daughter along with dolls that I turned over to her and her sister.

The Fitzwater story cannot end yet. In 2014, Lawrence’s son David contacted me for information about Camp Peniel. He wanted to write an article about the camp, which years before that had been closed and turned over to the government. I knew nothing of the history except for the years I was there, but I contacted Jim Replogle, whose father played quite a role in establishing the camp. Jim sent me a 79- page document that his father had written: “Look to the Hills” A Study of the beginnings of Brethren Camping in Maryland, published in 1982. I sent the document to David, but unfortunately for him, someone else was working on the document; however, as I scrolled through the document, I found numerous people I knew and one was my Aunt Freda.

NOTE: Although the document is 79 pages, the text is double-spaced and does not fill all pages.
Click here if you’d like to read it.