Conclusion

History is full of highs and lows, good times such as inventions and bad times such as war. One of the History highs, or good times, that I enjoyed learning about is the history of aviation. I love flying, so I was interested to learn that during my great-grandfather's early years, aviation progressed rapidly from the first motor-powered airplane to Lindbergh's adventure across the Atlantic. Even though there are many years between my great-grandfather's birth and mine, it still amazes me that less than one hundred years ago there were no airplanes at all, and today flying is the major mode of long distance transportation. When Grandpa Scott was born, the very earliest airplanes were just getting their start, and he lived to see men walk on the moon. American life during his days was full of inventions, changing life drastically. I don't see technology changing life nearly as drastically during my lifetime. Still, there have been and will continue to be new inventions and improvements on previous inventions. Technology will never stand still.

Walt Grattan at beach with my mom and Aunt Denise

Another way that American life has stayed the same and still changed is in the area of education. In my great-grandfather's day, school was provided and teachers were employed, trying to do their best to teach their students how to read, write, work with numbers, and myriads of other things, much like today. However, because their help was needed on the farms, many children couldn't attend school or had to drop out early as Grandpa Scott did. Even Grandpa Grattan quit school without graduating so that he could work full time and help support his family. Today that is hardly ever heard of. The majority of kids stay in school and even go on to college, intent on getting a good education that will ultimately land them a good paying job so that they can support their own families

History definitely has a way of repeating itself. One trend that I've found interesting while learning about my grandparents is in the field of religion. Great grandpa Scott was born into a family that was secure in their religion. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all strong members of the Church of Christ. In fact, his grandfather was a pastor. Therefore, Grandpa stayed true to that church all his life and never looked around for a different religion. He and Grandma raised their sons in that church. My mothers father, on the other hand, did not have a good foundation in any religion. Even though he was forced to attend Catholic schools, his family did not practice the religion and his parents didn't even attend church. He was shunned at school for asking questions, so when he was out on his own he felt that he needed to find a different religion, one that could answer his questions. I find this to be true in other families as well as I talk with friends. Those who attend church with their families and are happy in their religion will not continue to look for another.

Left to Right. Jasper Scott, his wife Viola Scott, and my dad.

Jasper Scott in front of Historic Church of Christ Building