|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
What's
in a Name?
It's a Dutch thing. Yesterday afternoon I drove into downtown Ripon to get a haircut at George Rocha's barbershop. Besides the man in the chair, there were only two other men waiting to get a haircut. For George's place, this is a short line. So I sat down and waited my turn. George asked how long I was going to be in town. I told him I would be reporting back to the I MEF, Camp Pendleton on February 9th. I hadn't taken notice of the two men waiting for their haircut when I walked in, mainly because I was focused on greeting George. So when I began referring to military things in my discussion with George, the older gentlemen to my right leaned toward me and spoke. I turned and recognized one of my heroes. It was Colonel Jack Van Dyken, U.S. Army, retired. This octogenarian served a full career in the Army Chaplain Corps, from World War II through Vietnam. I've heard him speak at the American Legion Post and at other times about his experiences as a chaplain in combat. What always comes through is his love for God and man. Chaplain Jack doesn't know me, he doesn't receive the Ripon Record (he lives in Modesto), and so he doesn't receive my articles. Being the good Dutchman that he is, he still gets his haircut in that fading Dutch enclave, Ripon. George has loyal customers like that. They may no longer live in Ripon, but if they are close enough, they'll come by for a haircut. George is not Dutch. He is of Portuguese descent. But with the last name of Rocha he's only one letter from being Dutch. The Dutch have last names with prefixes and suffixes such as Vander, or Van Der, or De, or de, or ma (a suffix). So, you see, if we add an "m" to Rocha we would have the Dutch version of this name: Rochma. Instant Dutch! When I first came to Ripon in 1998 to be the pastor of the Free Methodist Church, I did some research on the town, discovering that it was a Dutch settlement early on. In my travels I have flown through Holland on occasion. I was intrigued with the little black cap that so many Dutch men wear. So I bought one for myself and wore it in the pulpit one Sunday. That raised a few eyebrows and elicited a few laughs. I was further amused with the Queen Wilhelmina breath mints that resemble horse tablets. I'm sure they work as advertised as long as you can avoid choking to death in the process. I bought some in Amsterdam. They also work well as mothballs. Another military veteran is Hank DeJong (did you notice the prefix, De?). Hank built his home on a plot of land that overlooks the ninth tee at the Jack Tone Golf Course. So whenever I play a round of golf there, I look to see if Hank and his wife are sitting at the bay window. I wave and then they come out to chat for a minute. That's how folks are in Ripon. Hank is heavily involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He's another one of my heroes.
As soon as I finish this article I'm scheduled to play a round of golf with my friend, Dave Roorda. For the uninitiated, this is also a Dutch name. He's one of the friendliest, most gregarious guys you'll ever meet. But as a golfer he defies all the rules. His swing is unorthodox. His feet are aimed in the wrong direction. He swings the club way too fast. And he won't change! Something about, "You can always tell a Dutchman. You just can't tell him much." I actually played a round of golf with Dave and a professional a couple of years ago. I had invited the pro to come and hold a clinic for our annual church tournament. I watched as this pro tried to get Dave to play golf the "proper" way. It was hilarious! You see, Dave is an excellent golfer. I would love to shoot a round of golf as well as Dave does. And hit the ball? My goodness! Dave has forearms that look like my thighs. I've played in tournaments with him when he wins the Longest Drive competition. If memory serves me correctly, he smoked one out there about 335 yards! What's in a name? Wanting to fit in and please everyone, I thought I could simply change my name and make it Dutch. So this is what I've suggested for the church marquee: Pastor Chuck Vander Roots. Or, this one: Pastor Chuck Rootsma. Or I could spin-off the name of my friend Dave, and make it: Pastor Chuck Rootsda. See? Instant Dutch! It's great to be back home in Ripon, California! Ja zeker! |
