By the time he is 35 Father David Andrew Alkire, SJ has PhDs in Astrophysics and Divinity. At 35 he’s spent two years with the Dine’ (Navajo) people and four years as a U.S. Navy Chaplin with Marines.
Two tours in Vietnam.
Scarred Vietnamese fields allow him to plumb the heights of human divineness.
Scarred Vietnamese fields allow him to plumb the depths of human evilness.
Scarred Vietnamese fields leave him with the Navy Cross the nom de guerre SkyPilot and many more questions than answers.
An IQ of 165 and a deep spiritual belief compel Father Alkire to find answers.
At 60 Father Alkire retires.
Retires to Salty’s place in Maple Valley. Now Father Alkire’s place by Salty’s generosity in his will.
Of course, retiring as a Jesuit priest is a bit different than retiring as a Navy Chaplin. Or Georgetown University astrophysicist. But Father Alkire’s Bishop and Archbishop and Cardinal are more than willing to accept his ‘retirement’. Father Alkire’s writings lead to many raised eyebrows.
Theism and Atheism are the same thing.
The duality of God
Father Alkire’s years of brilliant and enlightening papers about Roman Catholic beliefs and his years of obvious belief in Jesus Christ as the son of God and Father Alkire’s personal savior, keep the Good Father away from an ecclesiastical court.
His willingness to go off and live quietly in the country, satisfies a church hierarchy that is often antagonistic toward changes in Church dogma.
Father Alkire’s retirement writings, lectures and interviews shake the foundations of philosophical and empirical structures everywhere.
Alkire Family Crest #
While helping Father Alkire with Spring cleaning, Newhouse finds the Alkire family crest. After plying the Good Father with Salty’s single malt Newhouse induces the Padre to open up about his family history.
And gets a lesson for his efforts.
On a visit to The Ranch, Newhouse found Father Alkire’s family crest.
Neatly framed.
Stored in a box in the attic.
After several glasses of Salty’s Single Malt ’85 the Good Father explains its meaning.
‘My family is awarded the crest in the mid 1600s by William the Second, sovereign Prince of Orange and Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, Overijssel and Groningen in the United Provinces of the Netherlands. His son, Billy the third, added King of England, Ireland and Scotland to his titles.’ The Good Father smiled. ‘Must have made the departed Billy the Second proud. You know how parents always say they want their kids to do better than them.’ Father Alkire looks over with a more than mischievous grin, ‘In confessional i’ve learned that this is not necessarily true.’
He picks up the framed copy of the Alkire crest. Turns it over.
And over.
Looks at a space on the wall, then shakes his head. ‘Just can’t do it. Family glory is an empty meal….even graced with good Scotch.’ He chuckles.
Putting the picture in his lap he picks up his glass. Looks over to Newhouse and assumes his teaching expression.
‘The vines around the outside of the shield are standard ornamentation. The less the family has to brag about the greater the number of vines.’
Father Alkire nods, ‘Check out the coat of arms of England….they barely have room for a couple of short vines at the top.’
He leans back.
Stares into the past.
‘At the time, our crest came about the helmet facing the side with the closed barred visor denotes a peer of the realm. Certainly not higher nobility, but somebody with a bit of land granted by the King.
In heraldic terms the two swords are pale argent in saltire proper. That is, they are a silver white and crossed in what is called a St. Andrew’s Cross. This designates a crusader who gave valiant service in the ‘Holy Wars’. Proper just means they are colored as you see them in real life. Note the handles and guards are gold.
In chief a cross pale argent.
In chief means the cross is in the top third of the shield. Above the other heraldic symbols on the shield. Again, Pale argent. Silver white.
A flacon feet and beak of the second, dexter (facing right) resting on wine (goblet) filled with grapes.
All proper.
Again, the falcon, goblet and grapes are all in their natural colors. This device was awarded to the second Lord Alkire, to commemorate the family vineyards. Vineyards providing income for the family and, of course, the king. However, some might say these symbols were added because we are well known drunks.
I guess the only real bragging point is our motto: Cruce Salus. Salvation in the Cross.’
Father Alkire stands. Walks over to the cabinet and picks up the single-malt. Walks to Newhouse and pours some in his glass. Then pours some in his own. Sits down and puts the bottle on the small table between them.
Smiles.
‘The one thing i hope you will always remember about family history is that it gives you a starting place, but that’s all. Your family history really doesn’t mean a thing.
Not a damn thing.
Your life only has meaning in who you are right now.’
newhouse notebook 