Diane’s Pecan Pie
According to Daddy’s discharge documents from his military service, he enlisted in the Marines in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 1, 1940. He had just turned seventeen. And like so many young men entering the military in those days, he lied about his age. It was surprising to me to learn that his parents did not object and even signed documents colluding this lie. After all, he was their only son. But like all parents, they wanted for their child whatever he desired. And Ben Jr. desired a military enlistment. Ben, Sr. was nearing the age of 63 so he was probably pretty agreeable to most things for this seventeen-year-old son who was trying to flee the nest and become acquainted with the world.
His documents described his physical attributes as 71 inches, 179 pounds, brown hair, ruddy complexion, and blue eyes. According to his pictures and with confirmation from Momma he sure was a looker. And I have to admit, these pictures do not reflect what I think of as a seventeen-year-old.
Benjamin F. Wicker, Jr USMC 
With new new responsibilities….
As soon as he enlisted, he boarded a train bound for San Diego, California where tents were set up on the beach for sleeping quarters. Now that was a big surprise to him as he at least thought he would sleep in an enclosed building. Where were those barracks the recruiters discussed? Those little pup tents were open on each end. The constant beach breeze threw sand casually over his clothes and bedding. And sand flies. He knew all about mosquitoes and now he was learning about this new bloodsucker. After being issued uniforms, he was surprised to learn he had to keep his own clothes clean by handwashing and hanging on a makeshift fence. Ben Jr. was shell shocked pretty much upon his arrival. He had never had this much responsibility in his life. But he also was not a quitter.
He learned to rise early, march for miles with a heavy pack on his back and shoot a rifle. Then he was sent to a sea school for several months where he learned requirements for naval duty. He attended classes for everything from naval terminology to knot tying.
One day his superiors informed him he was being sent to nearby Pearl Harbor. His assignment was guard duty aboard the USS California. Memories of the day he boarded that ship were vivid. This was his first real assignment and he remembered walking the gangplank with others and saluting the captain.
It was in Hawaii that he got his first tattoo. This was after a night of carousing on his liberty pass where he changed his birth year again so he could consume alcohol. And that he did. He enjoyed his service for many months in Hawaii. He made good friends and they made the most of their off time.
Little did he know of the impending attack on December 7, 1941. And this would be a defining moment for him where he was no longer a man child playing games but actually fighting for his life as well as others’ lives. And as it turns out, he was fighting for your life and mine and for the freedoms, we still enjoy and so often take for granted.
After the war, Ben Jr. became a very gentle father of three daughters. His oldest was born two years after he was married and she would be the only child for six more years. She was named Diane after his grandmother. And she was favored in all things. She was his parent’s first grandchild. She was doted on by many. She was intuitive, kind, and one of those perfectly well-behaved children. Those that knew her would agree she was ahead of her time. When she passed away in 2006, I thought my parents would grieve themselves to death but as we know, life does move on and we shuffle along with it.
Pecan Pies were a favorite of Daddy’s. Diane always made his favorite for special occasions. So I honor Daddy this Veterans Day and my sister, Diane, who always made this fabulous pie.
PECAN PIE
Pecan pie in pieshell
Ingredients
- Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup light Karo Syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the Pillsbury pie crust between two sheets of wax paper. Place in pie plate. Crimp edges. Prick bottom lightly with a fork. Place parchment round in the bottom of the crust. Place dried beans or pie weights on top. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
Cream butter. Gradually add sugar and vanilla. Continue beating and scrape down sides with spatula.
Add eggs, salt and vinegar. Beat until mixed well. Pour into shell.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Lower temperature to 350 degrees and bake another 30 minutes. Remove and cool
Notes
This Pillsbury pie shell, in my opinion, rivals any crust I have ever made. It is in the red box in the refrigerated section at your grocery.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 347Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 352mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 2gSugar: 30gProtein: 4g
Nutrition information can vary for a recipe based on factors such as precision of measurements, brands, ingredient freshness, or the source of nutrition data.
Kathy: This is my very favorite story. It brings such honor & shows your love of both your Daddy & sister Diane.
Recipe is an all time holiday baking one!
Thank you so much.
Reading the story of your father’s enlistment felt like hearing my own grandfather’s story. Family recipes are very much threads of a family’s storytelling, making those foods and experiences both an extension of the past and new memory for future generations to treasure. Thank you for sharing your family’s story with us! 🙂
Thank you Jessica.
Love this story!
The pecan pie looks delicious!
Just love your stories, Kathy. You should write a book.
Everyone loves a good story and a good dessert … you manage to share both on this blog. Congratulations and thanks!
Without a doubt my favorite story … reminds me of my dear daddy and his favorite was also pecan pie which I make every holiday. Thank you for keeping family traditions alive! Love your blog!
Thank you so much. I have so many stories in my head about my gentle daddy.