My Favorite Veteran

11/11/2011

Warren "Strawberry" Mahuron

My grandfather, Warren Mahuron was known more commonly to anyone and everyone as "Strawberry".  How he got the name, I'm not sure -I think it had something to do with him wanting to buy a fiddle, and to do so picked strawberries until he earned enough to procure it.  Where I think I heard this story is long lost in the deep corners of my mind, maybe from my mom or my grandpa, but it really is not important.  What is important is that he was lovingly called "Papa Strawberry" by his grandchildren, I was the apple of his eye and as a little girl he was my hero.
Strawberry owned with my grandmother, Miriam, a bakery in Salem, Indiana namesaked, "Warren's Sweet Shop".  From this bakery came the best donuts, cakes and baked goods in Washington County, Indiana.  At least so I'm told, I wasn't yet a glimmer in my mother's eye when in business.  In fact, my mother was born during its operation.  My grandpa would do most of the baking and my grandmother would decorate the cakes.

My grandfather made and assembled this cake and it was decorated by my grandmother.  My mom was born the next day.
My grandmother Miriam, took over the daily baking at the bakery when my grandfather was stationed in the Korean War as a cook.  I have very few memories of my grandfather talking about this time in his life, except for one.  SOS, and no, this is not Morse code.  It is fondly known to military men from the era as, Sh*t on a Shingle.  I'm sure that this one sticks in my mind because it is one of the only times I heard him swear.  The other is when he would tell the joke about the guy who died in a round barn (he couldn't find a corner to ---- in).  I would be shocked and then laugh because I knew it was supposed to be funny, even though I didn't know why.  Ok, I'm digressing now, but these were the moments when he and I were driving around in the country on his mail route that are my memories and mine alone.  Let me get back on track, SOS was a common dish served in the military.  Ground beef was served up with white gravy over toast.  Oddly enough, my husband loves SOS.  But me, not so much.  I'm not even sure if grandpa ever made SOS after the war ended, but I remember the story and the name and I think of him everytime someone mentions it being served or eating this dish.
Oh, the stories and memories I could share and fill pages about my grandfather. He was a wonderful man, caring and thoughtful.  A man who would help those less fortunate in any way he could.  He was a father, brother, friend, uncle and veteran.  And we all loved him.  Here is a little nonsense saying he would quip from time to time, "Onery, Orey, Ickery, Ann, Filison, Foloson, Nicholas, John: Queevy, Quavy, English Navy, Stingalum, Stagalum Buck."
My grandfather never participated in combat, but he made sure those who did got the best meals he was able to put together with the ingredients made available.  I'm so grateful for him and all other men and women who have and who do spend their days in service of our country.
 

CREAMED BEEF ON TOAST (SOS)

Ingredients

1/2 lb. ground beef
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 Tbs flour
1 C evaporated milk
1 C water
2 Tbs butter

Directions

Brown ground beef in its own fat. Remove excess fat and save for making roux. Season with salt and pepper. To make roux, place 2 tbsp. reserved fat in heavy pan. Slowly add flour, stir constantly over low heat until thoroughly blended. Cook for five minutes. Do not brown. Combine milk and water. Add butter and scald (not burn) in  medium sauce pan. Add scalded milk to the roux and stir constantly until thoroughly blended and there are no lumps. Add meat mixture and cook about 10 minutes, or until desired consistency. Serve on toast. Yumm!

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