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John Gondeck
I have always been intrigued with history and certainly enjoyed learning about various nations around the world. The wars that were fought as nations went against nations to conquer and to be conqu...view moreI have always been intrigued with history and certainly enjoyed learning about various nations around the world. The wars that were fought as nations went against nations to conquer and to be conquered fascinated me. There always seemed to be a hero and a villain. Reading about the men who made America great, many who were humbled by the task before them, was heart-wrenching as I read about the sacrifices that were made. They came to a new land with renewed hope and a new beginning only to find themselves in a battle for their very lives, and they put their trust in an Almighty God.
My grandparents were legal immigrants who came by way of Ellis Island with hope, strong work ethics, and a desire to succeed. I respect them and honor them for instilling in me that same type of fiber that helped them achieve their goal. I remember, as a child, the party that was given them as they received their naturalization papers and were joined by friends and family. It was a great time growing up in a small town called Arbutus. My grandparents were bakers and the owners of Gondeck’s Bakery. My brother and I learned early about working as it was our job to come in on Saturday morning and help clean up and in the process gather all the soda bottles that we found. We returned the bottles for the two-cent deposit and then went to movies for the afternoon. They were good times.
My family and I reside on the eastern shore of Maryland in another small town called Denton. I have been involved in the insurance business for the past forty-three years, and yet I find myself from time to time writing letters to the editor over political issues, writing songs, and for the past three years, writing books. My first book, Building Blocks to Great Faith, was published in September of 2010. I manage to find time (my wife wonders how) to relax in Chincoteague, Virginia, play some racquetball with friends and spend time with the kids and grandkids. For all that I have and all that I am, I give glory to God.view less