P3D "Ildsjael" (Was PSA Stereo Image of the Year)

[Bill C Walton <bill3dbw3d@xxxxxxxx>]

Dan Shelley asked about the word Ildsjael that I use as part of my
signature on P3-D  postings.

It is a Danish expression that means "Firesoul" an ardent, very
dedicated, enthusiastic person whose "soul burns for something or a
cause".  It is really two words spelled together, Ild=Fire  sjael= Soul. 
Unfortunately I don't have a Danish keyboard for the correct spelling. 
The ae is one letter in Danish, but you get the idea.  My good friend and
fellow ISU Stereo Card Integration Committee member from Denmark, Eric
Kirschner, characterized my interest and work on getting stereo cards
accepted world-wide by writing, a couple of years ago, that I am an
Ildsjael, considered a compliment in his country.  Of course he had to
explain to me what an Ildsjael is.  After I heard the explanation I sort
of "adopted" the nickname (I can almost see Eric grin while he is reading
this) as it suits what I do very well.  I guess I have always been an
Ildsjael for one reason or the other.  It stood me in good stead during
30 years in the Army, 22 of which I flew helicopters.  And it was a big
help during my second career as a Army writer, photo/journalist/Public
Information Officer.

It even carried over to my hobby of racing cars, although I could have
possibly used a somewhat weaker version when I put a year old Mustang
upside down in a 20 foot gully while road racing in 1966.  Since it is a
Danish expression, I wonder if I got a head start on the use of this word
during the year (1949-50) that I spent in Denmark as a young soldier. I
don't believe I met Eric Kirschner then.  But he only lives about 22
miles from the hotel where we lived, in Kollund, so who knows?


Anyway,in the vernacular of the day, it is a "cool word" and I like it
very much.  In fact, I am going to have it put on one of the bricks they
are selling which will surround the Columbus Millennium Clock.

Bill C Walton, PSA
"Ildsjael"
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