Oretha Ruetti

Gerard "Jerry" Cordes, St. Libory, Neb.. "watermelon capital of the world," is recovering from a broken leg and came to the reunion on crutches. He came to Grand Island on an Orphan Train in 1921 when he was four years old. He says he does not remember the train ride.

He brought to the reunion the clothes he had worn on the train short pants of blue cotton broadcloth with buttoned drop seat that buttoned to a white shirtwaist, a black felt cap and fleecy long johns for no one knew what the weather would be like in Nebraska. The name, Gerard Probeb, was written on a piece of cloth sewn inside the cap.

Cordes got a good home and has had a good life. He's a World War II veteran, has children and grandchildren. His wife was with him to help with the crutches.