Injured for Life ~ Abandoned Home of an American Vietnam Veteran 

We come in to this world with nothing, and we leave with nothing. The things we leave behind are mostly worthless except for the good we do and the memories we make for the ones we leave behind...

I see someone answered your Question about the Sunbeam Hair dryer. My name is Gary Marcum and I'm 73 years old and I love to see young people documenting history that has long passed. I love watching your videos because it brings back memories of my childhood. Just to let you know when I was little we had no running water in our home which was a garage not a house and it was heated with a oil stove in the center. I remember my dad opening the garage door to go to work. It took my dad over a year to get enough money to build on 2 bedrooms and a kitchen. This was in 1955 when we lived there and I was 6 years old.

You make me smile at your attempts to identify objects in the home……

Such a sad story, the poor man! I wonder if anyone cared about him. It's sad because right now, I'm in his place, and also alone, my daughter died long ago, and my husband 3 years ago. I feel for what he went through.

I did a little bit of research and found out that Mike was actually a WWII Army veteran who was a prisoner of war and a Purple Heart recipient. He sadly passed away on 8/19/2001 at the age of 84.

Hi, great place. In Canada we call the sauce dispenser a gravy boat and it usually has a dish under it to catch any drips. The chair with a hole looks like a homemade commode. 23:50 is a portable hair dryer. It should have a plastic cap that you attach to the hose then put on your head to dry your hair when it's in rollers.

I live in Connecticut and this is a lovely part of the state. Thank you for sharing! It's so kind of you how you treat everything with respect.

For the ladies that was a hair dryer that comes with a cap and the hose goes into the cap. If a lady had curlers in her hair it would dry it. Sunbeam is a company that's still around.

What is a shame, is that the descendants are not caring for the property. What a beautiful story.

on the bed upstairs, the bedding is hand made crochet squares that were sewn together. It looks like a hot water bottle (red). But this one has a tube and my guess it had a double purpose to be used for as an enema bag and/or douche. I remember seeing those in my grandparents home.

That small brush is used for basting your food. Blue shoes were slippers! Stella crocheted and that is what was in the washer and on top of the bed. She did a beautiful job spending time making each square and then crocheting them altogether. She definitely was a talented women who took pride in her home with the amount of money they had. God bless Mike for honoring the USA. We’re so proud of him and his service to our Country and the duties men/women promise to honor, serve and at all times stand guard wherever in need. We are blessed that Mike survived during his services during Vietnam and are so grateful for his magnificent services. 🇺🇸❤

Hi there from Australia 🇦🇺 Great video thoroughly enjoyed & with it's history. Poor soldier being wounded like that, then all the pain & disabilities afterwards. Vietnam was a horrible war, our country fought in this as well. Thanks for sharing, take care both of you.

Such a wonderful channel, the respect and love you show for the people who owned these homes always warms my heart. Thanks for all you do to showcase these special places frozen in time.

The case Danny thought was a breathing machine was a hair dryer. The curtains in their kitchen are the same ones I used to have in mine. The fur on Stella's coats were probably not real. We stopped wearing real ones many years ago. Danny was right about what you found on the bed. It is to give enamas with. It looks like one of them had a very serious illness. I was so sorry to see how much vandalism there was. Thank you for sharing this.

You wondered why so many doors to the outside, I was told by my Grandma that their house was built with an extior door in every ground floor room in case of fire you could get out. The previous house had burnt. And the lady sunbeam was a hairdryer. Great exploring guys! Top knotch!

That white chair with the retractable steps were originally made for children to sit at the table. Later parents and families used them as extra step stools because they were made so sturdy!

You're like a loving museum curator, Leslie. One of my current PhD professors is named Leslie. So, easy to remember. Thank you so much. You are so wonderful to treat these places with such love, care and respect. I signed on to you all awhile back, but watched the show you did about your grandfather's place the same night as this one (early, during the late night). Youare soothing to watch. Thank you both for what you do.

The way that you articulate the life stories of people is simply beautiful.

Leslie, The intro to this video had me in tears. Your videos portray the families in such a beautiful way and it feels like I’m watching a video that opens up a time capsule. Thanks again you and Danny for bringing us another touching video.

Hello from California! All those bed spreads seemed to be hand crocheted or knitted. Very time consuming and the wife must’ve been very talented ♥️

Thank you for exploring. 👀Abandoned houses are interesting because they are all quiet now and peaceful, no more strife, no more struggle; that's all over with now. 🕊️ The washing machine was in the kitchen. The clothes dryer was in the basement.

I don’t know how these guys do it, I’d be bawling my eyes out seeing places like this. Especially when he found the wedding photo? I’d be looking at the photo for 2 hours crying. Great channel btw❤

It is just awful that vandals have been through this house because it really looks as though it could be remodeled and make a nice home for a new family to enjoy and love. Thanks for always being so respectful. 😊

Wow, this might very well have been the home of me parents! From the Lady Sunbeam ladies hairdryer to the Regina electric broom! Even the beautiful wedding portraits of Mike and Stella could be a photo copy of my parent's bridal portrait. I am 66 years old and was born when my parents were in their 30's, rather a bit later than most new parents back in 1956. It would appear from the baby picture (looks just like mine) that they had at least one child. The religious card that you found, Lesley, is known as a 'perpetual prayer card's. Purchased in Stella's name, this card would insure that the local Catholic congregation would include her memory in their prayers each day. Very interesting that there were two 'console' tvs in the living room. Back in those days, having one would have been a very special thing. Having two would be quite a luxury for a home such as this one. The dryer was in a quite unusual spot. Can you only imagine Stella having to climb down those stairs and crawl through that basement carrying a load of laundry?? I suspect they only used it on the very rare occasion that she couldn't hang the clothes out to dry, which is what my mother did throughout most of the year, even though we lived in northern Massachusetts. Thank you for that delightful stroll down memory lane. Although both of my parents have long since passed, their memories remain near and very dear to my heart. You are both such respectful gentleman as you visit the homes of the dearly departed, bless you on your future explorations.

I just wanted to correct the pronunciation of the word Plymouth. It's not Ply' Mouth... it's Plim' ith... that is how you would say it even though it does appear to be Ply Mouth. Just in case you see another one in a different location. God Bless and thanks again for the wonderful video. PS- I just wanted to also add that the reason that many of these houses deteriorate so quickly is because of what they are made of. Many modern homes built after the 1920s were built with just wood, with concrete bases and drywall... All were designed to be built quickly for a growing population after WWII. Many were prefabrication that you could buy a builders kit and put the house together yourself or hire someone to build it for you. Even the Sears department stores sold them along with Hardware stores. Now unless you are very wealthy homes are not built as sturdy as the ones in Europe. Most of the homes you tour in Europe are very old and were built with brick and mortar as well as stone so they will last a very long time. This is why there are castles nearly 800 years old still standing in Europe. But if you think about it you don't see a whole lot of homes that were built for the average people still standing either. We have very few old homes and buildings here that are more than a few hundred years old. We have old ghost towns with some buildings still standing because they're around 100 to 150 years old mostly built using strong oak wood treated to keep the insects from eating it and also because people have maintained them. . And we certainly don't have any castles that are anything like what's in Europe. Nothing is truly meant to last through the ages except the great ancient castles of Kings, Queens, Lords, and Ladies. All buildings whether built from brick and stone or wood and drywall will only last if someone maintains them.

Hi Bros, I know how you feel Lesly, I don't understand why the need to vandalize if you can't find anything to steal just walk away, Thanks for taking us with you. Love from N.Y.

Don't know why.. Abandoned places makes me sad. Loved the old telephone. Thank you. Watching from Malaysia.

What you identify as a storage space for vinyl records actually is sheet music cabinet, which some people used for records. Most intriguing, on the floor underneath it are records that were home-made. They are the small ones, and are called lacquers. Mike (nickname for Michael) and Stella very well may be heard on them.

You do an excellent job of taking us through time. Isn’t it sad that the family left behind didn’t come for the keepsakes. That tiny brush you had at the end? Pastry brush. To glaze breads etc. Thanks again. Hope Danny feels better soon ❤

I was thinking with the age of the house, cars and furniture that this seemed as though he were a WW2 vet. That is very similar to all of the things that my grandparents had. My mom talked about her parents had the metal table and I think metal cabinets when she was a kid, which was the late 1940’s & all of the 1950’s. The thing that looked like a breathing machine was actually a hair dryer from the 1960’s. It had a shower cap type thing that the hose attached to. Women rolled their wet hair in curlers and then put on the shower cap with the hose in it and it blew hot air inside the cap while they sat and read magazines. I also wonder about the difference between how long things last in Europe as opposed to here in the US. Here in the south, we do not have many structures older than 1865 because William Sherman was sent by the government to burn it all down. And he did. So most structures here are 1866 or newer. Plus from the time they started using plywood and 2 x 4 stick frame construction houses have not stuck together like they did in the time of timber frame construction. I have a massive hatred for the American “Subdivision” and cookie cutter houses. I grew up in the country and I live in the country now. My parents built most of our house themselves when I was a kid and it was unlike any other house and it’s still like that even if they don’t live there anymore. I live in the country in a simple house that was crappily built by a modern builder. I’d love to be able to afford to make changes to it, or just moved farther out in the country with more land and even less neighbors than I have now and build a house exactly like I want that would last :). I REALLY enjoyed your video!! Thanks!!

It's 3:21 am and enjoyed this documentary of Mike and Stella. Thank you for letting us inside their home. Some of their things took me back in time. The red bag is used as a deuche. Rest in peace Mike and Stella. And thank you for serving your country Mike.

Wonderful tour of this house. I think she was an amazing wife to stand by her husband and take care of the family. It couldn't have been easy for her. The ceiling in the living room is tin. Back in the 30s or 40s you would see them in some houses and diners. Some old diners still have them. It has become popular again to refurbish them.

You are still the best! Thank you for a very touching moment. The Vietnam War was traumatic for Americans and even more for the Vietnamese. Because you leave politics alone I was able to find a heartwarming story even though what the American government did to returned service men was a crime. Thanks again Mark

I loved the video Leslie, a beautiful home from the 70’s mostly, I just love how you show and explain about the homes we’re seeing. Mike and Stella rip 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 thank you for your service 🫡🫡🫡 😊

Again... You're right : Why did people came to see this house, feel the urge to throw everything down and leave such a mess ?

The blue car is a 1964 or 1965 Studebaker Lark. They were very good cars.

What an interesting explore this was! I agree with you...thieves and vandals are the worst! I love exploring abandoned properties, and it really makes me angry when I come across one that has been trashed. That car maker is pronounced Plimmuth, not Ply Mouth. 😁 23:45 is a portable hooded hair dryer. I don't know where it disappeared to, but somewhere around the house there should be a soft plastic hood with ventilation holes to allow the excess hot air to escape. This would be used when a woman had rollers in her hair. 40:15 that's an enema bag, not a foot warmer. That's why it has the rubber tube with the metal probe on the end of it. 42:28 that's actually a basting brush that belongs in the kitchen to paint your sauces over whatever meat or dish you have in the oven, or to paint melted butter into baking pans before making a cake or cookies.

LMAO, "a breather" no, Please try again, lol, its a hair dryer. I love your content, so sweet. I wish you would have said "is this a breather for the vacuum cleaner". Lol. I also love how you say, 19 hundred, I have to check when I was born you make me think, what? I am that old? Lol..Someone was cooking something alright. Lol, I love this.

Hey Bros! It's great to see you on Monday! Good evening! Good luck in your new episode! 👏❤🇧🇷

That was a dryer in the basement not a washer. What looked like a cooktop was the lint trap. The round container with a hose was a ladies hair dryer. There would have been a cap to attach to the hose. Metal cabinets were common years ago. My first house was built in the late ‘40’s and my kitchen cabinets were metal. Loved them. The kitchen table and chairs were from the ‘50’s. The coverings are called afgans and are hand crocheted. What a terrible mess, so sad. It is surprising that there is no one to gather the things.

Hello brother Lesley! That contraption in the basement is the dryer for clothes due to the top mini lid on top. Always great seeing your new videos and respect to these abandoned places. It is very odd for me to me why the kids would never come back especially "home"... Wauw and sad.

Heartbreaking of this couple. RIP!

I like the reverance you show for the people, their lives and their belongings. Well done.

Thanks!

My sister has recommended you and I'm thoroughly enjoying your videos. I appreciate the respect you show for these properties and your kind disposition. I look forward to seeing more!

You two do an amazing job! Very respectful. Thank you so much.

I think the piece in the sitting room is an old style hair dryer. Am glad the dead tree out the back didn't fall on the house!🦘😊

@Lesie, thank you for a beautiful video, appreciate it. You guys are great.

The blue car is a Studebaker. Shame to see both cars like that. Every person, house, has a story. Thank-you for this channel, honouring those stories.

I love the fact that you guys take the time to show us the memories of how people lived. I had seen a video the other day and what I saw tripped me out. In the living room they had a chandelier just exactly like the one here and my dad's house plus, by the couch there was a stand up heater just like the one in our bathroom that my mother had. It was so awesome to see that. So thank you both for all you do and the love you show. Tonya A.

I laugh so much when you explore these places when you dont know what things are. I am in my 60s and these are all things that I used to have, cute to see that so much as changed that you would no know what these things are :).

Son tan bellos esos lugares y sus historias nos dan nostalgia!Gracias Leslie y Dany x tanto!!!💝💝

Hi Lesley and Danny Thanks for sharing these awesome abandoned places with us. Kèep safe and healthy. Keep on sharing with us. Makes me feel like I'm right there too.🤩🤩

Thank you for sharing this beautiful old house full of lifetime memories of the people who lived there really quite sad when nobody takes the pictures and personal things that's if there was anyone to take them another great video guys ❤

Fantastic documentary, Lesley ❤️! Loved the vintage kitchen table and chairs, records, and handmade crochet blankets. Keep them coming! Sorry I missed your livestream. Something happened. Watching this helped me.

I love how you recreate the history of these places and take me back in time

Leslie you are awesome!! I like your work tour to exploring to the abandoned and lonely and time capsule homes and places. You are so cool and hansome guy. God bless u. Thank u so much for the loving words for every of your homes exploration, i like your good attitude.😄🙏😘

You guys done a great job. Thx for sharing, sad to see again the mess someone left, no respect for other people

Beautiful house and video. You are a precious man.

What I love most about your videos is that you are encapsulating into history some of the lives of the majority of 'common' people who live on this planet along with those few who live in castles and mansions, the segment of society who usually make the history books. It is the the vast majority who are briefly mentioned as an addendum to the upper classes but without whom they would not have had their castles nor the lives they got to live. Then this majority falls through its cracks of human history.

Beautiful walk through thank you guys 😊

Thank you, Lesley,[ love, Rip.] soldaat..🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤🇱🇺🇱🇺for de video, from a dutchwoman….

Beautiful home and thank you for documenting this beautiful home.

Amazing place. So many feelings contained in an abandoned house. A beautiful journey into the past. Very good material. Best regards from Poland

You show a lot of respect for the people who had once lived in the houses...and that's much appreciated! I love when you aren't sure of what something is..or how it worked. The time on the clock was 20 minutes to 8 o'clock.

Thank you Leslie and Danny for another fascinating adventure. I wish we could have seen the house when it was newer. It's such a special little place. So much of what you found reminded me of items my parents had in the house I grew up in like the kitchen table and chairs and the phone. When we had a phone like that we only had to dial 5 numbers to make a local call. The string of glass beads in the drawer upstairs were Christmas decorations. We still hang the exact same garland on our Christmas tree every year. I agree that Mike was likely a WW2 veteran as was my Dad. Thanks again for these wonderful videos. I can't wait till the next adventure.

I like how you keep the place the way you found it. You guys preserve history, and I think that's great.

Hi, thank you for the wonderful video and story. I happened to see your video here on RU-vid and I am very happy with the style you offer people to look into the time capsule of the lives of people living in the past. It's wonderful to feel love and humility from your videos. Thank you in advance for more beautiful and interesting videos. Best regards, Zdeno from Slovakia.

I hope Danny feels better soon and thank you for all the respect you both show for the people and their things. 😅

"This is why we keep all locations secret. That's why the Explorer's Society is such a secretive society." You do realize that the exact address was on the fifteen dollar check you showed on camera? However I love all your videos, just mentioning that

I am sure that that he was in the Army Air Corp during WW2. The patch is a giveaway. It is not Milton, but Hamilton Standard. The made propellers for american planes in WW@ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Standard

I believe you have the wrong era. His uniform is from WWII, not Vietnam. Enjoyed seeing the home. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like they had a nice and interesting life together :) The house was very charming.what a beautiful handmade afghan on that washing machine. Old timey-Christmas bulbs too, like from the 60s. I always envision the families busy lives together, breakfast and kids rushing off to school , and their love. And again, as always, thank you for sharing with us.

Is a beautiful love story. Thank you!!!

The chair with a hole in it.. It's called a bed side toilet .. The jars with food is called Mason jars or canning jars.. Glad you come to America 🇺🇸 to check out homes here.. Bless you.. Happy New Year to you and yours..

I'm from Indonesia and always listen to whatever you tell in the video, it's like it keeps taking me to the past and gives me an idea about the future, Actually life goes very fast...and from your videos I always try to enjoy my day well, second by second even

That 15.00 check you found were his american legion dues… The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States It’s alive today.. The chair with the whole through it is called bedside commode simplier name for it is a potty chair. That stamp was 3 cents stamps today are 60 cents

Awesome video 👏thank you for sharing 😊

I enjoy watching and listening to your explanations. Thanks . Real great😊

Wow amazing house i love that way you treat every single things with alot respect god always bless everyone thank you so much for sharing salute from Houston texas

Hello!! Good to watch your videos. Very interesting stories of those abandoned houses.

Awesome video thanks i enjoyed watching

That was a fantastic video so much stuff to see stay safe guy's xx

Some chairs with a hole in it is a rustic way to put a plant in.

I am totally hooked on these guys, Lesley, is absolutely gorgeous, and his talking and putting everything back, hes gold!! I love you Lesley !!!

thank you for sharing this video love it,🌄👍🏼

I love the walls of bedrooms upstairs : It seems to be very easy to clean and they stay in excellent condition. Thanks Lesley and Danny for this video !!!

I love how you tell the story of these houses !!!

Thank u for sharing.

Great job again boys I love how you tell the story of the house 🏠 👏

Lol Lesley it didn’t take that long to dial a number with the rotary phone! True , a little longer then what we have now.

Hello from NJ 🇺🇸 love this exploration so enjoyed watching thank you and God Bless

Wow, you are in my State. Thanks for sharing this video

I do enjoy watching your videos it's so sad to see the things people leave behind I never know about abandoned castle and mansions it's interesting and sad keep up the good work 👍

Gook morning Lesley ! Always a great pleasure to join you in your discoveries ! The house is very cute, and, as always, it gives me a furious desire to go to renovate it, or at least, to clean it. Thanks for the drone plans, it gives us a better way to appreciate all the area of the place ! 👍👍😉😉

Hi Lesley and Danny its Linda here my daughter and I all ways look forward to watching ur explores the houses are amazing its hard to belive so much is left behind in them but we find it fascinating love Linda and jodie.x

Baie dankie Lesley en Danny. Dit was baie interessant. Net jammer dat daar altyd mense is wat nie ander persone se besittings kan respekteer nie en alles moet vernietig en verniel

Very beautiful and emotional video. You should do more naval videos like this it’s excellent

Uplne TOP video znova 👍 super miesta .Samoty mam moc rad .👍👌❤

Thank you so much .🤗❣️