Part 2 Early days at the Arsenal
During World War 215 total reviews
Comment from Pearl Edwards
An interesting story of your childhood through the days of WW2. I liked the bit about the white mushroom bums in the lake. This made me think of my paternal grandmother, who had 2 sons at war and died before knowing one of them (my dad) survived being a POW of the Japanese.
Sisly - Sicily
A part of history to share with the younger generation.
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2023
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An interesting story of your childhood through the days of WW2. I liked the bit about the white mushroom bums in the lake. This made me think of my paternal grandmother, who had 2 sons at war and died before knowing one of them (my dad) survived being a POW of the Japanese.
Sisly - Sicily
A part of history to share with the younger generation.
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 01-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2023
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Thanks Valde.
Comment from Pam (respa)
This is an excellent chapter, Ben, and I enjoyed reading it. I am learning about a time period when I was too young at the time. I can also relate to a few of the things you described. My father was in the Air Force so I was very familiar with the PX.
It may come as a surprise, but my father was a catcher, and the Air Force men play a group of pros. One of those was Stan Musial. I also collected baseball cards, but we put close pins on them and used clothespins to attach them to the spokes of our bike wheels. A pretty foolish thing in retrospect, but "those were the days," as they said in the song.
You sound like someone I would have enjoyed trading cards with, if they weren't on my bike! I also enjoyed playing baseball. All of my friends close by were boys, and I loved baseball. It brings back a lot of memories, and I enjoyed reading your story.
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023
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This is an excellent chapter, Ben, and I enjoyed reading it. I am learning about a time period when I was too young at the time. I can also relate to a few of the things you described. My father was in the Air Force so I was very familiar with the PX.
It may come as a surprise, but my father was a catcher, and the Air Force men play a group of pros. One of those was Stan Musial. I also collected baseball cards, but we put close pins on them and used clothespins to attach them to the spokes of our bike wheels. A pretty foolish thing in retrospect, but "those were the days," as they said in the song.
You sound like someone I would have enjoyed trading cards with, if they weren't on my bike! I also enjoyed playing baseball. All of my friends close by were boys, and I loved baseball. It brings back a lot of memories, and I enjoyed reading your story.
Comment Written 30-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023
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Thank you, Pam. Yes, I enjoyed those days when life was simple as collecting the cards. I remember well Stan the man and his career of baseball. Thanks Again.
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You are very welcome, Ben, and I appreciate your reply.
Comment from judiverse
You must have an excellent recollection of events. You must have been so young when all this was happening. Those baseball cards, if they have been kept, must be worth a fortune today. I know fans love to collect them. I can understand being prejudiced about those who bombed Pearl Harbor. The Japanese were horrible to their prisoners, too. They must have learned the lessons of history, as they're a stable, peaceful country now. I chuckled over your disappointment at being too small to be a delivery boy riding a bicycle. Mowing lawns gave you a chance to earn some money. Great details. Nevertheless, I think you mean, not never or less. Very intersting memoir. judi
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023
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You must have an excellent recollection of events. You must have been so young when all this was happening. Those baseball cards, if they have been kept, must be worth a fortune today. I know fans love to collect them. I can understand being prejudiced about those who bombed Pearl Harbor. The Japanese were horrible to their prisoners, too. They must have learned the lessons of history, as they're a stable, peaceful country now. I chuckled over your disappointment at being too small to be a delivery boy riding a bicycle. Mowing lawns gave you a chance to earn some money. Great details. Nevertheless, I think you mean, not never or less. Very intersting memoir. judi
Comment Written 30-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 30-Nov-2023
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Thanks Judi. Those were the days.
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People had a lot more character then than they do now. judi
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Jusi, they were outstanding days of my life. Yes, I had most all of the Milwaukie Braves before they became, the Alanta Braves today. My Grandson still has them and will pass them on to his sons.
Comment from Sally Law
Another sensational story of your time at the aresnal. You're doing great with your memory of the details. Virtual six, my talented friend, as I am out. Sending you my best today as always and blessings for your newest endeavors.
Sal XOs
reply by the author on 29-Nov-2023
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Another sensational story of your time at the aresnal. You're doing great with your memory of the details. Virtual six, my talented friend, as I am out. Sending you my best today as always and blessings for your newest endeavors.
Sal XOs
Comment Written 29-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 29-Nov-2023
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Thanks, Sal
Comment from w.j.debi
You have a great memory. You share so many details about the time and place that I can imagine being there. As you say, it was hard for a boy to know about war since it was far away. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 29-Nov-2023
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You have a great memory. You share so many details about the time and place that I can imagine being there. As you say, it was hard for a boy to know about war since it was far away. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 29-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 29-Nov-2023
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Thanks Debi
Comment from jmdg1954
Well, Ben. For stretching your memory, you have provided us with a fair amount of detail throughout the post.
It was written in a soft spoken tone which I felt was appropriate for the story and the era it encompassed.
Well written, enjoyable and looking forward to the continuation.
Cheers,
John
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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Well, Ben. For stretching your memory, you have provided us with a fair amount of detail throughout the post.
It was written in a soft spoken tone which I felt was appropriate for the story and the era it encompassed.
Well written, enjoyable and looking forward to the continuation.
Cheers,
John
Comment Written 28-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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Thanks John.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this story with us. I am really enjoying reading.
it kept my mother on her knees before God, (At one time, I had my husband, our oldest son, and my brother-in-law in Afghanistan at the same time. I do understand.)
Walter Reed (our youngest son, Steven was born in Walter Reed)
If they could work together then they could create (comma after 'together')
he announcement of His and (lower case 'h' on 'his')
I too walked out of the ring never looking back. (I, too,)
If we got the same again then they (comma after 'again')
baseball cards (My brother and all my boys collected baseball cards)
The North Africa campaign had shifted into Sisly (did you mean Sicily???)
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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Thank you for sharing this story with us. I am really enjoying reading.
it kept my mother on her knees before God, (At one time, I had my husband, our oldest son, and my brother-in-law in Afghanistan at the same time. I do understand.)
Walter Reed (our youngest son, Steven was born in Walter Reed)
If they could work together then they could create (comma after 'together')
he announcement of His and (lower case 'h' on 'his')
I too walked out of the ring never looking back. (I, too,)
If we got the same again then they (comma after 'again')
baseball cards (My brother and all my boys collected baseball cards)
The North Africa campaign had shifted into Sisly (did you mean Sicily???)
Comment Written 28-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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What would I do without you? Thank you Barb.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
This is a beautifully told story about the war years as you skilfully take your reader back to a time of great anguish and loss (with families left at home) but also the contrast of that blissful ignorance of children too young to understand. Your description of your mother, almost permanently on her knees in prayer, brings home the all-pervading horror of it all with sons fighting on two evil war fronts. This is worthy of a 6* and I'm afraid it can only be a virtual one. Impressive writing. Take care Debbie
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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This is a beautifully told story about the war years as you skilfully take your reader back to a time of great anguish and loss (with families left at home) but also the contrast of that blissful ignorance of children too young to understand. Your description of your mother, almost permanently on her knees in prayer, brings home the all-pervading horror of it all with sons fighting on two evil war fronts. This is worthy of a 6* and I'm afraid it can only be a virtual one. Impressive writing. Take care Debbie
Comment Written 28-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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Thank you, Debbie.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
You certainly have an excellent memory, Ben. You tell your story with very good details and imagery. The baseball cards and marble's are good examples and your mothers prayers along with the neighbors. Powerful stuff. I remember my brother doing the same things back then. Well done. Nancy:)
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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You certainly have an excellent memory, Ben. You tell your story with very good details and imagery. The baseball cards and marble's are good examples and your mothers prayers along with the neighbors. Powerful stuff. I remember my brother doing the same things back then. Well done. Nancy:)
Comment Written 28-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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Thank you, Nancy.
Comment from BethShelby
I really enjoyed the stories you tell about growing up in the forties because those were my years as well but I didn't have a lot of kids to associate with except at school. I didn't learn a lot about what life was like for them. I knew about the war for the radio and my parents conversations. My dad who ran a grocery store was always telling of someone he know who was killed or injured. He didn't go because of flat feet and the fact he had to take care of elderly parents. You used the term making ordinance twice and I've never heard of that. I tried looking it and goggle said it meant making laws. I don't think that what you meant. Also you mention getting bubblegum. That wasn't something we were able to get during the war. Maybe the PX had it. One girl was able to get a piece and she cut it four parts and sold it to us for a quarter a piece. Talk about a young entrepreneur.
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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I really enjoyed the stories you tell about growing up in the forties because those were my years as well but I didn't have a lot of kids to associate with except at school. I didn't learn a lot about what life was like for them. I knew about the war for the radio and my parents conversations. My dad who ran a grocery store was always telling of someone he know who was killed or injured. He didn't go because of flat feet and the fact he had to take care of elderly parents. You used the term making ordinance twice and I've never heard of that. I tried looking it and goggle said it meant making laws. I don't think that what you meant. Also you mention getting bubblegum. That wasn't something we were able to get during the war. Maybe the PX had it. One girl was able to get a piece and she cut it four parts and sold it to us for a quarter a piece. Talk about a young entrepreneur.
Comment Written 28-Nov-2023
reply by the author on 28-Nov-2023
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She was. And knew how to make it happen. The word ordnance is proper. Meaning battle supplies like bombs and bullets. etc. I may have misspelled it. I do that sometimes. Thanks, Beth.
