Memories of war...
When “Veterans Day” shows up on our calendars it brings back many memories to my mind.
And I’m sure it does to all of you. We called it “Armistice Day” when I was growing up.
I spent part of the time during World War II in Los Angeles, and I saw several of the boys I grew up with while I was out there.
But I knew them in overalls or blue jeans when we were kids, and they looked quite different in their uniforms.
There were Army, Navy and Marines, and nearly every one of ‘em that I knew from home told me I had to salute ‘em.
The streets were full of service men and one day one of ‘em, I don’t remember what kind of uniform he had on, grabbed me up and wouldn’t turn me loose! I had never seen him before!
It just so happened a L.A. policeman was close by and he rescued me.
I think I told a lot of you that Hollywood was about 30 minutes from where my sister, Frankie, and her husband, Leonard, lived.
I spent a lot of time over there looking around, but I never did get “discovered” by a movie scout, but I had a great time!
Leonard was an expert (crime) fingerprint policeman.
And he was always taking pictures of pretty scenes and I was always tryin’ to get in front of the camera.
The three of us, Frankie, Leonard and I, were the last from home to see two of the boys who didn’t make it back.
I wrote to their families and sent pictures of them.
It wasn’t long before I got homesick and came home.
I didn’t tell my Mama I was on my way, I just walked in the door!
I honestly believe she was glad to see me!
As I was saying, Veterans Day always brings back memories to me – some happy and others very sad.

The Last Word: Frankie also worked for the police department, and one day she came home and told me Captain (something, I’ve forgotten his name) told her to tell me he had a job for me if I wanted one – so, I, too, went to work there! – O.T. P.S. Stay tuned, there’s more.