I think of a couple engaged for 6 months. A thin blond beauty, a
skinny red head, she, just 18 by one day and he, 20. The red head has
been working at Sharon Steel. He already has served 3 years in the Army
in Panama. He lied about his age before his senior year in high school
because he couldn't afford a suit. It was the Great Depression.He's been
home about a year.
They met at Idora Park in Youngstown, OH, the
summer before. The girl wouldn't accept a diamond on her graduation, but
said yes a week later. Her dad tells her she is "crazier than that dog
over there" His mom sees them "necking" in his living room, "I see what
you're doing Gerald."
He replied,"I don't care, Mother."
Pearl
Harbor, an unbelievable event happens, and their plans are changed.
December 10, he signs up for the Army Air Corp for the duration of the
war. I'm not really sure what their plans were before Pearl Harbor,
probably get married in the spring.
So, I guess in a way, that didn't change.
He
got a 24 hour pass from Roosevelt Field(I may be wrong-I could scream
for not remembering all the names), came to Sharon, PA on May 17, 1942
and married the girl in a Methodist parsonage. They had a dinner in a
restaurant in Mercer, PA where his sister lived. She was there, with the
dog Mike. Billy Boal and Frances(not sure if they were married, yet) stood up for them.
She
joined him two weeks later in New York City for their honeymoon. She
rode a train with cars from the Civil War or so she thought since they
were old and rickety. She covered with newspaper to save herself from
the soot. But her face was black. He didn't care.
It's a story of
patriotism and love that I grew up hearing. I wish now I could ask a few
more questions. I never tired of hearing their love story.
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