Confessions of an Old Geezer

Excerpt 1

Before boom boxes, heavy metal, space shuttles, VCR’s and computers, in the days of street cars, Model T Fords, hand-wound phonographs and gas lights; a little boy was born.  The little boy was born in the bedroom of a house in what is known today as, “The Inner City.” Both of his parents were German immigrants who entered the United States during the early years of the 20^th century. The little boy’s father was processed through Ellis Island in New York Harbor during the year 1903. He embarked from the port of Hamburg, Germany on a German ship named, “Deuchland.”

The little boy’s father was not alone on his long voyage to America. His parents, four brothers, two sisters, and his grandfather all sailed together. The ship was very crowded, filled with many eager passengers from all over the continent of Europe; mainly from Germany, France, Italy, and Poland. Many other ships departed from various ports in Ireland, the Scandinavian Countries, as well as immigrants from the eastern regions of the continent. Each of them had at least one valid reason to leave, “The Old Country,” as it was known as. Possibly religious persecution, lack of a decent wage, undesirable employment, or just to better themselves in the new world.

Excerpt 2

Okinawa, a strange word from a fascinating land half a world away. The majority of the citizens of the United States had never heard of the Ryukyu Chain of Islands, and Okinawa, with its strategic position only 415 miles from Tokyo, Japan. That all changed on Easter Sunday morning April 1, 1945 when the 2^nd Marine Division. and supporting army troops made a divisive attack along the southeast coast. The main body attack force landed along the coast near the City of Kadena This mighty force, with air and naval support, consisted of the 7^th and 96^th army divisions, and the 1^st and 6^th marine divisions. In just one day the beachhead was established with little resistance. Farmers and shoppers continued on with their daily routine, not at all perturbed with the invasion.