Archive for senior thoughts

Florida Honeymoon, Dec,Jan., 1945-6

October 28, 2009 at 7:55 am · Filed under FAMILY Memories, senior thoughts

It has been 6 weeks since my last post.  I really must apologize to all of my diligent readers, but I am frustrated by my inability to keep up with the quick changes in our current technology.  I have spent all of this time sorting photos of our honeymoon and pics of 46th Street, for the purpose of scanning and inserting them into a slide show.  I thought that I knew how to do it.  But suddenly I get  a notice of a disconnect between my scanner and the computer.

The more I try to keep up with the new technology, the more obsolete I feel. The changes in tech is so rapid, that by the time I learn to cope with something new, an upgrade  is brought out.  I have Windows 2000 in my computer.  4 changes were introduced by Microsoft.  Now we have the introduction of Windows 7.  It’s being promoted now and I believe that it has caused my computer to break down my connection for scanning photos into my computer.  Is this a planned action to force me to buy the new program? I’ve got enough trouble keeping up with cell-phone use and other  tech changes like texting.  This alone has changed the communication system.  Nobody writes anymore.  Scripting is unknown to our kids.  Vocabulary will change to text-words.  Letters from family and friends are a thing of the past.  Emails are quicker and now we have Facebook and Twitter and cloud programs.  Who can keep up with all of this?  Not me, at this age of my life.  I am really obsolete.

I intended to write about our honeymoon, but I  had to send this apology.  It is off my chest.  I will get into the good old days and write our life’s history soon. When I get connected, I will make slide shows of post-war photos.

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home at last. Nov. 1945

September 19, 2009 at 4:29 am · Filed under FAMILY Memories, New York Memories, senior thoughts ·Tagged ,

Trying to recall the past, which was 64 yrs. ago, is quite difficult.  Especially when one is 92 years old and having difficulty recalling names of acquaintances.  My three years  absence from 820-46th Street did not cause a change in the area.  The same sycamore trees were still lined up on both sides of the street and the same buildings with its small front gardens added a suburban touch.  After 3 years of  living in bombed- out areas, sleeping in pup-tents and often on grassy hills, my walk up to my home  seemed like heaven, so peaceful and neat.  Nothing had changed

The changes that occurred were human.  Those who remained at home, who worried about loved ones in service  also helped in the war effort, selling US bonds, factory labor in munitions and aircraft, and USO shows.

Changes occurred in the normal lives we live.  Such as the Roth family and descendants. When I returned I encountered the following  :  Our house was now occupied by only 3  members of the family.  Pop died in 1954 and the store was sold prior to his death.  Mom displayed a sign “  Clothing Alterations” Expert seamstress.  Mom needed income to pay for expenses, etc.  Living with her were Blanche and Bill.  Nat was married in 1945 to Harriet and living in their house on the same street.  Bill returned from  the Pacific a few months later and set up his food business, storing goods in the basement.  Reggie, living in an apartment 759-46th St.  gave birth to Barbara in 1943. And I was preparing for my wedding with Shirley.  On December 25, 1945 we were married.  We went to Florida for our honeymoon and I moved out of 820-46th Street.  Thus began a new chapter in my life.

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2nd Photo unit join 7th Army in Hagenau

May 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm · Filed under WWII, senior thoughts ·Tagged , , ,

During our move from Italy into France and to the Alsace Lorraine border of the Rhine River, we had no communication from our families.  These movements were somewhat secretive, at least for us.  We sent no letters out and did not receive any from the U.S.  Also, add to the fact that our unit had been shifted  from the MAAF Hgtrs. into the 7th Army air division created a change of our address.  ( We left Italy middle March and arrived in Hagenau, Apr. 10th.)

After settling into our new quarters, I was advised by my Sergeant that our officer in charge wished to see me.  He had received a message from an army courier to be delivered  to my attention.  “What could it be?”, I asked Sgt. Youkilis, a friend.  “It’s a family matter”.  We rushed to the officer’s office and he advised me that the message dated April 9, 1945 was “Father died,  Kidney infection March 17th. Funeral March 18th. No other problems. Family writing”.  It’s difficult to describe my reaction. I still have the image in my head.  The officer was very sympathetic and asked me “ Do you want a leave of absence?  Sgt.Youkilis  suggests going to Lyon for prayers at a synagogue.  He would go with you”.  I  was too disturbed by the news to make a decision.  I said that I would prefer to stay in my room and sit Shiva for several days.  And that’s how I managed to absorb the impact of  Pop’s death.  Friends came in with food and visits and we would reminisce about family and life before we were drafted.  It helped to go through this ritual. But for me there was no closure.  I did not see Pop while he was ill and suffering and had no chance to say farewell.   I’ve had this nagging feeling  for fifty years, plus, until I was given the letter that sister Blanche wrote to me dated March 20, 1945.   The letter had been returned to her, undelivered.  Her daughter (my niece) discovered it among her writings.  Fifty to 55 yrs. later I felt the closure . Amazing.  Rest In Peace Pop.  Love Irv.

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902nd photo unit moves to France

April 23, 2009 at 11:32 am · Filed under Photography, WWII, senior thoughts ·Tagged

902nd-en-route-to-framceat-port-of-departure

Our transfer to France was a major move for our special unit.  We were about 35-50 personnel plus a fully equipped darkroom with special developing and printing  equipment.  Packing and loading and moving on to trucks was a task that required aid from Engineers who did the work of packing, and trucking us to the port and then placing it all safely and securely into the ship.  We, the personnel were moved by truck onto the port and slept outdoors, while the task of transferring our supplies and equipment was stored safely aboard.

Sailing across the Mediterranian to Marseilles was smooth and uneventful. At this period of time, we were pushing the Germans back into Germany.  The 7th Army, which we were joining was locating itself on the Rhine River, in Alsace Lorraine.  To join them, it was necessary to   travel by rail and truck several thousand miles to reach our destination.  (Hindsight affords me the privilege of realizing that the 7th Army was moved into this area for the final push to destroy the German Army.  Our unit was joining the Fighter Wing of the 7th to process their aerial photos.)

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Sept-Dec, 1944

March 6, 2009 at 8:40 am · Filed under Photography, WWII, senior thoughts ·Tagged , ,

After my R&R, my return to MAAF resumed in the sign painting shop.  I was busy with signs for the airfields and for orders from Eng. units.  I met  all types of GI’s, Officers and non-coms.  In the month of October, I was promoted to Corporal and I joined the Non-com’s club.  I became acquainted with Syd Fields, who had worked for the N.Y. Daily Mirror as a journalist. He was part of the PR staff directed by Tex McCrary, who has been editor of the Mirror and now headed the PR staff for Gen. Ira Eaker.

When Syd learned of my experience in Photography, he asked me if I would be  be willing to transfer into the 902nd Photo Unit that served Eaker’s Air force and publicity.  “Wow”, I said, “Is it possible?”.  And it was done.  In November, 1944, I transferred to this fully equipped photo unit.

I cannot forget this memorable scene.  When I walked into the new (for me) facility, a fully equipped darkroom, a section of enlargers and an editing department for trimming and correcting prints and especially the smell of chemicals , I felt like I was in heaven.  But most of all the image that remains in my mind were the photos that were displayed in the entry room.  The walls were covered by 16×20 photos of Jinx Falkenberg, a famous model, who had been on a USO trip in Egypt.  I asked Syd, who escorted me into the facility, “What’s this all about”.  He replied ” She’s Tex’s  girl friend”.  Well she was really gorgeous.  I can still see the photos now.  After the war Tex and Jinx became a famous radio show, reporting on newsy topics.

I need to depart from the WWII story, because  the creation of my blog began with the obituary I saw in the N.Y.Times.  In July, 2003, her death was recorded at age 92.  This notice triggered my memory bank and induced me to follow the obituary column and write the memories that crop up when I read about a person who had been a part of my experience, be it family, work, school or entertainment.  I mentioned to my grandson Joey that I started a book, which I titled “In Memoriam”, in 2003 and now it is full.  Joey then suggested that I open a blog.  So here it is.  I hope I can work faster.  Time is running out.  But I will try to get to family matters, when I return from the war.  Love to all my readers.

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WWII letters to Shirley

July 21, 2008 at 1:30 am · Filed under senior thoughts

I am so happy that Shirley saved all of my letter from my army period. Reading them has restored my memory and names of people I met and served with during those three years of my service in the Army Air Force. And the letters support the saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. I was truly romantic. So, here is an example.     Visions. by J. Irving Roth (Nov. 7, 1942)
Visions of the past, constantly appear
Vision of memories that are so dear.
A mirage in the desert of loneliness
An oasis of life and happiness.
A shot of adrenaline to a sinking heart
Giving my life another start.
Visions of memories that bring me cheer
The vision of you, I hold so dear.
Well, you may think it’s corny, but it worked for me. Shirley waited three years for my return.

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1930-1940 depression

January 14, 2008 at 5:10 am · Filed under senior thoughts

It occurred to me, while I was writing about the above period in time, that we are now in a similar situation. The housing market was in a state of turmoil. Banks were failing and the unemployment ranks was in a state of increase, up to 40%+. Presently, I look for a period of adjustment on a slow momentum. But, I worry about the easy credit card culture that has grown so rapidly and has inculcated a ” spend now and pay later” on our young members of our society. I described how we as a family strove to save our home and re-adjust the earnings of the family . We learned to spend only for necessities and only spend, if we had the cash to pay for it. Reading our reports now makes me uneasy about the future. Banks are overextended because they were giving mortgages to poor risks and selling off the mortgages to be sold as funds. The banks and financiers were making money, but the base the mortgagees was weak. The entire structure is caving in. To prop the banks and financial gurus, we have oil money from foreign countries buying into our banking and financial companies. Where do we go now? Do we need another FDR to set the recovery rolling?

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