The Early Years

 

I was too young to remember any of the very early years. I have put this story together from stories my Mom and Dad told me when I was old enough to remember. Perhaps our grand children will appreciate the hardships faced by their great grandparents raising children during wartime. Here’s the story.

 

The Early Years

 

My Dad and Mom were married in 1940. My Mom was living in Phillips, Texas with her parents Roy and Aurora Bell. Dad had a job at the Borger Refinery as a meter repairman. My sister was born in November, 1941. Shortly after she was born in December 1941, the USA declared a state of war and entered World War II.

 

My Dad joined the Navy in October, 1942 in Norfolk, Virgina. I was born in Phillips in February, 1943. After his training in Norfork, he was assigned as a pistol range instructor at Williamsburg, Virgina. My mother loaded two tiny babies into their 1938 ford and drove from Phillips, Texas to Williamsburg,  Virginia, by herself. Not too much later, my Dad went overseas to the Philippines and served with the Seabees there where all the action was going on. They were a clean up crew that cleaned up after battles.

 

When he came back from the war zone he was assigned to San Diego, California. My Mom loaded my sister and I in that old ford and drove all the to California by herself again. My Mom must have had a lot of grit. For his last assignment in the wartime Navy, Dad was assigned to a job in Maine. This time they drove to Maine together. When I think of what they both went through during the early years of their marriage during wartime, I appreciate my Mom and Dad even more. I know how trying raising children can be sometimes.

 

When my Dad was discharged from the Navy, we moved to Philview Camp east of Borger, Texas and my Dad went back to work for Phillips Borger Refinery. It wasn’t too long after we moved that my mother clipped off the tip of my finger with the rocking chair. (see previous blog”The Rocking Chair” ).

 

My Mom And Dad shortly after they were married in 1940.

 

My Dad with my sister JerrylDine and I at one  of his stateside posts.

 

My Dad holding me in front of my Moms parents house while on leave in Phillips, Texas.

 

 

My Dad with my sister JerrylDine on leave in Phillips, Texas visiting my Moms parents house.

 

 

My Dad on leave visiting his parents Frank and Lucy in Onalaska, Texas. Frank is holding me and  JerrylDine is scratching the dogs ears. Mom’s the picture taker as usual.

 

SeaBees Patches worn by my Dad.

 

 

 

Thanks for for reading The Early Years,

Hawg Jaw Bill.