That was the way things we're done back then. Our Mother's and Fathers, were at the time, working any job they could to support their Family's and of course helping out with the War Effort with Germany and Japan. My Mother, I was told worked as a Welder along with her sisters in the Shipyard building LST's (Landing Ship Tanks) . These ships were used too transport Army, and Marines and their equipment to the War Zone . My Dad and Grandfather worked in the Lumber yard cutting planks for the Decks of the LST's being built .
recycled again and again, or we left it in Germany or Japan.
In the early 50'S during the Korean War my buddies and me would go up on main street with our shoe shine box's and shine Paratroopers boot and regular GI's shoes. One day I remember this Paratrooper wanted me to give him a spit shine, I was 7, 8 or 9 I forget (Note : Back then you could roam the street and no-one would bother you.) If one of your neighbors seen you do something bad they would grab you by the arm and take you home and tell your parents ( I spent many a Summer in Summer School) anyway I was hesitant and I ask the guy how to do it, ( I didn't know how ). So he took the shoe shine rag from me and he spit on his shoe and took a dab of polish and began to make circle motions and the Shoe began to shine. (My Turn) So I then whooped up some spit, I wanted to impress him so I would get a good tip and I let loose, I missed his shoe the first time, so I tried again and would you know it it went right on his pants. Needless to say he was nice about it. And I did get a tip after I was finished, However that ended my career as a shoe shine boy.
