The Greatest Generation

My Father was born in 1906 in New York. My Mother in Plainfield New Jersey in 1910. They were the beginning of those known as The Greatest Generation. That encompassed those born from 1900 to the late 1920’s. They grew up during the depression, gave their all to save this Nation and changed the face of America. Most people born since 1950 have no idea what World War II was about. They cannot understand how a nation can blindly follow a leader that murders and destroys all those different from themselves. If you were Jewish, black or oriental you understood, because you were persecuted here in America. The Nazi movement, if not stopped, would have spread around the world. The Greatest Generation realized that and paid the price for all of us.

After the attack on December 7th 1941, America moved into high gear. Men joined the military by the thousands the first weeks of the war, and the draft was started. Several in my family joined including my favorite uncle. He used to take me to Ebbet’s field for Dodger games and taught me how to play the game. He ended up playing with several major leaguers in the service. The home front was no picnic either. Most things were rationed especially gas and butter. That’s how margarine was born. You only had radio and the movies to find out how the war was going. In the beginning, it was not going well. My father continued to work in New York and my mother worked in our families business. We were in the music and dance business at that time. The music store paid our bills during the war. Most women went to work taking factory jobs. I remember taking care of myself, but there was always someone around. I also remember air raid drills in school.

The war ended on August 14th 1945. I can remember people marching all night celebrating. The men started coming home within a couple of months, but they were not the same men that left. They had big dreams and used the GI Bill for a college education. They became, on average, the most educated generation up until that time. We went from building tanks to cars over night. We had become the largest industrial nation on earth. They went on to build televisions, better phone service, super highways and fast food chains. They started the move toward home ownership for all veterans and created a building boom. More importantly, they provided a large selection of proven leaders who would represent us until the mid 1960’s. Since that time we became the leaders of the free world. Respected by everyone.

My Grandparent's America

My maternal Grandfather { William Sayre ) was born in New Jersey in 1890 and lived until 1983. He was one of 6 children 5 boys and 1 girl.. I know his family arrived from England somewhere around 1620. My Grandfathers brothers were named Thomas, Harry, Robert and Walter. His sister’s name was Mary. My maternal Grandmother( Lulu Siebel ) was born in New Jersey in 1892 and died 1960. Her family came from Germany. She had four sisters, three of which also married one of the Sayre men. I never knew my paternal Grandfather (William Benjamin) he died from influenza when my father was 3 years old. I only met my Paternal Grandmother once. My Father’s childhood was something he rarely talked about. He did stay in touch with an older sister who lived in the area.

My Grandparent’s America was very different then America today. When they were growing up, horses were still the main form of traveling. However, such things as telephones, cars, kitchen appliances, radio and superstores are here because of that generation. They were one of the most inventive ever. They also were one of the most productive. They built a great manufacturing base. That base was instrumental in winning World War Two and providing the comforts we have today. We are in danger of losing that manufacturing base today. They were also one the most prejudice generations ever. You stayed within your race, culture and religion. Catholics married Catholics, Protestants married Protestants, Jewish were not the most liked people in America and blacks were mainly kept in their own areas. Not a very pretty view of our Nation in the 20s .

They were more modest or puritan than today, but were in many ways more adventurist. My grandmother drove a car from New Jersey to Detroit so her friend could see her boyfriend. I have no idea how many flat tires they must have changed. They married young and everyone in the family worked. Most men were in their own business or worked in the family’s business until the manufacturing age started. My Grandfather’s business was food. He owned a Deli and butcher shop. My Mom was one the best salad makers I have known, because of working in their deli. Funny thing, my Daughter started her working career in a Deli in California.

The depression did change everything. At the same time Prohibition was passed. When everyone needed a drink, you couldn't buy one. Many families lived together to help support each other. On Sundays, most families got together for dinner. they shared last weeks experiences and made plans for the following week. Everyone contributed what they could. That period really brought families together. At the same time, A new generation was just growing up that became known as “The Greatest Generation”. They were raised with a strong work ethic and a love for this country that is a model for all of us.

My Early Years

I was born at Muhlenberg. Hospital in Plainfield New Jersey on March 20th 1934. My Mom had lost a child earlier and almost died having me, so I was destined to be an only child. My first memories start at about age 3. We were living in Jersey City, New Jersey on Danforth Avenue in a multi-family house. At that time, each neighborhood was like a small community. There were Italian, Polish, German, English, Oriental and Black sections. They had their own shops within walking distance, usually a deli, barber shop, grocery and bakery. There were neighborhood churches reflecting the makeup of that neighborhood. I remember playing all over the neighborhood, without being aware that we were always watched over. Neighborhoods were very close and took care of each other. Several sections still exist today in New York. Driving by my old neighborhood a couple years ago, I was surprised how little it has changed.

The country was in a depression, but I was too young to know what that meant. To my knowledge, my father always had a job and My mother stayed at home. That was typical until the late 60's. Being an only child, I did become somewhat selfish.

It was about at age 6 we moved to Plainfield, New Jersey. My Mom said traffic was getting to bad, but I believe that the family was moving in together to save money. From that time on, we always lived in the same house or very close to my mother’s parents.

Plainfield was a fairly small city. It was really a suburb of New York. My Father took the train to the City every morning and returned every night. He worked for the Commodities Exchange. My Grandfather was a butcher by this time, but had owned his own Deli until the depression. My Grandmother was the one that drove the family, a true matriarch, one I got to love so much. A chapter on her later. My Grandfather insisted that all his grandchildren knew how to care for horses. So he bought me one. I can remember to this day, cleaning stalls, caring for and exercising that horse.

Listening to my Grandparents, I was just beginning to understand how fortunate I was to live in this Country. I was also just starting to get to know my family. I loved spending time with my Uncles. Then our world changed. Even at seven, I knew something was really bad when President Roosevelt addressed the Nation. My Country and my family would never be the same.