To clear up some confusion, the Notebook passages posted on Throwback Thursday were written by my father and found by me after he passed away. They were his attempt to tell the family history. He was in his late 80s or early 90s when he wrote them. Today's chapter:
On December 7, 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. We took a bad hit. All our naval vessels were in harbor and we lost a good number and also a lot sailors and only a few aircraft were able to get into the air. We were caught with our pants down.
The country for the first time in years came together. Soldiers whose terms were extended no longer threatened to quit. And a lot of the single men volunteered.
The draft was boosted up and my neighbor on the same floor bore the same name as we had. He came crying why did he government call him? He was 70 years old. His first name was also Joseph.
I told him not to worry. That notice is for me. He asked if I was sure. I said I'm within the age they want and you're over. He was relieved and I answered the call on the date shown on the letter.
I continued to work and also told my trainer that I shouldn't have answered the call. He sent me to the chief and I told him. He asked didn't anybody tell you that if you received a notice to appear to bring it here? And you would be deferred. He masked me if I want to hold up on that. I could still get a deferment. I said I would like to go.
Knowing that I would be called soon I spent more time with Mary. In fact as much time as I could.. And would go at her factory to wait for her.
A few years before I was invited on her factory's annual picnic. She had told her employer what I did for a living [ ed: worked as assistant director at the Boys Club] and he said invite him and ask him to run some games. I did. The workers were having a good time as I ran games that were new to them and they enjoyed it. After that one afternoon when I was waiting downstairs for Mary to quit for the day. He [ed: the boss] came by and said, "You don't have to wait down here. Come wait upstairs" And at time he came out in the corridor and talked with me. I was the only one he allowed to wait outside the door and wait for the employees to quit.
During the time that I was courting Mary she introduced me to Frank DePatto and Mary his intended. They later became Cumpater and Cumater [ed: CJ's godparents]. We got closer as friends.
Mary was part of their bridal group. And after they were married we visited a lot. Cumpater Frank was a wonderful man. If anyone had trouble with him it was because there was something wrong with them. He was a very accommodating individual.
[ed: Ma, Mary, and Frank worked at the Carver Dress Corp. on Kneeland St. (at that time the garment district) in Boston. Carver Dress was noted for ladies' shirtwaist dresses with an unusual, arrow closure, breast pocket. Ma and Mary were stitchers. Frank was a presser.
