The radiator stood at the corner of our living room like a brat being punished for a misdeed. In a vacant apartment, it was the centerpiece of a bare bedroom or living room. Spruced up with a new coat of silver paint, it glowed to greet a new tenant. The landlord spared no expense in… Continue reading Mom’s Hammer

Although I lived on the ground floor facing the street, I rarely observed the parade from my window. Most of my free time was devoted to playing ball in the street, the “eye” of the parade. In the mid 1930s, the population density of our neighborhood was the magnet that brought itinerant entrepreneurs on their… Continue reading The Passing Parade

A Shadow Blankets the Bronx Nineteen-thirty-seven was not a hopeful year, but we didn’t know it. Seven-year-olds weren’t expected to know it. Neighbors shared two-cent papers, hot water visited us occasionally, and heat rose from the basement when Mom’s hammer blasting blows onto our radiator roused the janitor from his alcoholic stupor. In the Bronx,… Continue reading A Shadow Blankets the Bronx

Korea 1952 Co. W. A. Sidney Korea 1952 Co. W. A. Sidney “I have but one regret in life, that I was unable to attain a soldier’s immortality and that is to die in battle for the service of my country.” You are ordered tp attack Hill121. Lt. Sidney, the officer leading the raid seeks… Continue reading Col. W. A. Sidney

All The World’s A Stage Three shabby tenements crawled out of their foundations to have a commanding view of East 172 St. in the Bronx. At the base of one of these buildings, on this unremarkable street, stood a remarkable candy store. This candy store was the focal point of our neighborhood, our command post.… Continue reading All The World’s A Stage

It was the end of August 1952. The Korean War evolved into a battle for hills and firefights on night patrols. Battalion believed that a sniper who killed Sgt. Fostine Douglas was in a bunker at the base of a cliff opposite our position overlooking the Imjin River. It must be eliminated before he kills… Continue reading A Wounded Warrior Without a Shot Fired

The Sidewalks of New York “Hey Jerry, get your mother off the field, we’re playing a game!” “Cut it out Joey, Don’t talk about my mother like that. Did I ever say anything about your mother?” “Mom, would you please get off the field, we’re playing a game. I’ll have the milk and cookies after… Continue reading The Sidewalks of New York

Cholent: A stew that has its origin in the European shtetl where the impoverished families used very tough meat as a source of protein. This meat, in order to be edible was cooked overnight with potatoes, beans and any other available vegetables. Cholent for Two I got a shtick flaysh From my butcher named Maysh Is… Continue reading Cholent For Two

Omaha Beach France August 2016 An 86-year-old vet isn’t expected to trudge this far. But this is Omaha Beach! A D-day landing beach! I’ll follow our guide wherever she goes. We stopped at a 22-foot bronze statue called, The Spirit of American Youth Rising From The Waves. It depicts a nude youth rising from the… Continue reading Omaha Beach France August 2016

The Boys Recall the Candy Store The booth at the far right corner of the diner was reserved for the 80+boys. For the last three years they sat there for lunch spending most of the time reflecting on their kelly green years. Events took place in this candy store that would have had Bob Hope… Continue reading The Boys Recall the Candy Store