Thirteen/WNET New York WLIW 21
New York War Stories : Your Memories. Your Words.

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Submitted by: Lewis Klotz

4/22/07 - I'm now 75, 1941 I was 10 yrs old! I remember all the war posters placed in local stores. I saved them and some are still in attic. We lived in Brooklyn, my sister (3 yrs older) mother & father. My dad became Air Raid Warden. We were issued food stamps and gasoline stamps. Everyone seemed patriotic and most supported war. I followed Maps of war, saved some & still have them. My cousin, 8 yrs older was drafted - shipped to Europe - severely wounded in Battle of Bulge - Came home with shrapnel too near spinal column to be removed. He had full life, married kids - but 40 years later he died a paraplegic from the shrapnel.

1/4/52, now 20 yrs old, I was drafted by Harry Truman for Korea and served there in 40th Infantry Division. I always thought of Cousin Paul! However, I was lucky and survived without a scratch. I lived with survival guilt my whole life. Korea, Vietnam, and now Iraq! I cry whenever I read the casualty lists. When will the WORLD learn to live in Peace?