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

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Submitted by: Alfred Lutvak

All phases of American life were mobilized during the War. Even elementary school children participated by collecting aluminum cans, jars of fat and/or oil and buying savings stamps to meet the minimum amount for a savings bond.

At. P.S. 75 on Faile Street in the Bronx, we were all involved. Miss Lillian Baum, our 8th grade official class teacher, would collect money weekly for the purchase of these stamps.

Needless to say, as poor as we were, we all tried to purchase even the smallest amount. Several of the students got together and made sure that this particular week everyone in the class would make a minimum purchase. However, we were going to play a trick on her.

As she called each row, no one came forth with any purchase money. She was quite annoyed. As each row was called, it was quite obvious that she was fuming. One could see the smoke coming from her head.

When she came to the last row, she was at wits end. She was ready to give the class a lecture on patriotism. At that point, everyone shouted, ' Surprise!' and called out that the entire class had money for the savings stamps.

She blushed a beautiful smile as she collected the money for the savings stamps. It was quite obvious, at this point, that she was most pleased.