1952: REMEMBERING "GREETINGS" FROM UNCLE SAM

Back in my teen years and a bit thereafter, young men were faced with the obligation to serve in the U.S. Military. It was known as "Universal Military Training" and each of us had the obligation to serve our country hanging over our heads. In retrospect, and considering the somewhat difficult problems many young men face in this year of 2012, I believe it would be a good idea to subject them to military training when they reach the age of 17, as we did. When we finally received those fabled "Greetings" from Uncle Sam, we fulfilled our obligations and ultimately ended up in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. The above photo is from my "MILITARY" folder in the Hamilton Library Local History Collection. Don was sitting on the running board of a "Deuce and a half" GMC truck in 1952 in combat torn Korea. I am in my first few weeks of basic training at Fort Dix, February, 1955.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM....MY GREETINGS WERE A LITTLE DIFFERENT IN 1944. I HAD A WIFE AND CHILD TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. THE DRAFT WAS NOT FAIR TO MEN WITH FAMILIES. IN SOME PARTS OF THE CITY SINGLE MEN WERE AVAILable WHILE IN OTHERS THEY WERE DRAFTING MEN WITH FAMILIES. AT ANY RATE I FIGURED WE ALL WERE GOING TO BE ENLISTED SOONER OR LATER. THANK GOD MOST OF MY FRIENDS SURVIVED THAT ERA.

Saturday, February 25, 2012


Tom Glover said...

JUST ANOTHER REASON YOU AND YOUR FELLOW WWII GUYS ARE KNOWN AS
"THE GREATEST GENERATION." YOU ARE!

TOM GLOVER

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Lee Belardino said...

Tommy some of us ended up in the air force which at that time was independent of the army.I believe we should reestablish the draft with no excuse for serving except medical. Military training is good for all Americans.
Lee

Saturday, February 25, 2012