Earlier this year, and just a few months before his unexpected death, we promised 99-year-old John Carolin, a longstanding member of Rye American Legion Post 128, that we would publish this recollection in time for Veterans Day.
Earlier this year, and just a few months before his unexpected death, we promised 99-year-old John Carolin, a longstanding member of Rye American Legion Post 128, that we would publish this recollection in time for Veterans Day.
Veterans Day oncoming has reminded me of my years with the 7th Regiment in New York, beginning in 1935, through various Camps and action until 1946, when we settled in Rye.
Several men of Rye belonged to the “Seventh,” and I remember, particularly, Joe Parsons and Fred Pickering, who attended OCS with me.
The “Seventh” became an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment in 1939, and the following February was shipped off to Camp Stewart in Georgia.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, half of the regiment — about 800 men — was shipped off by train to California, and the ranks were filled with “draftees.” Those men still in what we called “Swamp Stewart” settled in but became restless — and very imaginative.
The Regiment had its own band, and a good number of the original members were talented guys from New York, who put on a great stage performance called “Who is Leslie?” that played to an audience in Savannah. In the revue were some clever scenes that reflected the emotion of the routines and frustrations of Camp life.
It happened that my Battery “E” had a very clever and witty Corporal who picked up on the “broken loves etc.” of some members of the outfit. I thought it a clever piece of writing and a reflection of the times for any Rye veterans who recall similar times away from home in 1940-41.
The long-forgotten melodies referred to in the “application for membership,” the required “password” for membership, the rules of behavior, and the classifications of “female associates ” were positive.
It was all in good fun and absolute frustration, and I hope this Veterans Day brings back many memories like this for Rye veterans.
— John Carolin
P.S. I will be pleased to sing that brief old melody, “America, I give my boy to you,” referred to herein.
