Grandpa was a Veteran

Yes, Jay Ford Rosenberg joined the men returning from the Second World War that formed a long line of men to wear what was called the "Ruptured Duck". A small lapel pin that let all
who saw it know that, "this man" had served in one of the branches of armed services. It also was a sign he had joine the "52/20 club". Every returning veteran with an honorable discharge or "legal separation" from the service, received $20.00 each week for 52 weeks. A small amount until hopefully a job could be found. A "legal separation" meant the Veteran was no
longer actively serving, but had not yet filled his alotted time in his enlistment. Jay had one of
those. He was given the opportunity to go into the "active reserve" or "inactive reserve". If he was "active" he would attend "drill" once a month and give two weeks active duty each year.
If he was "inactive", which Jay was, you were on reserve status with a chance of immediate call back when, and if needed.
During the War factories that had made appliances were turned into manufacturers of military
equipment or supplies. Cars were not made by Auto Manufactures, but tanks, jeeps and trucks were being turned out in large numbers for the Services. Airplane Plants were busy with building, designing and putting out all sorts of bombers and pursuit planes. It was the end of
the "great depression" and the beginning of the new day of prosperity, but with a high price in
men and materials.
Women had left their homes to fill the many jobs that were created. Work permits were issued to teen-agers so they could work part time and go to school part time. I was one of those who
filled the jobs that some women had left to go into War Work and make much better money. In many cases these women were helping support their families while their husbands "went to war".
When the Veterans began returning, first in a trickle and then by flood, there were more men than jobs. Women were working, and enjoying their new status in life. Plants had to go back to what they had been doing which ment they had to "retool" and start putting out newer and different kinds of refrigerators, washers and something new "clothes dryers". Automatic washers became the new "thing" as well. Television was just getting started then, and not many had money for one, and the programs were limited to the afternoon and evenings. The screens were "small" and everything was in "black and white". Change was the name of the day. Women were returning to their kitchens and their returning men were finding new employment with new jobs developed by the fortunes of war.
Prosperty took on a new face. Housing was needed, so the Orange Groves of California were
turned into Track Housing. The Veterans Administration was backing loans for the returning Veterans, so money was available under the GI Bill for purchasing a home. Many of these new families had opportunities their parents had never had, owning a home. Of course with all the new homes, furniture and appliances became needed, so slowly the economy regained its strength with new needs and demands.
The GI Bill also afforded those Veterans who had the desire to further their education to go to College and become Doctors, Lawyers, Financial Planners, etc. It was a time of change for the Country, and opportunities that had not been seen before. The "Baby Boom" was on. It was a time for new development. With all the new homes going in, shopping availability was also in demand - the Shopping Mall came into being. What had once been the "main street" of the town, now faded into Strip Malls in each area to accomodate the expanding city limits. New
towns were formed which expanded the community needs for Fire Departments and Police or Sheriff Departments. County services were stretched until they had to be supported by local services. Trash collection and other local sevices such as street sweeping had to be added. It
made new jobs which were paid for by the new taxes that were raised by the communities that were popping up. Open spaces were soon filled with buildings and the Veterans were able to
enjoy a life style that changed the look and the status of the entire nation.
Knotts Berry Farm that had once been out in the middle of wide open spaces was now encompassed by "housing tracts". It began to expand from a fruit stand to a Resturant and Ghost Town and the building continued. Shortly it was joined by Disney Land which took out more of the Orange Groves. What change, and what a shame. When once you could drive almost anywhere and smell the Orange Blossoms, now were hundreds of roof tops and busy Malls filling their space. Once a Bride would never think of not having Orange Blossoms in her Wedding Bouquet, now they were seldom seen, or smelled. Some things I guess must be sacrificed for progress. I can still remember looking across the Orange Groves to the Mountains and what a gorgeous sight. Blue skies and a view that was stunning. Now you can't see the Mountains for the Smog. The Orange Groves have returned, but they have moved out and away from all the building and hussle bussle of the cities that take up the space they once enjoyed. You see them along side the Freeways, but I never notice the smell of the Orange Blossoms - too much exhaust from the moving traffic. Progress has its own price.
Written this 31st day of January 2009