“Remembering “DENNY” and His First “SOLO” Trip”

 “DENNY McClarren, Jr., makes first long distance TRIP – alone”

News-Paper clipping of my brother, DENNY McClarren, Jr. travels to OHIO from St.Louis – all by himself –  and was wearing a “NAVY Sailor ” outfit –  just like his DADDY! –  WWII  when every family was making sacrifices — for the good of all  AMERICANS!

 

              “Those were the Days”

Just talking  with someone about the  WWII  years  and things happening that the young people    –  today  – know nothing about!   During those years  we had  “Air-Raids”  –  signal  – lights searching the sky for  “enemy planes ”  – “Blackouts” and sirens  blowing!    With the lights out,  in the house, my brothers and I went out side to the corner of the block – no buses running  – no automobiles  – no traffic of any kind – it was like the world stood still!  This was a good time for me to practice my  cart-wheels and somersaults  – the intersection made a good  “stage”   for us three children to enjoy  having lots fun!

My Daddy, had already put in three (3) two-year stints in the Army, but now he was being  ‘called  up’   for the Navy – to work in the ship-yards – doing welding work. I wanted to go with him to California, but I had the “mumps”  – my brothers were now well , and I couldn’t go anywhere.

Tommy  was the “Lucky” one,  to  get  to go to California with DADDY  and  then our Grandparents in Ohio wanted Denny to come up and stay with them on their farm!    So,  when  all the arrangements were made –   Denny would be wearing his little  ‘Navy’ outfit  which really looked good on him  – he looked very Patriotic   –  specially with the  “WAR’  going on!

Denny, a little 4 year old , chubby lad ,  wore a well marked identification tag –   around his neck  with instructions to all of  the bus station operators and  drivers  – concerning his destination to  Circleville, OHIO  –  a Greyhound  route direct to Columbus –  then transferred to Circleville OH.    Denny   arrived  well and happy  on Tuesday at  ‘Noon’  after Mom and I  were at the station Monday evening – putting him on the bus.

The  Newspaper Reporter  –  stated,   “Denny  made  the long distance travel record….  all by himself! ”   How could you not notice a cute “Lad” full of Freckles and  “RED” hair? “Everyone  just fell in LOVE with “LITTLE DENNY Jr.!”

“Special Thanks to our CREATOR – for helping all of the AMERICAN people that were trying to do the best they could do – and,  all for the WAR EFFORT – and  in “HIS” protecting all those that worn  a “NAVY” outfit – even when they were just  a little child,  being only four years old!”


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