The U.S. Military: Ignorant and Arrogant

摘要

I was just past my thirteenth birthday when we entered World War II. My home, Chester PA, became a whirlwind of military production. Tanks, ships, guns. Thousands of African Americans come up from the South to work. At night the outdoors is dark. Everybody indoors. Only emergency cars and trucks move. Headlights off. Windows shrouded to keep light off the streets. Air raid wardens alert householders if light shines through their drapes. Sound of an air raid siren during the day to get everybody inside. Ration coupons for short-supply food and gas. My junior high school windows taped crisscross to prevent shattered glass from flying into classrooms. In the gym we boys climb through an obstacle course preparing for the day we will be drafted.