and 12th grades, graduating in 1938. I took the car to school everyday, picking up Florence Vander Woude, Elsie and Clara Stegenga, and Gerald Blauwkamp. As I recall, they paid a quarter a week to ride. The nice part of it was that dad told me I could keep that money. That was clear profit, because dad paid all the operating expenses on the car including gas.

Following graduation from Zeeland High School, I entered Hope College in the fall. Again I drove back and forth each day. Gerald Blauwkamp rode with me quite regularly. My major was in Economics with minors in English and Mathematics with a goal of being a secondary school teacher. My practice teaching was done one semester at Holland High School. The class was Civics with my supervisor Mr. Van Lente.

We now go back a few years and consider our period of courtship which lasted about five years. As mentioned before, Sadie and I became acquainted in the Borculo High School. That relationship continued to develop over the years. There were pleasant and difficult experiences. One bitter experience occurred early in our career. The story is not a pleasant one, and does no credit to me, one I would like to be able to erase from my memory. One summer, six of us; Sadie, Jeanette, Ruth Morren, Don Vonk, Ray Morren, and myself decided to go the the Ionia Free Fair. We took dadÕs car, as usual, and started out going east on Port Sheldon Road. While riding along, Ray was lighting firecrackers and throwing them out of the window. While driving I was watching him fearful that one might explode in the car. I must have kept my eye on him too long one time, and before we knew it, we were in the ditch along side of the road. Here my memory of details fades. Sadie was in the back seat on the side which lay in the ditch. She received a severe cut on her right arm from the broken rear window. She tells me that a passing motorist stopped, picked her up, and took her to the Zeeland Hospital. I donÕt know how the rest of us got home, but I vaguely remember that we traveled aimlessly around the area, and am reminded we attended a movie. No more Ionia Free Fair. The bitterness of the event is well remembered. I never went to the hospital to check on her injuries and to see how she was doing. I didnÕt even contact her for some time after she came home. Dr. Bloemendaal did the work on her arm, and did a very poor job. She still has an ugly scar - a reminder of my carelessness and failure to show concern. Some time later, I donÕt know how long, I must have sheepishly returned to apologize. As an indication of SadieÕs strength of character, she forgave me and took me back. But the scar remains, and the bitter memory lingers on.

In spite of the number of years of our courtship, we really didnÕt seriously consider marriage until the fall of 1941. We knew we would someday marry, but when was never decided on. After beginning the first semester of my senior year I was informed that I would be required to be in residency during that semester of my scheduled practice teaching. That required finding an apartment for myself. The more we thought about it, the more we thought about the possibility of marriage. For after all, were were informed that two could live as cheaply as one. True or false, we decided to go ahead. I had no money, but Sadie was the wealthy one. She had a job and had even saved a little. We made plans to be married during the Christmas vacation on December 30. Many men were already being drafted, but I was sure of being able to at least complete my four years at Hope. Then came December 7, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The complexion of affairs changed considerably. For awhile we thought of canceling our plans, but after some thought decided to go ahead. 

The ceremony took place in the living room of the Vollink home. Rev. Andrew De Vries of the Borculo CRC performed the ceremony with Rev. Howard Teusink of the Ottawa Reformed Church assisting. Guests were crowded into the living and dining rooms. Brother John and SadieÕs sister Grace stood up with us. One thing we were never happy with were our wedding pictures. My cousin, ÒRedÓ Staal had set up a studio on the corner of Main and State. We thought we should patronize our cousin, but his workmanship was not the best. But then again, consider what he had to work with! He should have taken over the Buick Agency in Grand Rapids earlier. That agency was known as Staal Buick for years.

Financially we had very little, in fact, following the marriage came the shivereers which was the usual thing. I didnÕt have enough to pay them, so I borrowed from George to silence their noise. I sure hope I paid him back. Our possessions were minimal. Dad gave us a studio couch which served as the main item of furniture in our living room, and as our bed at night. We may have had a couple chairs, a desk, and a kitchen table, but other than that were shower gifts received.

We rented an upstairs apartment at 349 Maple Avenue, Holland, from a Henry and Gladys Driesenga. I had known them for years. HenryÕs parents lived across the road from us on the farm. The apartment had a living room and bedroom, but the bedroom was never used as such. It served as our refrigerator and storage area. We had a small kitchen with just enough room for a small table. We didnÕt have many invited guests in those days. We must have had a bathroom, but I donÕt remember it. The location of our apartment was quite convenient. Sadie walked a couple blocks morning and night to and from River Avenue. She rode with some other men working in Zeeland. Those two blocks could seem awful long especially on sub-zero days. I could also walk back and forth to Hope College.

We always had a car thanks to my dad. He let us use it all through that second semester. We usually went home to SadieÕs dad and my dad on weekends. Before returning to Holland, dad would fill up the gas tank with fuel, packed up dairy products, eggs, and whatever else was available. We never went back empty handed. SadieÕs dad would also make things available to us. We didnÕt have much, but we didnÕt feel we were lacking anything. We had each other and the support of caring parents and families. Shortly after graduating in June, I received my induction notice for August. I received my ÒgreetingsÓ and was inducted into the army in Grand Haven. Our families joined us that day when I said ÒgoodbyeÓ to each one, and left by bus for Fort Custer.

Such pain, sorrow, and disappointment I had never before experienced. IÕll never forget seeing their faces for the last time as the bus pulled away. The fact became ever more real that we were in for the Òduration.Ó When would I see Sadie and the rest of the family again? Who knows. Would I ever return to a family life which meant so much to me? I wondered and worried. Where would I be assigned? Which Theater of operations would I be expected to participate in? Question after question arose in my mind with no answer to be found. I thought of Sadie and the rest of the family and wondered how they must feel. Tears came to my eyes frequently. I tried to look away to involve myself on other thoughts. Many of the men were having a good time and really whooping it up, but my mind could not be channeled into thinking about anything other than that which I had left behind and my own unpredictable future.

I soon learned there were a couple other men from Zeeland on the bus. Their names were Postma and Wahl. We became acquainted somewhat on the bus, but their carefree attitude and anticipation of excitement soon began to turn me off. After arriving at Fort Custer and having gone through the ritual for new inductees, they excitedly took off for the first beer hall available. They asked me along, but I declined. Theirs didnÕt appear to be the type of style of life I had become acquainted with.

One Sunday while at Fort Custer, Sadie, John and Ardis, Jeanette and Lou came to visit. That was great, but oh the pain of separation and the return to the reality of army life. One day while at Fort Custer I met Nels Coelingh, a cousin of Lou Taylor. He later married a daughter of Bill Zienstra who was from my home area. We had something in common, our appreciation of home, religious values, and common interests. We would often sit together on the curb and just talk about what used to be, what is and what might be. My first assignment was to Camp Wolters, Texas where I received my basic training. Clearly remembered were the calisthenics, taking twenty-five mile hikes with full field pack, gas mask, and rifle. Some wouldnÕt make it and many of us thought we would never make it, but continued to the end. Another exercise was crawling on our stomachs with full field pack and rifle, underneath tightly drawn strands of barbed wire just high enough off the ground for us to clear while tracer bullets fired just above the wire kept reminding us to keep down. If we got caught in the wire, it was up to us to untangle ourselves. Qualifying on the rifle range is also remembered. As I recall, I qualified for marksman on the first try. Of course rumors abounded, one of which was that all those who qualified for marksman on the first try would be sent overseas with the first contingent. This thought was not very exhilarating. Another part of basic training were the obstacle courses. The thought of them make my muscles ache. Before the end of training at Camp Wolters, Sadie, with Ade Gebben and Evelyn Zienstra came for a weekend, staying in the dumpy little town of Mineral Wells.

Following basic training, there was a period of heightened activity. Various written tests were given to determine in what field an individual was best qualified. Many video classes were offered in which an effort was made to stimulate interest in selecting a particular field of service. I recall going to one of these classes, and this class was one on paratroops. Two of my very close friends, Chuck Derbin and Bill Gadouski, became very much interested and both volunteered to enter the paratroop division. They urged me to join with them in volunteering, but I decided against it. I never heard from them again, and I have no idea what happened to them. Encouragement was also given to enter officer training. I considered this for a time, but rumor had it that no matter which field of service you trained for, once becoming an officer, you would be assigned to the front line where the need was especially great. With that in mind, I never applied for officer training. Had there been the opportunity or the assurance that I would be able to get into a finance division or something similar to that, I would have considered it more seriously. Of course rumors were a dime a dozen. Advice was free, but it was not always accurate. I finally decided to take whatever assignment was offered to me. 

A short time later I was assigned to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana near the city of Alexandria. Here I became part of the Adjutant GeneralÕs section of the 103rd Infantry Division. I was assigned as a filing clerk in the records division of the 103rd Infantry Division. The man in charge of that section was a Harlan D Laster of Little Rock, Arkansas. We became very close friends. The man in charge of the Adjutant GeneralÕs Department was a colonel by the name of Croll. He was an ornery old cuss and was determined to throw his rank and show his authority whenever possible. He had no regard for the individual. Everyone detested him as well as hated him. While in service it was always my hope that someday I would have the opportunity to meet this man outside of the service and be able to tell him frankly what I thought of him. That time never came.

After being assigned at Camp Claiborne, it was possible to find an apartment for Sadie, and shortly thereafter she joined me in Alexandria, and we were able to be together most of the evening except those when I was on special duty. We rented a bedroom from a family by the name of Rush. They had a very nice home and we had one bedroom. Marve came to visit us here at this location and all three of us slept in one bed. Mr. Rush owned a laundry downtown. He was very gracious in offering Sadie a job in his laundry. She could ride to work with him in the morning, and walked back in the evening. He always gave her special favors. One time she questioned the amount that she received in her pay envelope, and he replied that the amount was correct. She thought she had received too much, but he explained that she had received a raise and that she should not mention it to the other employees, because she was receiving more than the other employees. From time to time she continued to receive raises and was assigned to a better job. 

Well remembered too are the early morning walks to the bus station downtown to catch a bus in order to bring me back to camp in time to stand in line for roll call at 6:00 a.m.

We never associated much with the Rushes during our period of stay with them. They stayed in their part of the house and we stayed in ours. About fifteen years ago or so following a bank convention in one of the southern states, we decided to stop in Alexandria and tried to locate the Rushes. We went to the former location of the laundry. That was no longer there. After a number of inquiries, we were finally able to determine the laundry was still in operation at another location by their two sons. We found out where the laundry was located, drove down there, introduced ourselves, and they very warmly received us. They called their parents and informed them that we were at the laundry and their parents encouraged us to come to their home. We were given directions on how to find it and went to their home and were very warmly received. We spent the rest of the day and evening with them, went out to eat together, and then they insisted that we stay overnight in their home. However, we had prior to trying to contact them, rented a motel and felt strongly that we should stay in the motel rather than impose upon them. They reportedly did a lot of traveling and hoped to come to Michigan possibly to the Tulip Time Festival, and then contact us. However, that time never came and their whereabouts at the present time are unknown.

Before leaving the Alexandria location, mention should be made of our Sunday activities. A Christian Reformed servicemanÕs home was located in the city with the sponsors of the home or the parents in charge being the Rev. and Mrs. Boeve who in turn were the parents of Edgar Boeve who at the present time is a Calvin College professor of art. Almost every Sunday, we, along with a number of other servicemen from the area, got together at the Boeve place. They always served a delicious dinner of chicken, potatoes, and the works. At night we went to a Presbyterian church which served a light lunch for servicemen prior to the service. We usually took advantage of that opportunity and also attended the services there. We always enjoyed the ministry at that place.

Following nine months of service in the Alexandria area at Camp Claiborne, the 103rd Division was transferred to Camp Howze, Texas. Here we would spend another nine months of intensive training and field exercises. Shortly after arriving it was possible to find a place where Sadie could come to join me. It was only one room in a home occupied by five couples with one bathroom and one kitchen. It was a cheaply constructed home, very plain exterior and interior. The home was located on a windswept hill, no grass, only weeds and sand. The monthly rental was considerable, but we were in no position to argue, because places were difficult to find and at least we were together. It was at this time that we became more closely associated with the Lasters. H. D. LasterÕs wife Margaret joined him, and they lived a considerable distance from our location which meant that we had to walk across open fields and through back yards in order to visit with them. But this we did almost every Sunday. They liked to play bridge and this is what we did every Sunday. We never really learned the game thoroughly and never played it again afterwards. H.D. was a wonderful man. His wife often said to Sadie that she wished that she and H.D. could go together to church the way we did. For some reason or other H.D. would have nothing to do with attending church services. On day while returning from a southern trip, we decided to try to locate them in Little Rock, Arkansas. We stopped at a motel and looked in a directory and found their name. We called them, they were home, and they were anxious to come to meet us. They came to the motel and stayed with us for a period of time. We went out to eat and to our surprise, H.D. opened with audible