As I mentioned, my future parents, Bernice Parks and William (Bill) Huntley met 76 years ago this month in July 1940.
Month: July 2016
Planning the Visit …
July 1940 Recollections …
In July of 1940, as my future parents are planning to meet, the world … or at least Europe is at war.
The weekend that my parent’s first meet was Saturday, the 20th and Sunday, the 21st of July. While my parent’s were frolicking at Dorney Park … the exiled Czech government arrived in London. And during the month of July, the Battle of Britain began with Luftwaffe raids on channel shipping … as well as attacks on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Yesterday, I was speaking to my Aunt Lucille, who is now 93 and still a smart gal … looking forward to our first woman president, Hillary Rodham Clinton … but I digress …. Aunt Lucy was recalling her double date with Charley Daniels and my future parents, Bill Huntley and Bernice Parks. Over the course of the weekend they went on a plane ride over Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton … she said how exciting that was because they had never been in a plane before; they took a hike up to Big Rock and they went to Dorney Park – the Disneyland of Allentown, PA. She said how Bernice was so nervous about dating this handsome Marine officer that as she exited the roller coaster she accidentally hit her head and a rather large bump appeared on her forehead. I imagine that was quite the impression!
Postcard: Frank to Willie
Bill’s Postcard to Frank
Bernice – 1939
In February of 1939, my mother-to-be was 14. Here she is on the left … on the right is her big sister, Lucille.
Bernice & Lucille
Bill and Frank
As I mentioned, my father and uncle joined the Marines on the same day in February of 1939. They obviously became buddies and shared stories about their respective families. Both came from rather large families – my mom being one of 11 and my dad one of 8.
They were stationed in Quantico, Virginia. Being located only 4 or 5 hours away from my grandparent’s, Harry and Mabel Parks, home in Allentown, Pennsylvania I guess they discussed a visit by my dad. And after a reasonable amount of time … or about two years … my dad and another Marine buddy, Charley Daniels, planned a visit in July with plans to have a double date with my mom and Aunt Lucy.
Bill & Frank – 1939
In 1939, my father left the University of Pennsylvania and joined the Marine Corps. He was 22 when on the 13th of February, he enlisted in the US Marines.
