Gpa D.

In response to your questions:1.) Yes, I attended Eastland High School in Roseville, Michigan from Sept1944 to Spring 1947. No, I did not want to be in school, I destroyed several birthcertificates trying to change the birthdate so I could enlist in the USNavy. As I recall we had a formatted course of study that Included Math,English, Social Studies,History (World and US)Phys Ed, Mechanical Shopfor boys, Home Ec for girls.Some of us were guys were able to weasel a semester of Home Ec -it wasfun and the food was pretty good. We also had a science class but Idon't remember that very well. I still remember most of the teachers thatI had and what they taught . Homework was pretty much read, write, newspapers. All of the adolescents attended school at that time, I believe Michiganhad a mandatory 16 year old requirement - either localschool or Reform School (not a good place) for incorrigibles.

2.)This is a difficult question. during High School I and my peers workedat whatever we could, whenever we could, for whatever we could get.These were the years coming out of the Depression and the economywas picking up primarily because of WWII and government factory jobs wereplentiful (Rosie the riveter). Michigan restricted the number of hours children could work and a workpermit was required for regular scheduled work even during the summermonths. The restrictions did notapply to agricultural jobs because the farmers had to feed thecountry. We also worked as caddies carrying golf bags, as pin setters inthe bowling alley, delivered newspapers, farm labor, baby sitting, housecleaning - you name it, we did it.I dont believe there was a set amount as contribution to the family, itvaried dependent on our individual needs.Yes, I sure did want to work. We lived on the outskirts of Detroit and wewere all poor as church mice butwe were happy even in our poverty. The only way to enjoy some of the betterthings was to get a job - parents didn't have money to pay for bowling,roller rink admission, movies (double feature/news/cartoon for 10 cents)more than once a week, soda drinks, milk shakes at the soda fountain in thedrug store, hamburger for your date, bus fare, etc.

3.) This was the Zoot suit and Bobby sox era. The Zoot suit with the bigshoulders, tapered pants legs, long key chains and hats as big as trash cancovers was the envy of the time but not many could afford them. Those thatcould were looked at as probably crooks or mobsters.On the other hand, short flared skirts,bobby sox, saddle shoes, pennyloafers became very popular. Fashion consciousness has been with us sincethe beginning of time even if it the styles weren't obtainable. Personally,I was not concerned about fashion nor am I to this day - you know that.

4.) Yes, I dated in High School. I don't believe that was discussed verymuch. The limiting factor was the time limits(curfew). We lived 1.8 milesfrom town(?) and without wheels you really didn't get out too much. Datingrevolved around the movies, school dances, just visiting. Some of myfriends had a car or access to the family vehicle on occasion but thengasoline was rationed in the earlier years. One friend had a Ford model Tpickup convertible that we used to go to a prom dance. It was a bit crowdedwith 4 of us crammed in and it rained and the roof leaked - what a ball!Fortunately, the girls were very forgiving and took it all in stride.

5.) Free time. There really wasn't a lot of what I would call free timebut we did bowl - the management would permit free bowling to the pinsetters if the alleys werent' busy, neighborhood ball games, swimming,fishing,Sunday picnics at the Italian park.

6.)Transportation!!!!!!Busses ran on the main streets but they wereinfrequent and didn't reach the outlyingareas so you could walk, ride a bike, find a sympathetic adult or a friendwith a car.

7.) This one is a death trap but here goes.I truly believe that theteenagers I grew up with were much more independent, realistic, selfreliant, and more focused than they are today. This is not to say that theteens of my generation would be any different than those of today if theyhad grown up in the same economic, technical, and philosophic environment.When I was a teen we were keenly aware that the only way to get ahead was toimprove yourself because there was no one else to turn to. If you were sickand needed medical help you had to pay for it yourself, If you wereeconomically destitute, you turned to family/friends or charitable churches,if you NEEDED a phone perhaps a neighbor would let you use theirs. Fewteens even considered a college education because of the cost and the needfor additional formal education. It was not until the end or WWII and theadvent of the GI Bill that free or partial-cost higher education came intouniveral being.Personally , I didn't fully realize the real need for training/educationuntil I joined the Navy in 1947 where it became obvious that I would remaina common "deck-ape" without some specific goals. Thereafter I would go toany service school programs available.Teenagers today, in general, expect that they should have what they want andthat government should provide it. College should be available to everyonewhether they need it or not and government should provide the funds asgrants or loans to accomplish that goal - when I was a teenager there was nodept of education nor federal indebtedness to pay for it. Everyone wants toown their own home, "the American dream" whetherthey can pay for it or not, Teenagers expect that at 16 they not only get adrivers license but also a car whether they have the money or not. Freedomof speech is given up for a touchy- feeley society where we have hyphenatednationalities, (Teddy Roosevelt must be turning over in his grave), andallowing demonstrations byradical muslims (dont target groups).Our government over the last 65 years has been turning to socialism to theextent that everyone, including teens now expect government to solve all ourproblems: if we have a flood, a draught, a surplus, a shortage, bankruptcy,unemployement, sickness, etc, etc, the govt will take care of it with moneyborrowed from creditor countries that no longer want to finance our debts -you young people have my deepest concern.We will soon have an educated, unemployed work force while companies willmove to more lucrative countries to satsfy their stockholders, remain inbusiness and the US will fall below its current level of 5th in the economicworld. Maybe Beijing will foreclose on the White house??????????????Sorry for bending your ear, I wish I could offer some positive hope for thefuture of our country but I'm afraid I will have to leave that up to todaysteens and their grandchildren. I wish you well.Love, Gpa

I <3 my grandpa. He's so stinkin smart.