Uncle Albert in the World War II Recruitment Office
Esther Westlund Title: Uncle Albert in the World War II Recruitment Office Storyteller: Esther Westlund Language: English Date of Telling: 2016-03-29 Location of Telling: Spokane, Washington Duration of Story: 02:03 Source of Story: Family Location of Story: San Francisco, California Subject Headings: Men -- Employment; Armed Forces Notes: |
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When World War Two came, Uncle Albert went to the recruiting officer of the Navy in San Francisco. He was 70 and limped a little; he was on the arm of one of his nephews. He conked his cane on the edge of the desk and said, “I want to join the Swedish Navy!” That caught everyone’s attention.
“What was this old man doing here? Is he crazy or what?” The recruiting officer said, “Oh.” He really didn’t know what to say, I guess. “Why do you want to join the Navy?”
Uncle Albert says, “I have sailed many years on the sea. I can sail by the stars. I can speak many languages. I could help United States win this war.” And everyone perked up and dropped their pens or whatever they were doing to listen to this strange old man. Is he telling lies or is it truth?
Well the recruiting officer did not know what to say, but he says, “Well I will tell you what we will do, I will put your name on the list and if we have a vacancy for someone like you, we will let you know.” Then he made the mistake, this officer said, “You are a little bit old.” The word “old” didn’t his Uncle Albert right.
He took his cane and he said, “By golly, you bunch of idiots! I know more than all of you crazy people do here.” He had a temper and he really caused a scene.
“What was this old man doing here? Is he crazy or what?” The recruiting officer said, “Oh.” He really didn’t know what to say, I guess. “Why do you want to join the Navy?”
Uncle Albert says, “I have sailed many years on the sea. I can sail by the stars. I can speak many languages. I could help United States win this war.” And everyone perked up and dropped their pens or whatever they were doing to listen to this strange old man. Is he telling lies or is it truth?
Well the recruiting officer did not know what to say, but he says, “Well I will tell you what we will do, I will put your name on the list and if we have a vacancy for someone like you, we will let you know.” Then he made the mistake, this officer said, “You are a little bit old.” The word “old” didn’t his Uncle Albert right.
He took his cane and he said, “By golly, you bunch of idiots! I know more than all of you crazy people do here.” He had a temper and he really caused a scene.