JohnPalmieri.com

My father, Joe Palmieri, remembers the Great Depression. You can actually hear him talk about his memory of the Depression – just click the following link Everyone was Happy. I think it is so cool to be able to tap into the memory of our senior citizens….especially a parent. We have much to learn from them.

“I remember the depression as a tough time for my family. My dad was making two dollars a day when I started to realize how poor we were. But everyone was pretty much the same in the neighborhood. My mom was making a dollar a day working 10 hours a day — a dime an hour. Three dollars a day was all that was coming into the house.

We got by pretty good. You could buy pork chops for about 10 cents a pound. I can remember buying bread . . . for 10 cents. Milk was about eight cents a quart, and we got it delivered right to our house. Gas money at that time was 12-and-a-half cents a gallon. We could go to a movie for 20 cents and (that) got you into the movie and then you were able to get a hotdog and a Coke. Very few people had cars, so we used a trolley. For seven cents, it would take you anywhere in the city.

The amazing thing was that everyone was happy. Nobody knew how poor the next guy was. All the kids played outdoors in the wintertime. They didn’t have computers and all that other stuff . . . not even a radio. We never got a radio in our house until I was about 12 years old. It didn’t hurt us as we grew up. We didn’t know, but my mother knew. I remember she would feed five of us in the family with one pound of pasta and nobody complained.

I went into the service when I was 17 — right out of high school — during World War II. That was a time you met a lot of guys who were going through the same thing. Then, as the war went on, the depression was over. But people remember that (time).”

– Joe Palmieri, 82,
West Manchester Township

I always try to express my gratitude to veterans but today our country sets aside this day to remember and honor you. Your sacrifices, commitment and loyalty have all played a part in helping sustain our Liberty and Freedom in this United States of America. Although there are many disagreements about war and engagement – I think it is important for you to know that there are many who love and support you. So today – know that you are loved, supported and prayed for…and not taken for granted.

Remember

by Brittany Vigoreaux

American soldiers sacrifice so much,

All for the freedom of our country.

Leaving their families and heading off to war,

Not knowing what the future holds.

Working day and night

Determined to stay strong.

Watching friends be killed every day

Letters from home inspiring them to keep fighting

So little is given to them

Although there is little to do,

For those who have died in war

We can still remember

Remember all the men who have died.

Remember all the battles fought

Remember all the tears families cried

Remember it was freedom the soldiers brought

To this very day soldiers are under-appreciated

Veterans Day is the day

For the dead, living, and fighting soldiers

To be remembered