Everyone was so happy that day, I didn’t know why they were happy but I was happy too. I rode on daddy’s shoulders down 13th avenue, passed the Endicott theater, the waving and happy people kissing in the street.
Grandma bought me a Mello-Roll and now I was getting to play horsey. Giddiup horsey! Smacking daddy’s head. I could see everyone from Daddy’s shoulders; Everybody waved at me and I waved back! I was blowing kisses and everyone blew kisses at me!
Daddy gave me a little stick with a funny cloth attached. He said it was a flag and I should wave it. So wave it I did!
Fat Tony came out of his candy store, Angie in her apron and house dress
Daddy shook Fat Tony’s hand and gave Angie a big hug
,
“Frankie boy!” That was me. “Have a Charlotte Russe!” I love Charlotte Russe. Fat Tony went to the glass case and took one out.
“No! I want that one!” Ok. Ok. Did I say I love Charlotte Russe? Pushing up the bottom of the cardboard cup eating all the whipped cream and the cherry to get at the flat yellow cake.
“I have no nickel!” It’s on the house today Frankie boy!
“It’s not on the house! It’s in the cup!” Smiles. Such a smart boy.
“Daddy, why is everyone so happy?”
“The war is over Frankie”
“Daddy, what’s a war?”
Angie’s lip began to tremble as she covered them with her fingertips. Soon her apron covered her face as she turned into the candy store passed the picture in the window of the man in the funny pointed hat under a golden star.
I couldn’t know why but I felt I had done something very wrong.
Fat Tony gently pinched my cheek, took me down from daddy’s shoulders hugged me. Kissed me.
“You should never know Frankie boy. God willing you should never know”
Fat Tony wiped his eye and slowly turned back into his store.
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One of the earliest memories of my childhood. VJ day in Brooklyn. This is for Fat Tony and Angie, where ever they are, who lost their son Anthony in Italy.
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toritto 
Did this once, and the post disappeared!
Very evocative, I could really sense the occasion.
I have never had a Charlotte Russe, but they always remind me of the scene in ‘Once Upon A Time In America.’
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete – I was three years old and being carried down the avenue on my dad’s shoulders through the throng is one of my earliest memories. . Fifteen years later I would hang out with Fat Tony’s grandson by his daughter. Regards.
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And I haven’t seen, let along had a Charlotte Russe in years!!!!
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A very heartfelt post today!
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Yes, every name in a list of war casualties is the end of somebody’s world.
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beautiful heartfelt memory.
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Reblogged this on Pacific Paratrooper and commented:
I felt this a good time between Japan’s surrender and the official signing on 2 September for Toritto’s post. This puts the home front emotions into perspective.
For my past V-J Day posts – Click Here!
And HERE!
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GP – Many thanks for the re-blog! Regards, Frank
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You are very welcome! Thank you for the story!
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This is where my search for a name in my family tree led me…
https://steanne.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/robert-j-ritchie-the-son-of-a-gold-star-mother-redux/
On VJ-Day, Odna Lagasse Ritchie did not know Robert would be on Eternal Patrol…
https://ussbullhead.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/on-eternal-patrol/
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Made me cry too.
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Hillary – glad you liked. Regards
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Poetically powerful.
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Swabby – thanks and regards. Come again!
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Thank you for sharing your story. Everyone has a different perspective and yours was one I hadn’t heard before…quite moving. I hope you are enjoying your life and retirement! Pleased to hear you talk to your children often. We share the same sunshune, I’m on your opposite coast.:D
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Mrs. P – I’m fine! Coming to your coast next week to visit with my eldest and her hubby in Pompano Beach. Regards and thanks for the “follow”. Frank
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A wonderfully told story of a real life experience that touched the hearts of many, I am certain.
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Many thanks. Glad you liked. Regards
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Beautifully written. Made me cry.
Oh that no child would have to understand war…between people or nations.
(((HUGS)))
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Glad you liked! Regards and come again! 🙂
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very touching. as a retired soldier, i can empathize with the feelings. the apprehensions, the fears, – and the need to conquer the fear – before going off to war; and the great joy, the relief, and the sorrow over those who didnt make it back – after coming back. there is a big transition that happens inside you in between those events; and i am truly moved when i see these wonderful efforts to capture those intense emotions for other people to feel.
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CB – glad you liked. I did four years during Vietnam and my brother was in the war zone at the same time. Regards.and come back soon!
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A beautiful first hand memory of VJ Day, you bought the moment alive in those words, and the video captured the occasion of it beautifully.The war was over but much damage had been done to family’s all around the world.
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Well told. Thank you for sharing this important memory.
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