Stanley M. Siegel

...because if you don't write it down, it will be lost forever.

                      

Penrod climbed upon a barrel, stood on tiptoe,
grasped the rim of the box; then, using a knot-hole
as a stirrup, threw one leg over the top, drew himself
up, and dropped within.

 Standing upon the packed sawdust, he was just tall enough to see over the top.

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Why Penrod? All I can remember -- about books from my childhood -- is that Booth Tarkington's "Penrod" series were books that I read over and over again.

I don't really remember the stories, don't remember if Penrod was a childhood idol.

I do remember, however, that I liked the books and they, along with another "magic orange filter" book which I received when I had the measles, are high on my lis of rememberances.

Go figure!

 

 

Military...

Actually, my first military experience started as a United States Army reservist while at the University of Alaska, yes, Alaska -- see the link "Colleges" above if you hadn't already done that and you're interested.

Want proof?

My discharge certificate indicates:  PVT-El Stanley Marvin Siegel, ER10 730 406, MI-USAR, Ready Reserve (active status) who enlisted 20 November 52 was Honorably Discharged from the Army of the United States on the 4th day of February 1953. This certificate is awarded as a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service. John J Lavin, Lt Col. Inf.

So there you have it. The "MI" stands for Military Intelligence. Not spy stuff, but I was trained as an Arial Photograph Interpreter --heady stuff. But the gig got me a uniform, snow parka and coveralls, white "bunny" boots, skis, and a bunch of other stuff. Quite exciting for a 20-year old from Brooklyn. Anyway, right after finishing college in Alaska (by the way, the University of Alaska was in College, Alaska, just several miles north of Fairbanks).

So, here I was, hardly back home and ... "You're drafted ... " or so the notice, received by mail, said the "minute" I finished college.

And so, in February of 1953 I reported to Whitehall Street in New York with a subway token paid for by the Selective Service System.

There I undressed, was poked, prodded, interviewed and found physically fit. My papers were stamped "Marine Qualified" but I was bussed to Fort Dix, New Jersey, to join the United States Army instead.

After 8 weeks of Basic Training I (along with a "select" few others) were picked to continue our training as Military Policemen --MP's.

As an aside, I remember one member of my Basic Training Company --Julius Sunshine --was suddenly reassigned to points unknown. As we neared the end of our 16 weeks, Sunshine reappeared for a visit. He wore the uniform of an Officer --he had passed his Bar Examination and was assigned to the Judge Advocate Corps.

Along with me, pulled to MP School, were Ed Schulte (now Klotzer), Ed Weitzner, Joel Silverstein, and Artie Sherman. we were all, and the only, Jewish member of our 516th MP Company so we hung together -­ and, coincidentally -- we were in alphabetical order by last name which was the way the Army decided to assign us.

Click here to see some "military" photos.
 

more to come (maybe)...

If you want/need to reach me, email me at: stan@stanleymsiegel.com just click on the address.