With the onset of World War II, conditions changed drastically in our lives. Employment rose to new heights in the shipyard. Security became a major factor, and the pace of work quickened.
The latter condition affected me considerably. Every two weeks I changed shifts, starting with the day shift, from 8a.m. to 4p.m. Then, I went from 4p.m. until midnight, and finally , the "dog shift," from midnight until 8a.m.
The "dog shift" was the toughest one in which to adjust. I tried to get some sleep until about 11p.m. Invariably, we overslept - to be awakened by the sound of a horn blowing from the car pool.
The two biggest changes came in July. Number One change was a letter from President Roosevelt, inviting me to join the Army. This was a big surprise to me because I thought I would be deferred since I was working in the defense industry. Number Two surprise was an announcement from Ruth that she was pregnant. Wow!
I had a friend who had joined the Coast Guard, so I did the same, with the hope that I could be stationed reasonably close to my pregnant wife. Besides I didn't think I would look good in khaki.
The first week in November, Ruth and our household goods moved in with her parents. The following week, accompanied by a sobbing wife and a flag-waving mother, I was on a train for Baltimore, Maryland.
More, later.
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