My fondest memory when I was growing up, was getting our Christmas tree several days before Christmas. I remember one year very clearly. It was probably in the mid to late 40’s.
My father was still working for the U.S. Army Air Force. When World War II broke out, he was deferred from military service. He was married, with a child on the way, me, and was taking care of his elderly mother. So, he went to work for the Army Air Force as an airplane mechanic. He would also drive the over-sized tanker truck, filled with aviation fuel to Mitchell Field on Long Island, from Newark Airport, in New Jersey. When he did that, he was escorted by military vehicles, especially when they closed the George Washington Bridge, or the Holland Tunnel to all traffic.
Just a side note. After the war, when I was old enough, he would take me to Newark Airport on the weekends. I was able to sit in all the World War II aircraft. You could imagine the thrill a young boy experienced, sitting in B17’s, B25’s, P38’s, and P51’s. But back to our Christmas tree.
When he finally got home from work, he had his dinner before we would go on our expedition, to find the perfect Christmas tree. It had been snowing all week, and the streets and sidewalks were almost impassable. So, we took my trusty sled, my father pulling it, probably in the middle of the street, with me sitting on it, as we trekked the mile or so, to the large avenue that had several stores selling trees. Naturally we visited the five or six shops, examining every tree that could meet our needs. When my father was satisfied, we returned to the store that had the best tree for the price. Once the tree was securely tied to the sled, he perched me on top of the tree as we set out for home. When we got home, the sled went into the storage bin in the cellar, and the tree hauled up five flights of stairs to our apartment.
Once the tree was set into its stand, and watered overnight, it was time to decorate it. My father was a perfectionist. First, he would string the lights onto the tree. The small ones at the top, working down to the larger ones at the bottom. Next my mother, and I were allowed to place the ornaments on the tree. Of course, under his careful eye as to design for color, and repetition. The last parts were his only. Several garlands, and lots of tinsel. The last part was mine, placing the cotton around the base of the tree. Next, we placed all the wrapped presents under the tree.
It was a great start for the holidays.
