The year was 1955, granddad was 62 years old and I only 9. He was a coin and antique dealer in Western Massachusetts and in this year - 1955 he packed me and a lunch into his 1954 Nash Rambler Cross Country station wagon and travel the back roads of New England in search of the elusive 1955 doubled die penny.One bank stop produced 100 of the error coins worth $40,000 EACH - today.

The year was 1954, and living in small town in Central Massachusetts our father was known as the "town drunk". He could not hold a job, was abusive to my mother and seldom home.Mom worked two jobs to put food on the table and the newest invention - the TV had just been introduced. She wanted her three children to enjoy a "bit of happiness", and although our father was unemployed, he somehow managed to purchase the TV.Following three months of Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, T...

In 1982, The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial was nearing completion when Bob Chapin visited in search of comrades killed in Vietnam.He eventually located the names of his friends, but also found the name of his best friend in high school. Surprisingly, Arvie's name appeared in the depth of field in one of Bob's photographs.A call to Arvie's mother confirmed that he had been killed in a fiery helicopter crash in January of 1969. He was a helicopter pilor shot down by enemy fire. ...

In 1961, we had a Rexall Pharmacy in our town. The aroma of the elixers and marble counter with four swivel chairs where teens congregated.The book rack where boys and girls flipped through the magazines of the early 1960's.The soda fountain where Mrs. B. added more fizzy water than Coke syrup - the result - when I attempted to impress Marilyn Snell - was to have it propel through my nose spraying the contents of my mouth onto the counter and Marilyn's dress.That wa...

Preston Cunningham is assigned to Vietnam in spite of his 4 year guaranteed tour in Germany. A cryptographer, Preston was assigned via remote status to The office of The Vice President - Hubert Humphrey at The White House.In Vietnam, true to the Army's attitude of "hurry-up and wait", he was ordered by his commanding officer to scrounge (beg - borrow - or steal) whatever necessary to make the war machine tick. Often trading helicopter parts for a skid of booze or choice steaks....

The Abenaki Indian Tribe is awarded 15,000 acres in a U.S. Supreme Court decision for land taken illegally by the U.S. government in 1850. Their goal: to construct the world's largest casino inOgunquit, Maine, a quaint New England seaside village of 1200 in winter and explodes into the largest gambling casino in the world.The influx of people required to run the casino and support services (65,000) are absorbed into the bordering towns.Richmond Rand an ex-Marine sniper...

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. is one of the most visited monuments in the country. Open 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year, it is about America's involvement in Vietnam and a tribute to the 59,000+ men and women who paid the supreme sacrifice. It has received national acclaim following display by President Ronald Reagan on January 24, 1984, and as a result has sold in excess of 150,000 copies.The Three Fighting Men is the larger than life sculprute by ...

1964, Lyndon, The Beetles, gas at $.35 per gallon, bread $.54, a new house $20,000, a new car $200. I was 17 years old and my first job was for Mr. D. at a mom and pop Red & White grocery store.My first car: a 1957 Ford Fairlane hardtop convertible. The aroma of the fruits and soap powders forever burned in my brain.Vietnam, college and now I am 65 years old, and still a poopoofnick...

Sergeant Preston Cunningham is reassigned from a civilian status position while serving with the Army in Frankfurt, Germany into the heat of battle in Southeast Asia. In Vietnam he finds himself carrying out the duties of a company scrounge - someone who has been given the company commander's blessings to do whatever necessary to make the war machine tick. The commander orders him to "acquire" whatever items are needed - both for personal pleasure and for the good of the unit.Prest...

A young 20 year old recruit cannot escape the grueling 10-12 hour day of peeling potatoes in Vietnam while awaiting assignment in a processing center.Following two days of back breaking potato peeling he decides to fake sick call and as a result purchases metal sergeant pins for his collar.Noticed by the duty sergeant he is called forward only to learn they are on upside down. No penalty!For two consecutive days the duty sergeant indiscriminately sweeps his hand ove...

Malla was my mother who died of cancer in 1991 at the age of 71. She never remembered my birthday and was an avid follower of Elvis.On the morning of her funeral I was angered - asking why she never remembered me on that special day.As I began to shave, that's when I noticed it: I had Malla's nose! What a special gift - and then I realized it is not always about money! I love you Malla!

Preston Cunningham and Arvie were the best of friends. Raised in the quaint New England Town of West Brookfield, Massachusetts, an hours drive from the world famous Tanglewood, the summer home of The Boston Pops Orchestra in the heart of The Berkshires.In a scheduled marathon, they were entered into the appropriate age category and trained for the race. Mr. Silverberg was their scoutmaster, and it was he who instilled the basic values in Preston's life.Life changed for the ...