My grandfather grew up in Cleveland. He learned to pour concrete, which came in very handy for him. When WWII broke out, he served in the Pacific as a Navy combat engineer. I have a picture of him on an island standing next to a bulldozer, with his service revolver in its shoulder holster.
After the war he moved to San Diego and joined the naval reserve. Got called up to pour concrete for a new college being built. Then a few years later Korea broke out and he was ordered to active duty in Seoul...as a JAG.
So, he reported as ordered, and proceeded to ask how he was called up as a lawyer when he had no legal background? “It’s right in your service record. Says here that you were instrumental in building the foundation for a new school of law!”
Well the Navy had the guy they asked for so the obvious solution was to train him up for the job. So, they sent him to law school. And he spent two years behind the lines negotiating contracts. And after the war he went to Bell Labs and they hired him, because he could negotiate contracts with the Navy and knew how the rules worked.
Wonderful post man, going home after years of experience is always an eye opening experience. You and I, our generation, we are children of the Fall and now we are in winter. It's our job to remember the sunny days and guide the children of the winter in the hopes that somewhere down the line spring will come again.
I admire your honesty and perseverance. It’s not too many to reveal what they have endured, I understand your pugnacious commentary from where it comes from and that is to never give up. Wishing you and your companion many years of happiness and health! And maybe a gift from Heaven.
I’m not from Pittsburgh, but I live here now. I’m from Central PA (and when I say Central PA I mean the exact center of the state, the municipality closest to the geographical center. In “Centre” County).
Bellefonte and the surrounding coal mines supplied the steel mills with most of they needed, so I feel pretty much as close to Pittsburgh as I do Bellefonte. Actually, Billy Joel’s song Allentown sums it up perfectly. His song Pressure references several aspects of my childhood (as does the Traveling Wilburys Handle With Care).
I’ve bounced around, literally, up and down the East Coast, living in Florida and briefly Virginia (kind of, when I was stationed there). Plus trying to be a truck driver, driving with trainers up and down the East Coast, every state, and to
I don't have any experience with Ohio, other than a lady that used to live on my court growing up. She lived here in Florida, and her husband was still living in Cleveland Ohio.
She was depressed to the point of suicide, and was told by her therapist to move to somewhere with lots of sunshine. She said that living in Ohio was like living under a giant fluorescent light, it was bright, but it wasn't "sunlight." I never really thought about it, but it that would be kind of strange. Lots of sunshine is part of what makes outside -- outside.
Anyway, you're right about moving though. People now are too scared to work, they're scared of change. That's no way to live your life. You definitely did the right thing by packing it up, and starting again.
And yes, 2024 is going to be "something." I don't know what that something is, but I don't think it's going to be good. However, knowing that we can all start over if we have to, and you have multiple times, we know we can get through it.
I tell ya, brother, this is inspired work. I felt every word of it, and I'm not even a rust-belter (although being a Missourian with a gypsy spirit, we have undoubtedly barbequed over some of the same glories and miseries).
I left my small town in central MN in about 1994, officially. Lived in Cali awhile, Wisconsin awhile, the Oregon coast for a bit, otherwise Minneapolis much of the time since 2000. Minneapolis degraded badly in the 20 years I lived there. I go back now, the roads are a disaster, a lot of the people angry, crime WAY up since 2000, so much garbage everywhere.
Now back in that small town in the house I grew up in, taking care of my elderly parents, lots of problems in town but there is 10xs the money here than 1994. I feel very proud and protective about this place, and am working on plans to make more connections and do some "teaching" too.
And to think I moved to Cleveland for the climate, the trees, the Midwest Nice people, and the food before I knew about the food. I don't want to leave.
Actually, there's quite a few Texans who have moved up here. And Mexicans, praise be to the food gods. Mexican food is catching on.
"Rust Belt expats" - never heard it put that way before, but it resonates. The way I usually described it was, "people who could get out, did get out". The sense of exile was always there.
I was back in Cleveland - my hometown as well - for Thanksgiving. Of course it was great to see my family; and the people in Ohio really are friendlier than people on the coasts.
But the feeling I went away with was predominantly one of rage. Rage at the physical deterioration and demoralization of my home. Rage at what we've lost. Rage at seeing good people drowning in a bad economy that's none of their own doing.
Maybe tho, that was the wrong takeaway. Maybe it's better to focus on those little points of light still shining through. On the joy & energy & hopefulness of my young niece and nephew. On the persistence of human decency in the face of adversity. On the indomitable spirit of our people.
"They’ve jammed apartments into every square corner of available space"
Describes everywhere I've ever lived and come back to. You know the Pretenders? song "I went back to Ohio, and my city was gone"? Way to go Ohio. I feel you man. I lived in that Youngstown / Pittsburgh / WVa triangle as a kid. Life was good. Gone but not forgotten. As for the writing - I think I like these biographical pieces more than the snark - and you're pretty good at the snark. I wish you a safe and maybe even bountiful new year, brother.
My grandfather grew up in Cleveland. He learned to pour concrete, which came in very handy for him. When WWII broke out, he served in the Pacific as a Navy combat engineer. I have a picture of him on an island standing next to a bulldozer, with his service revolver in its shoulder holster.
After the war he moved to San Diego and joined the naval reserve. Got called up to pour concrete for a new college being built. Then a few years later Korea broke out and he was ordered to active duty in Seoul...as a JAG.
So, he reported as ordered, and proceeded to ask how he was called up as a lawyer when he had no legal background? “It’s right in your service record. Says here that you were instrumental in building the foundation for a new school of law!”
Well the Navy had the guy they asked for so the obvious solution was to train him up for the job. So, they sent him to law school. And he spent two years behind the lines negotiating contracts. And after the war he went to Bell Labs and they hired him, because he could negotiate contracts with the Navy and knew how the rules worked.
So, that’s how he escaped from Cleveland.
Good stuff, Phisto. Keep writing. and Happy New Year!
Wonderful post man, going home after years of experience is always an eye opening experience. You and I, our generation, we are children of the Fall and now we are in winter. It's our job to remember the sunny days and guide the children of the winter in the hopes that somewhere down the line spring will come again.
HNY
The Rust belt is re-industrializing, in general and where I am.
.... and from.
We don’t have to expat ..
I admire your honesty and perseverance. It’s not too many to reveal what they have endured, I understand your pugnacious commentary from where it comes from and that is to never give up. Wishing you and your companion many years of happiness and health! And maybe a gift from Heaven.
I’m not from Pittsburgh, but I live here now. I’m from Central PA (and when I say Central PA I mean the exact center of the state, the municipality closest to the geographical center. In “Centre” County).
Bellefonte and the surrounding coal mines supplied the steel mills with most of they needed, so I feel pretty much as close to Pittsburgh as I do Bellefonte. Actually, Billy Joel’s song Allentown sums it up perfectly. His song Pressure references several aspects of my childhood (as does the Traveling Wilburys Handle With Care).
I’ve bounced around, literally, up and down the East Coast, living in Florida and briefly Virginia (kind of, when I was stationed there). Plus trying to be a truck driver, driving with trainers up and down the East Coast, every state, and to
Just keep trucking my friend!
I don't have any experience with Ohio, other than a lady that used to live on my court growing up. She lived here in Florida, and her husband was still living in Cleveland Ohio.
She was depressed to the point of suicide, and was told by her therapist to move to somewhere with lots of sunshine. She said that living in Ohio was like living under a giant fluorescent light, it was bright, but it wasn't "sunlight." I never really thought about it, but it that would be kind of strange. Lots of sunshine is part of what makes outside -- outside.
Anyway, you're right about moving though. People now are too scared to work, they're scared of change. That's no way to live your life. You definitely did the right thing by packing it up, and starting again.
And yes, 2024 is going to be "something." I don't know what that something is, but I don't think it's going to be good. However, knowing that we can all start over if we have to, and you have multiple times, we know we can get through it.
Outstanding read bro!
I tell ya, brother, this is inspired work. I felt every word of it, and I'm not even a rust-belter (although being a Missourian with a gypsy spirit, we have undoubtedly barbequed over some of the same glories and miseries).
Absolutely loved this, man...
I left my small town in central MN in about 1994, officially. Lived in Cali awhile, Wisconsin awhile, the Oregon coast for a bit, otherwise Minneapolis much of the time since 2000. Minneapolis degraded badly in the 20 years I lived there. I go back now, the roads are a disaster, a lot of the people angry, crime WAY up since 2000, so much garbage everywhere.
Now back in that small town in the house I grew up in, taking care of my elderly parents, lots of problems in town but there is 10xs the money here than 1994. I feel very proud and protective about this place, and am working on plans to make more connections and do some "teaching" too.
A good read.
And to think I moved to Cleveland for the climate, the trees, the Midwest Nice people, and the food before I knew about the food. I don't want to leave.
Actually, there's quite a few Texans who have moved up here. And Mexicans, praise be to the food gods. Mexican food is catching on.
A lovely piece brother. Nice to see your deeply pensive, reflective side shining through. This one comes right from the heart.
Bravo.
Excellent piece. Not from the Rust Belt, but I can relate all too well to these feelings of returning home after leaving early on in life.
"Rust Belt expats" - never heard it put that way before, but it resonates. The way I usually described it was, "people who could get out, did get out". The sense of exile was always there.
I was back in Cleveland - my hometown as well - for Thanksgiving. Of course it was great to see my family; and the people in Ohio really are friendlier than people on the coasts.
But the feeling I went away with was predominantly one of rage. Rage at the physical deterioration and demoralization of my home. Rage at what we've lost. Rage at seeing good people drowning in a bad economy that's none of their own doing.
Maybe tho, that was the wrong takeaway. Maybe it's better to focus on those little points of light still shining through. On the joy & energy & hopefulness of my young niece and nephew. On the persistence of human decency in the face of adversity. On the indomitable spirit of our people.
Happy new year, brother!
"They’ve jammed apartments into every square corner of available space"
Describes everywhere I've ever lived and come back to. You know the Pretenders? song "I went back to Ohio, and my city was gone"? Way to go Ohio. I feel you man. I lived in that Youngstown / Pittsburgh / WVa triangle as a kid. Life was good. Gone but not forgotten. As for the writing - I think I like these biographical pieces more than the snark - and you're pretty good at the snark. I wish you a safe and maybe even bountiful new year, brother.
This was a great read, as a Veteran hearing about your friend was rough. Glad everyone is ok