Hard to believe – the first picture is at Dad’s graduation from Elyria High School in early June 1954. Mom and Dad had been married a little over six months and they had a son, Don Jr who had just been born on 20 May 1954. Neither was proud of that but they did what was right and accepted responsibility. They look pretty young huh? Mom was 16 and Dad was 18. That was a pretty young start! They look happy. They were happy. They had married in November 1953, had a son in May 1954 and Dad graduated from high school in June 1954. They had no idea what the future held for them. On 1 July 1954 Dad enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in Cleveland, Ohio and was on his way to basic training at Sampson AB in Geneva, New York. Dad then went to technical school (Jet Engine Mechanic training) at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas in September 1954. Dad graduated, was promoted to Airman Third Class and retained there as a technical instructor. Mom joined him there in January 1955 and they lived in a rented mobile home just off base in Wichita Falls.
On 14 March 1955 Dad was promoted to Airman 2nd Class. Following that Mom and Dad went back to Ohio to pick up the mobile home that Grandpa Jenkins had completely refurbished so they and Don Jr could live in it. Mom had bought that mobile home for $50.00. It was a wreck before Grandpa got hold of it. This is Dad carrying Mom into their first “owned” home before they took off on a long journey to Texas. There is more to tell about this time period -next time.
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