Written by Raymond John Kriske in 2008:
I will try my best to give you all the info you need for your class. I was born on Oct 23 of the year 1931. I was the fifth child born and the first boy. Two of my sisters died at birth so there was only three of us at that time. My younger brother come along seven years later. We all were born at home as our small Town of Cloquet Minnesota only had a very small hospital.
My first real job was a paper route. I walked my route for a long time as i was saving for a bike. There was older man on our street and his children had grown up and one day he asked me if i would like to have a bike his son had left in his garage. It was all in pieces but I got it for $1.50 and put it together My next job was working in a bakery washing pots and pans scrubbing floors etc. I worked after school and on sat. I was a senior in school and they asked me to become a real baker. I went to school a half day and went to work as a baker a half day. I continued after I graduated from school. I had a job offer to work at a factory in town which paid more money so I accepted that. While working there I was offered a apprenticeship to become a pipe-fitter so I accepted that. This trade brought me to Colorado.
My first memories were of the hard times our family was going thru because of the great depression at that time. My Dad had a job it was only a couple days a week. We lived close to the railroad tracks and I remember bums knocking on our door for handouts. My Mom always found something for them. As we grew older my sisters and I did what we could at earning money to help out. My parents insisted that we all would have a high school education. They both only went thru the eighth grade but were self taught.
My memories of the cold war were mixed feelings. Russia was the enemy at that time and they were a powerful nation. I think that the tv and the newspapers kept fear in the public daily during that time. My personal opinion is that both sides were bluffing each other and neither side wanted war. The sad part of it all many ordinary people like the east Germans suffered for years. To this day I think that the Russian government can't be trusted and could care less for there own people. I believe that America will stay strong and free as long as we stay a Christian Nation.
I was 19 years old and the Korean War was going on so a good friend and I joined the Marine Corp. After boot camp and advanced training in California I was sent to Korea. Five hundred of us flew over as replacements. I spent a year in combat but the good LORD brought me home in one piece. I feel good about serving my country and also keeping South Korea free. At present South Korea has one of the largest Christian churches in the world. That alone was worth fighting for.
I think that my fear of missiles and bombs are more real now than at any other time. The world has gotten smaller with each new rocket we build. It will be my prayer that your generation will not see the evils of war or of cold war and live in peace and harmony.
Glad that you are satisfied with my rambling answers. I was in a 4.2 mortar company which is like small artillery. We would be on the front lines for a couple of months then retreat to the rear for a couple three weeks and then go back up and relieve another company. Some times it would be the Turks or the English or another American company. I had to go up one time to a rifle company as they had gotten over run and they lost a lot of men. Never forget it as it was during the monsoon season and the trenches were half full of water. Anyway God was there with me and I didn't get hurt.
I did keep in contact with a few buddies for awhile after we came back to the States but for a short period. When you're miles apart and life races on you forget the past. I think about some of my buddies yet today wondering if they are still alive and how their life has been.
Yes, it did affect me for a period of time. One thing I remember was that when I got home to my folks house I told my Mom that if I was sleeping that not to come near me to wake me up. Well she forgot and one morning she got to close when she touched me and I almost hit her with my fist. I missed but it was dose. Even a car backfire would shatter your nerves. I can't remember how long this lasted but I couldn't stand loud noises for a long time. Also there were dreams but they wore off. I think about those days yet. I wonder how many of my buddies are living yet and what they would look like. I give all the honor and glory to GOD for taking me thru all these 77 years I have lived.
I met Melba after I got out of the service and started working. She was working in the same building that I was and we hit it off and started going out. Anyway it ended up with four children (Karen, Joe, John, Cynthia) and and a lot of good memories.
One scary memory that comes to mind is taking an armed shell out of our mortar that didn't go off but could at any time. Once the shell hits the bottom of the tube it is armed and ready to explode. The whole area was cleared and another kid and I had to clear that mortar. He tipped it up and I had to catch the shell as it came out the tube. Couldn't hit the tip as that would explode the shell. God was with us. One other time gas exploded near me and I caught on fire. I was rolling in this field trying to get the fire out but was setting the field on fire instead. Two buddies picked me up and threw me in a small creek and put the fire out. Had to get patched up but God was good again.
I will try my best to give you all the info you need for your class. I was born on Oct 23 of the year 1931. I was the fifth child born and the first boy. Two of my sisters died at birth so there was only three of us at that time. My younger brother come along seven years later. We all were born at home as our small Town of Cloquet Minnesota only had a very small hospital.
My first real job was a paper route. I walked my route for a long time as i was saving for a bike. There was older man on our street and his children had grown up and one day he asked me if i would like to have a bike his son had left in his garage. It was all in pieces but I got it for $1.50 and put it together My next job was working in a bakery washing pots and pans scrubbing floors etc. I worked after school and on sat. I was a senior in school and they asked me to become a real baker. I went to school a half day and went to work as a baker a half day. I continued after I graduated from school. I had a job offer to work at a factory in town which paid more money so I accepted that. While working there I was offered a apprenticeship to become a pipe-fitter so I accepted that. This trade brought me to Colorado.
My first memories were of the hard times our family was going thru because of the great depression at that time. My Dad had a job it was only a couple days a week. We lived close to the railroad tracks and I remember bums knocking on our door for handouts. My Mom always found something for them. As we grew older my sisters and I did what we could at earning money to help out. My parents insisted that we all would have a high school education. They both only went thru the eighth grade but were self taught.
My memories of the cold war were mixed feelings. Russia was the enemy at that time and they were a powerful nation. I think that the tv and the newspapers kept fear in the public daily during that time. My personal opinion is that both sides were bluffing each other and neither side wanted war. The sad part of it all many ordinary people like the east Germans suffered for years. To this day I think that the Russian government can't be trusted and could care less for there own people. I believe that America will stay strong and free as long as we stay a Christian Nation.
I was 19 years old and the Korean War was going on so a good friend and I joined the Marine Corp. After boot camp and advanced training in California I was sent to Korea. Five hundred of us flew over as replacements. I spent a year in combat but the good LORD brought me home in one piece. I feel good about serving my country and also keeping South Korea free. At present South Korea has one of the largest Christian churches in the world. That alone was worth fighting for.
I think that my fear of missiles and bombs are more real now than at any other time. The world has gotten smaller with each new rocket we build. It will be my prayer that your generation will not see the evils of war or of cold war and live in peace and harmony.
Glad that you are satisfied with my rambling answers. I was in a 4.2 mortar company which is like small artillery. We would be on the front lines for a couple of months then retreat to the rear for a couple three weeks and then go back up and relieve another company. Some times it would be the Turks or the English or another American company. I had to go up one time to a rifle company as they had gotten over run and they lost a lot of men. Never forget it as it was during the monsoon season and the trenches were half full of water. Anyway God was there with me and I didn't get hurt.
I did keep in contact with a few buddies for awhile after we came back to the States but for a short period. When you're miles apart and life races on you forget the past. I think about some of my buddies yet today wondering if they are still alive and how their life has been.
Yes, it did affect me for a period of time. One thing I remember was that when I got home to my folks house I told my Mom that if I was sleeping that not to come near me to wake me up. Well she forgot and one morning she got to close when she touched me and I almost hit her with my fist. I missed but it was dose. Even a car backfire would shatter your nerves. I can't remember how long this lasted but I couldn't stand loud noises for a long time. Also there were dreams but they wore off. I think about those days yet. I wonder how many of my buddies are living yet and what they would look like. I give all the honor and glory to GOD for taking me thru all these 77 years I have lived.
I met Melba after I got out of the service and started working. She was working in the same building that I was and we hit it off and started going out. Anyway it ended up with four children (Karen, Joe, John, Cynthia) and and a lot of good memories.
One scary memory that comes to mind is taking an armed shell out of our mortar that didn't go off but could at any time. Once the shell hits the bottom of the tube it is armed and ready to explode. The whole area was cleared and another kid and I had to clear that mortar. He tipped it up and I had to catch the shell as it came out the tube. Couldn't hit the tip as that would explode the shell. God was with us. One other time gas exploded near me and I caught on fire. I was rolling in this field trying to get the fire out but was setting the field on fire instead. Two buddies picked me up and threw me in a small creek and put the fire out. Had to get patched up but God was good again.
Written by Raymond John Kriske in 2008:
I will try my best to give you all the info you need for your class. I was born on Oct 23 of the year 1931. I was the fifth child born and the first boy. Two of my sisters died at birth so there was only three of us at that time. My younger brother come along seven years later. We all were born at home as our small Town of Cloquet Minnesota only had a very small hospital.
My first real job was a paper route. I walked my route for a long time as i was saving for a bike. There was older man on our street and his children had grown up and one day he asked me if i would like to have a bike his son had left in his garage. It was all in pieces but I got it for $1.50 and put it together My next job was working in a bakery washing pots and pans scrubbing floors etc. I worked after school and on sat. I was a senior in school and they asked me to become a real baker. I went to school a half day and went to work as a baker a half day. I continued after I graduated from school. I had a job offer to work at a factory in town which paid more money so I accepted that. While working there I was offered a apprenticeship to become a pipe-fitter so I accepted that. This trade brought me to Colorado.
My first memories were of the hard times our family was going thru because of the great depression at that time. My Dad had a job it was only a couple days a week. We lived close to the railroad tracks and I remember bums knocking on our door for handouts. My Mom always found something for them. As we grew older my sisters and I did what we could at earning money to help out. My parents insisted that we all would have a high school education. They both only went thru the eighth grade but were self taught.
My memories of the cold war were mixed feelings. Russia was the enemy at that time and they were a powerful nation. I think that the tv and the newspapers kept fear in the public daily during that time. My personal opinion is that both sides were bluffing each other and neither side wanted war. The sad part of it all many ordinary people like the east Germans suffered for years. To this day I think that the Russian government can't be trusted and could care less for there own people. I believe that America will stay strong and free as long as we stay a Christian Nation.
I was 19 years old and the Korean War was going on so a good friend and I joined the Marine Corp. After boot camp and advanced training in California I was sent to Korea. Five hundred of us flew over as replacements. I spent a year in combat but the good LORD brought me home in one piece. I feel good about serving my country and also keeping South Korea free. At present South Korea has one of the largest Christian churches in the world. That alone was worth fighting for.
I think that my fear of missiles and bombs are more real now than at any other time. The world has gotten smaller with each new rocket we build. It will be my prayer that your generation will not see the evils of war or of cold war and live in peace and harmony.
Glad that you are satisfied with my rambling answers. I was in a 4.2 mortar company which is like small artillery. We would be on the front lines for a couple of months then retreat to the rear for a couple three weeks and then go back up and relieve another company. Some times it would be the Turks or the English or another American company. I had to go up one time to a rifle company as they had gotten over run and they lost a lot of men. Never forget it as it was during the monsoon season and the trenches were half full of water. Anyway God was there with me and I didn't get hurt.
I did keep in contact with a few buddies for awhile after we came back to the States but for a short period. When you're miles apart and life races on you forget the past. I think about some of my buddies yet today wondering if they are still alive and how their life has been.
Yes, it did affect me for a period of time. One thing I remember was that when I got home to my folks house I told my Mom that if I was sleeping that not to come near me to wake me up. Well she forgot and one morning she got to close when she touched me and I almost hit her with my fist. I missed but it was dose. Even a car backfire would shatter your nerves. I can't remember how long this lasted but I couldn't stand loud noises for a long time. Also there were dreams but they wore off. I think about those days yet. I wonder how many of my buddies are living yet and what they would look like. I give all the honor and glory to GOD for taking me thru all these 77 years I have lived.
I met Melba after I got out of the service and started working. She was working in the same building that I was and we hit it off and started going out. Anyway it ended up with four children (Karen, Joe, John, Cynthia) and and a lot of good memories.
One scary memory that comes to mind is taking an armed shell out of our mortar that didn't go off but could at any time. Once the shell hits the bottom of the tube it is armed and ready to explode. The whole area was cleared and another kid and I had to clear that mortar. He tipped it up and I had to catch the shell as it came out the tube. Couldn't hit the tip as that would explode the shell. God was with us. One other time gas exploded near me and I caught on fire. I was rolling in this field trying to get the fire out but was setting the field on fire instead. Two buddies picked me up and threw me in a small creek and put the fire out. Had to get patched up but God was good again.
I will try my best to give you all the info you need for your class. I was born on Oct 23 of the year 1931. I was the fifth child born and the first boy. Two of my sisters died at birth so there was only three of us at that time. My younger brother come along seven years later. We all were born at home as our small Town of Cloquet Minnesota only had a very small hospital.
My first real job was a paper route. I walked my route for a long time as i was saving for a bike. There was older man on our street and his children had grown up and one day he asked me if i would like to have a bike his son had left in his garage. It was all in pieces but I got it for $1.50 and put it together My next job was working in a bakery washing pots and pans scrubbing floors etc. I worked after school and on sat. I was a senior in school and they asked me to become a real baker. I went to school a half day and went to work as a baker a half day. I continued after I graduated from school. I had a job offer to work at a factory in town which paid more money so I accepted that. While working there I was offered a apprenticeship to become a pipe-fitter so I accepted that. This trade brought me to Colorado.
My first memories were of the hard times our family was going thru because of the great depression at that time. My Dad had a job it was only a couple days a week. We lived close to the railroad tracks and I remember bums knocking on our door for handouts. My Mom always found something for them. As we grew older my sisters and I did what we could at earning money to help out. My parents insisted that we all would have a high school education. They both only went thru the eighth grade but were self taught.
My memories of the cold war were mixed feelings. Russia was the enemy at that time and they were a powerful nation. I think that the tv and the newspapers kept fear in the public daily during that time. My personal opinion is that both sides were bluffing each other and neither side wanted war. The sad part of it all many ordinary people like the east Germans suffered for years. To this day I think that the Russian government can't be trusted and could care less for there own people. I believe that America will stay strong and free as long as we stay a Christian Nation.
I was 19 years old and the Korean War was going on so a good friend and I joined the Marine Corp. After boot camp and advanced training in California I was sent to Korea. Five hundred of us flew over as replacements. I spent a year in combat but the good LORD brought me home in one piece. I feel good about serving my country and also keeping South Korea free. At present South Korea has one of the largest Christian churches in the world. That alone was worth fighting for.
I think that my fear of missiles and bombs are more real now than at any other time. The world has gotten smaller with each new rocket we build. It will be my prayer that your generation will not see the evils of war or of cold war and live in peace and harmony.
Glad that you are satisfied with my rambling answers. I was in a 4.2 mortar company which is like small artillery. We would be on the front lines for a couple of months then retreat to the rear for a couple three weeks and then go back up and relieve another company. Some times it would be the Turks or the English or another American company. I had to go up one time to a rifle company as they had gotten over run and they lost a lot of men. Never forget it as it was during the monsoon season and the trenches were half full of water. Anyway God was there with me and I didn't get hurt.
I did keep in contact with a few buddies for awhile after we came back to the States but for a short period. When you're miles apart and life races on you forget the past. I think about some of my buddies yet today wondering if they are still alive and how their life has been.
Yes, it did affect me for a period of time. One thing I remember was that when I got home to my folks house I told my Mom that if I was sleeping that not to come near me to wake me up. Well she forgot and one morning she got to close when she touched me and I almost hit her with my fist. I missed but it was dose. Even a car backfire would shatter your nerves. I can't remember how long this lasted but I couldn't stand loud noises for a long time. Also there were dreams but they wore off. I think about those days yet. I wonder how many of my buddies are living yet and what they would look like. I give all the honor and glory to GOD for taking me thru all these 77 years I have lived.
I met Melba after I got out of the service and started working. She was working in the same building that I was and we hit it off and started going out. Anyway it ended up with four children (Karen, Joe, John, Cynthia) and and a lot of good memories.
One scary memory that comes to mind is taking an armed shell out of our mortar that didn't go off but could at any time. Once the shell hits the bottom of the tube it is armed and ready to explode. The whole area was cleared and another kid and I had to clear that mortar. He tipped it up and I had to catch the shell as it came out the tube. Couldn't hit the tip as that would explode the shell. God was with us. One other time gas exploded near me and I caught on fire. I was rolling in this field trying to get the fire out but was setting the field on fire instead. Two buddies picked me up and threw me in a small creek and put the fire out. Had to get patched up but God was good again.
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