Coming Home
Post WWII
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The story begins when the Author was in Europe, and notified that he would be returned to the United States for release from military service. The return trip was normal with no unusual incidents. His destination was the home he lived in until entering military service. When he arrived, on May 29, 1946, he was surprised to learn that there was no room for him. Despite the surprising revelation, the author managed to achieve a life that was not possible while living in the home of his parents. It was a challenge that he undertook with tenacity and succeeded beyond his hopes.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
A real life experience and a sobering surprise for a WWII veteran returning to the United States after having served in Europe for about 18 months. Having been notified that it was his turn to be released from service, he was sure that he was going to the home he left two years earlier. Upon returning, he was faced with the reality that the home was not his and there was no room for him. Although not stated, the message was, “Sorry Buster, you don’t live here anymore”. What happened? It is generally assumed that one has a home, a physical shelter where you hang your hat, or where you are a member of a household with either the given rights of residency or other qualifying reason(s). Without the legitimacy of an assumed status in a home, does any metaphor describing a destination or objective, such as “coming home”, make it a rite of passage? Despite the object lesson, the veteran courageously dealt with it and moved on achieving a better life than was anticipated or foreseen in his childhood home. Could this story be a message, lesson, or guidance, for parents, or is it a sobering reality of rights? Despite an upsetting experience, a last minute compromise and the veterans tenacity, allowed him a temporary residence that gave him an opportunity to adjust to the changed landscape.
About the Author
Paul Contos was born of immigrant parents in Chicago, Illinois, one of three sons and one daughter. He attended schools in Illinois earning diplomas at Drummond and Burr Elementary, and Lane Technical High schools. After graduating from high school at the age of seventeen years, he was hired as an inspector by the U. S. Signat Corps Inspectioin Zone. In March 1944, with World War II in progress, he registered for the draft. Within the following two months he volunteered to be and was inducted in the United States Army on May 30. Imperfect vision in one eye disqualified him from an opportunity with the United States Air Force. After eight weeks of basic training and four weeks in the Army Specailized Training Program (ASTP), he was assigned to the Antitank Company, attached to the 66th Infantry Regiment in the 71st (Red Circle) Division with which he served in Europe. On March 13, 1945 Paul was injured by enemy fire and earned the Meritorious Unit Citation, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, along with other awards.. He served his country proudly. After release from military service, he took advantage of the country’s generosity under the G. I. Bill, working his way through schools and earning a Television Degree from American Television Institute in Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana. After graduating from the U. of I., he was hired by the Lockheed Aircraft Corportion (LAC) in the newly created Missiles and Space Division (LMSD). He served in numerous leadership positions until he retired after 32 years of continuous employment. He now resides in San Jose California where he keeps in close touch with nis greatest achievement, his proud family.