The 1970’s: Rebellion, Recession, and Relief
Ever since war began in the 1700’s, the United States has created an extraordinary history. A past that included battle, set backs, and reconstruction. This would change America forever. My family has continuously been apart of war dating back to 1914. I chose to write my Oral History assignment about the 1970’s. While focusing on the Vietnam War, this time period was quite eventful. The 1970’s were a fearful, influential, and revolutionary time that had a lasting effect on the U.S.
The person I chose to interview for this project is my Dad, Mark Berns. He was born in 1959 near the end of the World War II baby boom. My Dad grew up in Morton Grove, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago. His family was apart of the upper-middle class whose parents voted Republican. All family members were healthy and …show more content…
My Dad’s Grandfather served in World War I, fighting overseas in Europe. His Uncle who served in the Navy in World War II had a very risky job as a rear gunner on a bombardier aircraft. My grandfather claimed, “It was the most dangerous job in the war with a life expectancy of two-weeks.” His other uncle would speak of the horrors in which he served in the infantry over in Europe. My Grandfather served in the Army and was sent to Japan after the Hiroshima bombing for reconstruction purposes. He said, “Our family was lucky to be born when we were. We missed all of the major conflicts.” My Dad was the first of our family not to serve. These four relatives rushed to enlist right out of high school, they never thought of bypassing the war. This later allowed them to go to school on the GI Bill. Each war they served, seemed to define themselves. My Dad quotes, “Nothing was too difficult in life, they could tackle anything life threw at them after the war. These guys were my heroes.” Thankfully my family was able to survive war without too much
Ever since war began in the 1700’s, the United States has created an extraordinary history. A past that included battle, set backs, and reconstruction. This would change America forever. My family has continuously been apart of war dating back to 1914. I chose to write my Oral History assignment about the 1970’s. While focusing on the Vietnam War, this time period was quite eventful. The 1970’s were a fearful, influential, and revolutionary time that had a lasting effect on the U.S.
The person I chose to interview for this project is my Dad, Mark Berns. He was born in 1959 near the end of the World War II baby boom. My Dad grew up in Morton Grove, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago. His family was apart of the upper-middle class whose parents voted Republican. All family members were healthy and …show more content…
My Dad’s Grandfather served in World War I, fighting overseas in Europe. His Uncle who served in the Navy in World War II had a very risky job as a rear gunner on a bombardier aircraft. My grandfather claimed, “It was the most dangerous job in the war with a life expectancy of two-weeks.” His other uncle would speak of the horrors in which he served in the infantry over in Europe. My Grandfather served in the Army and was sent to Japan after the Hiroshima bombing for reconstruction purposes. He said, “Our family was lucky to be born when we were. We missed all of the major conflicts.” My Dad was the first of our family not to serve. These four relatives rushed to enlist right out of high school, they never thought of bypassing the war. This later allowed them to go to school on the GI Bill. Each war they served, seemed to define themselves. My Dad quotes, “Nothing was too difficult in life, they could tackle anything life threw at them after the war. These guys were my heroes.” Thankfully my family was able to survive war without too much