"The Story of Uncle Gus"

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"The Story of Uncle Gus & How I Came to America"

by Walter Kehr

My story actually begins in the 19th century. Old Great-grandfather Salomon lived in a small hamlet, and was in the grain. In order to pick up and deliver the grain, it was necessary to employ a driver with horse and wagon.

The trouble was that old Salomon did not trust the driver, so at every delivery he sent along one of his sons (of which there were four). HALLO UNCLE GUS.

Now, this was a big mistake, because UNCLE GUS had itchy fingers which he used to help himself to a little bonus. When old Salomon discovered the theft, UNCLE GUS got the beating of his life, and a tongue lashing to boot. Thereafter UNCLE GUS became a very good boy. Alas the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak and UNCLE GUS managed to get the kitchen maid pregnant. Not another word was necessary, off to America.

Sometimes matters take a strange turn, and UNCLE GUS became very rich, married, and had two children. Went into politics and became American Counsel in Berlin. For reasons not quite clear, he was either recalled, or decided to return to live in New York. Came 1929, the depression and the good man lost all his money.

After Hitler came into power in 1933, things got very difficult for Jewish people to remain in Germany. So in 1937 my parents decided to go to America. For this purpose you needed a visa. HALLO UNCLE GUS.

I don't know how he managed to get enough money together to be able to sponsor a family of three, which the government demanded to issue said visa. With all this done, on December 16th 1937 my parents and I arrived in Hoboken USA and UNCLE GUS met us there. I was then 12 years old, in short pants not able to speak a word of English.

In school I was a seventh grader, but when my father tried to register me in me school the principal decided that he had to set me back one year until I could speak a proper English .

This was not corrected until I was in high school. I managed to graduate in the top 10% in my class. Less than two months later I found myself in the army, sent to Germany and served in the armored infantry. At the war's end, I did a lot of AMG (American Military Government) work until my discharge and returned home in hopes to live a normal life.

Sadly I must report that during the time I was in Europe UNCLE GUS moved into a SRO and passed peacefully away. It is often said that God moves in mysterious ways. If UNCLE GUS had not managed to get the kitchen maid pregnant, he would have never been sent to America, and I would not be here to tell this story. •