While assigned to the U.S. Army’s 189th Supply Depot near Mannheim, Germany in 1946, my dad, Joe Herd, sat for his caricature at age 19. At the time, he was a Tech Corporal driving truck transferring GIs, Officers, and German POWs to their assignments.
He explained to me that the artist had been drawing all the other fellows with a beer in their hands. But Dad told him he didn’t want that, since he didn’t drink. The artist surprised him with this interpretation.
Contrast that with my portrait at age 21 in 1977, while I was nearing the end of a two-year tour with a singing troupe. At the time I was enjoying the glitz of Las Vegas, NV. We appeared in several venues there, and opened for keynote speaker Robert Redford at the National Recreation and Park Association Congress.
Perhaps no two other images can as readily illustrate the difference between our generations. The earlier fought the critical fight in World War II so the next could enjoy unprecedented freedoms, prosperities and opportunities.
And I’ll never forget it. Always remember and be grateful!