Memorial Day - 2012

This holiday has been set aside to remember and honor those individuals that have served our country, both in time of war and peace. Since the start of our line of Bolles', past generations have made their mark in all major conflicts, sometimes fight cousin against cousin (Civil War),with many continuing to serve even today.  Most have lived to tell about their military experience while some have died fighting for their cause. On this Memorial Day, I would like to tell the life story of one of those who we remember for their service.

 

Raymond with his sons, Larry and Phil, Asbury Park, NJ cira 1920

The person I write of is my uncle, Lawrence Alan Bolles. He was my father's older brother, born 21 May 1910. Larry & Phil grow up fast, as they lost their father, Raymond while still young teenage boys. Their mother, Laura, saw that they continued their education, learned about country living during summer vacations and grew up to be well rounded men.

Raymond, Lauram Phil and Larry Bolles, cira 1920

 

Larry worked as a clerk in Newark, NJ during the early '30's and towards the end of the Depression, joined his mother, "stepfather" Chris, his brother, Phil and cousin, Walter, in a family business, Chris Chophouse, at 258 Clinton Avenue, Newark, NJ.  It was a popular place; both Larry and Phil worked as waiters, as well as any other chores that needed to be done. Members of the Newark Bears, a farm team of the NY Yankees, ate at the chophouse and became friends of both brothers and the rest of the family.

Larry got married to Emma Grybowski, on 30 May 1941.  Life was good, but like everywhere else things changed after 7 Dec 1941, a few months later.  World War II changed the way of life; the chophouse closed due to death of Chris, a child was on the way for Larry and Emma and then Larry's life changed even more with his enlistment into the Army on 13 September 1943. He went off to war and Emma soon after had their child. It was a difficult time for both of them.

Lawrence Alan Bolles 1943

With his restaurant experience, it was natural to find Larry in the mess tent, feeding his fellow comrades in training, overseas in North Africa and later in Italy on the southern frontier of the war. I remember hearing of his stories of being on board troop transport ships, one of those trips not being too smooth, as over half of the troops were sea sick for most of the trip, including Larry. The letters he wrote home told of the hot dusty desert conditions the troops faced, his not so pleasant experiences with camels and the never ending tasks of setting up and tearing down location after location as the lines moved throughout the war. Though not in any major combat role, Larry and others like him served their country proud. He was honorably discharged as a corporal

Larry (second from the left) with his buddies 1943

Larry's life after the war prospered. He continued in one fashion or another in the food industry, waitering, bar tending, and later becoming the head matre’d with an executive staff for a large corporation. The family expanded, with the marriage of his son, soon followed by several grandchildren. After retirement, he traveled, enjoyed cruising and was a snowbird, between New Jersey and Florida until 9 January 1992.  This is but a brief look into one soldier's life.

It is on holidays like this, that members of our families are to be remembered for their call to duty. It is our duty, to take the time and listen to their memories, both good time and bad; to open an old truck and see young faces in old photos, the places their footsteps took them to; and most important of all, to thank them for maintaining the freedoms and privileges that we can still experience today because of their service to our country.  Thank you Uncle Larry and all of the other soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and women, all past, present and future that have gave service to our great land.

 

To Be Continued……