The original of this document is almost 70 years old, and as far as I knew, only one copy of it was ever written.  I felt that those people that knew the author, my grandfather, might want a small reminder of him and some of the events that helped shape him.  It is with this intention that I transcribed the original onto a medium that could produce more copies, thereby giving all who were interested a chance to read his thoughts during this section of his life.

        I tried to stick to the original as accurately as possible.  I corrected some obvious spelling errors and included the material he penciled in later in the margins, but all else has been left intact.  I also used a typeface that resembles the original's as closely as possible.  I felt this helped preserve the flavor of the document better than anything I could change it to.

 I never met my grandfather, but after reading his journal, I feel that I have.
 

  D. J. McCarthy
  1987