My
mother was the youngest of a large family.
She was in high school when her brother, Ward, joined the navy and spent
time on a battle ship during World War II.
Ward
sent photos home to his little sister and she put them in a photograph album
which I inherited when my parents passed away.
Some of the photos show sailors doing their duties aboard ship and
others are of young guys just grinning for the camera. I don’t know a lot about Ward’s time at sea
but I could tell he got to go ashore in New York City.
The
snapshots from the city were probably purchased at a souvenir shop and mailed
to his little sister.
In
1944 the Empire State Building dominated the skyline, seen here behind the
Brooklyn Bridge.
Now
it takes a little searching to find the famous skyscraper.
I don’t
know if Uncle Ward got a chance to go to the top of the Empire State Building
but he sent back photos. Here is the
view at that time to the north with Central Park in the background and the
Chrysler Building on the right.
I’ve
never visited NYC but I can see from this recent photo that a lot has changed
since then.
The
view from the observation deck south in 1944 shows the Brooklyn Bridge on the
left and way off past Lower Manhattan to the right is the Statue of Liberty.
Same
view today with the new One World Trade Center building just right of center.
And
as a reminder of why we appreciate all those who leave home to defend this
great nation, here is a view of the same place before September 11, 2001.
Most
of these recent photos are borrowed from:
http://www.esbnyc.com/visit-empire-state-building. Some can be seen in greater detail by
clicking on them.
7 comments:
Interesting to try to pick out things that are still there. We can't say enough how much we appreciate those who defend our countries.
This is fascinating Leenie. Only you could see those changes as an artist with your keen eye. Hug B
I LOVE these juxtaposed then and now photos. It is like "what's wrong with this picture" or a "Where's Waldo" search.
I think you're right. I think things have really changed.
:-)
Pearl
Something so interesting about old pictures and comparing them with newer ones.
He looks so dashing in his uniform!
Amazing photographs and such a great legacy to have scored that photo album from your parents. So many folks in my family did not take pictures. Don't know why, but I have very little photographic proof of the existence of my parents/siblings.
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