In my 84th year, I have been reminiscing about my early years growing up in Bernardston. I wonder how we made it without cell phones and computers, and we had very little money.
I was one of nine children in the Myron and Julia Barber family. I believe all of us felt loved, secure, and found joy in a large family. I had many boyhood friends in the Messer, Deane, Carlin, Shores, Streeter, Hale and Grover families.
Large families and good friends were unrealized treasures. About the worst thing a boy did was smoke, drink a beer and drive his old car too fast. I can’t remember being tempted to do the serious stuff that happens today. We played ball in the park, went to square dances, took part in lots of winter sports and other activities that didn’t require a lot of money.
The best couple dancing at the square dance in the Town Hall were Russell and Lillian Deane. I tried to do as well but never made it. Most young men had jobs as soon as they were old enough. It wasn’t unusual for a boy to quit school before graduating from high school.
My closest friend during those years was Leonard Corbet Eastman. He was the son of Harrison and Sarah Eastman. We spent hundreds of days together, and we had no idea what was in our future. Leonard graduated from college and received a commission in the United States Navy. He went on to be a pilot in the largest single-crew-member aircraft in the world, the F-8 Crusader. He was shot down over North Vietnam and remained a prisoner of war for six years and seven months. He and the others received terrible treatment, and several died. Leonard is alive and well today.
I joined the military service at 17 and went up through the ranks. I was promoted to staff sergeant and then received a direct commission to second lieutenant. After graduating from flight school, I went on to become a test pilot on the world’s first attack helicopter, the AH-1G Cobra. Leonard and I had no idea of becoming military pilots.
Lou Barber
Ruston, La.