Letters from Our Readers:

In a message dated May 10, 2010, Jackie Singer writes to Rockaway Memories

Hi Marty,

So happy at the great job you and others are doing to keep the memories alive. I'm a 1947 graduate and though I was young during World War II, I remember the blackouts and the little plastic I.D. we kids had to wear until the war was over. I, also, recall something many Americans weren't aware of...Although Rockaway was a summer resort, during a few years of the war with Germany, the U.S.Army had cannons and tents on the beach in the winter months. My mother used to give me thermoses of hot chocolate and toll house cookies to bring to them on the beach. One time we actually saw a German submarine surface and could clearly see the Nazi swasitka. It never bothered me as a child but, in retrospect, it's frightening to realize if the war would have gone the other way, Rockaway would have been one of the "beach heads". I still see three of my friends from Rockaway when I visit New York and they recall the soldiers,etc, there also. It was a well kept secret. Keep up the great work, Marty!

Jackie (Zipern) Singer (FRHS, 1947)