Jerry Oswald:  

Life Well, here it is 2003. Been out of High School 42 years now. Seems like yesterday was at Hancock and thought life was really tough. Too much studying and couldn't wait to be 21. Remember hanging out at "Wild's Palace Of Poison" and those baked beans at "Steak-N-Shake". Did lots of cruzin' on LeMay Ferry and up to Gas Light Square. Use to go to Dohack's and then over to Radison's on the Illinois side too. Was a member of "Traction Masters" car club in the last 50's in St.Louis,Misouri. Those sure were the days. Not much to worry about, keep the car shined and a date for Friday night at the drive-in. Parents told me "This Is The Best Time In Your Life". But, what did they know. I was 17, I Knew It All!!!!!!! Seems like yesterday I was going to school and working after to make enough to buy gas at 15 cents a gallon. Well here I am at 60, an you know Mom & Dad were not as stupid as I thought. It just took me all these years to figure it out. I was the stupid one for not listening to the wisdom of my parents. After High School did a lot of partying and stayed around St. Louis for a while. Moved to California in 1966 and got drafted in 1968. Did 13 months in Vietnam and came home in 1970. Stayed in California and worked since 1966. Moved to Huntington Beach where I still live. Opened my own company in the 80's and been busy ever since. Wife's been pretty patience with me over the years as she say's she understands my quest for "The-Need-For-Speed. It all started in High School and still exist till this day. I've went thru 20 years of Corvette's, 5 years of Streetrod's, 4 years of airplanes, and now into boats (Scarab's)as the water's is the last place to have fun since the streets are now too busy to race these days. Well as I said before, here I am at 60 now. Been married to a lovely wife for 28 years. Had my share of heartache and joy over the years. Thinking about retiring now in the next couple of years and letting the next generation "Take Over". Think I've paid my dues so to speak. Here's wishing all of the "Class of 61" a great retirement. It's time to pass the torch to the leader...Expand for more