When the Army shipped me off to Viet Nam in 1967, my father threw out everything I had collected from birth: the comic books, Space Patrol, Space Cadet, Captain Video and other TV premiums plus Mars Attacks, baseball and other trading cards, even the well hidden (I thought) Playboys and Mad magazines were all unceremoniously tossed in the trash. Mementos of a childhood lost forever. Why he did it, I never knew. Maybe he thought I wasn’t coming home from the war. That no doubt had a bearing on my becoming a dealer in collectibles and nostalgia items, trying to reassemble my childhood memories.

I had a store in the early 1980’s located on Central Avenue just South of Irving Park called Golden Age Nostalgia, which was filled with comic books, radio and TV premiums, movie posters and other paraphernalia. It was a well known stop for collectors back in the day. There are only two existing photos of the exterior and none of the interior which I regret. I eventually sold the inventory, closed the store and later opened the Vietnam War Museum (another story).

What a wonderful life of experiences it has been and I want to tell you why I share these things with you now. My father never talked much about his childhood or our family heritage. I don’t know much about our roots or my parents experiences growing up, and what I do know I had to find out for myself. I never knew Great grandpa Louie had his own beer business at the turn of the century until I discovered an old beer bottle with our surname on it at the flea market and did some research.

I have learned that it is beneficial to share your memories, your history; as my son would say, “tell your story.” Others benefit and can be inspired or encouraged through our sharing of personal experiences.

I therefore encourage you also to “tell your story.” Share your experiences with family and friends. Find out what you can about your family history and write it down, keep a record and save a few heirlooms for posterity. Your children and their children will one day thank you.