MOONSHINE

MOONSHINE
I read - with much interest- a book review in the Wall Street Journal this morning. Eddie Dean reviewed Max Watman’s recent book, “Chasing the Dog” - about the bootleggers making “moonshine” (whiskey), during the Great Depression. Eddie’s writing reminded me of a fellow that I met at Gunter Field, Alabama, when we were Privates in the Army air Corps. Our exchange took place in 1941 - months before “Pearl Harbor”.
We lived together in the same Barrack. I can’t remember his name, even though I take pride in my “long term” memory. But, I do remember asking him where he was from? With his strong drawl, I knew that it was below the Mason-Dixon Line. He said , “North Carolina”. Then, I asked him about his work in civilian life? He told me that he was a “Bootlegger”. He told me that there were so many bootleggers with stills in the hills, that they had to wear badges to keep from selling the booze to each other!
Our brain is a very interesting and fascinating organ. When we are of “sound mind”, we don’t appreciate how intricate, and marvelous it really is. And yet, when we lose more than half of the brain cells in our frontal cortex, (as Marie has), and our brain fails simple tests, it is too late to understand our loss.
I hadn’t thought of my fellow airman during the past 69 years, until now. Except for not remembering his name, I remember our conversation as if it were just yesterday. The same thing with the term “bootlegger”. I thought that this archaic “trade” was extinct. But, apparently, it is still alive and well.
Ray L’Amoreaux
February 15, 2010.