Amidst the grievances of the Great Depression and impending threat of another world war, a small bundle of joy came into the world. This baby boy was born on October 27, 1938 in Passaic, New Jersey. This tiny child started out untouched by the world’s assaults. Then, like all other children, he grew up. Faced with the impacts of world wars, economic struggles, and the challenges of growing up in an aggressive world, he endured every tough moment with the courage and desire to create something great out of it. From 1938 until 1952 he only knew what life in New Jersey had taught him; however, once he was enlisted at age 17 he began a life-changing journey. While in service, he lived in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and Puerto Rico, where he met the love of his life. Although he left high school to join the Marine Corp, while enlisted he received his high school diploma and even earned a few college course credits. Now, in 2014, he is a grandfather, father, and happily-wedded husband of 51 years. He was a marine, a hero. He still is a hero -- my hero. He is Ronald S. Jaxon -- my grandfather.
Interview:
Where is your family from? Was your family involved in your upbringing?
My parents were first generation U.S. citizens as my grandparents were of European descent. My mother’s parents were from Italy, and my father’s parents were from the Ukraine. I never knew my grandfathers, sadly, so there’s not much if anything I can say about either of them. My grandmothers were the most influential in my upbringing, and I lovingly reflect on their cultural differences.
Did your parents’ marriage affect your childhood? If so, in what way?
My parents divorced when I was a young boy, and eventually they both remarried. Times were not that pleasant, but I had a good life and never lacked anything material. However, even at my young age I could see the unity in other families that was lacking in mine.
Since you were hyperaware to the difference between other families and your own, was there anything in particular you were self-conscious about?
When I was 9 years old my father and his brother changed our last name from Pypiuk to Jaxon. That was OK with me, because I was teased a lot about that name. Maybe my dad and uncle were teased also, who knows?
What are some of your favorite childhood memories? Did the Great Depression or World War II taint any of these memories?
Some pleasant memories were at my Italian grandmother’s house. She always had visitors for coffee and cake. It was like a mini United Nations, full of people of different ethnicities. Everyone seemed so friendly; I don’t remember any talk of the Great Depression or World War II. Of course we didn’t have the mass media as we do today. It was the radio or when we were at the movies that we got out news of national and world events and, yes, even newspapers. My other grandmother was a great bedtime story teller; she made the stories so real and entertaining.
What technology or forms of entertainment do you recall from your childhood?
When I was a boy, my grandmother had an Ice Box (not a refrigerator). The ice plant had small carts to wheel the ice to one’s home, and then lift it into the Ice Box. For entertainment we all sat around the radio, and listened to music and the many regular programs available. You really had to use your imagination to envision all the words and sounds: screeching doors, galloping horses, eerie music and sound effects. The beauty of it all was the unity or oneness as we all sat silently around that small device. When a program was over we would talk about it. Nowadays, when most TV programs are over you’re burned out, disillusioned, and have less money in your bank account. Our PC’s are great, informative, entertaining, etc., but if unchecked we become enslaved to these devices.
What were some of your favorite hobbies when you were younger? Do you still enjoy these?
My hobbies were wood working and writing. Ever since I was little I have enjoyed writing poetry and reflections about my life experiences.
Did you have any jobs in high school? Did the time period affect your relations with anyone?
While in high school, I had a summer job with a small moving company. I got to know a driver who became my dear friend, and was influential in my enlisting in the Marine Corps as he was in the Corp himself. He was black, and while this time period was known for its racism, neither of our races caused conflict. I had many black friends and for the love of me, I can’t remember any racial tension, they liked me and I liked them.
When did you join the Marines? What was your experience with the Marine Corp like?
Two weeks after I turned 17 I joined the Marine Corp, thus leaving high school before graduating. It was the best thing for me at that time. I was fortunate that the Korean conflict was over and I was enlisted years before the Vietnam War. I took advantage of educational programs offered by the military; I finished my high school education and got some college credits also. I was promoted to sergeant before my 19th birthday. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for two years and two years in Puerto Rico where I met my future wife, Ligia.
When you left the Marines, how did your life change? When did you start creating a family?
I was discharged honorably from the Marine Corp in 1959. Afterwards I worked at a chemical company and went to night school. My wife and I were married in 1960. Our first child was born in 1961 at the same hospital I was born in, St. Mary’s in Passaic, New Jersey. We moved to Arizona in 1964, and our daughter was born (oh happy day!) at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix on November 10, 1966, which happens to be the same date I enlisted in the Marine Corps, and it’s also the Corps birthday.
Did the threat of nuclear war and other impending current events affect your family’s life?
As a young couple working, studying and raising a child, we were aware of news events; however, not as attuned as we are today. The space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was fascinating, and we all seemed to become space enthusiasts. We were dumbfounded at the Bay of Pigs fiasco in Cuba and proud of President Kennedy, when he ordered the blockade during the Cuban missile crisis. Kennedy’s assassination was tragic and really had an impact on our awareness of our country’s and world events.
Were you financially stable during this time?
It seems like we stretched our income more in the 60's then we do nowadays. I earned $10,000 a year, had a real nice house, and even a Mustang. We lived comfortably. Our subdivision was built in former orange grove, and we had the greatest navel oranges imaginable. We gave away bags of oranges regularly.
Did you and/or your family participate in any sports or other extracurricular activities?
While living in Arizona, I started running again, as I did while I was in the Corp. Our daughter became interested in running as she got older, and we ran many 10k’s together. Our son was into swimming and music. He started taking accordion classes, when he was 7 years old. He still plays the accordion and is quite accomplished.
How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as a good father and husband, an honest and hardworking citizen, and mostly a faithful follower of our risen Lord Jesus Christ.
What are some of your greatest joys in life?
One of my greatest joys is the love our children have for one another and their happiness with their lives. Another is the blessings of two beautiful granddaughters and a second son.
How do you feel about the changing American family and present social issues?
I’m saddened by the demise of basic family values that were so instrumental in the building of our great country. The nucleus of a prosperous society is family. We are trying to redefine this concept which will be to our detriment.
What ideology or advice would you give to others that has made a difference in your life?
My son recently said something to me that is so simple and yet so profound, “slow down and be kind.” I’m always in a rush to get everything and anything done. With a philosophy like that we can’t go wrong. Life is too short to take for granted. People come and go out of our lives too quickly.
While life of America has drastically changed over the past hundred years, there are some aspects that both my grandfather’s generation and my generation have in common. Unfortunately, every generation has dealt with war, death, and mass destruction. Yes, as time passes and more technological advancements are made the more severe threats become. As time passes every threat will demand more attention and will affect more and more people. However, every generation has children. Every generation has innocent, little babies who start out pure and unharmed, but soon face a cruel world that challenges them to overcome opposition.
My grandfather, Ronald S. Jaxon, had a rough childhood; however, he did not let that deter him from starting a family of his own nor did it diminish his confidence in his ability to raise a family in the ways he wasn’t. His parents went through an ugly divorce, but instead of fearing love and commitment, he married young and has been with his wife for more than half a century. He joined the Marines in pursuit of serving a greater purpose in life. And, he found his purpose. At the end of the day, no matter who someone is or how old they are, that’s everyone’s main purpose in life: finding their purpose. Ronald Jaxon found his. Although he grew up in a broken home, he is the most faithful man I know. Maybe that’s why he is faithful. Nonetheless, his broken home didn’t put up a bridge between him and God, it strengthened their bond.
Many of today’s youth -- of my generation -- face the same struggles today. No one’s life is perfect. There are broken homes found everywhere; in fact, divorce is much more common nowadays than it was during my grandfather’s childhood. Now, sometimes divorces provide a better home environment for the child, but not always. However, whether the a young adult’s parents are from a broken home or not, many of my generation strive to find happiness and a wholesome family of their own one day without letting their past affect their mindset. Instead of focusing on the bad times, they look to the future and hope. Both generations have done that.
Both generations have dealt with pain. We have all dealt with death on a national -- even international -- scale. America’s history has been soiled with blood. The world wars, 9/11, the Cold War, the wars in the Middle East, etc. have greatly impacted both generations. Some of these events have affected a certain generation more than others, but we are all affected.
On the other hand, while both generations have faced similar struggles, my grandfather’s generation witnessed a great deal of tragedy. Surviving through the Great Depression was tough enough, but keeping up the stamina to continue through life was even tougher. While my grandfather didn’t notice any major effects of the Great Depression in his family, the tension between his parents and the rest of his family putting in all their efforts to make him happy show that they were put through some stress. Even though his family was going through rough times, his grandmothers and other extended family didn’t let that deter them from having a good time. That must have had great influence on my grandfather’s determination to fight through the bad times to get to the good. When he was my age, my grandfather was heading off to war. He was entering adulthood and decided he was going to fight for our great nation. He has always had a deep passion for the country we live in. He adores America, which is why he put his life at risk. While there is fighting going on, my generation hasn’t been directly affected by a major war. During my grandfather’s time, he lived through World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. While I have seen war footage on television, it’s not the same thing as witnessing war first hand.
Therefore, both our generations go through similar struggles, my grandfather has experienced things -- even when he was 17 -- which I have never experienced. The major difference between contemporary America and the America my grandfather grew up in as a young adult is the events which his generation experienced and mine did not. So, in this sense his generation did have “it harder” than my generation has.
