Yorkville: Stoops to Nuts: Armistice/Veterans Day In Yorkville

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Armistice/Veterans Day In Yorkville

Robert Pryor and cousins in front of 501 E 84th St.

Veteran's Day was a big day on York Avenue. Flags hung from most windows, men went to the bars, and youngsters played war and talked about which of their relatives served where and made up stories if they didn't have enough information. Kids called each other on the bullshit so you had to be careful tale stretching.

Originally called Armistice Day, it fell on November 11th because WWI hostilities ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month with Germany's signing of the armistice. In school most of our teachers still used that term even though the name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954.

Thomas Pryor first day back from WWII on York Ave.

Pictured here are my Dad with his cousins in front of 501 E 84th Street and his brother, Tom, on York Avenue in front of 1582 along with a couple of now shots of York Avenue and two photos of the Service Flag Dedication in August 1942. Dad said that cars were so scarce during WWII because of gas shortages that he and his friends played stickball and touch tackle football on York Avenue in front of his apartment building at 1582 right next to Old Timers Tavern.

Yorkville flew its flags proudly on Armistice/Veterans Day and marched for its sons and daughters

Our next "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts," storytelling show at Cornelia Street Cafe is Tuesday, November 13th @ 6pm. Our artists: Michele Carlo, Julia Joseph, John Newell and Tim O'Mara. Admission is $8 and that includes a free drink. Come down to the Café, nuzzle in and let the telling take you away.