When the Americans occupied our town, we had a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day. All the adults had to carry a passport or an ID. The neighborhood had a church meeting and some of the ladies (mom was one of them), walked on the main road to the next town. It was about a one-hour walk.

At times, it was a scary time.When the Americans occupied our town, we had a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day.  All the adults had to carry a passport or an ID. The neighborhood had a church meeting and some of the ladies (mom was one of them), walked on the main road to the next town. It was about a one-hour walk.

At times, it was a scary time.

On the way home, the ladies tried to stay close to the side of the road, and they heard a car coming. Three or four soldiers stepped out of their jeep and circled around the ladies. They wanted to see the passport or any ID. My mom was the only one who had left her ID at home. The soldiers spoke only English, but somehow they communicated.

Mom had a choice to pay either a $100 fine (which she did not have), or do community service. Mom had to go to the City Hall. We children did not want her to work in the field to make hay for the towns bulls and clean their stable. We told her that we would not eat and for her to pay the fine instead.

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