Why He Enlisted
Heroes Remember
Why He Enlisted
I really, truly say that I went over there to kill, to stop
those Nazis. I had to stop that, that was going on in Europe.
Because I could see, and this is before he overran in 1940, this
is while he was still sitting there and beating the Poles in
very short time. But, no, I knew, I was twenty-three, I wasn't
just a kid and I had a good job and not only a good job, I would
never have had to serve because I was in the merchant marine.
And, no, I do know that a lot of people jumped off, well I know
a lot even in my own regiment that jumped off a freight train
straight in there for a buck a day. And something, three square
meals, I know that. But me, personally, no. I went over there to
stop Hitler, my little bit that I could do.
Related Videos
The Search For Work
Mr. Keys describes what it was like looking for a job in October, 1935. He recounts going by train to Northern Ontario where he was refused work in the mines because of his weight.
When War Broke Out
Mr. Keys recollects being in Chicago with the merchant marine when the war broke out. He then went to Regina to visit his mother and subsequently enlisted.
Army Over Navy
Mr. Keys explains why he joined the army instead of the navy.
- Date modified: