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of what the military was like. Upon graduation, he thought
about going to college but decided he would get more
experience working in the hardware store. Someday he
would take it over from his old man.
Todd’s hometown was Linden, a picturesque place in
upstate New York with a population of about 10,000. It had
the usual main street that ran through the center of town,
lined with shops. The rest of town consisted of shady
streets. Surrounding them was a rural farming area. There
was no industry in Linden. A lot of the work force commuted
to the city of Rochester, about thirty miles to the north.
The Simms’ home was a large, white, two-story house in
the residential section of the main street, with a big lawn.
The house and town were typical of those in the eastern
states.
On the appointed date, Todd drove to the induction
center in Rochester. He was given a quick examination and
asked some questions.
Told he was accepted, he was sworn into the U.S. Army
with a group of other men. He was instructed to report back
to the center on January 3 for transport to a reception
center at Fort Niagara, New York.
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