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Arlin lived his first 22 years on Schmaltzdahl Road outside of New Ringgold, Pennsylvania. Being the oldest of nine he spent much of his time helping on his family's farm. He also spent a lot of time helping his mother's parents, granny and grandpa Paul. The Paul farm was just down the road from the Behler farm so it was easy for the young Arlin to give a hand to his grandparents. Most of the stories he would tell about his childhood centered around his Paul grandparents. The old farmhouse does not exist anymore. It had been a hunt and gun club meeting house during the late 60's into the 70's. |
| Arlin went to school in a one room school house on the same road as his home and the home of his grandparents. He completed the 8th grade in 1934 and that is where his formal education ended. As with many young men at that time high school was not a viable option. The closest high school was in Orwigsburg which was too far to walk every day and even if it had been closer, an extra pair of hands on the farm were needed. Arlin began to work for his Grandpa Paul for a small wage which was then taken home to his parents to help with household expenses. A story not too uncommon in 1934. |
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Arlin often talked to his children about his boyhood. Although it was clear that there were not a lot of extras in the household, it was also very clear that there was plenty of love and laughter to go around. As he grew he learned about farming and he learned carpentry from his father. He enjoyed hard work and he loved to read. His Grandpa Paul would give him Zane Grey novels and he would read them over and over. He met Margurerite Emerich in 1939. She was a "city girl" from Orwigsburg and although it was a couple of miles to the town he managed to "come calling" even if it meant walking all the way. |
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Arlin's parents lost their farm early in 1941 and the family moved to
Lake Hopatacong, New Jersey. Arlin enlisted in the Army Air Corp and then went
back to Pennsylvania to marry Marguerite. They were married December 21, 1941
and that evening Arlin had to return to Fort Dix, New Jersey where he began his basic training.
Arlin next went to Illinois where he was trained for more specific
duties. He became a munitions specialist and left for the Phillipines October
6th 1943.
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