By Neena Strichart
Today is a very historic day in the eyes of our nation. This is the bi-centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. For me, this day is special for personal reasons. Today would have been my daddy’s 100th birthday.
My dad, Alfred E. Posner, was proud to share his birthday with such a great man. Somehow he felt a special kinship with our 16th president and enjoyed collecting Lincoln memorabilia. I still have his Lincoln books, bookends, campaign buttons, paperweight and myriad other odds and ends.
Born in Massachusetts, February 12, 1909, my dad was the son of a Polish immigrant mother, and a father he never knew. His father was reportedly a military officer killed in the war.
Dad’s surname was Poznanski, but when he was 15, he lied about his age and name (changing it to Posner) in order to join the Marine Corps. He loved telling me stories of the time he served his country at Parris Island military base in South Carolina. He was honored to have been a Marine— and while other children’s parents taught them to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” I swear the first song I learned was the Marine Corps Hymn.
Through the years my dad worked as a security guard at the docks in Long Beach and at Douglas Aircraft. He looked so handsome in his uniform. I’m sure that’s why I still have my head turned by tall dark and handsome men in uniforms. In later years he worked as a tax investigator for Los Angeles County. He loved that work. It gave him an opportunity to meet and help small business owners. Through that job he met Long Beach restaurateur George Smyrniotis. Fast forward forty years plus— George’s daughter Tina Lilis is one of our advertisers. She owns the Pizza Place down on Broadway and generously donated to our Sweetheart Sweepstakes. The continuing connections are all so amazing.
Although he appeared to love life, he chose to leave us in June of 1975. Suffering with deep depression was more than he could bear. Nevertheless, many of the relationships he forged during his 66 years on this earth have remained with me to this day. Mom and I love our relationships with former Signal Hill elected officials like Nick Mekis, Ennis Neff and our darling Keaton King. These men and their wives are still active with the city. Along with my parents, these are the folks who have inspired me to stay involved with my community.
My father taught me many lessons: Fear no man, no matter his rank or position, yet show respect to those who have earned it; don’t be afraid to speak in public— just picture the audience in their underpants; don’t reward bad behavior; and most importantly— save the last cookie for your dad. Happy Birthday, Daddy — I love you.
