REMEMBER AIR RAID DRILLS AND CIVIL DEFENSE

These items go back a long way.

I was in grade school when every once in a while we had to hide under our desk, or march down the hall to a "safe" location. There were these warnings posted all around the school, as well as outside on telephone poles advising in case of an alarm get to a safe location. Some people even had bomb shelters.

If memory serves me correct the warning signs were a triangle sign. It was yellow in color. To a kid it was 'kinda' scary. Was someone really going to drop an A bomb on us kids up in Newark, N.J.? Who was going to help us if there was an attack?

The answer to the question was the Civil Defense people. All around the country civilian volunteers were trained and ready to assist local police and fire department in a variety of ways: Crowd control, traffic management, and medical services.

Almost every community had a Civil Defense unit. As a kid I didn't know that. Due to my focus on Newark memorabilia I learned that these units and there "triangle" identification, with colors red, white, and blue, was nationwide. I've seen Civil Defense badges, from other States, and the "triangle" is on everyone. They can be a nice focus for badge collectors, however, My interest is only Newark.

Over the years I have acquired a few "CD" badges and other items. The badges featured here are all similar shape whether issued by the police department or the fire department. It's easy to see which department had more money to spend.

The Fire department badge is a little smaller than the one given out by the police. The one pictured here is in mint condition, and is finished with gold tone plating. It has recessed blue lettering that states: "Deputy Chief, Newark Aux. Fire Dept." In the center is a nice blue circle, with that "triangle" filled in white and the well known red "CD" in the center. This is a very nice item.

The badges issued by the police are bigger, so that makes them more impressive under the "bigger is better" rule. They are finished with black recessed letters on a silver tone finish. They read: "Auxiliary, Civil Defense, Police, Newark, N.J." Each badge has a four digit number on the bottom panel.

Funds must have been short as the center seal is nothing like the seal on the fire badge, or on the seals seen from other communities. All read police, but only one has a slightly different presentation which is obvious from looking at the pictures.

In addition to the badges my Civil Defense Collection includes a couple of other items. One is an "old armband" that is marked with the red, white and blue circle. This one is marked on top with the word "Warden." On the outside of the triangle are the letters "D and C" while inside is the traditional "C and D." I am not sure what the "D/C" is all about, but I got it from a person in Newark so I display it with the badges.

The last item, a twenty pound hat, is my wife's favorite even though she was very concerned and said: "Where are you going to put that." I found a spot, even though it wasn't my first thought. It sits on top of the hutch on my desk. The wife was surprised and inquired: "Your not going to put that up there, are you?" It fit, and I think she likes it now. I do. It's history and brings back those memories of when I was a kid hiding under my desk, during an air raid warning test, back in grade school. A great memory.