A longshoreman smiles as he receives his back to work orders at Pier 34

I sent this photo via WhatsApp to one of my nephews and said, "Whose the guy on the right?"

"Hmm, he looks familiar, but I don't know. Funny though, he looks like Spanky from the Little Rascals all grown up!"

After a hardy well needed belly laugh, I realized it was time to become more involved in educating my young kinfolks about their family heritage as well as preserving the cities history through storytelling.

Arthur F. Meehan, my grandfather was indeed a smiling longshoreman.

I was lucky enough to possess endless crazy stories along with this iconic photo and what appears to be his United States Coast Guard Port Security Card issued back in 59 which stated his occupation sponsored by the I.L.A Local 1258.

To step back in time, I had to educate myself about the International Labor Association which was once coined I Love America by then I.L.A leader Jeff Davis during W.W.I

The root of the I.L.A was during the time of the colonial Ameican when the arrival of new ships bearing goods from around the old world was greeted with cries, "MEN LONG SHORE!!"

Marlon Brando's, On The Waterfront character Terry McNally had this in common with my grandfather, both were dockworkers who retreated to the rooftop where they found solice with pigeons. However, Arthur F Meehan was somebody, he was not only a contender, he was a person who handed down an Irish heritage attached to an embedded work ethic.

Thanks Grandpa!

#nycstoryteller #citystories #oldnewyork

Source: ILA