Luger, Nathan 2012-04-24
This interview features Nathan Luger as he discusses his involvement with World War II, and his faith. In this interview Luger starts by describing his home and life in New York, then moves on to explain his service during World War II and the bombing of Japan. Luger then explains why he moved to Lubbock and discusses the Jewish Community in Lubbock. The interview ends with Nathan’s second wife, Marci, recounting how she worked to feed the homeless in Lubbock.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Nathan Luger
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: April 24, 2012
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Robert Weaver
Length: 01:05:45
Abstract
Short Version: Introduction and background information; His involvement with the bombing of Japan; Traveling around for his job and living in Lubbock; The Jewish community in Lubbock; Prejudice he has faced for being Jewish, and his Jewish faith; How he felt about the Holocaust; Feeding the homeless
Long Version: Nathan Luger, Born in New York City, 12 Family Members, 5 Brothers in Service at one time, Twin Brother Named Saul Luger, Family from Europe, Drafted Army/ Air force, Radio Man/ Gunner, 112 Horse Drawn Field Artillery, Shipped Out to the Island of Attu, Overseas till 1945, Nathan Luger part II, Discharged while here in Lubbock, Courted his wife here and she attended Tech, Connie Edmondson, Moved to New York, Moved Back to Lubbock in 1950, Opened his own business here, Business was on the first part of the new I27, Was forced to move his company, First wife was Methodist, Blew the Bugle and the chauffer, Was President of the Beday Breith, Was a part of the Temple, Was a Part of foodoroma, Food-o-roma stopped a few years ago, Rabbi Kline, Retired in 1960’s, Wife was extremely active in the community, Gave really Long sermons, Lived in a little house by the temple, Changed the names of the hall from Houseman to Feldon, New temple started, Only lasted 3-4 years, Opened because some people weren’t happy, Nathan Luger, Both him and his wife sing in the southwest Baptist choir, Difference is Baptist believe in Jesus and God Jewish just go to God, Feels a little put out because not many Jews in Lubbock, New York, Grew up in larger Jewish area, Very Orthodox, Very Religious, No dairy with meat, Pray 3 times a day, Public School and Hebrew school, Took road trip to New York, Moved still within Brooklyn, Move out of New York, Had a home in the Brookshire Mountains, Went during the summer, Couldn’t find the farm though, Went to Alaska, Drove 5000 miles each way, Went to Fairbanks, Went on a Cruise ship and saw town they wanted to see more of, Growing up In a Jewish community, Still celebrated Christmas and observed it, Traveled to Israel, Second wife went not him, Found Childhood homes and school, Replica of plane he flew in, Master Sergeant, Did Morse code for long distance, NO radio in enemy territory, Carried bombs to drop on submarines and enemy ships, Wife, Converted to Judaism, Nathan Luger part III, Feeding homeless people, Feed homeless people at Civic Center, Did it for about 8 people in 2012, Told they needed to stop because could be poisoning the people, She donates food to bridge of Lubbock to cook and serve it
Access Information
Original Recording Format: born digital
Recording Format Notes: CD copy available to listen in reading room
Transcript: Transcript available on dspace
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