Today, as I drove by someone’s yard, I saw people playing Bottle Rocket War.
We played a lot of Bottle Rocket Wars when I was growing up.
In fact, the whole week of July 4th was filled with “War Games.”
Allowed “Weapons” during War Games were:
Bottle Rockets
Smoke Bombs
Roman Candles
Black Powder rolled up in toilet paper stolen from Dad’s Black Powder Pouch.
BB Guns
M-60s – M-80s
Anything in the shape of a Rocket
Black Cat Firecrackers
Smoke Grenades
…and so on
Things like the “Smoke Grenade” were even in the shape of a Hand Grenade.
We would get a 1-inch PVC Pipe and cut it into 3-foot sections, so each team had at least one “Over-The-Shoulder Grenade Launcher.” In reality, the Grenade Launcher only shot Bottle Rockets.
In the ’80s, $30 bucks would set you up with all the Fire Power you would need.
We had two Neighbors who lived across the street from us.
The boundaries were the woods, the neighbor’s yards, and our yard.
In our area, we had one street light on the street and one street light in our backyard.
That was our only light unless we had a bright Moon that night.
Some wore Goggles bought in the Hardware Section at the local K-Mart, and some didn’t.
I wore mine now and then.
The game lasted until the last man would quit and go inside.
Sometimes, you’d be the last man standing and not even know it for an hour.
You’d run from tree to tree, quietly trying to sneak up on your opponent, only to find out you’ve been sneaking up on the neighbor’s cat.
You’d walk inside and find everyone else already inside playing Atari or watching TV.
Times were different.
And people did get hurt more often, I believe.
But, boy, is it a good memory today.
Happy Independence Day, 2023
