The great depression and the dust bowl days were for some of us more than just stories of the past. Those terrible times helped mold and give us shape. More than a few of us were around during World War II. Personally, I remember Pearl Harbor and the discussion around the school merry-go-round concerning what our collective and individual fathers were going to do to 'The Japs'. Also, the national blackouts (when simulated air raids would be practiced) across the country and even at our homes as part of a quite serious time.
Uncles Dale Foust and Neil Smith served our country and this fact made me so proud. Writing letters to them was my way of being patriotic and brought home the ugly war which seriously gave us threat. (One reason that I enlisted into the Air Force during the Korean War may have been to somewhat emulate my brave uncles.) Just before my dad was to be inducted into the service new rules for the maximum age of service participation gave him exemption. During this time he worked at Wichita Boeing for awhile as a guard. In my room hung a photo of Boeing's B-29 Bomber and I was proud of him as he prepared for work where he would tote his gun and holster.
Paper and metal were saved for drives to recycle into war materials. President Roosevelt gave speeches on radio to keep the nation aware of their responsibilities and the scope of our difficulties both prior to and during the war. The depression wasn't really disposed of until after the war started. Many of us were living in conditions that today would correctly be called abject poverty. It is doubtful that any of us considered ourselves to be really poor.
Rationing of our nation's resources was one way that each of us contributed to the war effort. Gasoline, tires, shoes and clothing along with grocery items were among those things that were scarce and part of the system that required "stamps". Other more mundane items for younger folks like bubble gum and balloons were simply not available.
Grade school memories include the country's sadness upon the death of President Roosevelt. Later came the detonation of the atomic bomb on Japan as ordered by President Truman. Earlier, the defeat of Germany gave us jubilation and soon after the two nuclear explosions ... Japan conceded! All of the nation mightily celebrated the end of a most dangerous war and (in reality) the catastrophic economic times.
Uncles Dale Foust and Neil Smith served our country and this fact made me so proud. Writing letters to them was my way of being patriotic and brought home the ugly war which seriously gave us threat. (One reason that I enlisted into the Air Force during the Korean War may have been to somewhat emulate my brave uncles.) Just before my dad was to be inducted into the service new rules for the maximum age of service participation gave him exemption. During this time he worked at Wichita Boeing for awhile as a guard. In my room hung a photo of Boeing's B-29 Bomber and I was proud of him as he prepared for work where he would tote his gun and holster.
Paper and metal were saved for drives to recycle into war materials. President Roosevelt gave speeches on radio to keep the nation aware of their responsibilities and the scope of our difficulties both prior to and during the war. The depression wasn't really disposed of until after the war started. Many of us were living in conditions that today would correctly be called abject poverty. It is doubtful that any of us considered ourselves to be really poor.
Rationing of our nation's resources was one way that each of us contributed to the war effort. Gasoline, tires, shoes and clothing along with grocery items were among those things that were scarce and part of the system that required "stamps". Other more mundane items for younger folks like bubble gum and balloons were simply not available.
Grade school memories include the country's sadness upon the death of President Roosevelt. Later came the detonation of the atomic bomb on Japan as ordered by President Truman. Earlier, the defeat of Germany gave us jubilation and soon after the two nuclear explosions ... Japan conceded! All of the nation mightily celebrated the end of a most dangerous war and (in reality) the catastrophic economic times.
The sacrifices of the men and women during the 30s and 40s allowed us to become the greatest nation on earth. Let there be no mistake ... the good old days are really those that have followed their tremendous efforts. May we not be the ones that have carelessly discarded that which was so painfully given!
5 comments:
I remember most of what you describe, Phil. In my case it was my uncle Vernon who was the war hero in the family.
How many of us were down at the MOPAC railway station the night that the trainload of German prisoners of war came through CV? That is a night that is burned into my memory very clearly.
Our mothers saved all bacon grease and cooking fat and turned it in. My memory is hazy, but I think most grocery stores accepted this commodity and shipped it to the right place so it could be used in making explosives (munitions).
As a Boy Scout I pulled my wagon around and collected paper in numerous "paper drives". We had the barn of the Baptist Parsonage crammed to the rafters with bundled paper. Local men with trucks finally took it to some collection center. Does anyone remember how these mountains of paper helped the war effort?
This picture you posted is so dramatic. Is this in the Cedar Vale area. I was watching the story of the Dust Bowl days on the History Channel, when they showed the map I was looking to see if that area of Kansas was included.
Iris Walkinshaw
Iris ... this was a "stock" photo. Even in the late 30's and early 40's dust storms were still prevalent and within my memory. They were dramatic and frightening. At the same time, it would seem that the storms of the Cedar Vale area would not have had the same effect as those most likely reported on the History Channel. The farming areas not too far west of Cedar Vale would have been hit more seriously.
Your blog is terrific!
Here is the url of the blog from the archives of the Sandusky Library if you would like to take a look:
http://sanduskyhistory.blogspot.com
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