Life During World War II
Even though we were kids, war touched our lives. We learned about rationing when we got yelled at for spilling sugar. At the movie theater, we saw the news reels prior to the main attraction. Unlike today, the films were out of date and the gore was not shown. But the sights and sounds of war were real. I remember our old time radio and mom and dad huddled beside it listening for the latest report of the events taking place across the ocean.
I was touched personally by the War as each of my Uncles joined or were drafted for the service. At the start of the war,
Uncle Foster was already in the Army. Uncle Maynard, Uncle Jess, Uncle George and Uncle Dick joined when they were old enough.
When any of the uncles would come home on leave, there was always a celebration.
One time, Uncle Dick found a way to let Mom know his troop train would be
coming through Lincoln. We went down to the Train Depot and joined many others
who cheered and waved flags as the train passed by. Uncle George made a surprise visit when he landed his plane at
the Lincoln Air Base. When it came time for him to leave, he flew over the house and tipped the wings of his plane.
That was so neat to stand out in the yard listening for the plane and when it appeared in the sky and we could see the
wings tip slightly, we cheered and waved. Mom wiped away a tear.
My dad was drafted. Things were really tense around our house for awhile. Mom would have been proud to have Dad serve and Dad wanted to be just like his brothers. But there was also fear. Daddy didn't pass the physical because of an old football injury.
From Devastation to Celebration
I was only one and a half years old on December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor. Yet I can actually remember the tension and fear when we went over to my Grandma and Grandpa Weyands that day.
The Black Outs started and I can remember the siren would sound. Mom would close all of the window shades. turn off all of the lights except a pale blue light. We would sit huddled in the chair until the All Clear sounded. I wasn't aware of the seriousness of the drill or the possibility it may not be just a drill.
From D Day to Victory in Europe to Victory in Japan, we kids hooped and hollered and celebrated in the yard just as people celebrated all over the United States and much of the world. Did we truly understand all of the significance? probably not. But we sure knew everyone was really happy.
The best ending for our family was that all of my uncles came home safe. I included their pictures as part of my video entitled The Wall at the Drive In Theater link.
PICTURES Identified
Pictured in the side bar from top to bottom are Uncle Foster, Uncle Maynard, Uncle George, and Uncle Dick. I have never found a picture of Uncle Jess in uniform. According to my mom, his wife did not want any discussion of his service during the war. I do know his plane went down in the ocean and he was "lost at sea" for quite a few days.
