Book Board Chat

JoAnne, my mom & dad had come home from church that Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941 and Dad had sat down to change out of his dress shoes, a brand new pair from Sears & Roebuck. The phone rang and he was told to report to the depot immediately and the news of the attack. He was station master there for Southern Pacific. He said it was exactly one week later before he got back home with holes in the sole of his new shoes so he just took them off and threw them away. He told that story many times. It was his job to expedite troop and equipment movements for the duration. It was very scary at first as no one knew if the enemy wasn't headed directly to our shores. My husband's grandparents left their farm in Iowa and went to work in Calif in a munitions factory. His g-mother said she could remember falling asleep on her feet at work. I wasn't born until 1945 but my brother and sister were along. Mom told us of ration coupons and food shortages, rubber products etc. My mom was quite a good cook and had to make many adjustments, like less sugar etc. I had 3 uncles serve and 2 returned with what we recognize now as PTSD. I love the music and clothes of that era and the bravery of all who lived and served both here and the UK.