Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA THE DAY HAS COME!

To mark this exciting day, I'm returning to Rosie the Riveter. Our character Rosalie is a riveter for Boeing in Seattle making B-17 bombers. I dedicated my part of the book to all the Rosies:

"To the Rosie the Riveters of World War II who left the comfort of their homes to brave strenuous and unfamiliar jobs in the national pursuit of victory. Your strong arms played a mighty role in preserving the freedom we now enjoy."

The Rosies signed a Victory Pledge.

"Realizing my importance as a Victory worker to my country and its cause, I solemnly pledge that to the utmost of my ability I will: Allow nothing to keep me from my job; Make the fullest productive use of time, tools, material; Use my ingenuity to develop shortcuts speeding vital output; Guard my own health and safety and that of my fellow workers; Co-operate with our Employee-Management war production drive committee to aid my departmet and my plant in producing on time and in plenty the weapons of Victory."

Pretty awesome. What else can I say?

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, WA COUNTDOWN 1 More Day!!!!

Letters were a huge part of life in the War years. Just imagine the thrill of tearing open that letter from your loved one stationed abroad, knowing he's okay, learning about his life and thoughts. For a soldier, one sweet letter from his girl would remind him why he's fighting, bring a glimmer of joy. No wonder they called it V-mail. Victory Mail.

Here's an excerpt from a letter (shown above) written from a husband to his wife and new baby. Very poetic language.


1 Nov 45

My Precious Darlings;

Yes, my Darling I see you now like a far away beacon which I must reach in order to survive - so total in my eyes and mind like blindness and insanity. When we are together again we will have fun - drink and laugh - see a beautiful movie and let it take us away completely - we will joke and laugh and enjoy ourselves proper; but our dreams will once again come true, I will live within you and you within me. Our love will be rapturous and serene and you will be so beautiful to me -beauty untouched by worldly things. Only you, my beloved, in all this whole magnificent world.

News hasn't reached me yet concerning discharge or shipment. Perhaps next week, pray god. I love you both so very much.

My Love and Kisses
Herb xxo Daddy xxo

Here's the link to a hundreds of war letters. Many are more down-to-earth than this one! (And be careful, some of the ads are questionable.)


Finally, don't forget our soldiers serving today need letters too.

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O History! 1940s slang always makes me chuckle. Here's one. "Keep company." Know what it means??? Dating or going steady. "That G.I.'s keeping company with Betty." They also used to say, "Are you rationed?" Can you guess the meaning? A soldier might say it to a girl, asking if she was attached or taken. Sort of a 1940s pick-up line. Love how it hones in on a big thing going on at the time--rationing!

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Family movie night might be the staple for our generation, but during the War years, radio was the big ticket! Imagine gathering in the living room sitting in front of the big wooden box and bonding over Abbot and Costello or Dick Tracy. Sounds like fun to me!

One of my favorites from this time is the classic Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" So funny! Click the link to watch a video version.

I love the old radio shows simply because they allow you to use your own imagination to visualize the scenario. Those comics, actors, writers, and producers were extremely clever.

Here's a link to an awesome Web site with lots of shows you can listen to. Do yourself a favor and instead of movie night, gather round the computer and listen to a few. Your family will love it! Radio Lovers.

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"These were very sad times--also thrilling! On the Base watching the airmen marching--tears emerged freely as well as a lump forming in the throat. These were OUR boys--eventually going to war! ... How many would return?" Quote from a memoir of the time. I'm constantly impressed with the courage and strength of those WWII folks--both those who went to war and those who stayed home. So much we can learn from them.

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"You call this a happy family? Why do we have to have all these kids?" This quote from It's a Wonderful Life cracks me up. We remember Jimmy Stewart for his movie roles, but did you know he was a decorated bomber pilot in WWII as well? He flew 20 combat missions, won 3 silver stars, and was ultimately promoted to Brigadier General! Who knew?

When he signed up, he was five pounds under the weight requirement, so he rushed home and ate everything fattening he could find, then went back and was allowed to sign up. It was just in time, because he almost missed the cut-off for flight school.

What I love even more is that on his missions Jimmy Stewart carried a copy of Psalm 91 given to him by his father. He said, "What a promise for an airman. I placed in His Hands the squadron I would be leading. And, as the psalmist promised, I felt myself borne up."

I found lots of cool old pictures of Jimmy Stewart on this site. Good info. too.