Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade. While I won’t mention what decade I was born in, I will say that the 1940s seem more appealing the more I interview veterans who served during that time.
I’ve read books about the Homefront in England and America. I’ve interviewed people who were Rosie the Riveters and women who served in the military. Everyone helped to win the war, making it a team effort.
At times it would have been a challenge. Rationing of sugar, meat, gas, shoes, etc. would have been restricting to say the least.
Re-enactors: Charlie Chaplin, (Peggie Lee in back), Shirley Temple, Rosie the Riveter, Ann Miller.
But sometimes people had fun.
Dances were especially entertaining. I wrote a story this week about a woman who met her future husband at a USO dance during the war. They were married for 50+ years.
All of that leads up to say that John & I attended a military 1940s dance last week and had a wonderful time!
Last fall Hope Owens of Hicksville OH (That’s her in the top photo, left, with Jimmy Durante, Laurel and Hardy) attended my latest book launch in Fort Wayne for my new book, We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories. She and her father are vets and this was her way of helping vets of all ages.
Isn’t this Jackie Cooper impersonator adorable in his 1920s clothing?
She then invited us to attend a fundraiser she was doing for Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana and a hub based in Findlay OH. We set up a table for people to view my books. As always, we met great people including veterans whom we thanked for their service and their families.
Thankfully, the weather behaved and a good crowd, including these Army re-enactors and WACs, turned up for live music, great food and entertainment from a myriad of talented stars: Shirley Temple, Laurel and Hardy, Jimmy Durante, Bing Crosby, Peggie Lee, Charlie Chaplin, Jackie Cooper, Rosie the Riveter, Andrews Sisters, Ann Miller.
Of course, these were impersonators but they were still very talented! The crowd danced to tunes from the war years such as ‘Blue Skies’ from an orchestra from Defiance Ohio.
As you can see from the photos, she and her crew put a tremendous amount of work into the event. We stayed for it all and had so much fun that I’m hoping she does it again next year!
There are countless ways to show support to our military. What is your favorite way to thank our veterans?
Writing of Kayleen Reusser 
I ‘ll go out of my way to recognize a fellow wearing a veteran’s cap or vest, to visit with him for a minute , then also thank him for keeping my family safe. He’ll stand taller as I walk away..
I do the same — and last week I met a guy who served in Korea that I had already interviewed!
It looks like you and everyone else had an outstanding time, but then again, what else would I expect from that outstanding generation!!
I was there in the actual 1940s and am starting a blog about my experiences as a child in WWII Britain. There really was rationing. One of my first words was “priority”. This was a magic word, if my mother said it she – along with other women with babies and pregnant women – was able to go to the front of food queues, of which there were many.
That’s interesting! I’ve never heard that from the ladies I’ve interviewed who grew up during this period. Let me know when your blog is up. I’ll be sure to give it a look!
I have a post almost ready now. It is going to be on the same blog. Watch this space.
Where can I read your interviews?
Hope you have found my recent posts. Same address as before.
My interviews are available in my books. They are available on Amazon: amzn.to/204MD2F. Thanks for your support!