Strength in a Generation

Cara 40s, World War II 7 Comments

With the upcoming release of Stars in the Night and imagining next series, I’m reminded of the strength of the World War II generation. That was an amazing chapter in our nation’s history. A time when everyone came together to work toward a common goal, regardless of where we lived. The stories of scrap metal drives, people saving their cooking grease, the victory gardens and rationing. Everywhere people changed how their lives were lived to fight toward a common goal.

Today, here’s what I’d like to know….

When you think of the World War II generation, what do you think of? Now be honest…you might think, snore: that’s ancient history. Or you might be captivated by the homefront…the Pacific Front…the European front…or a particular story. Inquiring minds want to know…Leave a comment today!

Comments 7

  1. I think of my parents and my grand parents during the World War II era. They had a “just do it” attitude and left selfishness for the toddlers learning that the word “mine” is not the best way. It is my prayer that this new generation will learn from the selfless love and devotion to family and country and God. Oh what a different world we would live in. Gigi

  2. I have great admiration for generations that lived through the great depression and WWII! I really am inspired by the team work and the ‘make do’ attitude. They also learned to really appreciate the small things in life! Materialism wasn’t a chronic infection in society. I love talking to my grandmother about her life in those years. She married in 1946. I’m also super fascinated with the Victory Gardens.
    Heather

  3. Okay, don’t laugh…I think of USO dances and women dressed with modesty, but a time that it was just safe.

    I love that rich flavor of the women supporting their men, it was war yes, and it was heartbreaking and stressful, but I love those moments in the dance halls as they try to cheer up the boys going off to war, so many great love stories started there.

    I pre-ordered SITN this week, can’t WAIT to get it. 😀

  4. OK, Casey I’m with you there. I love the dresses of the 1940s, the hairstyles, and the way women dressed so feminine.

    I also think of my grandparents talking about pulling the blackout shades at night and listening to old-timey radio shows like Jack Benny and the mystery shows.

    I think of frugality, men and women sacrificing, growing gardens, forsaking meat & sugar & so much more.

    My husband’s grandfather was a part of a decoy infantry (can’t remember the number of it) in Normandy. My grandfather was a doctor in France. Its funny I think my grandparents are so humble and private, I’m only beginning to learn the stories.

  5. I think of a time when men could be men. We were united as a country in our fight against other countries. People weren’t afraid of manual labor and a hard day at work. For the most part, we had the same moral values. People didn’t live so far from family.

    Those are just a few of the things that come to mind.

    ~Mimi

  6. I love all the stories, but I often wonder what it felt like to be Japanese or Jewish and living in the United States during that time period…did you often think of those relatives so far away? was your fear of losing even more real? did you feel like you had to “prove” yourself even more…because soldiers were dying either defending you or trying to defeat you?
    I loved meeting you in person, Cara!

  7. I’m a little late on this one, but I also love that time period. I think of swing music and USO dances where boys in uniform get one last chance to dance with a pretty girl before who knows what. I also think of women working in the factories, then coming home to screaming toddlers, and waiting for their husbands to come home, hopefully in one piece. That generation had such strength.
    Thanks for the post!!

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