World War II Ration Era Recipe: Squash Biscuits

Besides the changing leaves and being able to wear boots again, I love fall because winter squash is in season at the market. Winter squash is typically harvested in September or October and consists of butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash and many other variants. During the 1940’s in an effort to reduce waste during World War II, leftover winter squash was used to make tasty biscuits.

Recipe from “Grandma’s Wartime Kitchen: World War II and the Way We Cooked” by Joanne Lamb Hayes

Ingredients:

·         2 cups of unsifted all-purpose flour

·         3 tablespoons of light brown sugar

·         3 teaspoons of baking powder

·         ¼ teaspoon of salt

·         ¼ cup of shortening

·         ½ cup of milk

·         ½ cup of pureed winter squash puree

Instructions:

·         Preheat oven to 375^oF. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

·         Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture forms coarse crumbles

·         Combine milk and squash puree. Add to flour mixture and stir together just until all flour mixture has been moistened. Spoon out onto greased baking sheet to make 12 biscuits.

·         Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

·         Cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to serving basket and serve warm.

Honestly, this was a fairly simple recipe and easy to make. The most frustrating part of the recipe was

making the puree since I did not buy frozen butternut squash, but even that wasn’t difficult.  It felt even more like a true “ration-era” recipe since I pulled all of the ingredients from my pantry, except for the squash.

As they were cooling, I was prepared for these not to taste the best as most ration recipes tend to taste bland. But, they surprised me in the most pleasant way. They sort of reminded me of Red Lobster’s biscuits. I plan on making them again this fall, but probably with more salt and adding cheddar cheese.

I hope that you take some time to try out this recipe and possibly incorporate it into one of your fall dinners!

Until next time,

Maggie

Meet the Truman's: Eisenhower's 125th Birthday Event

Will and Sue Wills, performance duo depicting Mr. and Mrs. Truman.

Join us in celebration of Gen. Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower’s birthday at the Memorial’s annual fall fundraiser. This event features a catered luncheon, a fabulous silent auction, and a very special tribute performance. Audience members will be entertained with the enduring tale of Harry Truman and beloved bride, Bess.

“Presidents and Their First Ladies, dramatically speaking” is the creation of the veteran acting and writing duo, William and Sue Wills. Together, they will narrate the touching love story of the Truman’s through humor, rocky times, human frailties, and enduring affection. Through Mr. and Mrs. Wills fantastic program, they hope to share the personal side of our famous first couples, transforming them into more than just another page in the history books.

This special event will be held at the National D-Day Memorial, October 11, 1 PM - 4 PM. Tickets are on sale now; $35 per person or $60 per couple for performance and lunch. Performance only tickets are $15 per person.

33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman

Truman Fun Facts

Harry S. Truman

1.  Born on May 8, 1884 in Lamar, Missouri and moved to Independence, Missouri only six years later.

2.  Poor eyesight kept Harry from joining sports teams, but allowed him to cultivate his true passions;

reading and music.

3.  He read every book in the Independence Public Library and was a talented pianist.

4. Despite being an excellent student, Truman’s parents could not afford a proper college education and his eye impediments kept him from attending West Point, his dream college.

5. Truman worked a multitude of jobs once graduating from high school in 1901, including farming, oil drilling, and banking.

6.  Harry joined the army in 1917 and served in France during World War I. He left the Army in 1919 as a captain and married Bess soon after.

7. The S. in Harry S. Truman stands for nothing except S. His parents were honoring both his grandfathers, Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young.

8.  Harry ran for county judge in Jackson County, MO in 1924. Launching his political career.

9. In 1934, Harry ran for U.S. Senate and won.

10.   Headed the Truman Commission during World War II investigating fraud in defense contracts, saving the government millions of dollars.

11.   Handpicked by President Roosevelt to be his running mate during the 1944 election.

12.   Less than three months after the election, Harry S. Truman was sworn in as the 33^rd President of the United States of America.

13.   Biggest decision as President was to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, thus ending the 2^nd World War and changing American foreign policy.

14.   Truman also faced tough decisions regarding the beginning of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Central Intelligence Agency, and National Security Council.

15.   Expanded the GI Bill, created numerous proposals regarding health care and issued four civil rights executive orders during his time in office.

16.   Today, Truman is thought to be one of the best Presidents in U.S. history, ranking 5^th behind Lincoln, FDR, Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt.

17.   President Truman passed away on December 26, 1972 in Kansas City, MO at the age of 88.

Truman family spending quality time together.

Famous Quotes:

“I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.”

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

“I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.”

Bess Truman

Elizabeth Truman

 1. First Lady of President Harry Truman, Wife.

 2.  Birth name, Elizabeth “Bess” Virginia Wallace. Born on February 13, 1885 in Independence, Missouri.

 3.  Married Harry S. Truman on June 28, 1919.

 4. Together they had one child named “Mary” Margaret Truman (1924-2008)     

 5.  Bess supported numerous charities including the Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy and Cerebral Palsy, and Girl Scouts.

 6.  Bess and Harry met while attending Sunday school in Missouri; she was only 5 years old.

 7.  Bess was described as an intelligent, religious woman, more comfortable at home, and introverted. Preferred to quietly support her husband, even during his time in the White House.

 8.  Truman became President when Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away in April, 1945, thus thrusting the both of them into extremely public political life.

 9.   The post war American public admired her for the homely lifestyle within the White House.
10. Bess is the longest living first lady thus far, passing away at 97 years old. She died October 18, 1982 in her place of birth.

Famous Quote:

“We are not any of us happy to be where we are but there’s nothing to be done about it except to do our best – and forget about the sacrifices and many unpleasant things that pop up.”

“I am not the one who is elected. I have nothing to say to the public.”

Truman family sharing a few laughs.

I hope you all will join us for this splendid fall event!

Take Care,

Elizabeth

Changes at the Memorial and New Artifacts

Hello, Friends!

So in the past few weeks, the National D-Day Memorial has gone through quite a few staff changes.  Felicia recently accepted a position at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation as an Education Officer. She has the amazing opportunity to be a part of opening the brand new American Revolution Museum in Spring 2017, and we know Felicia has an incredible future ahead of her! Also, Liz is getting married in just a few weeks so her last day at the Memorial is this week as she gets ready to move to the Tidewater region of Virginia. Both Felicia and Liz mean so much to us at the National D-Day Memorial and we appreciate all they have contributed to the success of the Memorial, and this blog in particular!

               

Ches, Felicia, and Maggie
on Felicia's last day at the Memorial

Well now that the sad part of the blog is over, I want to introduce myself and another staff member who will be collaborating with me on the blog. My name is Maggie and I have been with the National D-Day Memorial since May 2013 as an Education Intern until January 2015 when I was hired on staff to assist Felicia with field trips and the planning of education events. I have loved my time so far at the Memorial being able to meet incredible D-Day veterans while getting to tell their stories to students and the general public! I am excited to take on this blog and look forward to this “sentimental journey” we are about to embark upon.

Today, I am including a post from Ches, the Memorial’s newest hire. She started as an Education Intern  in January 2015 and was recently hired to assist with visitors to the Memorial and our downtown offices. I am so excited that she will still be able to have a hand in Education by contributing to this blog. See her post below:

_________________________________________________________________________

As an intern and a volunteer, I have been mostly focused on Education and Curation. In my time here at the Memorial, I have had the wonderful privilege of working with some incredible artifacts as they have come into the Foundation’s collection. I’d like to talk to you about a new group of artifacts that we recently received and that I have been going through.

At first glance, the box full of random papers and bits of fabric didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary. After all, most of the artifacts that we get that are papers are usually discharge certificates and enlistment forms and identification cards. It isn’t that these items aren’t important or even exciting- they are! It’s just that these are among the most common artifacts donated to the Foundation since they keep track of individual soldiers and are easy for families to keep. So when I opened the box and took a peek inside, I was amazed at how wrong I was. Here was an assortment of items kept by a Lt. Leonard Childers from Appomattox, Virginia in the war, from his introduction to the war in France to his capture by the Germans and the time he spent as a Prisoner Of War (POW) in one of their camps. He had kept letters he had written home, the comic books he had gotten from the Red Cross, his German identification card, and so much more. He even had a piece of an SS officer’s uniform! These pieces are all in excellent condition for being as old as they are.

We are working diligently here at the Foundation to ensure that these pieces of history can be preserved for generations to come. After all, history is a precious and valuable thing, and having artifacts such as these help to bring that history to life. They shape our understanding of the past and give us a better appreciation for what our forefathers endured for us to be here. With the POW/MIA Awareness Day only a few days behind us, on September 19, I think it’s important to remember this soldier and his sacrifice. I want to thank him and his family for their incredibly generous donation of these artifacts, so that all can remember and experience the history of a POW, even after he has passed on.  Without these artifacts, it would be much harder for some to know the valor, the fidelity, and the sacrifice that these soldiers had while being held as POWs.  

These artifacts were generously donated by Marilen Childers King and can be found in the NDDMF Collection under the collection number 2015.0026. 

-Ches

Gold Star Mothers Appreciation Day

Hello All,

Hand sewn service flag, WWII.

On Sunday, September 27, we will be honoring Gold Star Mother’s at the National D-Day Memorial with a wreath laying at the Gold Star Veteran’s garden in remembrance of those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to their country. Help us honor the women who raised the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their beloved country.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was established in 1928 and charted by the U.S. Congress in 1984. Gold Star Mothers were originally brought together by a woman named Grace Darling Seibold, who had lost her son in World War I. Knowing that holding her grief inside would not help, Grace decided to focus her pain on continuing to help wounded soldiers in the hospital and extending a warm hand to other inconsolable mothers. Forming an organization solely for these women, Grace’s aims were not only for mothers to comfort each other, but to also continue the loving care to hospitalized veterans far from their homes. The ‘gold star’ name comes from the tradition of military families hanging a gold star in their windows in honor of a deceased veteran. The gold star completely covers the initial blue star (blue meaning active service member) and was chosen to display the honor and glory accorded the person for his/her ultimate sacrifice for his/her country.

Gold Star Mothers during World War II

The first organized meeting was June 4, 1928 in Washington, DC. “The success of our organization continues because of the bond of mutual love, sympathy, and support of the many loyal, capable, and patriotic mothers who while sharing their grief and their pride, have channeled their time, efforts and gifts to lessening the pain of others,” said one Gold Star Mother member.

As war and conflict continue, more Gold Star Mothers join the organization, seeking comfort and healing through sisterhood and philanthropy.

Take care,

Elizabeth 

POW/MIA Awareness Day Event - Sept. 19, 2015

Hello All!

I hope you are enjoying the beginnings of the beautiful fall season. As you know, the Memorial not only hosts a multitude of events during the summer, we also stay just as active in the fall months!

Jessica Lynch

This coming Saturday, September 19 beginning at 11 AM, the Memorial will host a special ceremony in honor of our nation's POW and MIAs.  Jessica Lynch, former U.S. Army soldier who served in the 2003 invasion of Iraq by U.S. and allied forces, will be the keynote speaker for the event. On March 23, 2003, Private First Class Lynch was serving as a unit supply specialist with the 507^th Maintenance Company when her convoy was ambushed by Iraqi forces during the Battle of Nasiriyah. Lynch was seriously injured and captured. Her subsequent recovery by U.S. Special Operations Forces on April 1, 2003, received considerable media coverage and was the first successful rescue of an American prisoner of war since Vietnam and the first ever of a woman. Despite suffering from traumatic memories of such an inconceivable ordeal, Lynch continues to use her experience as strength to help others heal and raise awareness to the public.

POW/MIA Flag

Immediately following the ceremony, Lynch will conduct a book signing and copies of her book, I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story, will be available for purchase.

Admission is free from 10 AM to Noon. Call (540) 586-3329 or visit our website at www.dday.org/events for updated information.

American Prisoners of War - Vietnam

POW/ MIA Awareness is an annual event, held on the third Friday of September that honors our prisoners of war and those still missing in action. It is a day in which the government reinforces its commitment to account for those brave service members who sacrificed their lives for their country. It is important to remember to honor these service members and not just memorialize them. To many family members, the hope for their loved ones to return to them is still a glimmer of hope.

Here are the current POW/MIA statistics for many U.S. conflicts throughout our history:

Revolutionary War            POW – 18,152              MIA – 1,426

War of 1812                       POW – 20,000              MIA – 695

Mexican War                     POW – 46                     MIA – 238

Civil War – Union             POW/MIA – 194,743

                    Confederacy   POW/MIA – 214,865

Spanish-American War      POW – 8                       MIA – 72

World War I                       POW/MIA – 7,470

World War II                      POW – 124,079             MIA – 30,314

Cold War Era                      POW – Classified          MIA – 343

Korean War                         POW – 7,140                MIA – 8,025

Vietnam War                       POW – 766                   MIA – 1,719

Persian Gulf War                POW – 29                      MIA – 21       

Somalia                               POW – 6                        MIA – 2 

I hope you all will join us this coming Saturday to honor our nation's POW and MIAs.

Take Care,

Elizabeth

Family Day Fun!

 Hello All,

Authentic Navy recruitment tent on display, Family Day 2014.

I trust you all have been enjoying your summer thus far, despite the heat and stormy weather. Also, I hope everyone was able to enjoy the fireworks display in Bedford over July 4th, it was a spectacular sight!! 

If you are looking for a fun, educational and exciting weekend activity, look no further than the National D-Day Memorial. We will be hosting our annual Family Day Event, generously sponsored by the Woodmen of the World of Virginia, on Saturday, July 18, 10AM-5PM. Families will be able to meet over a dozen World War II veterans from the 8th Air Force, the 29th Infantry Division, Merchant Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, and other military units. These brave veterans will be situated in the education tent until 1PM to meet with you and share their wartime experiences.

D-Day Veteran signing a veterans poster, Family Day 2014.

One such veteran is D-Day paratrooper Norwood Thomas. Thomas joined the U.S. Army in March 1942 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division where his first combat mission was to parachute into Normandy, just 4 miles inland of Utah Beach, on 6 June 1944. Not only did he survive the Invasion of Normandy, but he also rode a Waco CG-4A troop transport glider into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden and fought in Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Meeting a man such as Norwood Thomas is humbling and unique experience nowadays. It is vitally important for us to honor and remember our veterans while they are still with us so that their legacies will be passed on to future generations. Don't miss out on your opportunity to meet a true American hero.

Not only will Norwood Thomas be sharing his heroic narrative, but also B-17 gunners, radio operators, Higgins boat drivers, and men who served in the Navy in both the Pacific and European theaters. "We encourage people to visit our WWII veterans at this event," stated April Cheek-Messier, President of the National D-Day Memorial Foundation. "We are losing them at an alarming rate of 492 a day according to Veterans Administration statistics. Over 16 million served during WWII and just over 800,000 are still with us today. Now is the time to say thank you and hear their stories. They are a national treasure," she added. To guarantee your visit with these remarkable men, be sure to make your way to the education tent before 1PM.

Dedicated D-Day volunteers having some fun at the 2014 Family Day Event.

Family Day is a uniquely interactive event for visitors of all ages to experience life during World War II. Since this year is the 70th Anniversary of the end of WWII, the main focus of the event will spotlight the twelve Allied nations involved in D-Day. Guests will be able to explore artifacts, converse with living historians, view military vehicles and equipment, partake in craft making, and more. Twenty-five activity stations will be throughout the site including stations on WWII propaganda, medics, WWII aircraft, Victory Gardens, V-mail, the home-front, and so much more! Local authors Franz Beisser (Time and Place: The Making of an Immigrant and Red Solstice) and Zoe Myers (We Two: A Story of War and Love) will be on site with their books available for purchase. Guided tours of the Memorial will take place throughout the day and depart from the deck of the Gift Store.

Recently donated authentic WWII Command Jeep.

New this year: the Memorial has partnered with the Red Cross to "Pack the Command Car" with non-perishable food and supplies for our U.S. troops serving overseas. Just like during WWII, our servicemen and women need our support in any form we can provide. If possible, please bring one or more of the following items; TRAVEL SIZE personal hygiene products such as shampoo, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, body wash, foot lotion, non-aerosol insect repellent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, lip balm, and sunscreen. Other items include Individual Size food supplies such as hard candies, cookies, rice krispie treats, snack cakes, granola bars, power-bars, nuts, chips, pretzels, trail mix, crackers, Cheez-Its, and cheese spreads. DVDs (movies) and international phone cards are also appreciated. The Red Cross will ensure all shipping and handling of donated items overseas is taken care of and will also host a station for guests to write "V" mail to military personnel currently serving.

A big thanks goes out to our generous sponsor, Woodmen of the World of Virginia. Woodmen of the World lodges from all over the state will be volunteering during the event. Thanks to their kind donation, students 18 and under will be admitted free to the event. Adults are $10 per person; veterans are $8; active military service members are free as part of the Blue Star Museum program. All proceeds benefit education initiatives of the Memorial. Please visit www.dday.org or call (540) 586-3329 for more information about the event.

Take care and hope to see you all on Saturday!

Elizabeth

VE Day and Armed Forces 5K

Hello All,

In honor of our recent celebration of the 70^th Anniversary of the Victory in Europe (VE) Day, May 8th, and this coming weekend’s commemoration of Armed Forces Day, I thought it would be appropriate to share a story I came across in the news about a 91 year old veteran who wanted to share a bit of his past with the youth of today.

 

Henry ‘Duke’ Boswell, 91, enlisted into the North Carolina National Guard in 1940, when he was the tender age of 16 years young. Clearly, Duke lied about his age to enlist, even going so far as to forge his parents’ signature. One year later, war broke out in Europe, and Duke volunteered to be a paratrooper for the 82^nd airborne division. Duke’s life went from small town living to action packed and danger-filled in no time flat.

“We jumped in at midnight we were fighting until two days later before the troops on the beach got up to us,” stated Duke. Duke was of course referring to the Normandy Invasion of 6 June 1944. He remembers being alone once landing on the ground and having to use his cricket to identify friend or foe. (A cricket was a metal devise that made a distinct clicking sound that resembled a cricket)

 New York City citizens celebrating VE Day in Times Square

The next major battle Duke fought in was the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest.

Duke says, “I think we probably lost more people to trench foot and frozen feet to the cold than we did to the enemy.”

Through all the hardships and horrors Duke faced, he says the worst atrocity he witnessed was the German Concentration Camps. He often thinks about what those people could have done with their lives if they were given the chance to live.

Duke’s wish is for everyone to remember the ones who fought and died to save the world we know today. We should always hold on to the memories of those who died to protect our freedoms we enjoy and hold dear, more now than ever before.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don’t forget!!! This coming Saturday is the “We Honor Veterans” 5K Run/Walk Event to celebrate Armed Forces Day, May 16, 2015. The National D-Day Memorial and Centra-Bedford Hospice Care have come together to provide you with a fantastic morning of honoring our Veterans and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

2014 "We Honor Veterans" 5K

Online registration, of only $25, will continue until this Friday evening, May 15 at 6 PM

Day of registration ($30) and Check-In beings at 7 AM and the Race will begin at 8 AM. The Start and Finish line is at the National D-Day Memorial- 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, VA 24523

All proceeds will benefit veterans programs of Centra-Bedford Hospice Care and the National D-Day Memorial, both 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Individuals and teams are encouraged to sign-up and raise additional pledges to support the cause. Online registration is available at http://bit.ly/1t9Y329. For more information, please call the main office at (540) 586-3329 or visit our website at www.dday.org

I hope to see you all there!

Take Care,

Elizabeth

Day Camp 2015

Hello All,

2014 Day Camp

Looking for a cool way to spend a hot summer day? Then join us for The National D-Day Memorial's "Growing Up in WWII" Summer Day Camp, June 24th-26th!!

If you are a 4th, 5th, or 6th grader then you are eligible to join in the festivities that make Day Camp a highlight of the year. You will be able to learn about the Allied victory in the European and Pacific theaters, celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the end of war. Come find out what caused WWII in the first place, the specific battles that took place, and the victory that changed the world. Also, learn what was happening on the home-front while our country men and women were fighting overseas.

The camp begins on June 24th through June 26th, each day beginning at 0830 and going till 1300 (1:30 PM). Students will be able to experience hands-on history with activities, crafts, period games, and ration-era snack time! They will also receive a t-shirt and souvenir!

Day Camp 2014

So, as a parent, you are asking, "What will my child gain from such an intriguing experience?" I am glad you asked!

"Growing Up in World War II" summer day camp will encourage your youngster to continue in their pursuit of knowledge and history through interactive and mindful activities. Your child(ren) will leave with a greater sense and appreciation for those of our past and present military service. At the conclusion of the wonderful camp, parents, family, and friends are invited to join us to view exhibits created by the campers, to showcase their knowledge!

Camp fees are $60.00 for the first child and $50.00 for each additional child. Fees include a camp t-shirt, craft and activity materials, daily snacks, and instruction. Space is limited, only 35 participants, and preregistration is required by June 19th. A $20.00 nonrefundable deposit is due at the time of registration.

For more information or to register, please contact the Education Department of the National D-Day Memorial by phone at (540) 586-3329. Day camp registration forms are also available online. Day Camp Event

I hope you will join us for our exciting and educational camp!


Take care,
Elizabeth

On This Day: Battle of Berlin

Hello All,

Tanks rolling through Berlin

It has been a few weeks since we have explored some World War II history, so today, let's dive right back in, shall we?

As you may know, 2015 marks the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II. Specifically, 70 years ago on this day, April 21, Soviet Forces finally breached the German High command defense during the invasion of Berlin.

This month in 1945, was the point of no return for the Germans. The Americans and British were closing in on the west, while the Soviets on the east were barreling over top of the Germans in their capital city of Berlin. By this point in the fighting, the Allied forces had all but destroyed the German regular army and all whom were left to defend their country were Hitler Youth teenagers, SS foreign volunteers, and Waffen-SS divisions. Outfitted with barely anything at all, strategically located in the city streets, these remaining Germans fought hard to ward off the Soviet Army. Needless to say, they could not defend their city properly and the Russians were able to easily roll their way into the heart of Germany.

Furher Bunker destroyed

The Battle of Berlin was the last major offensive in the European theater. For the most part, both sides knew this operation would be the last, no matter the outcome. Fighting was brutal and by April 21, the battle had been raging for over a month. A few days after breaching the heart of the city, close hand to hand combat raged through the streets. The battle continued until the end of the month. Many lost their lives during the battle, but the outcome was worth the sacrifice for the Allies. The Soviet's lost a total of over 81,000 for the entire operation, while the Germans have estimated a total between 92,000 and 100,000 killed. The exact number of civilians killed is unknown, but estimates have reached up to 125,000 during the operation. A major portion of the surviving civilians were now homeless and starving.

Until next time,
Elizabeth

Valentine's Love

Hello All,

Valentine Cards for servicemen in World War II

Happy Valentine’s Day! Can you feel the love in the air? In a few short hours, 130 people will be enjoying the National D-Day Memorials Annual GI Jive Dance at the stunning Trivium Estate. The night is sure to be memorable. 


70 years ago, many cheerless sweethearts were spending Valentine’s Day on their own for, in some cases, the fourth year in a row. Even though the Allies were gaining an advantage in Europe; many months of fighting were still ahead of the battle hardened men regardless. To make matters worse for both parties, the German Army had nothing left to lose and thus began a fierce campaign to halt the Allies from entering deeper into Germany, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Soldiers struggled in their attempts to keep in touch with their families and loved ones back home, as did those on the home-front, but communication was extremely limited by that point in the war. As if being alone for the holidays was not already bad enough, lovers on either side of the pond had no way of knowing if their significant others were doing, or even if they were surviving. They had no choice but to wait for the next word. 

 

A woman saying farewell to her soldier, 1943.

Love stories from the 1940s era have always inspired me to be thankful for what I have today. One particular story I came across in the news makes me profoundly aware of how difficult it would have been for young love to survive amidst a global conflict and technological difficulties of the time. Now and again our generation forgets the ease of which we communicate with one another. We have taken for granted our fortunes, but history is a reminder of what we should be thankful for in the world today.
  
Betty Hove and John Grosch were two teenage sweethearts who were separated prematurely by the duties of war. Before a mature love could blossom, John enlisted into the Navy and was unable to stay connected with Betty.  

Betty Hove as a young woman

John and Betty met in Santa Monica, California while John was working for a local grocery store. Betty had a feeling this boy was special the first time she laid eyes on him, she thought, “He was just so sweet. They don’t make them like him anymore.” Both were absolutely smitten with each other, so much so that Betty would visit the store multiple times a day to talk with John and after his shift, he would take her for a long walk back to her home. Despite his strong emotions for Betty, John could not disregard his duty to his country.  Shortly after their first meeting, John enlisted in the Navy and had to prepare for his new occupation. Because their romance was so new, John left Betty with only his name and his picture, but no address to stay connected. Once he left, Betty would not hear from him for most of her life, until now. 

Betty continued on with her life, knowing it would be foolhardy to love a vanished man. She married twice in the last six decades and currently resides in Idaho with the family she has created. But when her second husband passed away, Betty could not help but think about John. All of the unanswered questions came flooding back to her. She had many unanswered questions since she was never able to find out whether or not he survived the war or, if he did, where he settled down. Betty’s good friend took on the task of researching his whereabouts, utilizing the technological advances we have today, and discovered he was alive and well in Georgia. 

Betty and John reunited after 70 years, Valentine's Day, 2012

At 85 years old, Betty reconnected with John, 87, reaching out to him by sending a Christmas card. He immediately reciprocated with a phone call on New Year’s Day. The two have been in constant contact since, usually talking at least eight times a day, and made plans to get together for the second time in their lives on Valentine’s Day three years ago.
Betty and John’s remarkable story reminds us all to never give up on love, no matter the circumstances. Their story is a lesson that it is never too late to reconnect with a long lost love and to never give up on a flame that has been lit for such a long time. Life leads us through a mysterious maze, but somehow life always seems to find what our hearts truly desire, even if it seems like a lifetime away.

I hope you all have a lovely day and take care,

Elizabeth