70 Years Later and Their Love is Still Going Strong

Hayden Furrow, D-Day Veteran,
during a school program at the
National D-Day Memorial

What better day to share one of my favorite love stories than Valentine’s Day? I’ve always been a sucker for a good love story whether it’s a book, movie, TV show, or real life. I guess you can say that I am a bit of a romantic, even though it is hard to see unless you get me on the topic. Well today, I want to share a video about one of our volunteers, who is also a D-Day veteran, on his 70^th wedding anniversary which occurred just a few days ago. Hayden Furrow is one of the sweetest men you will ever meet and his enthusiasm for sharing his story with the next generation endears him to me as an educator—it’s an experience that our school visitors will never forget. But every time I see him and he mentions his wife, Katie, he lights up like he’s back in his youth and you can tell how deeply he cares for her. Recently, a local TV station aired an interview of the Furrows on their milestone wedding anniversary, as seen at this link. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did and that their story is a reminder of the good things that life can bring.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

-Maggie

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

Love and War, Piece of Valentine's history!

Valentine's card from 1940.

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

I hope those of you who went to the G.I. Jive Valentine’s Day Dance last Saturday evening enjoyed yourselves!

For the holiday, I thought I’d do a little post about the origins of the day and some fun facts!

For example, did you know that February is considered the month of romance because it is the beginning of mating season for birds? I sure didn’t!

Valentine's card from 1940.

Most of us know the legend of Valentine’s Day started with Valentinus, a theologian persecuted for his beliefs in Christianity. Legend has it, while in jail he healed the jailer's blind daughter and just before his death sentence was carried out, he wrote a letter to the daughter and signed it “From Your Valentine”. He was killed on the very next day, February 14, 269 A.D. But what most of us do not know is that in Rome, hundreds of years later, men and women honored the goddess of love, Juno, on February 14. Men would draw the name of one woman and try to court them for marriage. By 498 A.D., Pope Gelasius made February 14 Saint Valentine’s Day to honor Valentinus and end the pagan celebration of Juno. So in essence, the two very different occasions were merged together to form the time-honored tradition of romance.

1940s Valentine's card, outside.

Another fun fact, Esther Howland is responsible for the very first American valentine published in 1849! So now we can blame her for all the extra cards we give people! Over 150 million cards are exchanged each year, making it the second-largest holiday for card giving. The holiday is also celebrated in Mexico, Great Britain, France, Canada, Australia, Denmark, and of course, Italy!

In the 1940s, many lovebirds were separated because of the war, most often for multiple years in a row. However, that did not stop them from exchanging greeting cards and keeping the flame alive despite the distance! Also, the messages on their cards were a little different than what we see today… I now understand what my grandparents say to each other!

1940s Valentine's card, inside.

Take care,

Elizabeth