Early Family History -World War II
Early Family History - World War II updated 13 May 2024 Before I was born, there seems to have been a time of unusual clarity, honesty and unity in America. The Department of "Defense" was properly named the War Department. Wars were viewed as occasional tragedies. There were years of peace between conflicts. Enemies that attacked the United States were confronted by a united nation and a determined national will. The idea that the country would be in a constant "state of emergency" (since the 1950's, when President Eisenhower declared it), or that a succession of wars would devolve into simultaneous conflicts, all without a proper declaration of war by Congress, was far from anyone's mind as the end of World War II was celebrated. In his last days, my father's most frequent memories were of his Navy days. Mother had an equally exciting time on the home front. The Diver archives provide a glimpse into the war as our folks experienced it. Ration coupo...