On liberty at the pubs and dancehalls—drinking, dancing, holding pretty girls who were less inhibited than the American girls they were used to—Trey and his fellow GIs enjoyed being free for a while from their own inhibitions.
I'm a bit behind, Lucinda, but I so enjoyed this episode. I never thought about the Herculean effort it took to get 8 million (!!) people back to the US after the war. And we've all returned to someplace we missed so much and yet still had such mixed feelings. And I love that you incorporated your father's stories into it! Great work!
Gwen, thank you so much. I love being reminded of this story because there really was a lot I incorporated that Daddy told me about AND I know! Can you imagine that we brought home that many people in such a short time and still people were clamoring: faster, faster. hundreds of baby shoes with tags "Bring My Daddy Home". As much as I rail against the mistakes in the past and present our country has made, I believe, with all of it, we are the best country and I know they were the Greatest Generation. Thanks again for your support
What a sad tale, Lucinda. So much left unsaid, undone in life. And how the world’s machinations bend and twist us in ways we know not why. I was fascinated by your research on GIs leaving Europe and the ability of the government to get those warriors home, for the holidays. What a service was done for us, all they endured—for we the people. Great podcast.
Thank you so much, Jeanine. I drew on stories from my father about the return home aboard a merchant marine ship. He told me the merchant marines were known for the good food they served. Daddy had his 2nd Thanksgiving meal aboard that ship. If memories weren’t so sweet they would break our hearts.
A fascinating look at a chapter of our history that I, for one, was unaware of. Thank you for that and for the captivating lives you are sharing with us.
For heaven's sake woman...you weave these stories with some sort of miracle magic that takes me back to listening to my mom, Uncle Willard and grandma talk about the secrets of the family, the neighbors and the "standout" citizens of the small community in and around Dalton, Arkansas where my mom grew up. And that term "socially insignificant" speaks directly to the vernacular of small town locals, though my grandma would use the phrase; "wouldn't amount to a hill of beans". LOL
Honestly, I think it began my understanding of how storytelling (and drama/theatre) was such a valuable communication and teaching tool.
I can hardly wait for the next installment and am spoiled by the recent development of "binge watching" cause I want to know everything about that small town and its inhabitants...knowing of course so much of them exist only in your head and imagination. I think there is a play or movie in all of this.
Alan, I love this! Love that you have related my story to the ones you heard growing up. Those stories, voices, vernacular permeated my mind--the way people were scrutinized, their stories told, family histories unraveled. Just about everybody was a raconteur. But there were standouts. One of the standouts of our community was Grandma Reeves. She had three beautiful granddaughters and at the wedding shower of one of them (the one who "settled" for a socially insignificant) she remarked in a clarion voice "Well, Joanne flew over a field of lilies and landed on a cow turd".
I'm a bit behind, Lucinda, but I so enjoyed this episode. I never thought about the Herculean effort it took to get 8 million (!!) people back to the US after the war. And we've all returned to someplace we missed so much and yet still had such mixed feelings. And I love that you incorporated your father's stories into it! Great work!
Gwen, thank you so much. I love being reminded of this story because there really was a lot I incorporated that Daddy told me about AND I know! Can you imagine that we brought home that many people in such a short time and still people were clamoring: faster, faster. hundreds of baby shoes with tags "Bring My Daddy Home". As much as I rail against the mistakes in the past and present our country has made, I believe, with all of it, we are the best country and I know they were the Greatest Generation. Thanks again for your support
Thank you for taking us away to another time, another place. I honestly didn't know how this one would land, but it did so beautifully.
Thanks a bunch, Janine
What a sad tale, Lucinda. So much left unsaid, undone in life. And how the world’s machinations bend and twist us in ways we know not why. I was fascinated by your research on GIs leaving Europe and the ability of the government to get those warriors home, for the holidays. What a service was done for us, all they endured—for we the people. Great podcast.
Thank you so much, Jeanine. I drew on stories from my father about the return home aboard a merchant marine ship. He told me the merchant marines were known for the good food they served. Daddy had his 2nd Thanksgiving meal aboard that ship. If memories weren’t so sweet they would break our hearts.
Wonderful historical info, Lucinda!
A fascinating look at a chapter of our history that I, for one, was unaware of. Thank you for that and for the captivating lives you are sharing with us.
For heaven's sake woman...you weave these stories with some sort of miracle magic that takes me back to listening to my mom, Uncle Willard and grandma talk about the secrets of the family, the neighbors and the "standout" citizens of the small community in and around Dalton, Arkansas where my mom grew up. And that term "socially insignificant" speaks directly to the vernacular of small town locals, though my grandma would use the phrase; "wouldn't amount to a hill of beans". LOL
Honestly, I think it began my understanding of how storytelling (and drama/theatre) was such a valuable communication and teaching tool.
I can hardly wait for the next installment and am spoiled by the recent development of "binge watching" cause I want to know everything about that small town and its inhabitants...knowing of course so much of them exist only in your head and imagination. I think there is a play or movie in all of this.
Waiting patiently...
Alan, I love this! Love that you have related my story to the ones you heard growing up. Those stories, voices, vernacular permeated my mind--the way people were scrutinized, their stories told, family histories unraveled. Just about everybody was a raconteur. But there were standouts. One of the standouts of our community was Grandma Reeves. She had three beautiful granddaughters and at the wedding shower of one of them (the one who "settled" for a socially insignificant) she remarked in a clarion voice "Well, Joanne flew over a field of lilies and landed on a cow turd".
Thanks a bunch, Alan and stay tuned.