[or-roots] Depression Times / W.W.II

[kat1928 at integrity.com]

I grew up during the Great Depression and was a teenager during 
W.W.II.  The "way things were" didn't bother us because it was 
our way of life.

On the coast, during the Depression we didn't know we were poor 
because everyone else was too.  Our rarents knew different many
times when they had nothing to eat for several days.  Mother said 
that after a few days you forgot you were hungry.

At the end of the Depression we moved to Portland, Or.
There we were amazed at the milk delivery trucks, ice trucks, etc.
Everyone loved the ice-man!  The kids would flock after him as he 
took the big tongs and carried the block of ice to the houses.
Sometimes the order (card in the window) was for part of a brick.
He'd chisel a line across and break the ice into a smaller piece.
Then we'd all jump to scoop up the slivers of ice.

When Pearl Harbor happened, we were very confused about our future.
Everyone pitched in and did what they had to.

There were no demonstrators questioning what we should do.
The nation worked together and got the job done.  Sure there were
innocent people killed as in all wars.  That is a sad part of war.

These demonstrators today wouldn't have this land and the freedoms
they enjoy if we'd layed down and let the oprressor walk all over
us.  I'm not for wars but as long as some nations/groups are out to
terriorize and kill people, they will remain  wars in our future.

Today we are spoilt in a way.  Read your history and you will be 
a better, humble citizen - unless you are one of those who delight 
in terrorizing and murdering people.  Then you had better get your 
head screwed  on correctly.

I am PROUD to be an American and I will do whatever I can to keep
our nation free!

Dorothy Webb