Today is a Good Day to Remember with Gratitude those Who Have Served this Great Nation

World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six years until the Allies defeated Nazi Germany and Japan in 1945.

The picture above is of my Father when serving in World War II. Other than an occasional story, and usually one of humor, my Father didn’t talk a great deal about being involved with the war with his children. My Uncle Casto Hardway, also known as “Doc,” spoke even less of it, being a prisoner of war during that battle for a considerable time.

It is hard for anyone born after 1945 to understand how profoundly life was affected during those years, and not just because nearly one in five families at the time had a loved one in the military. Factories across the country went from manufacturing cars and appliances to making airplane engines, bombers and guns. The post depression time had turned into big business. Even the children were involved as they enthusiastically brought dimes and quarters to school to buy stamps that would collectively purchase war bonds. They argued over who would get to crush the tin cans being contributed for the latest scrap drive and proudly delivered their mothers’ bacon grease to be recycled for the future manufacture of explosives.

Is there anyway that the children of today could relate to the children of those years?

With American casualties totaling 405,399, nobody would want our children to be able to relate, not to that aspect. But to the American pride, community support and love of Country, it would be good if our children understood how very hard this land has been fought for.

Below is a list of names of Calhoun citizens who served in World War II. I discovered it on the website listed and couldn’t help but ponder what it would be like to have this many sons and daughters missing from our community in service. Today would be a good day to spend some time with your children or grandchildren and look at some of the names that just may have been your family, sacrificing for our Nation.

World War II Roster presented by Linda Cunningham Fluharty. www.wvgenweb.org