by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL
We keep hearing that the World War II generation of veterans are gradually leaving us and we need to hear from them.
Watching the History Channel’s recent presentations, I’m amazed at all the details we hadn’t been aware of as we went through those times.
An aspect of growing older that is becoming evident is that those of us who grew up in the thirties and forties have a different memory bank in a way. It’s not really feeling “out of it” exactly. But, we can make a clever comparison or ironic joke and get a blank stare or a questioning look, when in “younger” company!
One example of “remembering when others don’t” is recalling favorite Country music. I do like Alan Jackson and Willie Nelson and enjoyed WTVP’s Grand Ole Oprey recollections recently.
But how many of us are still around who recall fondly LuLu Belle and Scotty, Rex Allen and Red Foley, which we awaited eagerly on Saturday night on the WLS Barn Dance? We’d get ready for bed, and listen as long as we could stay awake. Will anyone (please) remember Grace Wilson signing off at midnight with her booming rendition of “You Got to Your Church and I’ll Go to Mine.”
Remember, that George Gobel became a TV sensation for a time after he had been “little Georgie Gobel” on the WLS Barn Dance?
Another Example: Watching the Royal Wedding, with all the harking back to Diana and Charles, whenever snide or cutting remarks were made about the Queen, many of my generation could recall a time when without the immediacy of television, we anxiously awaited the latest news on radio or in the newsreels and popular magazines, about the “Little Princesses” Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. A book by their governess “Crawfy” was widely sought after. As the War hit England, before we felt it, we would see them in the midst of the rubble with their parents, who stayed with their people.
When a love-struck Elizabeth married her handsome Prince, we watched in the same way we followed our favorite movie stars. Margaret Rose was watched in the same way the Paris Hiltons of today are, as she carried on in what we called Hi-Jinks! Her ill-fated romance and subsequent marriage were newsworthy to our generation.
Only two areas, but my question is: Do you Remember? I can’t be the only one!