by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL

For those of us who grew up in the 30’s and 40’s remembering the Depression is often an exercise in nostalgia. We married after the War and raised our families in so much better times.

In my own family, we saw our mother affected all the rest of her life, having had to worry about having the electricity turned back on, or asking for a food order to feed her family, before welfare came along. World War II brought jobs and better times but she did not really recover.

Too many Americans are living with suffering and in real fear all around us. Compassion and sympathy is truly needed. Better still, empathy is needed as we call upon our leaders at every level on behalf of those fellow citizens.