I do remember the war effort times very well. Father was our 'block-warden' so each evening after dark, following the city alarm system sounding, he would patrol around the block to be sure no lights emitted from the houses. This entailed taping black tar paper over the inside of windows and only using very low lights. At these times my little sister and I were bedded down under the dining room table which was kind of fun, like camping out. Never gave it a thought that mother couldn't take cover so she sat by us in her wheelchair.
FDR's 'Fireside Chats' were well attended around our radio as we listened quietly to Roosevelt's every word. His presidency was, I suppose, fatherly and thus very reassuring. At school we learned to recognize every national and foreign airplane flying overhead. Of course the P-38 was the easiest with it's double-tail. Also, we had practice bomb-drills where we were instructed to crouch under our desk until the all-clear bell sounded. As kids this was all great fun.
The Military Draft was in place so that every healthy male, from 17 to 50 could be sent off to war. Father, of course, was exempt due to the fact that mother depended on his caring for her most immediate needs. As the recruits left their jobs to go to war, young, strong females replaced factory jobs and also learned to be mechanics. Thus was born: 'Rosie the Riveter.' And, the military also accepted females into their ranks although kept them away from the front lines. Nurses, of course, were sent to hospitals near the action. Many men and women were killed or injured during WWII. The saying: "War is hell!"
Here at home many items, such as butter and petrol, were only gotten with government 'ration-stamps' Every one saved rendered meat fat to fill old Crisco cans and turn them over to grocery stores to be used to manufacture military ammunition. We also saved every bit of foil from gum wrappers to form a ball which was also turned over to the government for the same purpose. Whether all these things were actually of importance is still undetermined to this day. The one important outcome however, was the fact it brought everyone together to "help win the war." As an adult I can see there is no 'win' situation in a war.
History tells us that FDR died early in his fourth term as President of this nation. His passing was mourned by families of all walks of life, people who identified with his fatherly position. My mother was especially fond of him since he too had been a victim of the same Polio Epidemic of 1916. She always felt felt this one incident had made Roosevelt better understand 'the human condition' of the average American even though he had been brought up in wealth. Once the Congress convened they enacted the new rule that a president could only serve two four-year terms. Now if only Congress could get their act together and determine maximum terms for the House and Senate? Probably not in my lifetime.
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