CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS DESPITE THE WAR

ANNE GREENE here:  

Christmas is a major holiday in the United States, but during World War II, 1941-1945 Christmas had a special meaning. Most families had a loved one serving in the military who could not be home for Christmas. Peace on Earth was no longer just a nice phrase found on Christmas cards, but the number one prayer of Americans everywhere. The Christmas season gave hope that while this year many were away, maybe next year the war would end and missing family members would return home.

On the Home Front, Americans tried to celebrate Christmas. Families dealt with painful separations and lost loved ones which made the holiday agonizing. But those keeping the home front fires burning worked hard at making Christmas merry for the children. 

Before the war, America still recovered from the great depression when money and jobs were scarce. Shoppers had often been limited to window shopping, not having any extra money to purchase gifts. When the war began, war production went into high gear bringing good-paying jobs and additional income. But, there was little to buy as rationing left few goods on the shelves. Metal toys nearly disappeared as did automobiles, radios, bicycles, typewriters, and other goods.

Wartime production priorities restricted the presents children could receive for Christmas. Santa Claus had to tell the kids to lower their expectations. Santa explained that a particular toy had too much steel in it, and that steel was needed for the war. If a child seemed disappointed, Santa told the child that some children living in the countries where the war was fought would have no Christmas. With the shortage of men, Santa was often a woman. 

The song, White Christmas, debuted in 1942. Sung by Bing Crosby the tune became an instant success as its peaceful feeling hit home with those on the home front and those on the battle front. I’ll Be Home for Christmas debuted in 1943. The words touched the hearts of separated loved ones. Both songs are still classics sung at Christmas. 

For the soldiers, sailors and airmen overseas, military necessity and lack of accommodations forced them to have minimal celebrations. Many of the boys serving overseas got the blues. But presents from home cheered them. 

Do you have a Christmas story you’d like to share? Maybe a soldier or someone in your family shared his or her experience. Maybe you have a story of how a child at home felt during those years at Christmas from 1941 to 1945. I’d love to hear your stories. Please leave a comment. 

Leave a comment and one lucky winner will win my WWII book, Angel With Steel Wings. Buy any one or all seven of Anne’s book on http://www.Amazon.com.

Ace Collins, bestselling author of numerous books, including the WW II series, In the President’s Service, says of ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS: 

A story of a woman in a man’s domain set against the dynamics of World War II is a can’t-miss scenario. Angel With Steel Wings paints a vivid picture of courageous pilots facing death in the air while struggling with love on the ground, and wraps it up in a unique twist that will challenge all you knew about the “Greatest Generation.” Steeped in history and framed by faith, this is a tale that takes readers into a world now all but forgotten, and lands in a place that touches the heart in a special way. To know how far we have come, we must understand where we started, and Angels With Steel Wings takes us back on a thrilling trip in time that informs as it entertains. I think this is one flight you won’t want to miss.

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about alpha heroes who aren’t afraid to fall on their knees in prayer, and about gutsy heroines. Her novellas, A CHRISTMAS BELLE, and A GROOM FOR CHRISTMAS are now available. Her Women of Courage Series spotlights heroic women of World War II, with the first book ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS available. Enjoy her private investigating series, Handcuffed In Texas by reading the first book, Holly Garden, PI, RED IS FOR ROOKIE. Try her award-winning Scottish historical romances, MASQUERADE MARRIAGE and MARRIAE BY ARRANGEMENT. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books on http://www.Amazon.com.

 

 

 

STILL WE GAVE THANKS DURING WORLD WAR II AND BOOK GIVE AWAY

ANNE GREENE HERE: Soon our nation will celebrate another Thanksgiving as a free America. But during World War II, our nation fought to the death for that freedom. Still, at home and on the battlefield, we Americans gave thanks.

God’s help to us has been great in this year of marching towards world-wide

liberty, President Roosevelt said in his 1943 Thanksgiving speech to the nation. In brotherhood with warriors of other United Nations our gallant men have won victories, have freed our homes from fear, have made tyranny tremble, and have laid the foundation for freedom of life in a world which will be free.

Roosevelt continued, May we on Thanksgiving Day and on every day express our gratitude and zealously devote ourselves to our duties as individuals and as a nation. May each of us dedicate his utmost efforts to speeding the victory which will bring new opportunities for peace and brotherhood among men.

Americans cherish our Thanksgiving Holliday. Roosevelt decided to provide a

turkey dinner for all troops. To accomplish this, the fresh meat ration had to be cut. A holiday-sized portion equaled three normal meat meals. Nevertheless Roosevelt committed himself to provide turkey to all the troops on the continent to raise their morale. By Thanksgiving, stuffing, fresh fruit, vegetables, white bread, cranberry sauce, and over one and half tons of turkey were distributed to the troops. Roosevelt didn’t forget the pumpkin pies. Mobile bakery trucks helped deliver the meal. Some combat troops did not receive the special ration until one or two days after Thanksgiving, but Americans pulled-off a great feat to raise the troop morale and help with homesickness.

Military Thanksgiving dinners were far different from the usual precooked C- or K-rations. As the men all lived on rations, the soldiers hadn’t seen so much food since the war began. The food arrived on fully loaded liberty ships in time for their Thanksgiving Day celebrations.

On the Home Front, people decided Thanksgiving was worth preserving, even during these times of rationing. Magazines and pamphlets encouraged homemakers to create pies using molasses, to stretch meat rations, and to do other imaginative things to create a feast while the nation was at war.

Food was in short supply because much canned food was reserved for overseas to our military and our allies. Transportation of fresh food was limited due to gasoline and tire rationing and the priority of transporting soldiers and war supplies instead of food. Imported items, like coffee and sugar, were limited due to restrictions on importing.

Many families missed parents and siblings who were overseas fighting. Items like the Thanksgiving turkey were nearly impossible to find. Even a tradition as simple as a football game was suspended.

November 23, 1945 wartime rationing of most foods ended. But people at home retained a strong memory of rubber, metal, clothing, and other materials that were rationed. Plus shortages of most types of food affected everyone on a daily basis.

This Thanksgiving, when you think about what you are thankful for, consider the soldiers and families that sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for our war efforts.

What would you miss most about Thanksgiving dinner if America were once again in a world war? Remember, if family didn’t live in the vicinity, they could not visit unless they saved their gas rations.

Leave a comment and one lucky person will win my WWII book about women test pilots, Angel With Steel Wings.

Ace Collins, bestselling author of numerous books, including the WW II series, In the President’s Service, says of ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS:

A story of a woman in a man’s domain set against the dynamics of World War II is a can’t-miss scenario. Angel With Steel Wings paints a vivid picture of courageous pilots facing death in the air while struggling with love on the ground, and wraps it up in a unique twist that will challenge all you knew about the “Greatest Generation.” Steeped in history and framed by faith, this is a tale that takes readers into a world now all but forgotten, and lands in a place that touches the heart in a special way. To know how far we have come, we must understand where we started, and Angels With Steel Wings takes us back on a thrilling trip in time that informs as it entertains. I think this is one flight you won’t want to miss.

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about alpha heroes who aren’t afraid to fall on their knees in prayer, and about gutsy heroines. Her novellas, A CHRISTMAS BELLE, and A GROOM FOR CHRISTMAS are now available. Her Women of Courage Series spotlights heroic women of World War II, with the first book ANGEL WITH STEEL WINGS available. Enjoy her private investigating series, Handcuffed In Texas by reading the first book, Holly Garden, PI, RED IS FOR ROOKIE. Try her award-winning Scottish historical romances, MASQUERADE MARRIAGE and MARRIAE BY ARRANGEMENT. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books on http://www.Amazon.com.

CHRISTMAS DURING WORLD WAR II

ANNE GREENE here.

Here is part of how Americans celebrated Christmas during the war years. 

Christmas has always been a major holiday in the United States, but during World War II (1941-45) the holiday took on special meaning as most families had a loved one serving in the military who could not be home for Christmas. Peace on Earth was not just a nice phrase found on Christmas cards, but the number one prayer of Americans everywhere. The Christmas season gave hope that while this year many were away, maybe next year the war would be over and missing family members would return home. 

Americans tried their best to celebrate Christmas. Families on the Home Front dealt with painful separations and lost loved ones which the holiday made agonizing. But those keeping the home front fires burning worked hard at making Christmas merry for the children. 

Before the war, America was still recovering from the great depression when money and jobs were scarce. Shoppers were often limited to window shopping, not having any extra money to purchase anything. When the war began, war production went into high gear bringing good-paying jobs and additional income. But, there was little to buy as rationing and priorities in war production left few goods on the shelves. Metal toys nearly disappeared as did automobiles, radios, bicycles, typewriters, and other goods. 

Wartime production priorities greatly restricted the presents that children could receive for Christmas. Who better to tell the kids than St. Nick? Santa Claus had to lower children’s expectations when they came to sit on his lap. Santa explained that a particular toy had too much steel in it - and that steel was needed for the war. If a child seemed disappointed, Santa told the child that some children living in the countries where the war was being fought would have no Christmas. With the shortage of men, Santa was often a woman. 

The song, White Christmas, debuted in 1942. Sung by Bing Crosby it became an instant success as its peaceful feeling hit home with those on the home front and those on the battle front. I’ll Be Home for Christmas debuted in 1943. The words touched the hearts of separated loved ones. Both songs are still classics sung at Christmas. 

For the soldiers, sailors and airmen overseas, military necessity and lack of accommodations forced them to have minimal celebrations. Many of the boys serving overseas got the blues. But presents from home cheered them. 

Do you have a Christmas story from the World War II years that you’d like to share? Maybe a soldier or someone in your family shared his or her experience. Maybe you have a story of how a child at home felt during those years at Christmas from 1941 to 1945. I’d love to hear your stories. Please leave a comment. 

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won three prestigious book awards. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement, finalled in a number of contests. A Texas Christmas Mystery also won several awards. Look for Anne’s new World War II historical romance, Angel With Steel Wings, early in 2015. The first book in Anne’s lady detective series, Holly Garden, PI, Red is for Rookie, débuts later in 2015. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to awesome new worlds and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. She loves to talk with her readers. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.Amazon.com. Talk with Anne on twitter at @TheAnneGreene. View Anne’s books, travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

Learn more about Anne as well as gain tips on writing award-winning novels at http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com.

VISIT WITH ANNE here at Heroes, Heroines, & History every 14^th day of every month.