by Nancy Strakna
It’s that “most wonderful time of the year” again, and for me and many of us, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without the lights, the decorations, the presents, and (especially) the food! It’s a time of over-indulgence and celebrations with family and friends, but the abundance we enjoy today was not always so. During World War II, with the war effort in full swing, rationing severely limited many things we now take for granted. Although this created some hardship, it was a small sacrifice that most were honored to make if it helped keep their loved ones safe and sound. Still today, many of us are separated from our loved ones and may be struggling to make do with less.
Nothing evokes the feeling of Christmas like the music; the songs conjure up memories of Christmases past and how we celebrated with family and friends. Even now I find myself humming “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby. Recorded during World War II, the melancholy lyrics of “White Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” with their comforting images of home and yearning for family, touched the hearts of American civilians and soldiers alike.
Join us on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00, as we welcome Mary Rasa to the Perryville Branch Library. In a period uniform, accompanied by holiday music of the era, she will be sharing images of Christmas during World War II, both at home and in military settings. She will describe the decorations and how food was prepared, and will explain shortages and rationing and how that affected daily life. The day after the program–December 7th–marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which propelled the United States into the fray. Take a step back in time with us, to hear about Christmas memories from those days.
What are your favorite holiday traditions and memories?
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