By: Dr. Zoë L. Simmons
Trick or treat! Watch out for the wacky wizards, flying witches, and goblins galore! Two thousand years later and the tradition of the Celtics thrive in America.
Recently I had asked several of my friends who are veterans of WWII about their memories of Halloween. How was it celebrated during the war? What types of costumes were worn? There was a long pause and soon the responses were, there was no Halloween during WWII, people had other things on their minds.
Being a mother of two, I can’t imagine how it would be to not celebrate Halloween. From the first Halloween that Tiffany & Christopher celebrated dressed as peas to the age of seven & eight now, we have enjoyed the endless hours of collecting candy to more importantly picking out the best Halloween costumes.
This country has been through many wars and currently in the latest. Many of us have loved ones overseas or who are serving their country by being assigned at a military base. As the times have changed as well as wars, we cannot change the wars, but we can change the effect that they have in our homes and country. We should all keep in mind, that our children are our most precious gifts, and that we should not stop their lives for this war. We should allow them to continue the traditions of trick or treating….well maybe not the tricks of soaping windows, stuffing potatoes in tail pipes, stealing bags of candy, and walking through graveyards. I wonder how I know about these tricks?
Happy Halloween from the family of US Legacies to yours.
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Designed to instill patriotism, confidence, and a positive outlook, War Posters were used extensively during WWI & WWII to assist the military and persuade all Americans to help with the war effort. Using stark imagery to elicit powerful emotions, the posters appealed to people's conscience, fears and ideals of freedom and democracy. The posters called upon every man, woman, and child to make personal sacrifices or adjustments to further the greater national cause. Used for the purposes of recruitment, boosting production, motivation, rationing, conservation, security and financing the War, the posters linked the home front with the military front.
An integral part of wartime communications, the coordination and production of War Posters required considerable resources. To assist, the government enlisted the help of the nation's foremost artists, intellectuals and advertising specialists of the time. Containing uniquely creative and beautiful artwork, War Posters make a great display and are a wonderful reminder of our nation's history.
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The Gilliland’s are originally from the North of Ireland in the Belfast area. After coming to the U.S.A., my papa, William Freeman Gilliland, bought the first car ever in Etowah, County AL.
I am not sure what kind it was but--I do know he ordered it by mail.
When it was shipped to him by train, he rode his horse with my dad, O'Banks Gilliland, behind him to ride the horse back home.
Papa got the car off the train and DROVE IT HOME... even though he had never sat in one in his life.
I am not at all sure what year this was, but my dad was about eight years old and he would be 85 today.
Jo Hilburn
in Alabama
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Originally drawn during World War II, this War Poster has been carefully reproduced as a high quality, fine art print on heavyweight archival matte paper. Preserved with an attention to detail, this poster has been professionally retouched and restored to match the magnificence of the original.
Mainly produced during World War I and World War II, War posters were mobilized as part of a massive propaganda campaign for the purpose of recruitment, motivation, and safety. Designed to instill patriotism, confidence, and a positive outlook, War Posters were used to persuade the military and all Americans to help promote the war effort.
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After a decade of trans-Pacific voyages as Empress of Japan, this ship was re-fitted for wartime service and served with distinction in World War II as a troop carrier (She was renamed Empress of Scotland in October 1942). This was followed by transatlantic and cruising service.
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U S Legacies Magazine October 2003
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