Step Back in Time (1941-42) Most of us were born into this world in the years 1941- 42. Our parents had been through the "Roaring Twenties" and the "Great Depression". Now as we came along, they would face the greatest of all wars. Thanks to the dedication and sacrifice of our parents and their generation, we have had the opportunity to live in the most free land ever known. We've raised our families and most of us have realized the "American Dream". I thought it would be fun to step back and see what was going on when we were born and then in a week or two we'll look at the happenings of the years 1958-60. Nazi Germany was attacking Russia, and North Africa. France and most of Europe had fallen and England looked to the USA as they were now under attack. Japan had taken China and was now quickly taking everything in the Pacific. Then the worst happened. December 7, 1941 would remain a part of our parents lives as the assassinations of the 60's remain part of our lives. Men and women, who had never been more than 50 miles from home, would now be sent all over the world to fight for "freedom". Women, who had never worked, would now go into factories to replace the men who went off to war. Our families here at home would live through air-raid drills, rationing of gas and other commodities, blackouts and the use of ration stamps. But thanks to God and our brave fighting men and women, war never came to our land. At home in 1941, Franklin Roosevelt was in his third term as President. We were finally breaking loose from the "Depression". The "USO" was formed to help the armed forces. The long awaited "Declaration of War" would of course come in December. In 1941, prior to the war the average American income was $1777.00. A house sold for $4075.00. A car sold for $850.00. A loaf of bread was .08 cents, a gallon of gas was .12 cents, gold was $35.00 per ounce and the Dow Jones Average was 121. Joe Louis had defended his title for the 17th time. The "Indy 500" would be won by Floyd Davis and Mauri Rose with a winning speed of 115 miles per hour. The Yankees would win the last "World Series" before teams would lose their players to the war. The best picture was "How Green Was My Valley". Best actor Gary Cooper in "Sargeant York". Best actress Joan Fontaine in "Suspicion". Walt Disney had just released "Dumbo". Movies would remain the main form of entertainment during the war as they had been during the depression. It would be a release from the tensions of the war but would also serve as a way to raise much needed money for the war through "War Bonds" promoted by the stars in Hollywood and sold in the theaters. Top songs were "Chattanooga Choo Choo","Buckle Down Winsocki", "Don't Take Your Love From Me" and "Bewitched" Patriotism, family and God were the cornerstones of our country as we entered the war effort. Our country would come out of the war stronger than ever. We felt for the families who had suffered great loss but having fought and worked arm-to-arm we now turned to those three cornerstones as never before. Don Davis