World War I Soldier, Writing Home
The postcard presented here tells a story unto itself, although with the passage of time and the distance of space, we cannot fully know its meaning. Depicted is a soldier in uniform. The writing on the back of the card simply says, “Carte Postale,” (postcard in French), and nothing else. Somehow the scene of a soldier, sitting at a desk, writing a letter to the woman pictured in the upper left corner, reminds me very much of some of the “Mother Pillow Covers” of the same era (World War I).
A Thanksgiving Remembered
While we do not generally think of the members of the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps (1933-1942) as members of the military, although some later joined the ranks during World War II, the men stayed in camp for holidays. In spite of times being hard, the men were fed well. We had the good fortune to meet a man, within the last two weeks, who had served as a leader in both the CCC and in WWII. He provided us with a menu of what his men ate for Thanksgiving 1936 at the 1147th Company, CCC, Warner Camp No. 11016, Warner, New Hampshire.
English Turkey Soup
Celery
Stuffed Olives
Mixed Pickles
Roast Turkey
Nut Dressing
Snowflake Potatoes
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Giblet Gravy
Mashed Turnips
Cranberry Sauce
Lettuce and Tomato Salad
Parker House Rolls
Butter
Mince Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Ice Cream
Oranges
Grapes
Cigarettes
Assorted Nuts
Mixed Candy
Figs
Pimentos
Salted Peanuts
Cherries
Coffee
Sounds like quite a spread, and a well-deserved one for the men whose total pay, minus $5. per month, was sent home to their mothers. The Great Depression was difficult, but the men of the CCC did all they could to work hard, braving blizzard-like conditions, at times, to do their work in New Hampshire.
So, from New Hampshire, we wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. Be ever mindful that the holiday was officially celebrated only after decades of letter writing to four different presidents by Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, who was born in Newport, NH, and her assistant. We are happy to claim Mrs. Hale as one of our own. To read more about her, visit our website:
http://www.quiltersmuse.com/sarah_josepha_buell_hale.htm
Blessings,
Patricia Cummings
