Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 405

Today in World War II History

Allied ships burning at Bari (US Army Signal Corps)70 Years Ago—Dec. 2, 1943: Luftwaffe bombs Allied ships at Bari, Italy, sinking 17 ships, including Liberty ship SS John Harvey, which carried mustard gas; over 1000 soldiers, sailors, and civilians killed.

Today in World War II History

P-51D of the US 361st Fighter Group,
US Eighth Air Force, 1944 (USAF photo)70 Years Ago—Dec. 1, 1943:First use of US P-51 Mustang fighter planes in Europe, as US Ninth Air Force flies a sweep over France. Mussolini orders arrest of all Jews in Italy, but Italians shelter many.

Today in World War II History

American base at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, Nov 1943
(US Marine Corps)70 Years Ago—Nov. 30, 1943: US takes unoccupied Abaiang and Marakei Atolls north of Tarawa in Gilberts.

The Advent Wreath - Messiah Is Coming!

One of my family's favorite Christmas traditions is the Advent wreath. On each of the four Sundays in Advent (the four weeks before Christmas), our family gathers around the wreath with cookies and eggnog and hot chocolate. We light the candles, read Scripture passages, and sing carols. Not only is this cozy family time, but it focuses us with joyful anticipation on the birth of Jesus.

The Advent wreath became popular in Germany and Scandinavia, and worked its way to Britain and America. Traditionally it's a flat evergreen wreath with four candles - three purple and one pink, or four red candles - with a white candle in the middle. Even the least crafty person in the world (that would be me) can put one together.

Each Sunday one more candle is lit, going in a clockwise pattern - purple (Prophet's Candle), purple (Bethlehem Candle), pink (Shepherd's Candle), purple (Angels' Candle). On Christmas Day, all four candles in the wreath are lit, plus the white Christ Candle in the center. This symbolizes the coming light of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. This Sunday (December 1), is the first Sunday in Advent. If you'd like to join the Sundin family in this tradition, here are some family friendly, kid-tested ideas.

Each element can be adapted to the ages of any children present - and personalized for your family.

Advent Week One - the Prophet's Candle.

Candles: 

Light one purple candle, the Prophet's Candle. Traditionally the youngest child lights the candles, but use your judgment.

Story: 

(Adapt to the ages of your children) The Old Testament prophets told of a coming Messiah, or Savior - hundreds of years before Jesus was born. He would come into the dark world and bring light. Explain how prophets spoke God's word to people. Ponder what the world must have been like without the hope of Christ.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 11:1-10 (explains how the Messiah would come from David's line)
Isaiah 7:14 (Messiah to be born of a virgin)
Luke 1: 26-38 (the angel Gabriel appears to Mary)
Matthew 1: 18-24 (the angel appears to Joseph)

Songs:

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"

Does your family or church use an Advent wreath, and does it help you get in the true Christmas spirit?

Today in World War II History

Mignano Gap in Italy
 (US Army Center for Military History)70 Years Ago—Nov. 29, 1943: US VI Corps launches assault north of Mignano Gap in Italy.

Today in World War II History

Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill at the Tehran Conference
(US Library of Congress)70 Years Ago—Nov. 28, 1943: US Marines secure Tarawa Atoll. Eureka Conference begins in Tehran: Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin agree to spring ’44 invasion of Europe and Soviet declaration of war on Japan after Germany’s defeat.

Today in World War II History

Boeing B-29 Superfortress (US Air Force)70 Years Ago—Nov. 27, 1943: US 20thBomber Command activated at Salina, KS, under Brig. Gen. Kenneth Wolfe, the first command with B-29 Superfortresses.

Thanksgiving in World War II

Despite the difficulties, dangers, and deprivations of the World War II era, Americans still gave thanks. Norman Rockwell’s beautiful “Freedom from Want” painting made its debut in 1943 and has come to symbolize the holiday.

During the war, political wrangling over the date, rationing and shortages, restrictions on travel, and disruptions to treasured traditions might have altered plans, but the spirit prevailed. As one, the country paused to gather with family, reflect on blessings, and thank the Lord—the giver of all good gifts.

Which Date Do We Celebrate?

In the summer of 1939, concerned retailers approached President Franklin Roosevelt. The Christmas shopping season never started before Thanksgiving (refreshing!) But in 1939, Thanksgiving—which was the last Thursday of November since 1863—would land on November 30, which would curtail revenue. Roosevelt immediately issued a Presidential Proclamation changing Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November.

This was a hugely unpopular decision. While 32 states adopted the earlier date, 18 refused to. In 1939, 1940, and 1941, two dates were celebrated, depending on the state. The later original date was nicknamed “Republican Thanksgiving” and the new early date “Democrat Thanksgiving” or “Franksgiving.”

By mid-1941, even Roosevelt admitted the earlier date had no effect on retail sales figures. On October 6, 1941, the House of Representatives voted to move Thanksgiving back to the last Thursday of November. The Senate amended the bill on December 9, 1941 (despite the previous day’s declaration of war) to make the holiday fall on the fourth Thursday, an accommodation for five-Thursday Novembers. The president signed the legislation on December 26, 1941.

Menus from USS Wake Island, November 1943 (US Navy photo)Thanksgiving in the Military

Throughout the war, the US military went out of its way to provide traditional meals for the men overseas. Thousands of turkeys and all the trimmings were sent to the front lines all over the world, and a serious effort was made to give each man a hot holiday meal, no matter where he served. Sailors at sea, already blessed with the Navy’s excellent food, enjoyed sumptuous Thanksgiving meals, as seen from the 1943 menu from the USS Wake Island.


Rationing and Shortages

In 1942, the first wartime Thanksgiving in America, only sugar was rationed, but shortages of meat and butter challenged housewives to create innovative menus. Many of the spices used in traditional foods were scarce, since they came from areas of the world conquered by the Japanese, and precious cargo space was reserved for more vital supplies.

In 1943 and 1944, the challenges increased. In early 1943, meat, cheese, butter and fats, and canned and processed foods were rationed. The clever cook saved her ration stamps for the holiday and improvised substitutions. While poultry was never rationed in the US, turkey was scarce for Thanksgiving, since so many of the birds were shipped overseas for the servicemen’s feasts.


To Grandmother’s House We Go?

For most Americans, the family gathering is even more important than the turkey. During the war, many men and women served overseas and were missed at home. Also, gasoline and tire rationing prohibited people from traveling long distances by car, and civilian travel by train was strongly discouraged—and seats were often unavailable. Gatherings might have been smaller, but no less appreciated.

Football

That American tradition—the Thanksgiving football game—was battered by the war. Professional and college teams were decimated by the draft, and many professional teams closed down for the duration, including the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Rams. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers combined for the 1943 season, a team nicknamed the “Steagles.”

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Rubber was one of the most critical wartime shortages, since 92 percent of America’s supply came from Japanese-occupied lands. On November 13, 1942, Macy’s department stores ceremonially handed over their famous giant rubber balloons used for their annual parade, including Superman, who had only made his debut in 1939. The balloons were shredded for scrap rubber, and the parade was cancelled for the duration, not to resume again until November 1945.

Thanksgiving grace, 1942 (US Library of Congress)We Gather Together

No matter where they were or what hardships they faced, Americans still gathered together to celebrate and to give thanks.

Resources:

"Congress Establishes Thanksgiving," on US National Archives website:  http://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/thanksgiving/

Crowley, Patrice. "Thankful Anyway." America in WWII magazine, December 2009.

Today in World War II History

Messerschmitt Me 262 fighter (USAF Museum)70 Years Ago—Nov. 26, 1943: Hitler observes Me 262 jet fighter plane and insists it be developed as a “blitz bomber.” Marines defeat Japanese in Battle of Piva Forks on Bougainville.

Book Beat - A Home for My Heart by Anne Mateer

Sadie Sillsby loves her work at the Raystown Home for Orphan and Friendless Children, so she's thrilled to be named the home's matron. The only problem is the matron isn't allowed to be married...and her beloved Blaine is ready to get married. But Blaine will have to wait, because the position of matron gives Sadie what she's longed for all her life...validation.

A Home for My Heart by Anne Mateer is a lovely, quiet story that sneaks up on you - then grabs your heart. The premise seems simple at first - whether Sadie should choose her job or her love. But the journey becomes so much richer as Sadie learns about how others misjudge her, how she misjudges others, and how she even misjudges herself. Her insights and growth made me think - and made this story truly memorable. I've loved Anne Mateer's other books - but this is her best yet. Highly recommended.