Mornin’ to ya! I like my coffee black and strong.
Many from my mom’s and dad’s generation thought the Second World War brought the United States out of the depression. Indeed within a short period, 17 million folks were either in the military or working directly for industry that supported the war effort. Taxes were high and rationing abounded.
After the war the economy continued to chug along but not for my mom or dad. Dad and Mom worked at the same factory. And in the early 50s, it closed down.
Dad took insurance settlement money awarded for a car accident and invested in a bar. The venture failed miserably. Dad’s gumption for life dissipated after the business failure. He blamed everything and everyone but himself.
Indeed, there were factors beyond his control. Nearby factories that were the bulk of his business went on strikes and others laid off workers.
After a year of being drunk—every day, he landed a permanent job, yet he continued a bitter man. He saw others prosper and yet he did not.
To him and Mom, the solution appeared simple. To this day that solution nearly makes me nauseated. It was a war that preceded good times so another war was needed. To this day I recall these words spoken at different times by my mom and dad, “What this country needs is a good war.” The thoughtfulness of those words! Men, women, and children must die so others can live well!
My dad served in World War Two. Because of his age and physical condition, he was nowhere near combat. His overseas assignments were the Panama Canal and the Galapagos Islands. He had no real idea of the horrors of war.
To him, war was a two-year inconvenience.
When I was in Basic Training as Viet Nam was heating up, I often wondered if Mom and Dad felt the same. Would my life be one of the lives sacrificed for a better economy?
In their defense, I don’t think they gave real thought to what they were saying. We often spew words best left unspoken.
Something I’ve thought about.
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