Day of Infamy

HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#5
23 Years ago, when I was invited to attend the Wednesday Morning Prayer Breakfast Club of Ex-Mil Aviators, We had Seven WWII Vets. Now, We have None.

Oh, the Stories they would tell! Really illuminated and built out My knowledge of that era. Those were some Real, Tough, MEN.

My Prayers and Thanks to All Who served.
 

sauced07

Well-known member
Brass Subscriber
#8
Several guys running the landing craft on D Day were 15-16. Subtracting training time they were 14 or so when joining. As Handload said there was no system in place like now for proof of age. I believe some parents helped them join as well. Different times.
 

HandLoad

Twinkle Me, LORD
Brass Subscriber
#9
Here are some Pearls from the Fellows I Knew:

Except for "First Born", nearly all Men were expected to be working to help the War Effort, and if they weren't, some folks would wonder if the Person wasn't Properly Patriotic. "Sons" rankled at being Kept on the Farm/At Home. Soldiering During War was Viewed as a Badge of Honor for Many, so Kids of 14 would run off and Enlist in order to Serve During the Conflict. This because of all the Adults (alive or Killed) who Served in WW1 were Lionized and held up as examples of True Heros.

Many Women made strong efforts to "Join the War Effort", and nearly everybody Stateside tried like heck to Show that They were contributing in some way. Kids too Young to Serve as well.

PATRIOTISM!