Dorothy and Floyd
December 7, 1941
The day started out as any other day, at the Soda Fountain in small town Ohio, where Dorothy worked; Soda Jerk was her job title. Dorothy’s smile greeted many folks each day, almost none were unknown; that was a perk living where everyone knew your business. Busy days at work made the time pass by, and any distraction, even the small ones such as the uncomfortable shoes that she wore, a decree by the Government to help the war effort, helped her to not think of Floyd all the time. Dorothy knew this was a small sacrifice compared to her husband Floyd, who was now thousands of miles away in Hawaii in the US Army. Her look was relevant the time, as she stood behind the counter in her Pencil Skirt, with a simple cut blouse topped off by wearing a Beret.
The US Government rationed fabrics. Women’s dresses had to be short with hems of only two inches, extra material added on such as ruffles, were forbidden for the duration of the war. Although hats were not rationed to allow women to express themselves, the designs were simple. Since there was rationing of elastic the beret may have been the favorite hat, it also had an elegant look. Veiled pillboxes and hats with plumage and ribbons were also popular. The pencil skirt cut in one straight line was within the limitations of clothing rationing, since the design required the least amount of material for the dress size.
The day was suddenly and permanently interrupted when the town clown ran into the store and yelled out, "Pearl Harbor has been bombed! Turn on your radio!"
Dorothy's heart almost stopped as she ran to turn on the old and worn Zenith Consoltone radio. She turned it on and waited for the tubes to warm up. A few minutes had passed, when the speaker finally crackled, voices told the news story, “Pearl Harbor has been attacked, many men were killed or injured!” All she could do was wait: one day, one week, one month, so many nights of not knowing and wondering if he was dead, lying in pain, and or wounded. After two full months news finally came. She heard from Floyd, and he was still alive and well.
Those were the days of no E-mail, no CNN, no cell phones, and also no phone contacts to overseas troops at all. Mail from over seas took forever, but a letter from Floyd finally made it to Dorothy. Now that she knew he was still alive, she worried all over again: night after night, month after month, for 4 years! It wasn’t until 1945 when Dorothy finally saw Floyd in person again, and what a happy reunion it was! They dated for five years before marrying; then they were separated by 4 years of war. This year brings them to year 68 of this most wonderful and classic marriage that most will never achieve. I, being one of such.
________***________
Dorothy and Floyd 1941
The day started out as any other day, at the Soda Fountain in small town Ohio, where Dorothy worked; Soda Jerk was her job title. Dorothy’s smile greeted many folks each day, almost none were unknown; that was a perk living where everyone knew your business. Busy days at work made the time pass by, and any distraction, even the small ones such as the uncomfortable shoes that she wore, a decree by the Government to help the war effort, helped her to not think of Floyd all the time. Dorothy knew this was a small sacrifice compared to her husband Floyd, who was now thousands of miles away in Hawaii in the US Army. Her look was relevant the time, as she stood behind the counter in her Pencil Skirt, with a simple cut blouse topped off by wearing a Beret.
The US Government rationed fabrics. Women’s dresses had to be short with hems of only two inches, extra material added on such as ruffles, were forbidden for the duration of the war. Although hats were not rationed to allow women to express themselves, the designs were simple. Since there was rationing of elastic the beret may have been the favorite hat, it also had an elegant look. Veiled pillboxes and hats with plumage and ribbons were also popular. The pencil skirt cut in one straight line was within the limitations of clothing rationing, since the design required the least amount of material for the dress size.
The day was suddenly and permanently interrupted when the town clown ran into the store and yelled out, "Pearl Harbor has been bombed! Turn on your radio!"
Dorothy's heart almost stopped as she ran to turn on the old and worn Zenith Consoltone radio. She turned it on and waited for the tubes to warm up. A few minutes had passed, when the speaker finally crackled, voices told the news story, “Pearl Harbor has been attacked, many men were killed or injured!” All she could do was wait: one day, one week, one month, so many nights of not knowing and wondering if he was dead, lying in pain, and or wounded. After two full months news finally came. She heard from Floyd, and he was still alive and well.
Those were the days of no E-mail, no CNN, no cell phones, and also no phone contacts to overseas troops at all. Mail from over seas took forever, but a letter from Floyd finally made it to Dorothy. Now that she knew he was still alive, she worried all over again: night after night, month after month, for 4 years! It wasn’t until 1945 when Dorothy finally saw Floyd in person again, and what a happy reunion it was! They dated for five years before marrying; then they were separated by 4 years of war. This year brings them to year 68 of this most wonderful and classic marriage that most will never achieve. I, being one of such.
________***________
Dorothy and Floyd 1941
(Click on images to enlarge)
________***________
Keep Your Head Down,
Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania
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