Home and Mother

Submitted by Betty Gondola

Reprinted from Life Magazine (without permission) Spring-Summer, 1985

Betty Gondola

In 1985, Life Magazine published a special issue, "Forty Years Later, The Heros, The Battles, The Homefront - World War II." The magazine was sent to me from Betty (Alex) Gondola. This Gorgon will feature part of the homefront article, "Back Home." Look for other excerpts from this magazine in future Gorgon issues.

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While 16 million Americans joined up, 124 million others did what theycould on the home front. With women fillling in as riveters, welders and "lumberjills," US factories churned out 76,487 ships, 296,429 aircraft, 20,086,061 small arms of all kinds and more than 41 billion rounds of ammunition. The nation gamely endured rationing, from butter (four ounces a week) to shoes (three pairs a year) to gasoline (three gallons per week). Everything had a use: Bacon grease provided glycerin for ammunition; nylon stockings were sewn into gunpowder bags. Children organized scrap drives and spent their allowances on war stamps. Whether growing victory gardens, wearing victory suits (narrow lapels, no trouser cuffs) or driving victory speed (35 mph), for four years Americans had only one thing on their minds--winning the war.
	Stars in the Window Mother proudly displayed this in her window. Three blue stars in a window meant three family members were in the service.
	Rosie the Riveter An American icon of the time. This was the American woman.
	The Real American Heroine Five-gold-star mother Mrs. Alleta Sullivan shook hands with workers at a Brooklyn shipyard.
	I Don't Forget "Dear Mom, I don't forget," was the comforting message one paratrooper sent his mother from training camp.
	Hi Mom Air cadets in Enid, Oklahoma, arranged packed parachutes as a way of "letting mom know she still stands aces high."
	Wartime Cake Eggless, butterless, milkless, the Wartime Cake reflected the impact of rationing, and its durability made it ideal for shipping to hungry sons overseas. An Indiana mother puts the frosting on a gift for her son.
	A Christmas Message A Christmas Card from mother to son.
	A Mother Remembered A pillow case from son to mother.
	Sheet Music "Dear Mom" sheet music by Kate Smith.
	Look What Mother Sent Me A Milky Way candybar ad.
	Wartime Cookbook Mother would have used this to help ration stamps go further.