Laci Barry Post's Blog: War Stories

A new year always makes me reflect on new beginnings and think back to old beginnings. Songbird begins on May 28, 1943. As we look forward to 2015, let’s look back to 1943! In 1943, the average family income was $2,000. The average cost of a new home was $3,600. A new car cost about $900, and a gallon of gas cost about 15 cents. The Pentagon was completed and considered to be the world’s largest office building. Frank Sinatra debuted on the radio. The U.S. executed its first air attack on

There are several good movies coming out this holiday season, but one makes the top of my list. Several years ago, my dad recommended a book that he said was one of the best books he has ever read. After I read it, I couldn’t agree more. The book isUnbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, and the movie, based on the book, comes out Christmas Day. It is the true story of Louie Zamperini, juvenile delinquent, Olympic runner, World War II

Here is my Christmas present to you, a wonderful 1940s Christmas song by Benny Goodman and his orchestra! I hope you enjoy it. It is one of my favorites and can be found in chapter 38 of Songbird. Ava waited for her cue, trying to follow along through the pages of music. Willie stopped the song, gave out more directions, and the song started a second time and then a third time and then a fourth time before it finally came to her part. The bandleader waved his free hand at her now, and they both

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? If you were buying for a World War II soldier, what would you buy? According to a 1941 survey by the Army Times, which was a weekly newspaper for servicemen, here is a list of things the soldiers most wanted for Christmas. It might surprise you! Cigarettes Cigarette lighters Cigarette cases Watches Calendars (Some wanted pin-up girls!) Radios with battery power Stationary Pen and pencil sets Stamps More letters from home Clothes Shaving equipment

Even in war, art must go on! Edouard Patte, a Red Cross Inspector, was surprised to find an art studio when he visited Fort McClellan’s POW camp in 1944. He wrote, “Since my last visit 4 barracks were set aside as art studios. Within them are working a few painters, sculptors, toy-makers and handicraft addicts who do some commendable work. Those little studios with self-made benches, old canvas frames, tin cans full of red, blue, yellow, black, and white, with paintings of European landscapes,

German soldiers in Alabama! For those living in the state during World War II, it was a startling realty. In the summer of 1943, thousands of mostly German prisoners of war (POWs) poured into POW camps at Aliceville, Opelika, Camp Rucker, and Fort McClellan. An estimated 18,000 Germans were in captivity in Alabama that year. A government report showed 3,004 prisoners at Fort McClellan alone! The prisoners at Fort McClellan were not mistreated. They lived in 20-man barracks and enjoyed kitchens,

Veterans Day began on November 11, 1919 as Armistice Day to commemorate peace between the Allied Nations and Germany during World War I and honor the soldiers who fought in the “Great War”. After World War II and the Korean War, the day of observation was renamed Veterans Day to honor American soldiers from all wars. In honor of Veterans Day, I wanted to share with you a picture of my great uncle, Ernest Barry. He was a World War II veteran who served in the United States Army. His service was

The years after World War II were big years for colleges and universities in the United States. In 1944, the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, also known as the G.I. Bill, was passed, and an estimated 2.2 million veterans used it to go back to school! College campuses exploded. The Jacksonville State Teachers College (Jacksonville State University today) in Jacksonville, AL had to find new ways to accommodate its now larger student body. They added two-year courses in engineering, law, medicine,

Many popular big band songs are featured in Songbird, but others just didn’t quite make the list. During World War II, songwriters used their skills to write propaganda pieces for the war effort. I think you will find these both hilarious and terrible! “You’re a Sap, Mr. Jap” Performed by the Murphy Sisters (A song written to humiliate the Japanese Army) You're a sap, Mr. Jap, you make a Yankee cranky You're a sap, Mr. Jap, Uncle Sammy's gonna spanky Wait and see before we're done The A, B, C

In 1941, men from all over America were racing to enlistment offices to “join up” and “fight the good fight” against Hitler and his war machine. At the head of this line of ordinary Joes trying to do their part was one of the most celebrated Hollywood actors of the time. With an Oscar for best actor under his belt, Jimmy Stewart pressed pause on his movie career to serve his country from 1941 to 1946. Unfortunately, Stewart didn’t meet the Army’s height and weight requirements to become a