Iowa
Old Press
Waterloo Sunday Courier
March 28, 1943
GOLD STAR HOMES SAY RATIONING NO HARDSHIP AT ALL
“When I Hear People Kicking I Think, ‘These Folks Don’t Know.’”
Waterloo families whose boys have been killed or reported missing in action are considering food rationing only a small gesture of patriotism. Gold Stars are numerous now and their number is steadily mounting. And these gold star families are feeling far greater emptiness in their homes than the partial emptiness in their cupboards or their refrigerators.
“We’ve given up two wonderful sons,” Frank Ray, 217 East Fifth street, said yesterday, “and we’re willing to sacrifice meat or food or anything without a word, in order to retain the freedom we have now.”
Mr. and Mrs. Ray lost one son, Harry, Aug. 28 1942. He was killed in action on the Astoria, in the Solomons. A chief machinist’s mate, Harry had been serving in the Navy for 20 years.
Second Son Killed.
Another, Clarence Wendall, was killed Nov. 13, 1942, in a battle in the Solomons. He was a member of the crew on the USS San Francisco.
“When I hear people kicking about food rationing, I think to myself that those folks don’t know what real losses mean,” Ray said.
“I’ve got a busy job right now, but I’d surely like to be making shells—more than anything I’d like to be out there shooting them.”
The Rays have another son, Charley Russell, who has enlisted in the Navy and will be called about May 15.
The mother of the boys said: “We’re glad to do anything to win this war.”
Lost At Pearl Harbor.
Mrs. Frank Manske, Grant highway, who lost her only son Robert Francis in the attack on Pearl Harbor said:
“I’d sooner give up a lot more things if I could have my boy back.”
“But I’m willing now to give up butter or meat or anything so that some of the other boys can come back. I have enough gas to get to church, so I’m not complaining.”
The Manskes were the first Gold Star parents here. Their boy was the first Waterloo boy to die in this war.
“The Red Cross,” said Mrs. Manske, “will have all the help I can give them. They were very nice to us. Red Cross people were the first to call and inquire about my status and health.”
“Small Price”
Mrs. A. J. O’Connor, 302 Ricker street, mother of Cpl. Maynard O’Connor, who has been reported missing in action since Feb. 17, has this to say in regard to food rationing:
“I would say that giving up a little food is a very small price to pay in comparison to that which the boys in service are paying.”
Mother of another boy reported missing in action since Feb. 17, is Mrs. Martin Seidel, 1711 West Third street. Her son, Technician Fifth Grade Verne Seidel, has been on the African battle front, having been overseas a year.
Mrs. Seidel said:
“We’re just taking this rationing in our stride. It’s not such a hardship. I’m willing to do lots more if it will help the boys overseas.”
Killed in Plane Crash.
Another mother and father who have paid a great price for America are Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Patterson, 319 Fowler street. Their son Lieut. Donald Patterson, was killed in an airplane crash while on duty with the Atlantic patrol.
“We’re not beginning to do anything worthy of these boys in service,” said Mrs. Patterson.
“If I didn’t have anyone in service, I should be happy to do my part for the sake of those boys.”
“It’s Worth It.”
One Waterloo woman who has sacrificed both her son and his father, Mrs. Gladys Broell, 438 Adams street declared:
“I still think it is worth it to sacrifice for my country.”
Mrs. Broell’s son, Pvt. Robert Leo Downs, died Feb. 20 of wounds suffered in the fighting in north Africa. Private Down’s father, Riley Downs wounded in the first world war, died several years later as a result of that wound.
“We Talk Awhile”
“We have a grocery store,” said Mrs. Broell, “and whenever someone comes in complaining about the food shortage, we just talk awhile with them. And they always come to the conclusion that everybody’s willing to do without if the boys can have it.”
Relinquishing a steak or two a week, giving up an extra helping of one’s favorite vegetable or fruit, going without a second teaspoonful of sugar in the coffee, and the extra cookies and cakes, are small forfeits for freedom. They become even smaller by comparison when one considers the lives which are being exchanged for the safety of our heritage.
[transcribed by L.Z., Dec 2019]