Note: The class of 1944 will meet at the home of Laurette Elms Dreisbach for "open house" and gathering place on the mornings of July 2, 3, 4, and 5. Laurette's address:
N11075 Lookout Lane, Ironwood MI 49938. (near Wolverine Ski Hill).
906-932-4279
Class of 1944 Brunch, Wednesday, July2 - 10 am to noon at Laurette's home.
A Quick Trip through the Class of 1944 History
Written by Laurette Elms Dreisbach, member of class of 1944
This class had its beginning in the late 20’s (conception). The martial blare of soldiers returning from World War I were some of the first sounds on the radio.
Then, the mournful Wall Street Debacle was drowned out by the swinging years called the Roaring 20’s.
F. Scott Fitzgerald novels were written and (silent) Calvin Coolidge lived at the Whitehouse, while “Lucky Lindberg” was winging his lonely way across the Atlantic.
This was a period of domination by the noble experiment known as Prohibition. It actually succeeded more in the flowering of bootlegging! It gave us the menacing figure of Al Capone, read in all the front pages of newspapers.
Flappers bobbed their hair and raised their skirts. Men wore raccoon coats and baggy pants. Ukuleles and banjos stirred up this short period labeled, “The era of wonderful nonsense.” At the same time, traditional music revolted and it soon began the Jazz Age.
The Jazz Age added the beat, and the music became known as “Ragtime.” We let our ‘smiles be our umbrellas’, and enjoyed songsters like Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, and Bing Crosby and Sofia Tucker.
Black Thursday, October 24th, 1929, happened and a severe depression followed, effected by all.
Soon the Sentimental 30’s engulfed the radios. At this time, we were old enough to start grade school. We still loved those romantic tunes as we moved up into high school as a class.
We entered the decade of the 40’s with Franklin Roosevelt as our president.
Four months into this decade, the Second World War erupted in Europe with all its fury. There had been rumors of war in Poland in 1939. Now, with Hitler in command, there ensued a succession of Nazi Blitzkriegs. Denmark fell in 4 hours, Norway, 32 days, Holland in 5 days, Belgium in 18 days. Italy lined up with the Axis. France, was forced into humiliating surrender.
Winston Churchill rallied his “Island Kingdom,” offering a quote. “Blood, Sweat, along with Tears and Toil”
We were hurt over this tragic happening to our Allies, although we had not officially entered the war. At the same time, night after night, the Luftwaffe bombarded the major cities of England.
President Roosevelt, now beginning his third term, arranged a “Land Lease Program” for the Allies. It proclaimed America as the “Arsenal of Democracy” and found Churchill making peace aims in the Atlantic Charter.
More shocking news. Germany invaded the Soviet Union!
In high school, the Debate team topic for the year was about the Draft. The next year it was resolved: That the U.S. should form a new League of Nations..the old one didn’t work. This should be called: The United Nations.
We, as a nation, did not enter the war until Sunday, December 7, 1941 when the Japanese struck havoc at Pearl Harbor. Now, the U.S. was officially in the conflict world wide. “The Battle of the Pacific.”
It was at this time, that we graduated from high school! D Day, June 6, 1944. The United States invaded the Coast of Normandy in Europe, and many of our men died in the water.
Some of our fellow students had already signed up to help our cause, others were drafted. What a time for us to graduate and scatter all over the world!
We ganged up on our talents and worked for the work of freedom. We collected aluminum and scrap iron; rationed sugar and gasoline. We made cellophane belts, and knitted socks and blankets. We hummed, “There’ll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover.” We watched the world on “Movie-tone News” at the theater on Saturdays. Everyone doing their part, everyone patriotic. Remember the food stamps?
General Dwight Eisenhower was assigned in Europe, and General McArthur liberated the Philippines.
Germany surrendered, May7, 1945: the day of victory in Europe. Only a month earlier on April 12, 1945, Franklin Delano Roosevelt died. It seems the whole world mourned!
Victory in Europe was celebrated. Hitler is dead!
We really celebrated V.J. Day, August 15, 1945. With Harry Truman at the helm, the atomic bomb brought the war to end in the Pacific.
Like most wars produced their share of songs, WWII, along with the USO, made us conscious of the pain of war and our lost loved ones. It evoked memories of tragedy and stories of courage.
We, dear class, are being called “the greatest generation.” (Along with many others, of course.)
The GI Bill picked up on our educational spirits, and we could take advantage of that gift in our service to others.
SO, HERE WE ARE TOGETHER MORE THAN 60 YEARS LATER. Once again we are fighting for freedom in the world. We look back with pride on our colorful life and good fortune.
DEAR WAKEFIELD, you are still here for us (including the Gogebic range.) We humbly thank you for the effort in putting this reunion together! What an effort! Lots of improvements and yet all so familiar! We are grateful to you all! To all our good friends we say “farewell.” A last Churchill quote – “Is this the beginning of the end; or the end of the beginning?”
We were blessed with good schools, a wonderful education, and exceptional instructors. For the times, we were outstanding of the day. We miss many of our “mates” but we can all sing the “CARDINAL FIGHT SONG”!
Respectfully submitted, The class of 44 WHS