As I put our out flag this morning, sadly noting that it was only one of
four on our block, I did some reflecting. Someone whose only knowledge of
the past was from watching old movies on TV might conclude that WW2 was won
by Van Johnson and John Wayne.
I'll have to set up a Campbells of Nelson web site and include an Honor Roll
section to recognize the service of scores of our family members throughout
the decades. (Thanks Marylyn and Bob for sharing about your families'
service.)
But as we appropriately honor the sacrifices of our servicemen and women in
times of peril throughout our history, it's important to also keep in mind
the sacrifices of their families and those who "did their part" at home.
For example, victory in WW2 would not have been possible without the
organizational skills of industrialists like Henry J. Kaiser to produce the
materials needed for victory. Nor all the overtime put in by American
factory workers. And especially the contributions of "Rosie the Riveter" ---
the thousands of women who took the place of servicemen. Almost everyone
pitched in to do their part. We school kids saved tinfoil gum wrappers and
made balls of tinfoil, made balls of rubber bands, and collected tin cansand
papers to donate to drives --- as well as using our pennies, nickles and
dimes to buy war bonds. And thousands of all ages helped work family Victory
Gardens. Almost everyone did their part as they were able.
Some of you have seen it before, but I'd like to share an excerpt from the
1907 memoirs of my great-grandmother, Phebe CAMPBELL Hoyt (1832 - 1917),
organizer of the first Campbell Reunion. Farmwives had to operate the farms.
The older men helped with advise, but could not do the work. In her
neighborhood on Farmington Hill, just south of Nelson, the only able bodied
male was what they called a "feeble minded" teenager who could provide some
help but did not have the endurance of a grown man., Here's what Phebe
wrote:
"there is so many things I can remember
the dreadful time of 1861when the war broke out. those awful years. Fathers
HusbandsBrothers all had to go and their families left on their farms to
dothe best they could it was Trying times we lived in Farmington fromthe
stone House up to Mr. Ruben Close there was then familys [sic] that
theHusband was gone to the war most every family had one or two
smallchildren
We had to work out of doorsas well as in the house it was a very cold winter
and our Cattle hadto be fed and I for one had to do the chores my Self for
my son wasbut two years old there is one thing I have been requested
tomention. I was not going to tell of that. we had a field of oats it was
impossible to get any one to help so with the help of a little boy ten years
old to throwdown the Sheaves I thrashed those oats my Self. young People
canform some Idea of what we had to do.
Most of our beloved ones cameback to us there is one that lies Sleeping at
City Point My Brotherin law M. D. Bossard. what a sad day when the news came
that he wasdead there is so many things I can remember but it tires me to
writeand perhaps you have heard enough"
I always find that very moving.
But while we very appropriately honor the sacrifices of veterans and their
families, war is always a tragedy. Let's also honor the skill and wisdom of
the those who have prevented wars.
"
there is so many t
hings I can remember
the dreadful time of 1861when the war broke out. those awful years. Fathers
HusbandsBrothers all had to go and their families left on their farms to
dothe best they could it was Trying times we lived in Farmington fromthe
stone House up to Mr. Ruben Close there was then familys that theHusband was
gone to the war most every family had one or two smallchildren
We had to work out of doorsas well as in the house it was a very cold winter
and our Cattle hadto be fed and I for one had to do the chores my Self for
my son wasbut two years old there is one thing I have been requested
tomention. I was not going to tell of that. we had a field of oats it was
impossible to get any one to help so with the help
Not a little boy ten years old to throwdown the Sheaves I thrashed those
oats my Self. young People canform some Idea of what we had to do.
Most of our beloved ones cameback to us there is one that lies Sleeping at
City Point My Brotherin law M. D. Bossard. what a sad day when the news came
that he wasdead there is so many things I can remember but it tires me to
writeand perhaps you have heard enough