The Hills That Beckon

We moved from Turner's Ridge back to the property on Moberly Branch, which was owned by my grandfather Long, in late 1941. I cannot honestly say I remember December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), but I vividly remember December 8th. That Monday morning was unlike any I had ever seen at Kirksville School in the brief time I had been attending it. There were no classes as such that day. Everyone, grade one through grade 12, was assembled in the gymnasium. We were singing patriotic songs and listening to the principal explain what had happed and what we as students were expected to do to help support the war effort.

These were dark days indeed, not only for the Poosey area, but for America and the entire world. I became painfully aware of local young men who suddenly were no longer around because they had been called upon to serve their country. Some of the familiar faces that had been a part of my childhood and now were absent included Frank, Glenmore and Darnell Taylor, Kenneth Scrivner, Vernon Clay ( Scrub ) Ham, Russell Dean Prather and brothers Harold and Rayford Malear. Naturally there were many, many more, but these are just a few of the ones that come to mind. Thankfully, all these returned safely.

Banners with a star in the center began to appear in the windows of homes. These banners signified a member of that family was in the armed services. Americans began to do with less since many essentials were rationed such as food, clothing, shoes, gasoline and tires. There were no new automobiles made from 1941 to 1946. The very few 1942 models on the road were made before American industries concentrated their efforts on defense.

Radio was our ear on the world. Our news and entertainment came via our battery powered Del Rio radio that my father had purchased at Creighton Whittaker's store. We were always eager to hear the news concerning the war. The two most frequently listened to newscasters were H. V. Kaltenborn and Gabriel Heatter. We especially liked to listen to Heatter because he began his broadcast with, "there's good news tonight, or "there's bad news tonight". Our hopes were lifted when he began with "there's good news tonight", because more often than not there was good news. We could forget about the war for a little while by listening to such radio favorites as The Grand Old Opry, Renfro Valley, Lum and Abner and Gene Autry's Melody Ranch.

In our worship services at the Gilead Baptist Church, I grew accustomed to hearing comments like, "Lord, remember our boys today on the foreign fields of battle" when the pastor, deacons or laymen led us in prayer. Even the school children were asked to do their part for the cause of victory. An announcement was made at school that each student bringing in 25 pounds of scrap iron or metal to school would be treated to a ride in a jeep, driven by a real soldier. Jeeps had just recently been introduced to the military and the prospect of riding in one was very exciting. I had to steal every plow point my grandfather had, but I got my ride in the jeep.

As a result of the students' efforts, there was a mountain of scrap iron and metal on the front lawn of Kirksville School. The kids from that area really came through for their country. As I look back at this time in our history, I am filled with pride with how our country seemed to be 100% united behind the war effort. If anyone had even suggested protesting our efforts or burning a flag, I shudder to think of what fate might have befallen them.

Darnell Taylor had a collie type dog named Rastus, which was getting along in years when Darnell was called into service. The dog was visibly grieved when his master left home and did not return. Everyone in the community hoped Rastus would live until Darnell returned. I was told Rastus did live until Darnell returned home.