American Legacies Organization, Inc.

I simply cannot imagine a New Year’s Day without black-eyed peas! If you want to have good luck for the whole coming year – “ya gotta eat at least one!” I can year my mother telling my children about this required behavior. Now that the Legacy has made me think about things that I do…..I have to laugh.

Denny

from Indiana

When I was growing up, things were different then they are now. During the ‘30s and even into the 40’s times were tough for lots of people, until the war was over.

It was a known fact that no combat plane could fly faster or take more punishment than the B-24. World War II probably could not have been won without it. It was called, "the flying boxcar," because when fully loaded, it weighed over 60,000 pounds and 8,000 of those pounds were in bombs alone.

Starting with December 5, 1944 the 143rd began to hear rumors that they were to move forward from their present deployment around Liege to fire on the sites launching the buzz bombs that were landing in and around Liege. Recon parties started leaving the area, coming back with reports of the situation at the front and stories were heard of emplacing the batteries within 1800 yards of German outpost positions.

I always dreaded going to her musty old house full of Yakima Indian relics because she would squeeze my cheek with a gnarled fist of “iron” and request I sing her a special solo —“Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” I was the singer in our family and Bertha Davis said about the only two things worth a “hill-of-beans” in this world was a good Hereford bull and my boy-soprano voice singing that carol.

By Polly Mazariegos nee Wagaman

When I was very young, I remember how excited I was to spend either Thanksgiving and/or Christmas at Nanny's house. We called our grandparents Nanny and Pappy. Nanny was Emma Wike nee Feaster and Pappy was Charles Wike.

The soldier in this story can honestly say that he only enjoyed two meals during the 2½ years of his military service and they were both on Christmas day. The celebration at Moascar, Egypt was the most memorable, because of the relaxed atmosphere and warm weather. If everyday in the army was like Christmas in Egypt, there would be long lines of men attempting to enlist and they wouldn't have to bother non-believers like our hero.

By Robert Abrahamson

My base camp was Stalag 2B. We were sent out from there to the farm in Burzen. All privates had to work but NCO's were not required to do so. I am glad I had to work because the main Stalag was boring with nothing to do all day.

Snow gently fell outside the window as my husband poured over our finances. "Well," he rubbed his eyes; "we have forty dollars for Christmas." He shrugged. "It's better than nothing."
I glanced out the window. "The kids need to know." Our children needed winter boots, and many other necessities. "I'll tell them." Our eleven and nine-year-old accepted the disappointment like battle weary troopers.

I had been hunting with Pa using just the pellet rifle, and had been lucky enough to get my first rabbit, that was a very good day, one that I'll never forget, but in order to get off the porch and run with the big dogs I'd need a real hunting gun.