The collective consciousness of World War II revolved around the virtues of bravery, sacrifice, and commitment. Members of the “Greatest Generation” toed political and social lines in hopes of winning the war. They fell into lockstep, not asking many questions and breaking few social and sexual mores. Or did they? In fact, World War II, like all wars, was an era of sexual experimentation and a general loosening of morals. During this time of conflicting emotions and messages, of great sacrifice, and of discovery, some groups, especially women, experienced a relaxing of bonds that had kept them in check.

One Thanksgiving after dinner, I listened as my mother and her cousin-in-law talked about their experiences as camp wives during WWII. Their stories boggled my mind. I couldn’t imagine crisscrossing the country, living in cramped rented rooms for six weeks, and then picking up stakes and traveling to another base where their husbands were training. Their objective was clear: spend as much time together as possible—often, no more than a couple of hours a week—to love and support their men before they marched off to war. Hearing my mother’s stories gave me a new perspective on the woman she was and the sacrifices she made. I needed to tell her story and those of scores of other World War II camp wives and their husbands whose sacrifices, gumption, and love characterize so many of the “Greatest Generation.”

Praise for Thanks For The Memories