1943: AMERICA WILL NEED FLIERS!

One of the treasures in my old time radio collection is a selection of world war two broadcasts of my childhood hero, Hop Harrigan. Announcer Glenn Riggs was famous for his nightly admonition on the 15 minute radio program as he proclaimed, "and remember, AMERICA NEED FLIERS!" This ad from my WWII folder coincides with the year that my older brother Len was flying daily missions over Nazi German cities in a B 24 Liberator.

1942: A FEW DAYS AFTER PEARL HARBOR. AMERICANS LIVED IN FEAR

How well I remember "Aircraft Spotters" during the very early years of WWII. To an 8 or 9 year old boy, those scary stories that were coming to us over the radio and in the Trenton Evening Times will be with me forever   The aforementioned aircraft spotters were usually up on the roof of a flat building with their binoculars on 24 hour duty. It was really scary back there in the early years of WWII. Nazi submarines were off the Jersey coast and fifth columnists were known to have been set ashore in rubber rafts to do their dirty deeds in the industrial areas. Over on the west coast, the Japanese navy was lobbing shells into the west coast refineries. I also read the story how the Japanese sent lighter than air balloons up and let the upper air currents carry them to Oregon, Washington and the Northwest where the felll to the ground and expolded. Many stories in my hundreds of columns I have written over the years recalling life on what was known as the "Home Front." Here's an article showing the military guarding our Trenton bridge just a few days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

1943: TRENTON DECORATES A FEW OF THE MANY WORLD WAR II HEROES

100 Years from now, future area residents will seek out genealogical information on their relatives who lived back in the 20th century and the World War II era Indeed, it is my belief that future descendants of the men in this photo will avidly resurrect this photo and include it in their respective family trees. Thus, my mission to preserve and digitize as much as I can while I am still able to do so. This post will be posted on my www.glover320.blogspot.com
website as well as here on Facebook. All of which begs the question: Will future generations still be able to retrieve these digital posts.? I feel confident that my "hi-tech" local history articles and graphics will survive in some form. If I am able to retrieve old newspaper articles and photos from the earliest years of the printed page, certainly future generations will probably have a much more refined method of historic research. History must be preserved for future generations and I have devoted my retirement years to embellishing local history.

2015: REST IN PEACE, "CUZ"

Aging has its good and bad moments. One of the bad ones involves our daily look to the obituary page of the morning newspaper. We senior citizens remember in our younger years seeking the wedding announcement section of the daily paper to see which of our classmates tied the knot. Now we check the obits to see if we know anyone who has gone to be with the Lord. Some of those obits touch a warm spot in my heart. Above is the 1944 photo of my cousin Charlie Gaudette whose dad (my Uncle) was the Superintendent of Trenton's War Memorial building for so many years. Charlie was movie star handsome and Mom Glover used to say he had a remarkable resemblance to MGM's Peter Lawford. Rest in peace, Charlie. You were still another tribute to those who were members of the legendary "GREATEST GENERATION.

1943: WAR RATIONING COMES TO AMERICA

 

I post in numerous pages on Facebook. One of the pages referred to WWII rationing and I received a query from a visitor asking when rationing was started. Here is a fairly complete set of graphics that will explain some of the complicated "ins and outs" of the system. Fortunately for the Glover family, we had Mr. Palombi to interpret the laws for my mom. That great old grocery store on South Olden Avenue was very popular in our neighborhood back then. In the meantime, I am going to look for Mrs. Carabelli's query and post these on Facebook where the lower page will be easily read, but not so the large graphic above.

1941: FIVE DAYS AFTER "THE DASTARDLY ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR"

 

I was only 8 years old but I remember the fear that America's entry into World War II overcame much of American society. World War I held little danger of an air attack by an enemy. Such was not the case with the evolution of the airplane. An unguarded America would be an easy target. However our civil defense teams locally and nationally very successfully met the challenge with volunteer airplane spotters, air raid wardens and other then very scary scenarios. One of the very real threats was from what was known then as the "fifth column;" a term for enemy agents to enter the country as spies or saboteurs. Over the years I have written numerous columns 8 year old Tommy Glover experienced as the possible threat of enemy bombers obliterating the city of Trenton. Blackouts, air raid wardens, rationing, and other vestiges of those fearful years are still crystal clear in my memory and that of many of my fellow senior citizens.  

2015: 7 PM MARCH 2: AN EXCITING LOOKD BACK TO WWII

The black and white graphic at the top of this graphic is going to appear in this weekend Trenton Times on Friday, Saturday Sunday. It will announce the beginning of the 2015 season of the Hamilton Township Historical Society. Those who weren't around during the war will learn about blackouts, air raid shelters, rationing, Air raid warnings, Air raid Wardens and many other incidents that were all a part of World War II on the "Home Front." My fellow baritone Jack Pyrah from the HHS class of 1950  and I will sing a few of the songs that were popular during a period when music was a very important part of life.Those who were around will recall many of the frightening incidents surrounding the early war news. I hope to see many of my computer social media folks to this free program. As to the photo accompanying the Times ad, it was a scary photo to see in the newspaper as the Trenton Times sent a photographer to the Trenton - Morrisville bridge showing a guard being relieved and being replaced by another for 24 hour guard duty. This photo was taken only a few days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and was quite disturbing to Americans during the first weeks of the war.

1938: TERNSTEDT DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS TO MOVE INTO EWING TOWNSHIP

It was HUGE news back in 1938 when General Motors Corporation decided to build a HUGE factory on Parkway Avenue in Ewing Township to manufacturer hardware parts for their trucks and automobiles. With the mobilization effort on the part of the U.S. Government War Department back in the early WWII years, the plant was converted to the manufacture of the legendary Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber for the U.S.Navy.

1944: THE FINKLE BOYS "BACKING THE ATTACK" IN WWII

When I started this website back in 2005, I coined the slogan, "Local History With A Personal Touch."
As I page through the millions of pages in my personal collection of Trenton newspapers from the past 145 years, I often find notable and historic articles, ads and photos relating to folks with whom I am familiar. Such is the case here when I hand-scanned this article on the Finkle brothers of Jackson Street. These Finkle boys may or may not be related to my friend and fellow historian Art Finkle whose Trenton Jewish Historical Society website provides a fascinating view of Jewish life in Trenton.
(http://trentonjewishhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com). Recalling how my mom worried with two of her sons involved in WWII, I imagine Mr. and Mrs. Finkle had a triple WWII worry with two sons serving honorably in the military during the war.

1944: CHARLES HUTTON AND ANGELO SALERNO MILITARY IN THE LOCAL NEWS

 

Unfortunately, my Trenton newspaper collection was sadly lacking in the Trenton newspapers from the World War II era. I would assume that someone got to that collection before I acquired the 100 year hard copies of the papers, now reposing comfortably in the Hamilton Library History Workshop. As I find local persons who made the newspaper, I will add them as the time and opportunity permit. Here are two that will be of interest to any survivors of the Salerno and Hutton families, as well as visitors who knew these WWII military men.

1944: JUNE 6 AND JULY 6, 1944: D-DAY AS IN "DOOMS DAY"

 

The graphic above is the mast head for the Trenton Times as it appeared on D-Day, the 6th of June, 1944. I was only 11 years old but clearly recall the excitement and at the same time fear, that the adults who had boys in the fight experienced. Prayer is schools was a given back then, and I clearly recall a school auditorium assembly and Miss Emily Reynolds, Principal of Kuser School, leading us in prayer for the safety of our boys. This morning when I awoke I said a prayer for them, and this evening when I go to bed, there will be a prayer for those brave fighting men who gave their all on Normandy beach. The graphic below the Times header is an ad 1 month later on July 6, 1944 when Americans everywhere flocked to the movies to see the latest Movietone, Pathe' or Universal Newsreel for graphic movies of the conflict. The featured movie at the RKO Capitol on July 6, 1944 featured an incredible cast of Hollywood stars in the movie, 

"Follow the Boys."

2014: MAY 5th HAMILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXCITING PROGRAM!

SORRY FOR THE LAPSE IN POSTS ON THIS WEBSITE. OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK PUTTING TOGETHER THE PROGRAM SHOWN IN THE ABOVE GRAPHIC. BACK TO NORMAL SOON! THANKS FOR YOUR INDULGENCE.

Tonight's program at the May meeting of the Hamilton Historical Society will be a glance back at WORLD WAR II ON THE HOME FRONT as recalled in numerous articles and photos which will be viewed in an on screen presentation. Included will be a patriotic sing along session as we recall the wonderful music of the WWII era. Hope to see you there. It is open to all residents, and free of charge.

2014: THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY APRIL 7 MEETING

Despite a blustery and very rainy night, the "Little Theater" at the Hamilton Township Public Library was filled to capacity on Monday evening, April 7th as the Hamilton Township Historical Society kicked off the 2014 season with what Broadway's fabled  "Variety" magazine would categorize as a "Boffo SRO crowd." To add to the wonderful and educational meeting, former Mayor Jack Rafferty, himself an accomplished historian, came to the meeting with my old friend, Viet Nam vet and Mayor's Patriotic Committee officer, Ronny Stewart. Their attendance gave much needed boost to the credibility of our cause. Did we ever have a good time! The Hamilton Township Historical Society has been on the wrong path even as far back as when I served as president of the group, with programs  having little to do with our incredible local history. With Dr. James Federici as our new president, we have embarked on an exciting new series of programs which will be of interest to not only Hamiltonians, but to Trentonians and  Mercer County. 

The next meeting on May 5th will also be devoted to local history as we present a program entitled, "ON THE HOME FRONT;" a pre-Memorial Day patriotic program  devoted to the military and life on the home front during World War II. You will learn about Blackouts, Air Raid Wardens, the Fifth Column, Rationing, and countless other war years articles and photos in a fascinating on-screen presentation. Included in the program will be time set aside for a musical sing along of patriotic music from "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'round the Old Oak Tree" to "Anchors Aweigh," "I'll Be Seeing You," and other songs to bring back those treasured memories. Details to follow; stay tuned!

1945: POST WWII SUPER CRITICAL HOUSING SHORTAGE

Most of my senior-senior generation recall the critical housing shortage which was visited upon America as millions of our fighting men and women returned home to a peace time America. One of the movies that was included in the hundreds I watched in the Kuser Farm home theater was a housing shortage 20th Century Fox presentation of "Apartment for Peggy," starring my teen age Hollywood heart throb, Jeanne Craine. The above photo of the match box prefabricated homes being rushed into production is shown in the photo. These veteran homes were springing up all over the area. The article to the right of the graphic gives an indication of the severity of the problem.

1935: A SNEAK ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

This coming Friday evening I will be journeying over to Ewing Township's Municipal building, where I will be the guest speaker at the Ewing Township Patriotic Committee, as they commemorate the 71st anniversary of the "dastardly attack" on Pearl Harbor. One of the most fascinating specimens in my WWII folder is this INCREDIBLE article from 6 years prior to the attack, when the U.S. Navy went on maneuvers to replicate an air raid on the Hawaiian Islands! Obviously, this will be one of the numerous subject on which I will speak, but my subject will center on Eastern Aircraft and the legendary Grumman TBM "Avenger.".

WILLIAM "BUD" GLOVER: 1927 - 2012

There will be a temporary pause in new posts on this blog, as I and my family deal with the loss of still another brother, my very close brother "Bud" After a lengthy fight with COPD, and other old age ailments, and after enduring over 40 chemo treatments, Bud finally answered the Lord's call yesterday afternoon, Friday, November 30th, at 3:00 P.M. I have never, ever heard anyone say anything negative about Bud. He was a loving and faith filled man who kept a positive attitude right up to his last breath. He is one of my many WWII members of the "Greatest Generation" who gave 4 years to his country. 

Regular posts will resume after I and my family put the next few pain filled and emotional days behind us.

Thank you for your understanding.

1945: IT WAS KNOWN AS "VJ DAY"

Bruce Sirak and  the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable keep memories of the  Civil War alive.

My many friends from the Mayor's Patriotic Committee under the leadership of  Retired Colonel Frank Caprario of the U.S. Army, honors the memory of all of our U.S. military. In my  own quiet way and with little publicity, and even less public attention,  I have been honoring these heroes who gave their all  in service to their country. I still remember the sacrifice of the "Greatest Generation" with my music of the World War II era. Back in the early 1980's when I began bringing these memorial music programs to the public, there were still many WWII veterans with us. In the intervening years their ranks have been reduced at an alarming rate.At each of my programs, there has been at least one or two WWII veterans who proudly wear their baseball caps with their unit emblazoned for all to see. These are my personal heroes, and even after they are gone, I will continue to sing the songs not only from WWII, but also the Viet Nam and Korean conflicts. 
AS TO THE GRAPHIC, I WAS ONLY 12 YEARS OLD, BUT I DO REMEMBER THE ECSTATIC CELEBRATIONS THAT WENT ON NOT IN MY OWN RURAL K USER FARM NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT ALL OVER AMERICA. AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE PHOTO, DOWNTOWN TRENTON WAS THE SCENE OF UNBRIDLED EXUBERANCE.

2012: FAREWELL TO A BROTHER

Our WWII veterans are passing away at an alarming rate. My brother Len recently went to be with the Lord, and his final minutes left me with an image I will never forget. He and I were talking during his last hours on this earth, and at one moment in our conversation, he looked away with a blank stare and wondered aloud, "What will I say to God when he asks me about all those men, women and children I killed during all those bombing missions over Nazi Germany. Cologne, Schweinfurt, Essen....I can still see the flames burning as our B24 circled for home." What a terrible burden to carry through life! I suggested that we were at war, and collateral damage is to be expected. Think of all the cruelty we find in the Holy Bible.

2012: RALPH LUCARELLA: STAND TALL THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

Hi Tom, this is Ralph Jr. My Dad wanted me to send you this picture for Memorial Day. It shows him, he is on the far right, on the island of Espiritu Santo while in the Navy in 1945. He likes to point out what muscles he had then at the age of 25. He will be 93 this coming August 30th. In looking up Espiritu Santo, I found this which you might be interested in. http://www.espiritusantotourism.com/ww2.html

Best regards,

Ralph Lucarella Jr.

Your dad is one of my "GREATEST GENERATION: heroes, Ralph. He, along with my older brother Len who passed away this month, and all those who fought WWII and are now leaving us at an alarming rate. They have our undying gratitude for the sacrifices they made. On a personal not they will all be in my prayers not only on Memorial Day, but through all the years.

Your Dad has added immeasurably to this website with his very interesting "been there, done that" comments. God bless him.

Tom Glover

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TOM, I MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE NAVY BUT I WAS AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE WHO INVADED THE ISLANDS IN THE CORAL SEA. THE LAST BIG ONE WAS YHE INVASION OF OKINAWA. I NEVER SAW SO MANY SHIPS AND EQUIPMENT THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THAT OPERATION. I WAS VERY HAPPY WHEN I KNEW I WAS GOING HOME IN 1946. THE DAY I LEFT THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE IN THE AREA THAT REALLY SHUCK EVERYTHING. THANKS AGAIN AND GOD BLESS THOSE WHO DID'NT R

Friday, May 25, 2012

Anonymous said...

Your Dad, Ralph, was a fine example of the typical Navy Man of the South Pacific. We were all trim, fit and in the finest physical condition.

At least we were, as legends in our own minds. Coming home on my first leave, I was a fit 208 pounds with a slim (32") waist. Maury Robinson of the Burg was the only mens store that could fit me properly.

And of course a silent moment and tear followed by a crisp salute for those who were not fortunate to come home. Amen.

Ed Millerick

Friday, May 25, 2012

2012: THOUGHTS ON LOSING A BROTHER

As we seniors pile on the years and those years move by so quickly, the reality of our mortality comes into clearer view with each passing day, week, month, and year. Someone once said, "we begin to die the moment we are born." Of course no one can dispute that obvious statement. My eldest brother Len passed into the Lord's hands last week after a bout with cancer. As can be seen in the obit from today's TIMES OF TRENTON, Len had a long and eventful life. I remember the horror on my mom's face that hot day in August, 1944 when the Western Union man knocked on our front door. All those who recall the dreaded visit of a Western Union man was a sure harbinger of bad news. The telegram from the War Department read, "Regret to inform you your son, Leonard is missing in action." Many prayers wafted their way to heaven on that day. It was the first and last time I ever saw my father cry. An answered prayer returned the next day when the same Western Union man delivered a telegram that said, "Disregard all previous message. Letter will follow. Love, Len." And so ends the very short saga of a true WWII hero, my brother Len.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...WE ALL FELT THE SAME WAY WHEN MY BROTHER "CHUCK" PASSED AWAY. HE OVERCAME MANY PROBLEMS TO BECOME A HEART DOCTOR AND IN THE PRIME OF HIS LIFE DIED AT THE AGE OF 56. HE SURVIVED A BAD ACCIDENT THAT ENDED HIS BASEBALL CAREER AT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY AND HE DECIDED TO TRY HIS LUCK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. CANCER ALSO TOOK HIS LIFE AND WE HOPE THE LORD WILL BLESS HIM. BEST REGARDS.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Anonymous said...

Tom - Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Eleanor & Tom Guear

Monday, April 23, 2012

Tom - Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Eleanor & Tom Guear

Monday, April 23, 2012

JoeZ said...

Tom: My deepest condolences on the loss of your brother. He is at peace now and in the good hands of the Lord.

Monday, April 23, 2012

SJBill said...

Tom,

Our family is very sorry for your loss. It sounds like Len and the rest of the family survived the worst of life early on. In the Navy we use the term "Sailor rest your oar." Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Monday, April 23, 2012

JoeB said...

Tom:
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Are (Our) prayers go out to you and your family. We know he is in a better place.
Sonnie and Joe

Tuesday, April 24, 2012