"Victory Potato is Grown at Pythian Home"
New Market (Va)
Hines Memorial Home (New Market Va)
Second World War (1939-1945)
This newspaper article appeared in the Daily News-Record on July 17, 1942. During that time period, residents of Shenandoah County were fully mobilized to help fight the Second World War. On the Home Front individuals worked in war plants, harvested crops for soldiers, rationed their use of materials, and grew “Victory Gardens” to help reduce the amount of food they had to purchase. While digging in one such garden at the Hines Memorial Pythian Home in New Market, Mr. and Mrs. E.M. Rice discovered a potato imprinted with a “V.” To them, and members of the community, this fact indicated future success for the armed forces of the United States and the local service members serving their country.
At the time, any hope of victory was badly needed. In the eight months since the country had entered the war, almost all the news had been bad. The nation’s first real victory, at the Battle of Midway, occurred only a month before this article appeared.
Everyone who read this news knew the outcome of the conflict was still very much in doubt. Like today, anything that even hinted at a better way forward, including a “Victory Potato” would have been extremely important for morale.
The Hines Memorial Home where the potato was found was a New Market institution for many decades. It was founded in 1927 by the Knights of the Pythias, a national fraternal organization. The home was operated by the statewide Pythian organization and was designed to be a home for the elderly, widows, and orphans associated with the organization. In a time before modern welfare services, homes such as this often provided the best type of care for less-fortunate individuals. Hines Memorial’s site consisted of a large, colonial style building, over 50 acres of land, and a playground for children. A WPA report in 1937 noted sixteen orphans and one adult lived in the home.
After World War Two the Pythians moved Hines Memorial Home to Bedford County Virginia. The site in New Market then became the local depot of the Mason-Dixon Trucking Company. Today the structure houses an assisted living facility called the Shenandoah Valley Village.
Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg Va)
Newspaper Clippings Collection
Shenandoah County Library
July 17, 1942
Aiden Zirkle
Zirkle, Aiden
World War, 1939-1945
On April 13, 1945 Corporal Aiden Zirkle died on Okinawa. He was a member of Company E, Second Battalion, Seventh Regiment, First Marine Division. Reports indicate he succumbed to wounds obtained while leading his unit against an entrenched machine post and then refusing treatment. He was awarded the Silver Star.
Zirkle had been born in Mt. Jackson Virginia and graduated from Triplett High School. He had found employment in the Baltimore Plant of the Glenn-Martin Company until joining the Marines in 1941. His was married to Mary Peterson of Baltimore and was also survived by his parents of Mt. Jackson and two brothers, both of which were serving overseas.
Shenandoah County Library
1944
1942
"Volunteers Needed For Lookout Posts"
World War, 1939-1945
Woodstock (Va)
This article appeared in the December 12, 1941 edition of the Shenandoah Herald. In it local defense official Cecil Newcorn announced he had received a message ordering the county's lookout posts to be manned around the clock. Eventually sixteen of these posts would be operated throughout the county.
These posts became a integral part of life in Shenandoah County during the war years. Hundreds of area residents volunteered to staff them. Like other war related activities, like Civil Defense clubs, scrap drives, and bond sales, they became a way for residents to participate in the war even if they were not directly involved in the fighting. A social aspect also developed as these events replaced the pre-war community programs.
Shenandoah Herald
Microfilm Collection
Shenandoah County Library
December 12, 1941
"More Pilots in Training at Valley Airways"
World War, 1939-1945
Newspaper clipping showing local men involved in the Civilian Pilots Training Program at the Winchester Airport. The program allowed civilians to be trained to fly aircraft in advance of any induction into military service. It was sponsored by the Civilian Aeronautics Authority and the Chamber of Commerce. The men on the end of the "V" were Shenandoah County residents.
Shenandoah Herald
Microfilm Collection
Shenandoah County Library
December 23, 1941
"On Guard at Woodstock"
World War, 1939-1945
Newspaper clipping showing one of the observation towers built in Shenandoah County during the early part of World War Two. These sites were designed to watch for incoming enemy planes and to monitor US aircraft overhead. They were staffed by volunteer watchers.
Shenandoah Herald
Microfilm Collection
Shenandoah County Library
January 30, 1942
Greetings of the Season
World War, 1939-1945
Shenandoah County (Va)
This Christmas greeting and prayer appeared on the front page of the Shenandoah Herald on December 19, 1941. It reflected on the military service of many county residents and the separation that caused during the holidays.
As the article notes, many county residents were already serving around the world. The peace time draft, begun in September of 1940, had already called up many residents before the war began. This, combined, other efforts to place the United States on a war footing before Pearl Harbor, and a lack of rationing that would dominate the next several holidays, meant that Christmas in 1941 was not that much different than the one that proceeded it.
Even the Shenandoah Herald was relatively the same. News articles still focused on local stories and social events. The issue following Pearl Harbor only included two articles relating to National Defense.
Shenandoah Herald
Microfilm Collection
Shenandoah County Library
December 19, 1941
Japan's Treacherous Assault
World War, 1939-1945
This editorial appeared in the December 8, 1941 edition of the Northern Virginia Daily. Published in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, it gives insight into how the local community reacted to the assault.
The article echoes sentiments expressed by the entire nation. References to a "treacherous attack" that occurred while the two nations were discussing peace were popular across the country. The idea that the bases attacked were prepared, while known to be false today, was also believed among most citizens who lacked information in the days immediately after the attack.
At the end of this piece, the editor expresses his belief that the war would be long and difficult. While many across the country may have thought the war would end quickly, the Northern Virginia Daily had been writing about the idea of an extended war long before Pearl Harbor. Once the attack occurred, the paper and most local residents quickly accepted the fact that the conflict would define their lives for the next several years.
Northern Virginia Daily
Microfilm Collection
Shenandoah County Library
December 8, 1941
War Declared- M&M Market Advertisment
World War, 1939-1945
Shenandoah County (Va)
M & M Market (Front Royal Va)
Three days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, this advertisement appeared in the Northern Virginia Daily. It notes that war had been declared before Christmas but encourages individuals to still buy while prices were low.
This advertisment highlights the fact that despite the attack on Pearl Harbor life as normal continued for many in the Shenandoah Valley for many months. Most goods were still available without restrictions, Christmas sales were still on, and the draft was still operating at its peace time level. Individuals knew rationing and other controls would soon be implemented but for now they were determined to continue with life as they knew it.
Even the front page news articles had changed little. For months the headlines had been dominated by war news from around the world and the United State's military buildup. The only major change was the reports described the involvement of US troops in combat instead of those from other countries.
While things would change as the war progressed, the weeks immediately after Pearl Harbor in Shenandoah County were much more like the years of peace preceding them than the war years to follow.
Northern Virginia Daily
Microfilm Collection
Shenandoah County Library
December 10, 1941
Ration Book
World War, 1939-1945
Shenandoah County (Va)
Wolfe, Neva
Landis, India
On December 11, 1941 rationing began in the United States when the government created 7,500 ration boards around the country to limit the sale of tires and other rubber products. Between that date and 1946 sales of hundreds of other items, including food, sugar, gasoline, toothpaste, bicycles, and flashlights would be limited.
During this period each citizen was issued a ration coupon book. Inside were stamps that individuals would use when making purchases. These would entitle the individual to anywhere between 50 and 75% of what was considered to be normal consumption. People involved in war production or essential services, such as Civil Defense, firefighting, and medicine received additional items.
This specific ration book was a part of the second series issued. These were the first books to include food. Red books limited meats while blue books covered processed foods. The recipient of this book was Neva Bernice Wolfe who lived west of Mt. Jackson and later moved to Arlington. It was signed by her sister Celia Funkhouser for unknown reasons. The official responsible for issuing the card was India Landis, a local school teacher from Mt. Jackson who died in 1972.
David Markham Collection
Shenandoah County Library
1942
Harold Huffman
Huffman, Harold
Photograph taken by Hugh Morrison of Harold Huffman Shenandoah County native and World War Two Veteran.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
Thelma Huffman and William Barb
Huffman, Thelma
Barb, William
Photograph taken by Hugh Morrison of Thelma Huffman and William Barb, US Navy World War Two Veteran. The relationship between the two is unknown.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01010
Harry Taylor
Taylor, Harry
Hugh Morrison Photograph showing Harry Taylor a World War Two Veteran and member of the US Navy.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01100
Leonard Cook
Cook, Leonard
Hugh Morrison photograph of Leonard Cook a Shenandoah County native who served with the US Army during World War Two. Upon his return he became a barber.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01351
Dick Wickham
Wickham, Dick
Hugh Morrison photograph of Dick Wickham, a Shenandoah County native who served in the US Army during World War Two. Wickham settled in Woodstock after the war, served on the town council, and was the local fire chief.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
1357
Carrol Burner and unknown man
Burner, Carrol
World War, 1939-1945
Hugh Morrison photograph showing Carrol Burner and an unknown man. Burner was a Shenandoah County native who served in the US Navy during World War Two. When this photograph was taken he was serving as an aviation machinist.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
Same subject as Farms, Factories, and the Frontlines Collection image 2572.
Same subject as in Morrison Photo 01397 and 02572.
Same image appears in Morrison Studio Collection image 01397
01397
Bill Jitos
Jitos, Bill
Hugh Morrison photograph showing Bill Jitos who served with the US Army during World War Two.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01796
Unidentified Soldier
Soldiers-United States-Virginia-Woodstock
World War (1939-1945)
Photograph of a photograph showing an unidentified soldier. The photograph was taken by Hugh Morrison.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Undated
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01329
Unidentified Soldier
Soldiers-United States-Virginia-Woodstock
World War (1939-1945)
Photograph from the collection of photographer Hugh Morrison showing an unidentified soldier.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Undated
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01349
Unidentified Soldier
Soldiers-United States-Virginia-Woodstock
World War (1939-1945)
Photograph of a photograph showing an unidentified soldier. The photograph was taken by Hugh Morrison.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Undated
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01375
Frank Walter and unknown woman
Walters, Frank
Hugh Morrison photograph showing Frank Walter a Shenandoah County native who served in the US Navy during World War Two. The woman in the photograph is unknown.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01799
Unidentified Soldier
Soldiers-United States-Virginia-Woodstock
World War (1939-1945)
Photograph from the collection of photographer Hugh Morrison showing an unidentified soldier.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Undated
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01801
Unidentified Sailor
Sailors-United States of America-Virginia-Woodstock
World War (1939-1945)
Photograph from the collection of photographer Hugh Morrison showing an unidentified sailor.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Undated
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01803
Ollie M. Funk
Funk, Ollie
Hugh Morrison photograph showing Ollie Funk a Shenandoah County Native who served in the US Army Air Corp during World War Two.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01804
Evertt Wiseman
Wiseman, Evertt
Hugh Morrison photograph showing Evertt Wiseman a Shenandoah County native who served in the US Army during World War Two.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Unknown
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01805
Unidentified Sailor
Sailors-United States of America-Virginia-Woodstock
World War (1939-1945)
Photograph from the collection of photographer Hugh Morrison showing an unidentified sailor.
Hugh Morrison
Shenandoah County Historical Society Hugh Morrison Collection
Shenandoah County Library
Undated
Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC)
01807