Nice shout out to all the “Rosey the Riveters” out there! Sadly there are very few from “The Greatest Generation” still around to thank but back when this strip first came out many were still alive like my Mom, my aunt and the countless others who helped out during war time.
In WWII, my Mother-in-law was a “Rosie-riveter” at Boeing Aircraft of Canada on Sea Island (Vancouver BC) and my Mum was in the Royal Air Force in London in the barrage balloon department. (Barrage balloons were an effective anti-aircraft measure in World War I and were widely embraced in World War II. The idea was that the cables holding the balloons created a hazard for aircraft engaged in low-level strafing or bombing.)
My kid’s grandma joined the Navy when she was 20, stationed in Hawaii, during World War II. I make certain that they know it, and told my grandchildren who were old enough about it this year when they celebrated Veterans Day in school.
Good for Lucy. It’s always interesting to hear people talk about their own ancestors’ roles in history.
I had one who was a scout in Sherman’s army during the March to Sea. In late November he led a small detachment to raid a certain farm in order to confiscate forage for the army. He and his squadron were unaware that the farm was defended by Confederate soldiers and they were picked off at a distance by riflemen on the second floor of the farmhouse. My ancestor was hit in the, umm, posterior. He spent the rest of the war in a POW camp; thankfully that was only a few months, and it wasn’t Andersonville. Many years later Congress authorized a special pension bonus for veterans who’d been wounded under specific circumstances and he qualified. He had to provide, among other things, a photo of the scarred-over exit wound. So he hired a photographer to take a picture of his bare buttocks.
He married a woman who was a distant cousin of Hermann Goering. At the time that meant nothing, of course, and I highly doubt either even knew the other existed. But after Pearl Harbor my grandmother and her brothers seem to have altered their genealogy to conceal the Gehring (in the anglicized spelling) connection. They invented an Irish Catholic ancestor in her place. This is interesting because on my mother’s side of the family most of my ancestors really are Irish Catholic immigrants who survived the Famine. In the 1840s the discrimination and persecution they faced were stomach-churning. In the 1940s that ethnic group was so respectably mainstream that others who wanted to avoid nasty experiences of nativism would impersonate them. I’m intrigued by what that says about the ever-shifting American identity.
My grandma – just 5’ tall & maybe 95 lbs. in steel-toed work boots – was a civilian aircraft inspector & occasional truck driver on an Air Force base. She didn’t take any cr@p from anyone, & all the guys loved her because she could get into nooks & crannies no one else could, so they knew her inspections were extra-thorough!
My grandmother was a WASP and taught me and all her grandkids, who wanted, how to fly. I have passed that down to my daughters. Their mum is quite content to be a passenger. Clear skies Gramma. Clear skies.
ronaldspence about 1 year ago
yay Grandma Van Pelt!
TampaFanatic1 about 1 year ago
Nice shout out to all the “Rosey the Riveters” out there! Sadly there are very few from “The Greatest Generation” still around to thank but back when this strip first came out many were still alive like my Mom, my aunt and the countless others who helped out during war time.
knutdl about 1 year ago
Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves (Eurythmics)
hariseldon59 about 1 year ago
Is this the same grandmother that keeps trying to make Linus give up his blanket?
Qiset about 1 year ago
My mother worked in the Willow Run assembly plant.
Maizing about 1 year ago
My mom joined the army and drove trucks. She spent time in the Philippines and Australia.
billyk75 about 1 year ago
Hear! Hear!
VegaAlopex about 1 year ago
Was her name Rosie?
Arthur Hermanson Premium Member about 1 year ago
Amen, Lucy, Amen!
Darryl Heine about 1 year ago
YAY!
Ellis97 about 1 year ago
She sounds like a real multi faced woman. I still can’t figure out why she hates Linus’ blanket.
jagedlo about 1 year ago
How many in these times would be making that sacrifice?
Gameguy49 Premium Member about 1 year ago
In WWII, my Mother-in-law was a “Rosie-riveter” at Boeing Aircraft of Canada on Sea Island (Vancouver BC) and my Mum was in the Royal Air Force in London in the barrage balloon department. (Barrage balloons were an effective anti-aircraft measure in World War I and were widely embraced in World War II. The idea was that the cables holding the balloons created a hazard for aircraft engaged in low-level strafing or bombing.)
Neo Stryder about 1 year ago
Sorry Lucy, but all what I hear is a clogged trombone.
Decepticomic about 1 year ago
As long as she doesn’t try to make the country great again.
preacherman Premium Member about 1 year ago
They also serve who only rivet and write.
ChristineMurphy about 1 year ago
My kid’s grandma joined the Navy when she was 20, stationed in Hawaii, during World War II. I make certain that they know it, and told my grandchildren who were old enough about it this year when they celebrated Veterans Day in school.
Is like a melody Premium Member about 1 year ago
Yay Grandmas everywhere. They’re the ones who feed and watch over families.
SusieB about 1 year ago
Definitely something to be proud of Lucy. Now I am wondering if Grandma married one of those 17 serviceman pen pals
uniquename about 1 year ago
She may have written to my dad. Or my father-in-law.
mourdac Premium Member about 1 year ago
My parents and all my aunts and uncles did their part as did many others. Don’t think there is that sense of duty and sacrifice today.
dflak about 1 year ago
My eldest aunt convinced my mom to work at the Military processing center. It was a way to meet hundreds of men a day!
WCraft Premium Member about 1 year ago
Hip-hip-hoorah! (Sincerely agree!)
geese28 about 1 year ago
Hmm wonder what she wrote to them about….
Lynnjav about 1 year ago
So many women stepped up and did all that they could during WWII. Let’s hear it for all of them!
jrankin1959 about 1 year ago
Lucy? The country IS great – your grandmother worked to preserve it. Yay for your grandmother!
Count Olaf Premium Member about 1 year ago
Dilly! Dilly! Appropriate strip in anticipation of this Friday and Saturday. Two of The❤️Count’s favorite holidays.
mindjob about 1 year ago
Let’s not forget she made a great apple pie
ladykat about 1 year ago
Hurray for Grandma!
Daltongang Premium Member about 1 year ago
And her name was Rosie.
John Jorgensen about 1 year ago
Good for Lucy. It’s always interesting to hear people talk about their own ancestors’ roles in history.
I had one who was a scout in Sherman’s army during the March to Sea. In late November he led a small detachment to raid a certain farm in order to confiscate forage for the army. He and his squadron were unaware that the farm was defended by Confederate soldiers and they were picked off at a distance by riflemen on the second floor of the farmhouse. My ancestor was hit in the, umm, posterior. He spent the rest of the war in a POW camp; thankfully that was only a few months, and it wasn’t Andersonville. Many years later Congress authorized a special pension bonus for veterans who’d been wounded under specific circumstances and he qualified. He had to provide, among other things, a photo of the scarred-over exit wound. So he hired a photographer to take a picture of his bare buttocks.
He married a woman who was a distant cousin of Hermann Goering. At the time that meant nothing, of course, and I highly doubt either even knew the other existed. But after Pearl Harbor my grandmother and her brothers seem to have altered their genealogy to conceal the Gehring (in the anglicized spelling) connection. They invented an Irish Catholic ancestor in her place. This is interesting because on my mother’s side of the family most of my ancestors really are Irish Catholic immigrants who survived the Famine. In the 1840s the discrimination and persecution they faced were stomach-churning. In the 1940s that ethnic group was so respectably mainstream that others who wanted to avoid nasty experiences of nativism would impersonate them. I’m intrigued by what that says about the ever-shifting American identity.
anomalous4 about 1 year ago
My grandma – just 5’ tall & maybe 95 lbs. in steel-toed work boots – was a civilian aircraft inspector & occasional truck driver on an Air Force base. She didn’t take any cr@p from anyone, & all the guys loved her because she could get into nooks & crannies no one else could, so they knew her inspections were extra-thorough!
eced52 about 1 year ago
The boys look forward to your letters.
raybarb44 about 1 year ago
Here here good lady. Well done, well done indeed…..
Save Linus about 1 year ago
Good job, Lucy’s grandmother! Too bad your granddaughter is so entitled…
MT Wallet about 1 year ago
Barney Google November 7.
eddi-TBH about 1 year ago
Three cheers for the ladies who proved yes, they can do it.
Taracinablue about 1 year ago
Wrote letters? I’m guessing that was a morale-boosting program. Hadn’t heard of that one.
Teto85 Premium Member about 1 year ago
My grandmother was a WASP and taught me and all her grandkids, who wanted, how to fly. I have passed that down to my daughters. Their mum is quite content to be a passenger. Clear skies Gramma. Clear skies.
Saddenedby Premium Member about 1 year ago
Hear Hear!!