A Significant Passage
A new chapter, testing love and faith, begins on March 13, 1942. Friends for a decade, married for almost a year, a deep and undaunted love and faith bind these two.
As with millions of men and women of the era, this day was inevitable.
Induction Day. The Army. World War II.
Love, Faith, Country and Pride.
The Greatest Generation.
Following marriage, they lived in Rochester, New York. Mom commuted 200 miles each week to teach school in Genesee, PA.
She longed for the day they would be together, start a family and build their lives as one.
Her dreams would be deferred.
The bonds of faith. The wa
Sentiments Recorded
March 12, 1942
This morning we had a nice chat with Florence and Grandma Close. Then we departed. We stopped only in Harrisburg to see June Feeser and also to have lunch. I drove from Selinsgrove home. We arrived at about six P.M. After supper we had to go to bed early for tomorrow is a big day.
Just before we went to sleep I suddenly realized that on the morrow Gordon would be a soldier and no longer my groom. I hope it doesn’t change him. I thought and suddenly I started to weep. Gordon begged me not to cry for it would make things harder. I promised I wouldn’t. We discussed the future a bit and went to sleep. Sleep is wonderful—may it always come in the face of sorrow.
May 13, 1942 - Induction Day
This morning we arose at 4 A.M. and got to Rochester by 7:30. Gordon went to the induction center. From there we went and had coffee and then shopped. Gordon had a four hour physical. At 3 we were able to meet Gordon in the Federal Building. We sat there until 6 when we left. We saw the boys sworn into the army. It disgusted me to see that their parting gift was cigarettes—I wrote a note to Gordon begging him not to use them.
We went out and Gordon dashed by on his way to line up. He kissed me, kissed his mother, and shook hands with his father. Then for a moment he looked at me and kissed me again. Milve [Gordon’s mother] cried but I didn’t. We watched them march to the end of the street and didn’t go to the station. I never will forget Gordon’s smile as he turned the corner and looked back at us. We ate at Howard Johnson and stopped a minute to see Kay O’Connell.
Then we came home. Milve cried so much which surprised me. I wish I might cry, but I won’t. I did sleep although my mother woke me for Dad had such pain in his foot. Later….Mom told me that Dad Rowe cried in the night—she was sure he was singing. I can’t cry for I have no one to comfort me—I am alone. I try to think of a brighter future.
March 14, 1942
This morning I said good-bye to the Rowes and went to school. I was furious to learn that Ted [school principal] had hired Nettie. I am disillusioned with him—I don’t think I’d trust him far.
Tonight, against my will , I went to the Mother Daughter Banquet. I wonder how many years will elapse until I have a daughter. I felt the program was flat. Mrs. Sangree spoke and she wasn’t very good.
March 15, 1942
This morning I received a letter from the War Dept. that Gordon was in Ft. Niagara and I shouldn’t write to him until I receive further notice. I do hope Gordon writes very soon.
When I am around Verna I nearly go crazy. To think Dave won’t have to go to war and that John won’t. I must get these things out of my mind.
I came home and it seemed as if I could never stay. I thought of dashing over to Elkland, but decided I had to be braver than that. I hope Gordon isn’t too far away this summer for I must go to see him.
Mom is disgusted about the attic and I don’t blame her. I must go up and get busy. I have such a heavy feeling and food makes me sick. Gordon called saying I could see him Sunday. I was so happy.
Forever a stoic, Frances controlled her tears on that day. In my life, I witnessed her tears once that I can recall. The day her mother died in 1964. I was eight.
Faith
In the days of separation, Frances would often share a cherished passage:
‘Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.’
-Ruth 1:16
Living in the Past.