The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-04-24
Observations
Daughters Going
to War as Well
as Sons
BY Helen Esssry


mothers before her. II would hap
pen 10 hundreds more. For this
was an all out war. You could de-
stroy anybody or anything in this
war.
Women we're an active part OF IT,.
The battle dress many Of them
were wearing was proof OF that
equality with men for which they
used TO crusade. Her own daughter
was proof Of that equality. For was
she not going overseas? Endless
miles away to a place that had
been only a name in the geography
book? Going into heaven only knew
what danger and grief
Other mothers said she should
be proud. Her daughter would have
such a thrilling chance. These, OF
course, we're mothers whose own
daughters were very young or not
concerned with aVpersonal share in
the war.
Don't be a fuddy buddy. my
dear they had said little scorn-
fully. Don't you know you have no
right 10 even try 10 keep a child
from sharing the experiences Of her
own generation? wouldn't you have
wanted 10 do the same thing
She would have done the same
thing. But what she herself did
was different. This child was still
a baby She knew she was being
sentimental She ought TO be
ashamed OF such softness OF these
commonplace feelings and thoughts
but how long was it-surely not
more than a year or two-since she
had sat beside her daughter, coax
ing
please. now. Just one more
spoonful, darling g. It's such nice
oatmeal" That had been no way to
raise a baby Bad character build
ing. The books said so.
Maybe the books were wrong.
For didn't it take character to
march voluntarily into this war?
Well probably have about two
weeks OF cholera shots and such at
Oglethorpe.' 1t was the same baby.
now in uniform, pho was talking
as the regulation ''footlocker" was
being packed for the long journey.
Foot locker" What strange,
frightening words had come into
the family vocabulary with the sud
den orders for permanent station
outside the continental limits OF
the United States
You must remember that the
whole business OF going is restrict
ed material" her daughter was eau
tioning. And folded down a pair OF
herringbone twill trousers and
blouse. Restricted material means
you can't tell anybody about any
thing"
What about the talks they had
had late at night about parties and
dates? Was that restricted ma
terial'? No. That was a preparation
for living. This Was-vhat WAS
this anyhow?
I've thought OF what I'll do with
my cosmetics. mother she heard
her daughter saying. m just tuck
them somehow into my gas mask.
So they won't spill.
That is a good idea, she made
herself answer. Then Yes,
dear, I've got your serial number
d. Yes. I've got your APO.
Yes, ! understand about the power
OF attorney. Certainly, | hear
every word
Now a lowered dressing gown
was being placed beside an olive
drab shirt. Thanks for the femin-
inc frills. I'll enjoy them. Gosh,
though, wish the centipedes
weren't so big where I'm going. II
the Japs should decide to bomb
my new home, ought TO be able to
dodge They teach US how. But |
sure am afraid OF bugs Remember
what a dumbbell ! used 10 be even
about ants? It's silly OF me TO have
a phobia about bugs. what, You
think it's lovely Of me to have a
phobia about bugs. What ARE you
saying, Mother
N DOt saying anything az all.
Nothing that makes sense Nothing
does make sense. Now let's tackle
the duifle tbag.'
They took the duffle bag and the
foot locker down TO the railroad
station that night. A woman bag.
gage smasher hauled them over the
counter as casually as II they had
been light parcels.
Soon II would be time for the
family celebration. II was 10 be at
a hotel. where you had to be gay.
And then it would be train time.
They would 90 to say Goodbye. .
And "Haye lot OF fun =" And
then
Certainly ii was wonderful 10
have your daughter 90 out into
this war. She wouldn't be a sissy
mother. Not she Think OF the moth
ers with sons. Think OF the women
with usbands-they knew not
where. Why. she had nothing 70
worry about! For a daughter Moth
ing.