The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1946-02-19
By BETTY BLANCHARD


A Waterbury OF and a British
nurse stood in the blackened AS
toria Dance Hall in Londan on the
night Of February 7, 1914, while
Hitler's robot bombs rained death
and destruction on the British
capital.
Don't you think you should
seek shelter? Those things look
pretty dangerous to me-" the re-
cently-arrived American soldier
asked the curly-haired girl at his
side.
mo. They won't strike this Sec
ton tonight the girl replied calm
ly. The Jerrys are directing them
toward the other end of town. I've
watched them so often I can tell
just where they're going TO land
The chance meeting of the couple
T/Corp. Anthony Piesyna, 1870
Easton avenue, and Miss Peggy
Given, late Of Newberry, Berkshire,
eliminated in marriage a year
later.
But like most couples who had
entered international marriages,
the Waterbury CT and his British
bride realized that many months
and perhaps years, would elapse
before they were able to establish
their future home in America. And
then again 1t all depended upon
fate. The Allies at the time Of their
marriage were storlning the fort
resses Of Germany. Top military
leaders, even the most optimistic,
could not predict victory before
Christmas. And the future Of brides
Of American servicemen were prac-
tically forgotten in the heat OF the
conflict.
Yesterday afternoon the courag-
eous British girl who had no fear
OF Hitler's robot bombs received a
warm welcome as she stepped across
the threshold of her new home on
Easton avenue. A perfectly-lettered
sign on the door of the third-floor
apartment assured a hearty well
come. 1t said Welcome Home to
Peggy" Red, white and blue paper
streamerS decorated both the living
room and dining room. And every
where were dishes OF chocolates,
peanuts, bananas, oranges-all the
delcacieS the vivacious British girl
had not seen in five years.
Also on hand to extend a cordial
welcome to Peggy were Father
Piesyna, who remained home from
work. and Mother Piesyna excitingly
exclaiming with joyful tears in her
eyes, she had waited a whole year
'for this great day"
It appeared Peggy was very we'll
pleased with her new home, her
warm hearted in-laws, and all that
her foster country had TO offer.
oh, I know I'm going to like it,"
she said. Americans are so friendly
and frank and eager for life. You
know both American servicemen
and women made tremendous hit
with the British the minute they
arrived. They seemed to adapt
themselves to British ways so
easily"
The British nurse asserted that
The manner and outspokenness of
the friendly American CTS was
very refreshing to English girls.
You see the British boy is very |
stalwart, so TO speak," she eX-
planned. They're so conservative. |
They simply can't unbend though
,hey'd like to-"
Greatly missed from the English |
Gene are the American Toys who |
made life bearable during Britain's |
lark hours, Mrs. Piesyna declared.
One woman I know kept house for |
light American soldiers and she
airly wept when they left. And the
British children you really should
ee them" she exclaimed. They
dored American soldiers. 1t seems
TRANCE not to hear them shouting
my gum, cllum?
AS for America, well it's simply
and truly land of
lenty, according to the British
ride, who hasn't enjoyed bount!-
u meal since 1871.
BritiShers are still tightening their
elts to send food to war-ravaged
copies on the continent. Rigid IA.
ons, she explained, reduce the Bri-
sh diet to scanty proportions. Each
erson is allowed weekly one ounce
I fat, two ounces Of butter, four
unces OF margarine. eight ounces OF
agar, II pennyworth Of meat, and
few vegetables.
And like a true woman who has
RED to make things do" for years
Irs. Piesyna nearly swooned when
ne observed the well-dressed Amer
IAN woman. Britishers even today
re permitted only "a clothing points
yer a eight month period. Seven
oints are needed for pair Of shoes,