The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-01
Jan, I945, Sad Period For Home Front Folks
Reports of Casualties Recalled; Year Crowded With History-MaIkin Events; VIE Day, V-J Day Joyous

" nhu tne tnouSanuS or 21 Jot3 who rested beneath white cross on the heights of Casino or the floor of the Pacific. The devoted followers of the late President found themselves not only grieving but fighting mad. They tackled their war jobs with renewed vigor and bought more bonds.
 President Trumans proclamation of Victory in EurOpeon May created only a few sporadic cele- brations in the city. Here and there an autmobile horn footed, and an excited celebrant threw papers from Il Q window of downtown office building. Stores and factories closed at noon, and people for most part went home just to think over the long-awaited news.
 Echoing the words of the new president, they merely said "It's sad that Franklin Roosevelt did not live to see this day"
 The greatest activity throughout the city oentered around Victory House, which was issuing bonds with a special V-E Day stamp.
 That evening the devout offered grateful thanks special services that the bloody war in Europe, which had taken more than 1 million lives, had come to an end.
 Tn compliance with Mayor John 8. Monagan's statement calling for Work, work and more work" the city's industrial enploye punched clocks in the city,s factories the next day, as they had for years, and settled down to the job of finishing the Pacific conflict which Wash lngton declared would be costlier in blood than any campaign of the war.
 As the months rolled on, Wash ington was threatening to bomb Japan with 10000 ton raids, by Christmas and Hirohito was re- taliating with reports of e newly discovered piloted bomb carrying ballon which would convert the Allied Naval Air force into suicide corps.
 The Atomic Era
 I On a hot August morning, as most Waterburians were anticipat- ing a few days vacation-the ave- some, incredible news came out of Japan that one single American bomb had devastated the city of Hiroshima and killed thousands of 1t populace. People throughout Wa terbury first reflected disbelief then wonder, fright, and lack of com prehension of an instrument that harnesSed the suns rays.
 Though the arrival of the atomic age promised many wonderful new inventions, Q weary populace could not come to rejoice in any news. except the end of the war. And they said 80.
 Comment was varied. Some ex- claimed, when they heard of the complete destruction of Hiroshima, "Goodl It's just the thing for the sneaky Japs." The sensitive said War of no war. It's too brutal. II almost makes one ashamed to be a mmeber of the human race" And though it was reported since Pearl Harbor, that the Japan pre- ferred suicide or even complete an- initiation to surrender, Q few optim- iSts ventured the opinion that the atomic bomb would bring the war to quick end.
 It would seem, however, that the minority, prone to peer through rose-colored glasses, were surpris- ingly the most clearmin0ed.
 Early on the morning of August 10. while the city sweltered from the highest temperatures of the season, the electrifying news trickled out of the Pacific that Japan was seeking peace terms. For four long days and nights, while precipitation tickled from the brows and the wait seemed interminable, people sat glued to their radios.
 The joyous news finally broke at o'clock on Tuesday, August IA The city sprung up with one grand bounce to mark the celebration o1 the end of the bloodiest and cost Hest conflict the world had ever known.
 Factories whistles screamed church bells rang, and within half an hour the center was the scene of the most jubilant noisfest cele- bration in the history of Water bury. Some laughed. some shouted with joy, some cried, some became hysterical. Many solemn bent ir prayer of thanksgiving in the city's churches.
 The discovery of a pair of army trousers on Bank street that eve- ming could never be explained. Negro, lost in emotion. kissed every star and strip on old Glory dis played on car. Children, complete ly unrestrained for once in a life. time, and not alone in their merry making, screamed and sang and ac' complished all the mischief possible
 The Waterbury Democrat, bear. ing that long-awaited headline Peace" in six-inch letters, was or the street, one half minute aftel the flash from Washington. The next day. while celebra1t' } still made merry, gas rationtng of' ficialy ended. It was the first steI toward the eventual restoration ol the nations economy to a peacetim' basis.
 l0,OOo Layoffs
 . Joyous industrial workers return . ing to their Jobs on Friday follow ing the two-cay celebration wer informed that 90 per cent of tn War contracts of local industrie had been cancelled. and more thaI 10000 people suddenly found them