World War II

Mom Thorpe, Cleveland Christian Home

“NBA had initiated no Homes since 1920 and had enlarged none since 1929… funds became available in 1938-41 for major improvements and additions. However, just as construction began, the world went to war. World War II put all building programs on hold as young men and women went off to war. The years were not easy for anyone, but were especially difficult for Home superintendents who had to cope with staff shortages, food rationing, inflation, scarcities of all kinds, and the grief of watching ‘children saved’ going off to fight and die. Many graduates enlisted and some never returned.” (Inasmuch, p92.)

These excerpts give glimpses of life in the Homes during wartime:

October 1941: “One hundred boys and girls at the Cleveland Christian Home greeted one of their graduates with awe and admiration. Wayne Robbings, 21, a cadet in the U.S. Air Corps, came back for a visit and found himself a hero.”

May 1942: “We were afraid the children would be nervous about the blackout, but the smallest were the sweetest. They were in the ‘darkest’ dark, but spent the whole time talking about Helen Keller, whom they had met some months ago.”

August 1942: “Yesterday passed from our sight all that remained of Five Sugar Bowls. When Mr. Sugar Bowl returns to our table, we hope all will have learned that lesson which war has taught us…don’t waste anything. For the sake of humanity, be careful of toilet paper, food, soap, and paper napkins. These things are going to be harder and harder to get.”

August 1943: “Oh, what fun it is to see the backyard flower beds converted into a Victory Garden by our own elderly men and women.”

May 1945: “Another wonderful gift of $50 was sent to us this Christmas by Lt. Kensel Clutter, stationed in the Pacific. He was wounded in action last December but has fully recovered.”

June 1945: “Gasoline rationing meant our elderly would not have the long automobile rides in the country, one of our chief joys, but that is a small sacrifice indeed.”

(Inasmuch, p93-95.)