BLACK OUTS and AIR RAIDS

On this day in December of 1941, stores were selling a special black out paint--telling the public not to paint their windows with ordinary paint or enamel.

They said there was a special black out paint. It is a powder that is mixed with water and when the black outs are history, this interior only paint can be scrubbed off with soap and water.

Fabric stores offer a black sateen for interior decorations. It is used for black out draperies.

Yet, experts agree, the best method of blacking out the home during the black out tests, it is turn off all the lights.

The people of St. Peter encourage others to come to their city encase of an air raid. They have Seven Caves which can hold thousands of people. The caves are 75 to 150 feet below ground; cozy in the winter and even good in the summer during cyclone weather.

There are few of us who lived through the drills of WWII. Nor did we receive bank statements taped together rather than rubber banded due to the rubber campaign when nearly 300 ton was collected in Minneapolis. We didn't hear about Germans being jailed in St. Paul.

During this time, a mayonnaise plant began making gun shells and auto air cleaners made shell box liners. Families were encouraged not to make telephone calls on Christmas Eve or Christmas day to keep the lines open for defense activities.

But for our parents, they would remember laundries including the words to The Star Spangled Banner included with the bill. Minnesota Savings and Loan a first aid index.

A facetious army memo, author unknown, distributed this list to some servicemen in Minnesota. It is an indoctrination for return to the US.

"A typical American breakfast consists of such strange foods as cantaloupes, fresh eggs, milk, ham, etc. These are highly palatable and though strange in appearance, are extremely tasty. Butter, made for cream, is often served. If you wish some butter, you turn to the person nearest you and saw quietly, "Please pass the butter." You do NOT say, Throw me the goddam grease."

In the event the helmet is retained by the individual, he will refrain from using it as a chair, wash bowl, foot tub or bath tub. All these devices are furnished in the average American home. Iti s not considered good practice to squat Indian fashion in a corner in the event all chairs are occupied. The host will usually provide suitable seating.

American dinners, in most cases, consist of several items, each served in a separate dish. The common practice of mixing various items, such as corn-beef and pudding, or lima beans and peaches to make it more palatable, will be refrained from. In time, the "separate dish" system will become very enjoyable.

It is not proper to go around hitting every one of draft age in civilian clothes. He might have been released from service for medical reason; ask for his credentials, and if he can't show them, then and only then, go ahead and slug him.

Upon retiring, one will often find a pair of pajamas laid out on the bed. (Pajamas, it should be explained, are two piece garments which are donned after all clothing has been removed.) The soldier, confronted by these garments, should assume as air of familiarity, and act as though he were used to them. A casual remark, such as "My, what a delicate shade," will suffice. Under no circumstances say, "How in hell do you expect me to sleep in a get up like this."

We do not ration

We are in war

We appreciate the soldiers

We can't thank them enough

We hope they can all come home and tell us to throw the goddam grease.

Appreciate your freedom.

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