Monday -September 28, 2009
“WE CAN DO IT”
This is the motto you can find on the iconic posters for “Rosie the Riveter.” It is also the “creed” that many of the women who had helped their country during WWII used their entire life. They had made many sacrifices - leaving the security of their homes to help their country in some way in a time of need was a big step for these young women. These ladies did not talk much about what they did during the war. Once the war was over their lives took another turn which was important to them – marrying and raising a family in a free country! It appears that this generation – men and women – did not talk much about their experiences because they felt what they did was nothing special – it was their privilege, duty, and honor to do what they could to help secure the freedoms we have today.
It has not been until the interest of special individuals and groups who wanted to preserve the stories of this generation that we really found out what a big part the Rosies and our veterans played in the war effort. Many families had no inclination of the role their parents, grandparents, aunt, uncles, or cousins played during WWII. When reading about WWII in school, it was about people you didn’t know – or so we thought. In reality, we knew many people who the history books were talking about but had not used their individual names. They were referred to as soldiers, sailors, marines, pilots, nurses, and Rosie the Riveters. The men and women in those history books were in reality our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They also included the family next door, the widow down the street, or even the elderly couple that sits on the second pew up front at church! Some of their stories may be too horrendous to tell, but the stories of their courage and the endurance of the times needs to be told. They are all heroes, and in the eyes of many they are “the greatest generation” to have lived!
On Saturday, September 26, 2009 there was a gathering honoring a group of our some of our West Virginia Rosie the Riveters. This was the first time that the Rosies had gotten together as a group. The process of getting their stories documented is beginning through individual interviews. Some of those ladies were being brought together for the first time to be honored. This special event took place at the Edgewood Summit Retirement Home in Charleston, WV. There were seven ladies who were going to be honored. In attendance were family members, veterans, the media, professors from some of our state colleges, and board members and staff of the group, “Thanks! Plain and Simple.” There is one special lady to me who was to be honored – my mother, Relma Irene Layne – to whom I will simply refer to as “Mom” throughout the rest of this posting.
Mom has not figured out why everyone is making such a big deal about what she did during the war. She, along with her foster sisters and cousins, went to Ypsilanti, Michigan to work at the Ford Bomber Plant. Mom was a “riveter” who worked on putting air vents in the outer wings of the B-24 Bombers. It was a job, and it was something she did to help the country during the war. To her, it’s just like me going to my job of teaching – it was a job, and she wasn’t anyone special. She and all those ladies were doing what needed to be done!! When growing up, Dad was the one who would say something about her being a Rosie the Riveter. Big Deal! I had no clue what a Rosie was. So what, she put rivets in a plane which happen to be a bomber. I had no idea the real meaning of her being a Rosie until I was a lot older! My brothers and I were aware of Dad being in the war since he was an amputee. He never let his injuries deter him from doing anything he set his mind to doing. Mom was the same way – “They Could Do It” regardless of what “it” was.
Sadly, there are many stories out there which have not been told about these courageous men and women who stepped up and did what needed to be done. From some of the things I learned today – not all of the “Rosie’s” worked in a plant as Mom did. Many of these women worked on the farms to help produce the food for their country and their family. Some volunteered at the hospitals, while others eventually joined the armed services. This was a time in our history in which our country relied on the women to be able to pick up the work the men had to vacate. The men were fighting in the was while the women were helping them by building the needed the needed planes, ships, guns, and other necessities they might need to survive. Most of these ladies are just like my parents and other veterans – they just didn’t talk about what they had done.
Once we arrived at Edgewood Summit, we were cordially greeted. All were doing a superb job in making the Rosies feel welcome and important. It was indeed a day intended just for them. A day in which we all could say thank you for what you did to help ensure the freedoms we have today. They may not have been in combat, but their jobs were just as vital to the war effort as were all those in battle on foreign soil trying to preserve these freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
Mom was introduced to all the other Rosies in attendance which was exciting. She was also introduced to the veterans – one being Woody Williams, WV only living Medal of Honor recipient. Each Rosie was answering questions by those in attendance who had not heard their stories. As the story was repeated we were learning more details about their experience. Little details that had just resurfaced were being shared with those who wanted to listen. As the day progressed Mom discovered there was another lady in attendance who also worked on B-24’s at the Ford Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti. They were able to talk about their experience, but discovered they were not there at the same time.
There was a special luncheon for those attending the day’s event. The tables were set up with a name card for the Rosie’s and their guest with other tables being occupied by friends of the Rosies. The cards had a special limerick for each of the Rosies. There is a picture which shows Mom’s card and limerick – oh so special!!! The food was delicious and the company was superb.
After the luncheon we gathered in what I would refer to as the Rosie Room. The reason for this is that there was a mannequin in the room which had been dressed as a Rosie the Riveter. She had a scarf on her head wearing an outfit very similar to what we see in the pictures of real Rosies at work. Mom had her picture taken beside this mannequin as did most of the other ladies. I’m sure it brought back many memories for them.
Once we were all assembled in this room we able to preview the beginnings of what will be a documentary of the Rosies and their stories. This is a work in progress, but what we were privileged to see gave us the sense it is going to be an awesome documentary. Listening to the ladies tell their stories was so enlightening and humbling. The realization of what it must have been like for them is coming to life for the younger generations.
The three people who have done the interviews are doing a wonderful job. Anne Montague – Executive Director and Founder ; John Haulotte – lead veteran and interviewer; and Tijah Bumgarner – videographer have and are doing a wonderful job in collecting the stories as well as compiling them in a manner that will enjoyed for generations. These three came to Mom’s house and interviewed her several weeks ago. All three are very charming people and made Mom feel like a very special lady! They were great in calming her down and getting her to tell her story. She was nervous, but she did a great job in telling them some of the things she remembered about that time. Mom did what she did because it was the right thing to do. She worked at the Ford Bomber Plant while Dad was being trained to man a half-track with anti-aircraft guns on them. Both Mom and Dad were doing what their country needed them to do. Both are my American heroes!
There are many people involved in this project. Many who are behind the scene and are working hard to gather as many stories as they can. Before the Rosies were given the floor to tell their stories, a lady who lives at Edgewood entered the room and was introduced as a Rosie who had just heard about what was taking place. Apparently this project is starting to pick up the pace in the number of Rosies that are being found in WV. My hope is that they will be able to reach all the Rosies possible, documenting their stories, and preserving them as a part of our history for generations to come.
Following is a set of pictures documenting the days event for Mom.
Mom sitting in the lobby of the Edgewood Summit - starting to get a little nervous.
Standing next to the "Rosie the Riveter" is a REAL Rosie - Mom!
Mom sitting with grandson, Billy Layne and his fiance Jamie Smith. She was so pleased they were there to support her. Lunch would soon be served!
Lead Veteran and one of the ones who interviewed Mom. John Haulotte is so good with these ladies - they love him!
Mom's limerick and name card on her table.
Another fantastic person who made the Rosies feel special was the videographer, Tijah Bumgarner.
Anne Montague, Executive Director and Founder, is one of the driving forces behind this project. Anne is representing her mother and is telling her story. Ann was one of two Rosebuds in attendance which meant their mothers were deceased and it was left to the daughters to tell their stories. A very gracious lady with a mission - getting the stories of the Rosies told!
Veteran, Woody Williams is a Medal of Honor recipient. He is WV's only living Medal of Honor! He was very helpful with the introduction of the Rosies and helped calm them down with his witty personality. A true gentleman.
This looks like one of those "got 'cha" shots of John. He is 27 years old and is a natural with interviewing and putting the ladies at ease. Having served in Iraq he feels a connection to these ladies, understanding a little of what life was like for them back in the 40's.
All of the ladies sitting are awaiting their turn to tell who they are, where they were during the war, and what they did. The first four ladies are Rosies while the fifth lady from the left is a Rosebud.
The two ladies sitting on the right are also Rosies. Ann and the lady on the left are Rosebuds - both representing their mothers.
. . . and the 7th Rosie to be honored was Mom. She reminded me of the kids when they had to give a speech for me in class. Some tried to hide and/or be last. Mom was tyring to be last!!!! :):) 
Before the ladies started, entering into the room was another Rosie who happen to live at Edgewood Summit. Another Rosie with a story to tell!!!
Some of the Rosies getting ready to do their Rosie pose-" We Can Do It"
Arms up - showing their muscles!
The genuine joy that Tijah and John are displaying when talking with Mom was evident when they spoke with all the Rosies. It is with people like this who will make the project a success! Thank you all for being so sweet and gracious to our precious mothers!!!
Mom and Garnet, who happened to work at the same plant - different times - saying goodbye!
It was great day for Mom. She was tired by the time we got back home, but she was glad to have been part of today's activities. She wore her ribbon to church the next day so she could tell them what she had done and where she had been.
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