Archive for Museums

Uncle Sam Wants Your Dogs Too!

As I sit writing this post, my two dogs wrestle playfully near my feet. It’s hard to imagine parting with them for any reason. But during World War II, dog owners across the United States were asked to make a difficult decision: Would they give up their beloved pets to serve in the war effort as part of the “Dogs for Defense” program?

Rhinelander Daily News – August 11, 1942

Even children were encouraged to consider this request through posters, songs, radio programs and children’s books, including one I came across at a recent used book sale. The book, Jeeps – A Dog for Defense, written by Sylvestre C. Watkins and published in 1944, tells the story of a patriotic young boy who parts with his dog, Jeeps, so the dog can serve in the U.S. Army. Jeeps is sent to the Pacific, where he saves the lives of his handler and others on multiple occasions. The book was part of a broader effort to inspire citizens, especially children, to “draft” their dogs for military duty.

On March 13, 1942, the U.S. Army officially established the K-9 Corps, also known as the War Dog Program or Dogs for Defense. The American Kennel Club spearheaded the effort to recruit dogs for service, calling on Americans to donate their pets to the military. Over the course of the war, nearly 18,000 dogs were volunteered by citizens. However, not all were suited for the demands of military life—about 8,000 dogs failed to pass the rigorous training, according to one source.

The concept of using dogs in war was not new. Even in World War I, dogs had played a role, with Rin Tin Tin, a German war dog, becoming a famous example of canine heroism. And many  battalions had their faithful mascots going back to the Civil War. But World War II saw a more formalized and large-scale deployment of dogs in combat.

Seven breeds were considered best suited for military duties: German Shepherds, Belgian Sheep Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Collies, Siberian Huskies, Malamutes, and Eskimo Dogs. To qualify, a dog had to have a good temperament and be trainable. Once selected, dogs underwent 8-12 weeks of intensive training at camps Front Royal, VA, Fort Robinson, NE, Cat Island, MS, Camp Rimini, MT, and San Carlos, CA. Dogs were trained for a variety of roles, including sentry duty, scouting, messenger services, and mine detection. Some of the dogs patrolled and guarded ammunition plants or shorelines stateside. They learned not to bark and could detect enemy scents from up to half a mile away.

Sadly, not all experiments with military dogs were successful—or humane. On Cat Island, off the coast of Gulfport, MS, the Army conducted a top secret mission aimed at training dogs to identify and attack Japanese soldiers specifically. To carry out this plan, 25 Japanese-American soldiers from Company B, 100th Infantry Battalion, at Fort McCoy, WI were recruited to serve as “bait” in training exercises. One of the men, Ray Nosaka, later recounted disturbing stories from his time on the island, a very dark chapter in the Dogs for Defense program.

It’s not likely we’ll ever really know how many dogs served in the K9 Corps. Some account for 20,000-25,000 while other sources cite 50,000 all the way up to 300,000. An official report credits 465 dogs as deployed in combat zones such as Guam, Okinawa, and Guadalcanal. On the island of Guam alone, 25 dogs were killed in action. Their sacrifices were honored in 1944 when the National War Dog Cemetery was established at Naval Base Guam.

The Dogs for Defense program was officially disbanded in August 1945. Many dogs were returned to their original families, while others were adopted as “military surplus.” Those who returned home received certificates of faithful service and honorable discharges. Of the 3,000 dogs returned through the surplus program, only four were deemed unsuitable for civilian life. Interestingly, more than 15,000 citizens applied to adopt the war dogs, under the condition that they return the shipping crates and food bowls used to transport the canines.

The Military Police Corps later took over responsibility for all military K-9 operations. And a second monument dedicated to these extraordinary dogs stands at the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces Museum in Fayetteville, NC. The statue called “Constant Vigilance” has a plaque beneath it which reads: “The bond between a Special Operations Forces Handler and his K9 is eternal. Trusting each other in a nameless language. Here we honor our Special Operations Forces K9s that have paid the ultimate price.” The statue serves as a tribute to the loyalty and bravery of the dogs who served alongside human soldiers.

My dogs have tired themselves out and now lie snoring next to my feet. Could I ever imagine donating my own for a patriotic cause like the Dogs for Defense program? Did the US need to reach out to kids and families to donate their pets? Honestly, no, but it did serve a purpose in allowing Americans to show their patriotic duty through personal sacrifice. For many during World War II, the call to serve—even for their pets—was a call they couldn’t ignore.

Sources: https://armyhistory.org/the-dogs-of-war-the-u-s-armys-use-of-canines-in-wwii/

http://nisei.hawaii.edu/object/io_1153256967265.html

https://www.dogsfordefense.com/wwii-dogs-for-defense#:~:text=%5B4%5D%20Estimations%20on%20the%20exact,and%20served%20in%20some%20capacity.

The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin) – Thursday, April 22, 1943 Page 18 : Purina Ad

Road Trip to SPAM History

Located in Austin, MN, home of SPAM’s creator George A. Hormel, lies a surprising gem: the SPAM Museum. While its name evokes thoughts of iconic canned meat, the museum transcends mere culinary history—through one of its dedicated exhibits, it includes a testament to wartime resilience and community spirit.

During WWII, SPAM became more than a meal; it was a lifeline. Over 133 million cans sustained troops and civilians overseas.

There was so much SPAM! And not just SPAM, but the knockoff version too that is more likely what led to the bad reputation of any canned luncheon meat. The government is to blame for ordering equal amounts of the generic and less-appealing product.

The museum celebrates community resilience. It honors the 1,961 Hormel employees who served during WWII (65 gave their lives), with a promise of jobs awaiting their return—a commitment to duty echoed by the 1,300 women who bolstered production lines.

Within the WWII exhibit at the museum, a letter shares the story of when a Navy father was granted a short leave and happened to find a ride home from an executive of Hormel. During the ride, when asked if he liked SPAM, the writer’s father replied that he “didn’t like SPAM, he loved SPAM”. Shortly after her father shipped out, her mother received a case of SPAM from headquarters. Being that meat was so rare to come by during the war, her mother stretched the case as far as possible and saved one unopened can for when her husband would return home.

Another letter on display is a copy of the Christmas letter written by the President of Hormel, Jay C. Hormel, personalized to each of those serving along with a $5 money-order. Though by the second year of the tradition, he admitted that it was a task too big and opted for a more standard generic letter along with the $5 gift.

A meticulously restored 1945 Jeep Willys MB, emblematic of wartime ingenuity, finds its place alongside photographs of “Slammin’ Spammy,” a bomber’s nose art mascot. Even Dwight Eisenhower, reflecting on his wartime diet, famously forgave SPAM’s ubiquity, underscoring its cultural impact in a displayed letter:

 “I ate my share of SPAM along with millions of soldiers. I’ll even confess to a few unkind remarks about it. As former Commander in Chief, I officially forgive you of your only sin: sending so much of it.”

You’ll also find recipe ideas for SPAM, but what I picked out were the hands-down best versions — “SPAM tastes best in the bottom of a fox hole” or skewered on a knitting needle and warmed over an open fire from within the darkness of a bomb shelter surrounded by debris of a European city.

Post-war, Hormel again turned to some very special women to solve the problem of sudden SPAM sales decline – after all, in 1945 65% of all Hormel Foods was being produced for troops. Without the war needs, how could they replace product demand?

Enter The Hormel Girls, twenty women veterans turned musical ambassadors, who toured America. They were recognizable in their white Chevrolet caravan that pulled into small towns to put on a show or lead a parade. Eventually, their talent moved to radio. Their popularity doubled sales for Hormel but by 1953 with the cost to keep The Hormel Girls at $1.3 million a year, Jay Hormel’s ailing health, and cheaper advertising made available on TV, The Hormel Girls tearfully played their last performance on December 13, 1953.

The Museum is not a WWII museum, but thankfully did not neglect such an important period of its company’s history. Every corner exudes nostalgia and interactive experiences for all ages. If passing by Austin, MN, a visit isn’t just recommended—it’s essential. You’ll leave loving SPAM the brand, if not SPAM the ham.

D-Day + 75 Years

The first time I heard the story of D-Day was in 1984 on the 40th anniversary of the historic event and I was in the living room of my grandparents’ home watching a television special about the day. The anniversary was well documented that year.

I remember the day so vividly because I could gather from my grandparents’ reactions of the show that it was a very special story. This set of grandparents served in the war from their farm in Wisconsin. Farmers were needed on the home front to feed the troops, our country, and our allies.

The videos of the 40th anniversary introduced my 8-year old mind to the graphic footage of Operation Overlord and laid the groundwork for honoring the ultimate sacrifices made by all of those men jumping from airplanes and storming the beaches and the families back home.

Nearly every big anniversary of the date — 50th, 60th, 70th added more and more stories and clarity about the enormous undertaking. And now, the 75th anniversary is upon us and not many remain that lived through ‘the longest day’ to tell their stories in first person.

This video from CBS News commemorated the 70th anniversary and told the story of the Bedford Boys.

 

Photo: Warfare History Network

The relatively small town of Bedford, Virginia sent 35 of their sons to D-Day. Twenty-two perished. The town realized the highest casualty rate from one single American hometown.

News of the battle was reported during the night. It was Sunday morning forty days later when the families started receiving the Western Union telegrams notifying each of their sad news. In the story from CBS News, Lucille Boggess talks about how her mother received the telegrams about her two brothers’ deaths as they were preparing to leave for church. The first telegram was delivered by the sheriff.  The second telegram came by a cab driver.

Today Bedford is home to the National D-Day Memorial. The hallowed grounds freeze in time a tiny glimpse of D-Day. Over 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing during the Battle of Normandy on June 6, 1944. It is regarded as the battle that changed the momentum of the war and gave all hope that it would end soon. Each passing year gives us a chance to pause and consider the ultimate price paid for freedom — both in Europe and on the home front as each mother received her yellow Western Union telegram.

Photo: National D-Day Memorial

Bucket List Trip: The National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA

I have just returned from the National World War II Museum located in New Orleans, Louisiana. It did not disappoint!

‘Offering a compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail, The National WWII Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories, taking visitors inside the story of the war that changed the world.’

The museum is truly an honor to the generation that sacrificed so much to secure our freedom and will always remind future generations of the price paid.

In size, the museum campus covers six acres with five multi-level pavilions, a period dinner theater, and two lovely places to eat on site. For period actors, a specialty shop offers gorgeous era-style clothing and accessories.

Of course, my favorite exhibit in the museum was the Arsenal of Democracy collection — a home sweet home display.  You’ll walk past the huge victory garden mural that was a proud example of using every inch of space available on a lot. Junior must have just come back from a scrap metal drive in the neighborhood.  His wagon sits near the front door loaded with much needed steel, aluminum and paper ready to turn in.  The kitchen welcomes you inside with bright and happy appliances from the era.  “We had that sink!  We had that stove!”

In the living room you’ll come upon a scene of a quiet evening at home listening to the radio and gazing upon photos of those serving in the war, hoping all are safe and will be home soon.

Turning the corner out of the living room brings you to work.  And lots of it! The displays of U.S. manufacturing efforts are incredible. Hello, Rosie!

Must See: Beyond All Boundaries 4-D movie. There is no way to describe just how good this movie experience is. Hint: Sit in the first five rows for optimal viewing.

And my trip is not over yet!  The museum’s digital collections allow anyone with an internet connection to explore personal stories and photos.