Marlene's Story

      More Letters From Paradise
          Marlene's Story

This story rightly belongs to Marlene, who told it to my wife and I. Although it is a family story, it is also an important bit of history, which otherwise would be forgotten.

The year was 1944, and Ray's plane a B-24 called Shackrabbit, had been shot down over Nuremberg, Germany, and he was listed as missing in action. His brother, Ted, was soon to leave with his B-17 to the air war over Germany.

Ted and Ray's mother, Frances Rae, father, Walter, and sister Marlene were determined to see him  before he left. He was stationed at Pyote, Texas. That was a long way from home in Michigan. Everything was rationed, including sugar, meat, gasoline, and auto tires. Friends and family chipped in with gas and ration coupons, and cousin Judd put his car up on blocks, letting them use his tires so that there would be good tires for the trip to Texas.

To hear Marlene tell the story brings tears to your eyes. They packed peanut and jelly sandwiches for the trip in an empty shoe box, because they did not have to keep them cold.

 But it was such a long way to Texas, and money was tight. Marlene did not give any details of the journey.

When they arrived at last, it was during a sandstorm. They were told they could sleep in an Army guest quarters, and when they pulled back the covers, the sheets were full of sand.

They were united with Ted, and given a tour of a B-17 bomber. The events end here with Marlene's story. But I do know that Ted's brother Ray, was killed, and Ted survived the missions his plane flew.

This was all so long ago, and it is only a small piece of the puzzle of WWII. The events which took place here, were repeated time after time all over America. Thank you, Marlene, for sharing your story with us.

       Aloha
       Grant