World War II ration book andstickers

In addition to the darkness of night, feared by many, there was also a darkness just beneath the surface, a gloom that violated the hallowed ground made so by the hearts and hands that contributed so much to the war effort. For instance, a man who could prove that he was morally opposed to the war (most often due to religious reasons) was classified as a conscientious objector, or CO. He was assigned to noncombatant service such as medic training or other alternative service. On occasion, groups of COs traveled on trains or buses to training sites or other venues and passed nearby. They were frequently screamed or jeered at, called draft dodgers, or much worse, pummeled with thrown objects and spit on. I was particularly attuned to such insulting behaviors since I was at that very time exploring in my own mind how I felt about the war and all its tragedies and consequences, and how I would respond if I were drafted and subsequently called up. And well it would be that I was coming to terms with those nascent feelings, for that is exactly what befell me a few years down theroad.

Another event illustrates the subtle and the not-so-subtle pervasive shadow generated by the war. One day I asked my mom, “Why is the nursery closing?” There was a lovely nursery a few blocks away that had been in business for many years under the same family management. I didn’t know anyone who hadn’t bought a plant or twothere.

“Well, the Yamaguchis are being sent away for a while,” sheexplained.

“Sent away? What does thatmean?”

“It’s because they are Japanese, and we are at war with Japan.” She let her voice trailoff.

I still didn’t understand. “But some of their kids who I go to school with have never even been to Japan, and I bet lots of the parents haven’t either. I don’t get it.” I shook myhead.

“I know it doesn’t sound fair, but all the people who are from Japanese families are being sent to what they call relocation camps for theduration.”

She tried to explain, but I was still confused and didn’t ask any more questions. I later learned that the Yamaguchis were ordered to either abandon or immediately sell their nursery, in all probability at a huge loss, and l