Michigan Home Front Letter to Joe in December 1944
A Michigan reader writes to a Michigan GI Joe serving in Europe in December 1944. The piece reflects on shared sacrifice, civilian defense efforts at home, and the gap between war reality and home-front perception. It notes air raid preparedness, fire wardens, and unauthorized strikes, plus censorship of battlefield details and shell shortages affecting war production.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Michigan
Joe
Lincoln
Gettysburg
America
United States
Office of Civilian Defense
Canada
Pearl Harbor
Washington
Atlantic Ocean
County Board Acts on Several Public Demands
Gogebic county supervisors, at their regular meeting, heard the conservation committee report a rise in wolves coyotes and bobcats. They approved trapping to counter deer and small game losses due to ammunition shortages and offered trapping bulletins via the county auditor or agricultural agent.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Board of Supervisors
Gogebic
State Department of Conservation
Norbert Achatz
State Supervisors Association
Lansing
Ironwood
City Commission of
Norrie Park
Range
Road Commission
Commission
Conservation Club of
L. H. Tripp
Construction of Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C
Gogebic County
Veterans’ Hospital
Gogebic Junior College
Organize Church Basketball League Formed
Earl Gates advances eight team church league in the city with four congregations First Lutheran Immanuel Lutheran St Marys and Methodist ready to join. Mayor Wilson backs the idea saying it could curb youth delinquency and urges use of the city gym for practice and playoff games two or three afternoons weekly.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Earl Gates
Immanuel Lutheran
St. Mary's
Wilson
Commission
Rotes Hold Christmas Party Monday Evening
Wakefield Rotarians host a Christmas party for local youngsters Monday evening. Each member has a designated “son” to receive a Santa present, with carols readings and a bountiful supper. Visiting servicemen are invited to attend at 5 45 p.m.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wakefield Rotarians
Wakefield
Santa Claus
Methodist Church Christmas Worship and Program
Morning worship at 9 30 with special Christmas music by the choir and a sermon titled Immanuel. Church school at 10 45 open to all unassigned youth. Annual Sunday School Christmas program Wednesday at 7 30 with fruit candy and gifts distributed.
A Christmas Message to Those in Service
Rev J H Oatey pastor of the Methodist Church writes a Christmas message to service members reminded that Christmas endures amid war and separation. He emphasizes God with us through Immanuel and prays for blessing, peace, and divine protection for those in harm's way this Christmastide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
J. H. Oatey
Methodist Church
Christ
Moses
David
Isiah
Zacharias
Mary
Stephen
Isaiah
Immanuel
God
First Lutheran Church Christmas Concert Sunday Evening
The First Lutheran Church choir presents its annual Christmas concert at 7:30 Sunday evening with an offertory for the organ fund and a coffee social hour afterward. The program includes Finnish and English readings, vocal and instrumental solos, a choral medley, and a benediction by Rev. S. V. Autere. Gallants in grades four through eight report $13,550 in Series E War Savings Bond sales, with several students reaching or close to quotas and earning potential Eisenhower-signed citations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
First Lutheran Church
Wakefield
Eisenhower
Central School
Mary Belle Connor
Gerald Salmela
Dennis Ravelli
Sydney Elizabeth Saari
Dale
Kriss Novak
Ursula Monette
James Steiger
Neil Bedell
Jack Novak
James Sether
Paul Oberg
Margaret Williams
Donald Lucma
Billy Mezzano
Susan Karling
Larry Mall
Marlene Bolen
Anthony Zelinski
Audrey Johnson
Jay Hardy
Charles Autio
Harold Golemberki
Norman Johnson
Legion Meeting Tuesday at American Legion Quarters
The American Legion will hold a regular meeting Tuesday evening at its quarters. Commander Celes cucanero requests safe attendance as there are matters of importance to be acted upon.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Legion
American Legion
Celes
Cucanero
Methodist Sunday School Christmas Program at Church
The Methodist Sunday School hosts a Christmas program on Wednesday evening with class performances, a Santa visit to distribute gifts, and a choir chorus. Cast lists include Patsy Gates, Jane Tyack, Ronald Smith, and Darlene Jacobson among others, with scenes and songs reflecting a festive pageant.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Methodist Sunday School
The
Methodist Church
Santa Claus
Paddy Allan
Phillip Johnson
Carol Jean Walton
Nicky Modders
Donald Best
Jack Walton
Kenneth Grant
Sandra Gates
David Walton
Curtis Rice
Edward Hocking
Carol Jose
Betty Jacobson
Marjorie Harvey
Jesus
Jay Bennetts
Christmas
Patsy Gates
Jane Tyack
Candle
Ronald Smith
Holly
Gordon Walton
Bobby Cloon
Feast
Joe Sutter
Star
B. Windberg
Bell
Lois Grant
D. Hocking
J. Walton
Darlene Jacobson
Edna Grant
Mary Ann Jacobson
Donna Jacobson
Methodist Childrens Home
Ronald Bennetts
Donald Walstrom
Neil Bedell
Phillip Cormier
Class of Girls
Robert Lane
Postoffice Opens Saturdays For Christmas Business
The postoffice will stay open all day on Saturday December 16 and Saturday December 23 for all business. James C. Bedell urges mail be in by 4 15 p.m. daily to ensure Christmas rush dispatch. There is no window service on Sunday December 24 or Monday December 25. The lobby remains open for patrons and gift parcel pickups.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James C. Bedell
Theatre Admits Bond Buyers Free
Purchasers of war bonds at the Wakefield theatre Friday night were admitted without charge to the shows as part of a nationwide drive to promote the Sixth War Loan. Cpl. R. D. Trezise arrived home for a seven day fur lough and will return to Camp Crowder, Missouri, Wednesday evening.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wakefield Theatre
Motion Picture
Cpl. R. D. Trezise
Camp Crowder
Lights to Go in Wakefield
Wakefield ends its hick-town status as icetemiema arenmnemena is resolved and night lights will be restored city wide from 3 am to daylight. A department order will reinstate full illumination, with the power and light utility to be consulted for potential power savings. Eddy Park improvements and state planning reports are noted while the city reports a cash balance of $54,464.55 as November warrants total $26,651.38 and deposits $6,473.90.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wakefield
Eddy Park
State Planning Commission
Opening of Ice Rink Depends on Weather
Weather conditions determine the ice rink opening with first skating possible next week if cold continues. Nearly two inches of ice have formed. Drew Forte will run the rink and weekly schedules will be posted with weather and ice condition changes. Sen Earl Munshaw, 558, the oldest Michigan state senator by tenure, was found dead in a Grand Rapids area garage. He recently testified before a graft investigation and led GOP health judiciary and state affairs efforts. Lt Roman Wojciehowski returns home on a 13 day furlough from Las Vegas where he commands aerial gunners training. City band members held their annual party at Lake View Inn with Harold Luoma as a guest.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
France
Germany
Italy
Michigan
Andrew Forte
Sen
Munshaw
Earl Munshaw
Michigan State Senate
Grand Rapids
Senator Munshaw
Senate
Roman Wojciehowski
Frank Wojcciehowski
Wojciehowski
Las Vegas
Nev
Lake View Inn
Harold Luoma
S 3c
Wakefield War Heroes Remembered In School Tribute
Memorials honor Pvt Jack Wojciehowski 19 who died of wounds in Germany after serving since 1943. Longtime Wakefield standout in multiple sports, he left Notre Dame offers to enlist. Fathers, mothers, and siblings noted his leadership, popularity, and sacrifice as schools pledge support for wartime efforts. Also mentioned are Alpo Maki wounded in Belgium and several Wakefield area POWs and missing in action. The Wakefield News will publish Dec 21 to deliver papers by Christmas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jack Wojciehowski
Germany
Frank Wojciehowski
War Department
Wakefield High School
Ironwood
France
Engl »l
90Th
Roman
Las Vegas, Nev
James
David
Grace Steinmetz
China
Frank Jr
Jackie
Supt
Harry Sutter
Verne Gone
F. W. Duffin
Jack
Notre Dame University
Mr. Sutter
Wakefield School
TS Alpo
Louisiana
Ireland
England
Allan Bodoh
Bodoh
Wakefield
Neil Brennan
Wiliam Keskey
Walter Sale
Hns
Brennans
John Negri
Europe
Wakefield News
Also Mentioned on This Page
Normandy
Sigfried
MacArthur
Leyte
United Press
Ger
Dwight Eisenhower
Douglas MacArthur
Mediterranean
Rotes
the Methodist Church
V. Autere
Martin Mabel Vertanen
Sanna Saari
Bety Lusa
Olga Wourinen
George Autere
Heaven Above
Schumann Enkeli Taivaan
Katso Seimen Lasta
Nisonen Dpra
Autere
Helen Jarvela
Gruber
Areen Hari
Romelly Gilbert
Art Winaberg
Joe Boleau
Nicky Gone
Harvey
Carol Ann Boleau
Jack Wojcte
Howsai
J. Wojciehowski
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!