BEFORE FLAG BURNING: A NOSTALGIC LOOK AT YESTERYEAR

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

As Rio Grande Valley men and women were volunteering to join the war effort, the children also did their part on the home front.

It was from the radio that American children became aware of WW II. Nationwide and locally, children listened on the radio with their parents to Edward R. Murrow broadcasting war news.

"This is London.."

At school, children studied current events more often and geography was given more attention by their teachers. Thus, students became more knowledgeable and more willing to support the war effort at home. (In the photo above, West Brownsville school children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mrs. E. Russell.)

In Willacy County, at Robert E. Lee Ward School, hundreds of children wanted to support the
troops and they did, by buying war stamps. Mrs. W. V. Pittman, principal, and her children, were recognized for their efforts.

There were 300 elementary students that had participated in raising money for Uncle Sam. In one
month, the group bought $2,075 worth of stamps, exceeding all school expectations. In a seven-month period, Ona Lou Savage, 5 th grader, and Dorothy Thompson, a 6 th grader, did not miss a week of buying stamps.

The school exceeded the 90 percent mandatory quota to earn the right to fly the “Minute Man Flag”
in front of their school. In fact, the children and teachers surpassed the required quota by three percent for several months.

The Willacy hometown heroes were also presented the “Distinguished Service Award.” The prize was given by the Treasury Department as a reward for their efforts (within a six-week period) in buying $6,222 worth of war stamps, good enough to purchase seven military jeeps.

In ’42, Olmito Kids marched in masse…

James E. Towie, superintendent of Olmito Grade School, made sure that his kids got involved in
supporting our troops. It was a Monday routine that he set aside for “Stamp Day” for approximately 160 children.

It was common for passersby and motorist in this small community to see the kids with a stamp book and their teacher, Mrs. H.O. Stroman march four blocks to the local post office to buy war defense saving stamps, a custom which was started since the war was declared.

Speaking then, Towie said: “I believe in taking the kids to the Post Office and buying the stamps
directly from Uncle Sam—gives them the adult feeling in doing their part for the war effort."

Encandada School kids show their patriotism…

The rural school off the military highway demonstrated their patriotism by leading the way in the purchase of war stamp. The children and their school were honored as they gained the right to fly the “Schools at War Minute Man Flag.”

The announcement of this prestigious honor came in March of 1944 from the County Superintendent of schools, John F. Barron.

School officials proudly declared that the kids from Encantada had attained an average of 92 percent of its pupils purchasing war bonds and stamps. The award was made by the United States Treasury, War Finance Committee of Texas.

The Encantada School was the second school to be awarded the Schools at War Minute Man
Flag, and followed West Brownsville School which had been flying the flag for several months.

On the home front…

The youth of Rio Grande Valley did their part to preserve and defend democracy and the American flag. Today, when many speak about rights and few about duty—perhaps we can learn about personal responsibility from the war-time youth who willingly sacrificed play time to help this country win a war.