Entry 5

Peggy Terry

            I just found this entry so interesting because of the relationship that she had with the war.  During the Depression, her family had no work and now that the war came along they were able to find work.  While describing her history, she says, “Each of us worked a different shift because we had little ones at home.  We made the fabulous sum of thirty-two dollars a week.  To us it was just an absolute miracle.  Before that, we made nothing.  You won’t believe how incredibly ignorant I was.  I knew vaguely that a war had started, but I had no idea what it meant,” (190).  She relied so much on the war because it was the reason why she was able to find work.  She did not even know what was happening to the troops that went out to fight.  She could not focus because she had to find and spend all of her time working.  The war was a miracle for them, but they do not have the time to support the troops that go out to fight.  They do not take part in the collective sacrifice because they do not have anything to give.  I believe that it raises the question, should the country participate in collective sacrifice right after the Depression occurred?  Can all Americans give up resources for the troops?  It is interesting because the Terry family benefited so much from the war, but they did not help the people who are fighting for them.  I just believe that the Terry family should attempt to participate in the support of the war because of the help that they received from the war.

E. B. (Sledgehammer) Sledge

            The reason for fighting for the soldiers was so interesting to me.  It was actually more surprising than interesting.  One would think that the soldiers would fight for the country that they live in, but that is not the case for the soldiers during World War II.  The secondary belief for soldiers choosing to fight in the war is for the benefits that it brings for the soldiers when they come back.  While Sledge is talking about the war, he says, “The only thing that kept you going was your faith in your buddies.  It wasn’t just a case of friendship… What was worse than death was the indignation of your buddies.  You couldn’t let’em down.  It was stronger than flag and country,” (197).  The soldiers simply wanted to fight for the soldiers because they are the only people that they know out there.  It is hard for them to care for their hobbies and family back home because they do not know if they will be home to appreciate them.  Out in Europe, the soldiers found something to appreciate, and it is their fellow comrades.  The soldiers family have less influence than the soldiers because they are not in Europe.  The other soldier’s presence is what keeps the soldiers going.  Without the confidence and relationship with fellow soldiers, the life and will of the soldiers would not have been at the high level it needed to be at.