World War II Honoree

Archie J. Abbs

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Ms. Barbara Stockwell

RAISED IN RURAL ILLINOIS AND WAS A FARMER AT HEART BUT BY THE TIME WORLD WAR II CAME ALONG HE WAS RETIRED AND WAS LIVING IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO. HE WAS THRILLED WITH THE IDEA OF HAVING A VICTORY GARDEN WHERE HE COULD GROW CORN, BEANS AND MANY OTHER THINGS RIGHT IN OUR CITY BACKYARD. WE HAD THE BEST VICTORY GARDEN ON THE BLOCK! GRANDPA ALSO TAUGHT US ALL ABOUT PATRIOTISM AND NEVER FAILED TO HANG OUT OUR HUGE 48 STAR AMERICAN FLAG ON ALL HOLIDAYS. IN BETWEEN TIMES, IT LAY CAREFULLY FOLDED IN THE DRAWER THAT ALSO HELD MY GRANDMOTHER'S OLD FAMILY BIBLE, A TREASURE. GRANDPA TAUGHT US MORALS AND ETHICS AND WE NEVER CHEATED ON OUR RATION BOOKS, NEVER BOUGHT FROM THE BLACK MARKET, OR EVEN COMPLAINED ABOUT SHORTAGES. HE ENCOURAGED US TO SAVE OUR SCRAP METAL, NEWSPAPERS, AND ANYTHING ELSE THEY ASKED OF US AND HE TOOK HIS TURN SQUEEZING THE OLEO BAG TO DISTRIBUTE THE YELLOW COLORING. GRANDPA WAS A PATRIOT EVEN THOUGH HE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF FIGHTING FOR HIS COUNTRY HIMSELF. HE CAREFULLY WATCHED THE DAILY PAPER FOR WAR NEWS AND PRAYED FOR THE TROOPS.