[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
ADDRESS BY MRS. DOROTHY THOMPSON BEFORE THE GEORGIA STATE CONFERENCE OF 
                THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

                                 ______


                            HON. DON JOHNSON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on March 10, 1994, the 96th 
Georgia State Conference of the Daughters of the American Revolution 
met in Athens, GA. The meeting was called to order by Mrs. H. Randolph 
Holder of Athens, the keynote address was given by Mrs. James A. 
(Dorothy Thompson) Williams, the national chairman of the program of 
the DAR.
  Mrs. Williams was introduced by Mrs. Jerido Ward, regent of the 
Georgia State Society. The subject of Mrs. William's address is most 
timely as America memorializes the 50th anniversary of the close of 
World War II. She developed her speech, ``The Georgia Daughters and How 
They Helped Bear the Burden of a Nation at War,'' to involve the 
dedication of all women of the Society of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution in the war effort.
  Because the accompanying address is a wonderful tribute to all those 
patriotic women of World War II who followed in the footsteps of their 
ancestors of the American Revolution, I ask to place in the 
Congressional Record the introduction and the text of her message so a 
permanent record may be preserved of the unselfish part women once 
again played in making the world safe for democracy.


                       introduction by mrs. ward

       I'm honored to present our speaker for tonight, a native 
     Georgian who grew up in the south Georgia town of Vidalia. 
     Dorothy met and married James Andrew Williams, a young man 
     from Arkansas. In 1945, the couple moved to Arkansas where 
     James engaged in farming and was president of the Bank of 
     Parkdale. They had a daughter and a son, and Dorothy is now a 
     grandmother of three. Since James' death in 1977, Dorothy has 
     continued active involvement in family business interests and 
     the civic and cultural affairs of her community.
       Beginning her career in the Daughters of the American 
     Revolution in 1952, as a junior member of the Vidalia 
     chapter, . . . she transferred membership to the General 
     Henry Lee chapter in Arkansas [and later to] the Colonel 
     Frances Vivian Brooking chapter in Hamburg. After serving her 
     state as chaplain and vice regent, Dorothy was elected state 
     regent in 1968 for a 2 year term. She has served as state 
     parliamentarian under two administrations. Dorothy [has been] 
     chairman of the DAR Room Committee . . . since 1989. She 
     wrote ``The History of the Arkansas DAR Room'' and ``The Wide 
     Blue Ribbon''.
       Dorothy has served as vice president general and recording 
     secretary general and has chaired several national 
     committees. She was the first chairman of the Friends of the 
     Library Committee and designed the Friends of the Library 
     Committee pin.
       An officer in the National Officers Club since 1988, she is 
     currently serving as president and was president of the 
     National Chairman Association 1979-1981. She wears with pride 
     the C.A.R. Endowment Fund pin and the SAR medal of 
     appreciation.
       Dorothy claims two Revolutionary War soldiers from Georgia 
     in her lineage, Jonathan Coleman and Reubin Thompson. It is 
     with great pleasure I present to you the National Chairman of 
     the program committee, Mrs. James Andrew Thompson. Dorothy.


                   address of mrs. james a. williams

       Thank you, Madam Regent, madam State Regent, distinguished 
     guests, Georgia Daughters of the American Revolution, hodars 
     and guests. What a joy and special privilege it is to be with 
     you this evening.
       In the late 60's, it was my pleasure to meet Annis 
     Richardson and Lanette Reid who became my good friends, and 
     since, many of you Georgia Daughters have become friends. You 
     have added much pleasure to my life.
       When Mrs. Ward invited me to your conference, she asked if 
     I would speak on Georgia DAR during World War II. Of course, 
     I said yes. The research for this speech reminded me of that 
     afternoon at LaGrange College when I learned of the 
     treacherous attack on Pearl Harbor. I was reminded of singing 
     at Fort Benning with the USO; teaching school in Monticello, 
     planting victory gardens and learning to fire rifles and spot 
     enemy planes. I remembered working in Washington for the 
     Signal Corps later. The deep sadness of a darkened Capitol 
     and country was everywhere. However, victory was finally 
     claimed by the Allies. And, I remember the exhilaration I 
     felt standing at the Memorial Bridge when General Eisenhower 
     made his triumphant entry into Washington. Research for these 
     remarks has been a sentimental journey.
       Last month at our DAR headquarters, I saw an exhibit with a 
     poster depicting a girl in World War II uniform carrying a 
     sack of groceries. The caption read, ``I'll tote mine'' and 
     the exhibit was entitled ``The Daughters Bear the Burden.'' 
     Immediately I knew what I wanted to speak of tonight. The 
     Georgia Daughters and how they helped ``Bear the Burden'' of 
     a nation at war.
       In that war, over sixteen million Americans served in 
     uniform. We, with our Allies, were engaged in a life and 
     death struggle for freedom. Totalitarian regimes intent on 
     world domination posed a grave threat to all free, sovereign 
     nations. In response to that threat, millions of Americans 
     rallied to defend the cause of liberty.
       Today, fifty years after the dark days of World War II, a 
     grateful nation honors heroes of that war and their families, 
     and remembers sacrifices of those who served on the home 
     front.
       When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Mrs. William H. Pouch was 
     President General. On V-J Day, August 14, 1945, Mrs. Julius 
     Y. Talmadge of Georgia wore the Wide Blue Ribbon. How 
     fortunate that two such able women led the Society during 
     this chaotic period.
       War was raging in Europe when Mrs. Pouch became President 
     General. Realizing that the society must be prepared to meet 
     any crisis, she immediately asked each member to enlist in 
     some branch of military or civil defense. In addition to 
     putting on uniforms and serving in the armed forces, there 
     were untold opportunities for women to serve. A card was 
     prepared for each member to document available DAR women 
     power, which later would be an account of individual and 
     collective service. When Mrs. Pouch requested that DAR pause 
     each day at twelve o'clock for a moment of silent prayer, the 
     response was instantaneous! In the first twelve months of the 
     war, a successful foundation was laid for effective DAR war 
     service for the duration.
       War projects were planned for DAR on national and local 
     levels. At our national headquarters, microfilm copies of 
     thousands of members, past and present, and their ancestors 
     were made and placed in safe keeping. The American Red Cross 
     was given use of all available space in Constitution Hall and 
     room was made to accommodate the Office of Civilian Defense. 
     Rare museum treasures and furnishings were packed away and 
     the museum was used by the National War Relief Service. A war 
     service center was operated daily for the entertainment of 
     service men. Memorial Continental Hall housed the volunteer 
     service officers, including the prisoners of war section 
     which supplied food, clothing, and medicine to American and 
     allied soldiers in foreign prison camps. The national DAR 
     board room was used by the Pan American Bureau. The basement 
     in Constitution Hall became a day nursery for children of 
     enlisted men whose wives were working. The children were 
     given lunch, a playground, and an R.N. was on duty. A rest 
     nook in the war service room was provided for WACS and WAVES. 
     Juniors and members of the CAR were active. It was 
     everybody's war and preparedness was the order of the day.
       Due to danger zones and blackouts, Continental Congress 
     was not held at our headquarters buildings from 1942 
     through 1944, but in Chicago, Cincinnati, and in New York.
       At the Congress in Chicago in 1942, war service committees 
     were created: war bonds and stamps, American Red Cross, buddy 
     bags. National War Projects Fund, Blood Plasma Program and 
     the purchase of medical and surgical equipment. A DAR war 
     service open was awarded to those daughters who gave 750 
     hours or more to was service. That's a lot of time! Seven 
     hundred and fifty hours equates into 31\1/4\ twenty-four 
     hours! That's more than an entire month! Is anyone here this 
     evening who wears DAR war service pin?
       President Franklin Roosevelt's message to that Congress in 
     1942 included: ``During times of peace, there are intervals 
     when it seems difficult to keep alive the outward 
     manifestations of patriotism. The war is now five months old 
     and we have had our answer. In far places and near, our 
     soldiers, sailors, air pilots, the beleaguered men of the 
     Merchant Marine have shown the stuff of heroes. There was no 
     confusion of purpose, no softness in deeds in Bataan. There 
     were heroes at Wake Island and Pearl Harbor and in the rice 
     paddies of Java.''
       Mrs. Pouch's messages give us an idea of the tenor of the 
     times; hear her: ``1941 has gone, taking with it hours of 
     pleasure and sorrow. All are overshadowed by the unproved and 
     frightful attack upon American lives and property in the 
     Pacific on December 7th. Our hearts and souls have been torn 
     with the anguish of sending our beloved young men into the 
     horrors of war.''
       In 1943, the 52nd Continental Congress in Cincinnati 
     expanded the war program: One resolution of that Congress was 
     that members make every effort to salvage a minimum of one 
     tablespoon of grease per day.
       In the DAR magazine Mrs. Pouch wrote, ``One lesson we have 
     certainly learned in these years of frightful warfare, that 
     if there is to be peace in the future that there must be an 
     adequate Army, Navy and Air Force to ensure it. Eternal 
     vigilance is the price of safety.'' Later she wrote: ``No 
     longer is victory a question of manpower, rather it is woman-
     power that plays a vital part in producing war materials, 
     freeing men for participation in the fighting areas.''
       Mrs. Pouch's last message as President General contained a 
     poignant story: ``One day in a camp in Ireland a load of DAR 
     buddy bags from America was received. The DAR letters and the 
     name of the maker of the bag are usually somewhere on the 
     bag, often on the inside. When one of the men opened the one 
     handed to him, to his joy and amazement, he found his 
     mother's name on the inner hem.''
       President Roosevelt said in his message to Continental 
     Congress: ``At this critical stage of the war, we rely 
     heavily on the strength and courage of America's women. In 
     war plants, on farms, in civilian jobs, and in the services, 
     they still are urgently wanted to replace men now in uniform.
       As the war dragged on, some aspects of DAR war activities 
     shifted, just as the scenes of battle shifted.
       Mrs. Julius Y. Talmadge, your own May E. Talmadge, 
     elected President General in 1944 said, ``The time may 
     come soon when returning soldiers, sailors, Marines and 
     Coast Guardsmen will need our assistance. Let us be 
     ready.''
       After V-J Day, September 1945, the society began 
     reconverting, but the work of most war-related committees 
     continued until 1946. For example, men on 81 landing craft 
     infantry ships were sent 16,000 letters assuring them that 
     DAR was launching a program to secure jobs for them in their 
     own communities after their discharge.
       All the while, veteran's hospitals were filling with 
     returning wounded service men. Money in the DAR war projects' 
     fund was used for their care and comfort, and $150,000 of 
     that fund built libraries at permanent government hospitals.
       In November 1944, Mrs. Talmadge wrote, ``My very dear 
     friends: What a boon to the ill in mind and body will be our 
     hospitals libraries. Do you realize that two to three 
     thousand men are already in each of the three hospitals and 
     more are arriving daily?''
       Continental Congress was cancelled in 1945 at the request 
     of the United States Office of Defense Transportation! This 
     DAR sacrifice gave added comfort and convenience to service 
     men en route to and from their lines of duty.
       At the conclusion of the war Mrs. Talmadge said: ``As we 
     face the brave new world-to-be, after complete victory is 
     ours, let us be careful to lose nothing that was learned in 
     the ways of the war.''
       On the national level, DAR war effort statistics are 
     incredible, including $340,000 that was raised for blood 
     plasma equipment. Over $69,000 was subscribed in war bonds!
       Georgia DAR contributed significantly to the war work of 
     the national society. A summary of DAR general war activities 
     reveals that Georgia Daughters were outstanding in Red Cross 
     Work, were community leaders in all phases of the war work 
     and post war plans, and had an outstanding buddy bag record. 
     They presented mobile ship service stores to U.S. Naval 
     hospitals at Dublin and Lawson General Hospital and compiled 
     two volumes of World War II service records.
       Georgia Daughters bore the burden of a more personal 
     nature, also. They baked thousands of cookies and cakes for 
     army camps, the USO and other recreational centers, often 
     using ingredients from scanty shelves and rationed supplies. 
     They distributed food to soldiers, sailors, and Marines in 
     trains, camps, and canteens and adopted English children for 
     the duration. Homes near training camps were open to service 
     men. Georgia DAR provided spiritual leadership, manned plane 
     spotter posts, drove station wagons, buses and ambulances, 
     and worked in machine shops and munitions plants. (Do you 
     remember Rosie the Riveter?)
       Wearing a smart uniform and driving a Red Cross station 
     wagon or ambulance presents an attractive picture, but the 
     hardships Georgia Daughters endured do not appear within the 
     frame. These women went on difficult and dangerous missions, 
     driving wounded and dying service men, a heart breaking task.
       Some Georgia Daughters unable to qualify as nurses aids did 
     menial work in hospital kitchens and service rooms, paying 
     little attention to tired muscles and aching feet. Needless 
     to say, Georgia DAR was represented in all branches of 
     service.
       In our DAR archives, there is an account of World War II 
     work where you will read that Georgia Daughters gave over 
     $12,000 to the blood plasma fund, gave a mobile unit and 
     plasma center; and 329 members were blood donors. Georgia DAR 
     contributed over $18,000 to the Red Cross; 1,950 Daughters 
     worked for the Red Cross as nurses, aides, dietitians, grey 
     ladies, teachers, or in canteens, the motor corps, or first 
     aid. An incredible 558,979 hours (15,871.166 24-hour days, or 
     453.46 years) were given in Red Cross work by Georgia 
     Daughters. They contributed over 27,000 articles for the 
     service men. More than 9,000 buddy bags were filled, valued 
     at nearly $19,000. Georgia gave $2,253.91 to the War Projects 
     Fund, sponsored by L.C.I. Craft #591-644. A total of 4,721 
     Georgia Daughters were WACS, WAVES, SPARS, or nurses, and 6 
     were Gold Star members. War bonds and stamps bought by 
     Georgia DAR was $6,324.835.50, including $38,500 subscribed 
     by Mrs. E.D. Napier, of Milledgeville. Georgia gave a total 
     of 380,908 hours to war services! How many 24 hours days 
     would this be? Over 15,837! Georgia Daughters, I salute you!
       The statistics presented in this account are only 
     highlights of the magnificent work of Georgia Daughters 
     during World War II. The complete story can never be told as 
     so much individual effort was expended in ways never 
     recorded. These intangibles are threads of gold in the war 
     records of the Georgia Daughters of the American Revolution.
       This evening, here in Athens, Georgia, as we commemorate 
     the 50th anniversary of World War II, let us resolve to 
     preserve the legacy bequeathed us by World War II heroes and 
     by Georgia Daughters who served in the trenches and on the 
     home front, these were the ones who bore the burden; let us 
     resolve to preserve our priceless legacy of service to God, 
     home and country; let us teach our young people that the 
     young men and women of World War II also faced seemingly 
     insurmountable problems, but overcame them gloriously! Let us 
     teach them our faith in that matchless heritage and let us 
     each Georgia Daughters of the American Revolution here this 
     evening cling to the truth, the wisdom, the vision of our 
     founding fathers who gave us the Constitution of the United 
     States of America. Let us strive to expend its truths, until, 
     in God's good time, men are truly free.
       Let us pray for wise, virtuous leaders, so that here on 
     American soil, beneath the stars and stripes, someday will be 
     fulfilled the promise of the ages, ``Peace.''
       I believe in America and its future and that there is more 
     good in us than bad. Much of the good and glorious has been 
     reviewed this evening.
       Today is your day and mine--the only day we have. The day 
     in which we play our part. What our part may signify in the 
     great whole, we may not understand, but we are here to play 
     it, and now is the time. ``For yesterday is but a dream--and 
     tomorrow is only a vision, but today well-lived makes every 
     yesterday a dream of happiness.'' (From The Sanskrit) I 
     salute you, Georgia Daughters!

                          ____________________