HELEN HENGEN

Sunday, December 7, 1941

This afternoon our Swing Band went to a show and then we practiced at our new drummers home in Spokane.  When we got home about 9:00 o'clock Daddy told us we were in war with Japan.  The Japs had killed 300 soldiers and set afire some U.S. ships in the Hawaiian Islands.

We were so surprised and it still seems impossible.  Canada, East Indies and a few more have already declared war on Japan and England will as soon as we do tomorrow.  I got out my last letter from Al Peters to see if the field he is at was the one attacked; it wasn't.  We went to bed and Claire and I listened to the news on our little radio upstairs.  I only hope that it won't last long.

Monday, December 8:

This morning Daddy came back from town and said all the war vets had to report; that would include Daddy.  It could be just a story.  We listened to a speech by the President on the radio at school this morning.  One woman senator voted against declaring war.  I don't know what's wrong with her, we can't just sit and watch Japan bomb us.  Tonight we had our first taste of a radio blackout, all Spokane stations went off the air from 5 to 7 and from 8 to 8 in the morning.  Seems funny, I got a San Fransisco station and they announced they had had an air alarm and blackout but the enemy planes turned back to sea.  Before the radio went off, they announced all northwest would have a blackout before 11:00 o'clock to 30 minutes after daylight.  Then they changed it to just cities west of the Cascades.  I wrote to Al in Hawaii.

Tuesday, December 9:

Nothing much today.  President gave a speech tonight and another blackout announced and then declared incorrect.  Radio station off again at 8.

Wednesday, December 10:

Not much news from Pacific.  Two of Englands largest ships reported sunk.  Practiced basketball after school.  The lodge Christmas party is tonight.

Thursday, December 11:

America declared war on Germany and Italy.  The Phillipines are getting it pretty bad.

Friday, December 12:

Drum and Bugle Corp went to Lindberg.  Claire majoretted and I played snare drum.  Good game.

Saturday, December 13:

Claire and I went Christmas shopping and got our teeth cleaned and I took a piano lesson from Norm Thue.  They aren't letting much news out on the radio the last few days.

The following notes about Helen were added by Claire. 

"Helen enjoyed a challenge and ventured off to Moscow for her Junior year, staying with Gramzy and returning to Spangle to graduate with her Class of 1942 as salutatorian." 

Helen's Graduation Speech (in part):  "As we look upon the world which we are about to enter as high school graduates, we realize the problems we face will be many.  Instead of the usual two choices, we will have three alternatives.  Should I go on to school, get a job, or join some branch of the service?"

Helen concluded her speech with these words:  "In planning our future we must look ahead to the time after the war is won.  Will our young people be trained only in making airplanes or shooting guns?  There will be a great job for our generation in insuring the impossibility of another world war in another 20 years.  We must work out a plan whereby depression, such as we were born in, is this time avoided.  It is imperative that we will have young people, ready for college, being educated to carry on business, scientific research, teaching and in leadership roles for the next decade.  Thus we come to the conclusion we must take advantage of all the opportunities offered us now so when the time comes we shall shoulder the responsibilities in a way that you, our parents and friends, have a right to expect of us.  Thank you."

Claire journaled the following comments about the home front war effort fought just north of Whitman County in Spangle. 

"We did everything asked of us for the war effort.  At school we took money each week to buy stamps or saving bonds.  Pledges were signed to help our country in anyway we could.  The boys in school knew they would be drafted shortly after graduation and the farmers knew they would have a hard time getting harvest crews.  Helen decided to start taking flying lessons.  One of my favorite lady teachers, Madelyn Carroll, joined the WASPS and sent me a WASP t-shirt like they wore under their uniforms.  We were issued rationing books which would control the purchase of sugar and gasoline.  Sky watches on a hill were organized."

The Pledge Claire mentioned read as follows: "This is to certify that Claire Hengen has signed this U.S.A. Consumer's Pledge for Total Defense:  As a consumer in the total defense of democracy, I will do my part to make my home, my community, my country ready, efficient, and strong.  I will buy carefully.  I will take good care of the things I have.  I will waste nothing.  By carrying out the terms of this pledge she has enlisted, is performing a distinguished service in the defense of her country and WINS her star.  She is therefore entitled to WEAR her star which is hereby presented to her by McCALL'S MAGAZINE."  

One line in the second to last  paragraph above proved to be an indication of the consummation of Helen's hopes and dreams.  She did indeed take flying lessons when she was just nineteen.  She hoped to get her pilot's license and venture to Alaska.  When she took off on the flight that was to determine if she would receive a license, her final test,  she didn't know that her instructor had forgotten to fill the gas tank on the plane.  The plane went down and Helen didn't live to see how well  her generation would survive the war.