Rallying to the cause of freedom
By By Buddy Bynum / editor
July 7, 2002
Gas rationing, saving pennies to buy Savings Bonds and the disappearance of Hershey Bars seem far-fetched today in our land of abundance. But in World War II America, as a Smithsonian Institution-sponsored exhibition reminds us, wars on foreign soil always touch the homefront.
The exhibit, "Produce for Victory: Posters from the Homefront, 1941-45" opened last week and will remain in Meridian through August 31. The stirring images will make you think of what was and hope it will not be again.
During the World War II years, Meridian residents on the homefront joined their fellow Americans in rallying to the cause of freedom by gathering scraps of tin, rubber and newspapers, giving up sugar and chocolate, and driving old cars. They grew "victory gardens." They worked for a common cause.
It was a time of shortages and fear. It was also, perhaps, the time when Americans were most united, at least since that revolt against the British called the Revolutionary War when our forefathers carved their own independent country on the continent of North America.
Against the backdrop of a huge American flag posted on the side of the old Railway Express Agency building at Meridian's Union Station, people and politicians gathered last week. Highly-charged patriotism ruled the evening as the traveling Smithsonian exhibition of wartime posters and other memorabilia opened for public view in its last stop before heading back to Washington.
Gov. Ronnie Musgrove led the assembly in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, with the words "under God" included. U.S. Rep. Ronnie Shows spoke of his father, a World War II veteran and prisoner of war. Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith spoke of the wartime contributions of Meridian residents. Former U.S. Rep. and Meridian's favorite son G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery and Lauderdale County-born actress Sela Ward participated, too.
Hometown heroes were honored and a USO-like show brought down the house.
And, against that same backdrop, Mississippi's senior U.S. senator, Thad Cochran senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, staunch supporter of NAS Meridian and national defense, agriculture and a host of other issues in the mainstream of national debate, and a regent of the Smithsonian rose to speak.
Known less for political showmanship than for his quiet, articulate and gracious manner, Cochran did not seem much interested in the trappings of power. Unlike Musgrove, Cochran did not arrive at the site in a big midnight-black colored sport utility vehicle with darkened windows. He was not accompanied by armed bodyguards and a press aide whose faces seemed etched in a perpetual scowl.
Cochran drove himself to Meridian on the evening of July 3 in a nondescript light colored sedan, accompanied by a single staff member from his Jackson office. Unarmed.
In politics, there are pretensions and there is real power. Real power comes with the confidence to travel light.
Greeted by an immediate and thunderous standing ovation, Cochran literally ran the few steps to the podium from his seat on the stage. And in the heat of this summer evening, even in the shade of the 18th Avenue overpass, his remarks were, gratefully, brief.
But they were also straight on the mark. He touted the exhibition for bringing to Mississippi a piece of American history. He recognized the role of the homefront heroes, saying, "We will always have a special place in our hearts and in our memories for those who did so much.
And then he captured the spirit of the evening, perhaps the eternal optimism of America itself in this era of so many challenges on so much foreign and domestic soil.
Special words for a special time, much appreciated.
