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WWII, Great Depression and Life in the Old Century from Man Who Lived It

About five years ago, we put a camera on a tripod and let James McMaster, my Pop, answer questions from his descendants. This is the man who, with his beloved Jessica, brought up me and three brothers. This son of a dairy farmer, and World War II tank commander, paints a personal picture of an American century that seems strange to us now. Hope you enjoy this engaging storyteller, and that you get a camera on your own folks as soon as possible. 

2 replies on “WWII, Great Depression and Life in the Old Century from Man Who Lived It”

Thanks so much for making and sharing this recording. Pop has a wealth of experience. My favorite question had to be, “what was your favorite thing to do with Nanny when you first got married?” I thought he handled that answer very well.

I am 82. My early life was as his. The situation I was in was what there was and had to be dealt with as it was. Wishing that it was different did not improve the situation so we dealt with it.

Then as today, hoping was not a strategy and wishing was not a tactic. You dealt with what was or not. If not, you failed. If you did deal with it, sometimes you succeeded and sometimes you failed. At least you had a chance.

Seems that people today compare the current situation to a never existed and never could exist imaginary utopia. As a consequence people are unhappy because they can’t have what they can’t have. Then they complain, protest, and riot rather than dealing with what is.

This is the best of times and the worst of times as it has always has been. Deal with it! Change what you can for the better and work to survive the rest.

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