Looking Back: 1942’s The Broadcaster Documents The War Effort At Home

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society

     The first issue of The Broadcaster in 1942 and the issues that follow are filled with news of World War II.  The stories do not so much report the war, as they advise the students (and community) about their part in the war –rationing, defense stamps and patriotism.
     It was announced that registration for gasoline rationing would take place in November. The sports page began with this statement: “Due to the tire and gasoline rationing, our schedule will be considerable, shorter than last year…games will be among ourselves and with the closer schools.”
     In his first message of the year,  Superintendent Jay Walker stated, “School life this year will be entirely different from any other year in your life to date. No matter how hard you might try, you cannot escape the issue of war and we must and shall win this war.” His article encouraged being a good student and aiding the community by harvesting crops, salvaging materials, buying war stamps and bonds, and contributing to the general moral.
     The first issue also featured the following article:  “School Communique No. 1,”  an article by D. N. M. Nee, State Administrator of the War Savings Staff.
A few days ago, you enrolled in school. For the next eight or nine months you will have the privilege of working and studying in a free American educational unit under the guidance of school administrators and teachers who are well prepared for their work, who are devoted to your welfare and who want to help you become a good citizen. You are able to have these advantages because you live in a country which believes in education, in freedom of thought, of speech and in equal opportunities for all of its citizens.
There are millions of young people in other parts of the world who are not as fortunate as you are. Instead of being in school today, they are working mines, factories and on farms. Many of them are in concentration camps. Their government has been destroyed and their country overrun with enemies. Their lives are full of labor, pain and hardship. They deserve your pity and help.
Their enemies are your enemies; the same forces which enslaved them are trying desperately to enslave you. You can help America to remain free by obeying the laws of your city, state and nation; by doing well and thoroughly the work that is given to you to do; by being a good citizen and by buying War Savings Stamps with all of the nickels, dimes and quarters—which you can possibly spare from your own earnings or from your allowance.
By doing this you will help us to keep our freedom, and to help us regain freedom for all of those people who have lost it for a while. America and all of the world must and will be free.
 
     The October 30, 1942 issue listed 30 GVHS graduates in our country’s service: Billy Bartlett, Carl Johnson, Elbert Chiddix, Clifford Webb, Robert Wolfe, Earl Hutchings, John Hutchings, Harold Costigan, Roger Brown, Bob Jenkins, Frank Sebolt, Clyde Smith, Durwood Kirby, Roy Russell, Keith Rumbo, Clifford Hoehn, Robert Hutchings, Cal Spencer, Perry Gilliland, Robert Mueller, Ennis Cox, Dale Stump, Hal Houston, Ralph Shippy, Roland DeSasher, Jere Hicklin, Edward Graham, Herschel Elliott, Woodrow Frazier and Malcolm Gibler.
 
Learn more about the Grain Valley Historical Society at www.grainvalleyhistory.com.