It was a cold, snowy day on a Saturday in February for the 90th birthday celebration of Wilma Foster, a resident of North Laurel, in Howard County. The radio announcer warned listeners that it was too dangerous to go out.
When I arrived at the church for the party, I was amazed, but not surprised, at the number of people who ventured out in the snow and filled the hall. After all, Wilma Foster, affectionately known as "Mama" to many other than her children, is a very special person.
Wilma Frances Ferrebee Foster, is a living part of our history, a "Rosie the Riveter," one of many women who served our country on the home front during World War II. This is her Rosie story adapted from her words.
Wilma was age 16, and the ninth of 11 children, at the time Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1943. Her father was a sharecropper and the family lived in Berryville, Va. The family heard the news over the radio that day.
The government immediately began registering everyone for the distribution of materials that were in short supply. Among these were gasoline, rubber, sugar, grease and clothing. Wilma dropped out of school to help hand out ration books at a small schoolhouse in Millwood, Va. Since her family lived on a farm, they were fortunate enough to have food.
When the draft started, even her father was called, but his age, 64, kept him out of the war. Two of her brothers left for the Navy. Wilma also left home to live with her older brother and his family in Hagerstown. It was there that she went to work on airplanes for Fairchild Aircraft. She would travel by train twice a month back home to see her family in Virginia.
Wilma said, "Life had changed. It seemed like everyone either went to war or worked in some way for the war effort." No lighting was allowed outside at night, so shopping and running errands had to be done during daylight hours. When blackouts happened, a siren warned all to "prepare" and then a siren would sound the "all clear." Military Police from Camp Ritchie patrolled the streets. Even a tiny spark or a lit cigarette could be spotted from the air. Only workers could be out at night.
Working on the swing shift at Plant 8, Wilma's job was to use a snake drill to make holes on the inside trailing edge of the wings of the PT-19 trainer planes. A riveter would then follow. Her pay was 96 cents an hour.
Safety rules were closely followed in the plant. The workers had to wear safety shoes, long-sleeved blouses, slacks and a snood to cover their hair. Her co-worker's job was to hold a block of wood, called a bucking block, firmly and still, to the back of the metal where Wilma was using the snake drill, which had an extension of about two-feet long.
One day Wilma was drilling and her co-worker was not paying attention because she was busy talking. Unfortunately, the block slid and the extension snapped back on Wilma, hitting her head and tearing out some of her hair. The two were called in for questioning by plant security. The torn hole in the plane's wing was very serious and security needed to rule out any possibility of sabotage.
Wilma recalled that funny things also happened at the plant. Just to break the monotony of assembly work, the paint shop crew played a funny joke on the women workers. They surprised them one day by painting all their shoes blue and yellow, the same colors as the PT-19s!
When the war ended in 1945, the loudspeaker at the plant broadcast the news to everyone, "We have victory!" Everyone celebrated.
Soon after that announcement, Wilma returned home to her family and her farm work. Wilma said, "Sometimes when I think about it, it seems like a dream. But, as I look back again, I am proud to have served my country."
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Preparations are underway for a Round the World Gold Star Tribute to America's "Greatest Generation" Sunday, Aug. 16. That day and every second Saturday in August thereafter will be known as Spirit of '45 Day. In addition to the men and women who served in the military during World War II, the Rosies will also be recognized and remembered.
As a Rosie partner (supporter) in the Laurel Chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association, only one of two chapters in Maryland, I have seen firsthand how much our Rosies appreciate the recognition they are finally receiving. You would have to see the broad smiles on their faces when they tell their Rosie stories, proud of answering their country's call to work in support of the war effort.
I ask all of our readers to identify a Rosie or Rosies in their families, or among their friends, whether living or deceased. Bring them and their stories to the attention of Anne Marie Miller, president of the Laurel Chapter of ARRA. You can contact her at 301-498-3397 or annmarie1st@hotmail.com. Rosies can be from any state, not just Maryland. Their Rosie stories need to become a part of recorded history. If they are still living, we also want to recognize and celebrate them.
You can also go to the ARRA website, http://www.rosietheriveter.net to find the history of the organization, the Rosie newsletter, "The Rosie Call," Rosie stories and also a form to fill out for the WWII Registry of Remembrance. Anyone who helped with the war, either a veteran or an American on the home front is eligible for this registry.
Let's make this the year that anyone who helped with the war, either veteran or American on the home front, is recognized in some way for his or her service.