Child of the Greatest Generation (Paperback) | Released: 17 Mar 2014

This World War II memoir describes the era of war bonds, food rationing, growing victory gardens, censored V-mail, and defense posters cautioning people with the slogan, "Loose Lips Sink Ships". A time of blackouts, air raid drills, and citizens saving newspapers, emptied food cans, and used kitchen grease in support of the war effort. Gene Herst writes about his childhood living in the home of Lucille Ball when her husband, Desi Arnaz served as a corporal in the U.S. Army. It was a time when the government forced American citizens of Japanese ancestry into internment camps while German prisoners of war worked in the farm fields across the United States. For some, this story will be a nostalgic remembrance of what occurred not too far in the distant past, while for the younger people, it would be a glimpse of a lifestyle at a time that was like no other in America during 1941-1945. A time when the popular music reflected loneliness from the separation of loved ones with song titles, "I'll Walk Alone", Cleaning My Rifle And Dreaming' of You", and songs of heroism such as, "Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer". Hollywood supported the war effort with films depicting bravery and patriotism as celebrities put their careers on hold to serve in the armed forces. This World War II home front remembrance is about ordinary people living through extraordinary times, sometimes poignant, other times humorous. It's about a boy and his dog, and his love for his country at a time when patriotism and civilian volunteerism to support the war was at an all time high even though G.I.s of the Jewish faith were subjected to anti-Semitic persecution. Despite a myriad of WWII books and movies about our parents at war, the story of the children who lived through that time has yet to be told. The real life struggles and triumphs of the American home front between 1939 and 1945 need to be preserved for those who will follow. Never again will our nation unite so seamlessly and selflessly to give so much for so long. Comment by S. Smart, daughter of the greatest generation.
About the Author: Gene Herst spent a part of his childhood in rural California where his father was a ranch employee. He was the son of poor parents who survived the Great Depression on a small family farm in New York. His father joined the army shortly after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He became a veracious reader at age eleven when the Hollywood celebrity Desi Arnaz loaned him a western novel and shortly after Gene became keenly interested in nonfictional publications of the American west. Gene enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve while attending high school and served in both, active and inactive duty during the latter part of the Korean War. After graduating from Arizona State University at Tempe, he became an educator. Among his other activities, Gene raised livestock, advised youngsters who participated in FFA and 4-H programs, and became an instructor for the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Sea Explorers. After his retirement, Gene became a historical narrator and speaker of military history and law enforcement in the American west for the Arizona Historical Society, Mesa Museum, and the Elder Hostel. He published articles on southwest history in a local periodical. He currently resides with his artist wife, Linda, three rescued horses, and four rescued dogs in Arizona. He was inspired to write his memoir when family, friends, and particularly the younger generation became intrigued by his recollections of the home front during WWII and urged him to write about it.