I will be sharing stories from my most recent book World War II Massachusetts at the Morse Institute Library in Natick this Thursday, September 11 at 6:30. This will be the 22nd talk I have given since the book’s publication in March 2024. What I most enjoy when giving these presentations is chatting with audience members who remember the events I have written about and share their stories with me. It is always exciting to hear about the blackouts, scrap drives, shortages, and rationing from the people, now in their mid-eighties, who experienced these events as children.
Here is a link to the Morse Institute website which has more information about the talk. Come on by if you’re in the area and want to hear some unbelievable tales of the Bay State home front during the war.
On Sunday, May 18, I will be giving a talk and signing copies of my book World War II Massachusetts at the Battleship Cove Museum in Fall River. This exceptional historic site is home to the battleship USS Massachusetts, which saw plenty of action in the war after being launched in Quincy in 1941.
Since the book’s publication in March 2024, I have traveled across the state sharing stories of the Massachusetts home front, meeting dozens of interested folks, including many senior citizens who lived through and remember many of the events described in my book. One of my most unique and memorable experiences was presenting at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, just steps away from World War II-era armored carriers, tanks and planes.
Recently, the events of 1941-1945 are once again making headlines, with the observation of the 80th anniversary of Victory Europe (V-E) Day occurring this week, and the anniversary of the end of the war (V-J Day) coming in August. What better time to learn about this incredible period of our country’s history? Below is a link to the Museum’s website which contains details about my appearance. Both Battleship Cove and the American Heritage Museum are worth a trip any time of the year, but it’s always a boost to see friendly faces in the crowd when I speak. Don’t forgot, you can get copies of my book at any book retailer including the Blue Bunny in Dedham Square, where I can be found working behind the counter during the week.
On October 29, 1940, a blindfolded secretary of war Henry Stimson reached his hand into a glass container filled with capsules containing draft lottery numbers, and pulled out the “lucky” number. The previous month, President Franklin Roosevelt had signed the Selective Service Training and Service Act, instituting the first peacetime draft since the Civil War. Across the state, anxious families listened to the radio to learn if their loved ones would be one of the first to be called. In Dedham, 22-year old Stephen Ferris was eating lunch at his Fairview Street home when he heard his mother cry out as his number, 158, was called first. According to the Transcript, Ferris responded by proclaiming “Hooray for Uncle Sam, I’m the first one!”
When the first draftees and volunteers began reporting a few weeks later, local draft boards were encouraged by the Federal Draft Headquarters to honor the new recruits with ceremonies to commemorate their departure. The first such ceremony in Dedham was held on November 18 at the Superior Court House as two hometown boys and one Canton resident (all volunteers) began their year of service. Among the more than 50 well-wishers gathered in the early morning chill were family, clergy, selectmen, draft board officials and members of V.F.W Post 2017. The new recruits then walked a short distance to the train station on the other side of Route One, where they boarded a train headed to Camp Devens after a brief stop in Boston.
This is the railroad station that stood on the eastern side of Route One (current location of Gonzalez Field). The older stone station in the background right opened in 1882, closed in 1933 and was torn down in 1947.
The following January, when larger numbers of men began reporting, more elaborate departure ceremonies were held. An honor guard and small marching band accompanied recruits from the Court House to the train station as appreciative residents watched and cheered along High Street. Draftees were often served refreshments by the Women’s Defense Corps, and given a billfold with cash by the Dedham Association for Men in the Service. In 1944, Naval recruit Phillip Jackson performed his drumming duties one last time before handing over his drumsticks to his replacement and boarding the train to begin his own time of service.
These are just a few of the many inspiring and amazing stories in my latest book, World War II Massachusetts. The book is available at the Dedham Museum and Archive, The Blue Bunny Bookstore, and from all online booksellers. I will be featuring more stories throughout the coming year as the nation and the world observe the 80th anniversary of the events of the last year of the war.
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Blue Bunny last night for the release of my latest book World War II Massachusetts. If you missed this event, I will be speaking at two upcoming events in March in Taunton and Framingham. You can always stop in at the Blue Bunny and pick up your copy or contact me directly. Here are links to the March events:
Old Colony History Museum/Taunton- Thursday, March 21
I am James L. Parr. I grew up on Tower St. and went to St. Mary's and Dedham High (Class of 1977). I teach school in Framingham and co-wrote a book of Framingham history, which led me to write a book of weird Dedham history called Dedham: Historic and Heroic Tales from Shiretown. That book led to this blog. To order your own copy of the book, e-mail me at jameslparr@yahoo.com
Dedham Tales 