December 7, 1941

As I write this, it is the anniversary of the beginning of WWII. At 86, I’m surprised to remember that horrible and unforgettable date has stayed etched in my mind more fluently than any other in history. It’s like unraveling a movie, reel after reel and seeing it again for the first time. It will always be emblazoned upon my memory. And I find that it’s true of anyone living at that time.
Patricia Walton of Atlanta writes, “It was a beautiful December 7 in 1941 when Walker McCullough was eleven-years-old and skating out front of his home on Indian Creek Drive in Clarkston, Georgia. His mother, Leda, came running out of the house crying and saying, “We are at War! And my boys will have to go.” Walker had three older brothers.
His aunt, Bertie, who lived nearby, heard the news on the radio and immediately ran to gather up her two small children — an eight month old and a three year old. For weeks afterward, Bertie would walk around with her smallest child on her hip while holding the hand of the three-year-old. She said she was afraid to let them go.
Upon hearing the news, people reacted in many ways. WAR! What did it mean? Would our country be invaded? Would our boys have to go? Would California be bombed because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean? This was a new worry that had never entered our minds.
That Sunday afternoon, I had been out walking with a friend. When I got home and entered the living room, I knew something was terribly wrong. My father was seated by the radio, listening intently to a news announcement. Radio, in those days was filled with lots of static which made it hard to hear without your ear glued to the speaker — and we only had three stations we could get although they were not often clear. So we had to listen closely to the programs at certain hours of the day.
The look on Daddy’s face was the most serious I had ever seen. I realized why when our president, Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke in somber lucid tones. That “this was a day that would live in infamy,” which meant that we were indeed at war.
That picture in our living room that Sunday afternoon was played out all over the country. And the rest is history.
 I read today that over 2,000 veterans of that war are dying every day. One day, there won’t be any of the heroes left who gave us the freedom we enjoy today. If you happen to meet up with any of the survivors,shake his hand and thank him for his valiant service to our country.

This is so good you can’t stop eating it.

Corn Casserole

1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix, such as Jiffy
1 cup sour cream
1/2 stick salted butter, melted
1 cup shredded Cheddar
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a big bowl, stir together the corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, melted butter, salt, pepper, and cheese. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch casserole dish.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.