Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Wives of World War II veterans will speak on what their lives were like on the Homefront Sunday, November 9, 2008 when the Park Forest Historical Society presents another in its annual series, "Up Front and At Home."Speakers will be Barbara Brown, Georgianna Delehanty, Jean Pickens, Leona DeLue, Helen Lawrence and Marge Weicker. This is the first program in this Veterans Day series to feature stories of the wives.
Both Leona DeLue (Ross) and Marge Weicker (Jim) married during the war. Bob and Barbara Brown, Georgianna and John Delehanty, Arthur and Jean Pickens and Bo and Helen Lawrence were married after the war.
Barbara Brown was living in Gloucester, MA and was still in high school during WWII. She married Bob Brown in 1948. Georgianna Delehanty lived at 79th and Paulina in Chicago. She worked for the Navy during the war and married John in 1948. Jean Pickens was attending St. Lukes Nursing School in Chicago. She graduated in 1948 and married Arthur in the same year. Leona DeLue was married and lived with her husband, Ross, for a time at the Rome, New York Army Depot there. They later moved to Utica New York. Helen Lawrence was attending Smith College in Massachusetts. She and Bo were married in 1945. Marge Weicker was married in December 1943. She lived in Dwight, IL and then came to Chicago Heights.
Ross and Leona DeLue are considered the first residents of the then primitive community of Park Forest, moving to the rentals in August 1948.
More than 90 Park Forest World War II veterans have been interviewed by Suzanne Brown for the oral history project, "GI Stories from a GI Town." The society hopes you will come share an entertaining and educational afternoon of remembering life on the Homefront during World War II, and the sacrifices made by those who stayed behind. The public is welcome to attend. This program will be held in the Park Forest Public Library’s Ringering Room, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Note the change from our usual program location! The Park Forest Public Library is at 400 Lakewood Blvd. Information on the program is with Suzanne Brown, 708-748-1529.
