I still remember my mother's tales of the depression, when we ran out of food she would tell us they had it worse. Makes me laugh thinking of parts of childhood.
So often when you read about the GD it is given from some odd perspective and you wonder what was it really like. I have a copy of William Manchester's "The Glory and the Dream," and was reading the prologue recently. I haven't tackled the book yet, but if you are interested in a bit of real history check out the Prologue. It take me back to mom, we complain today but shit it ain't bad compared to those times.
I clipped a few references from the time.
"Discipline in the camp was good, despite the fears of many city residents who spread unfounded "Red Scare" rumors. Streets were laid out, latrines dug, and formations held daily. Newcomers were required to register and prove they were bonafide veterans who had been honorably discharged. Their leader, Walter Waters, stated, "We're here for the duration and we're not going to starve. We're going to keep ourselves a simon-pure veteran's organization. If the Bonus is paid it will relieve to a large extent the deplorable economic condition."" The Bonus Army
Prelude to Washington's bloody battle was a third march toward the White House by some 200 Reds, led by Communist John Pace, Michigan contractor. It was a routine performance which the police efficiently squelched with much pate-thwacking and nine arrests. One veteran climbed a tree, kept shouting "We want our Bonus!" until police dragged him down, gagged him. This radical demonstration, outlawed by the regular B. E. F. was important only in that it gave Administration officials the idea of blaming Communists for all that followed." HEROES: Battle of Washington - TIME
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Glory-Dream-Narrative-History-1932-1972/dp/0553345893/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8]Amazon.com: The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972 (9780553345896): William Manchester: Books[/ame]
So often when you read about the GD it is given from some odd perspective and you wonder what was it really like. I have a copy of William Manchester's "The Glory and the Dream," and was reading the prologue recently. I haven't tackled the book yet, but if you are interested in a bit of real history check out the Prologue. It take me back to mom, we complain today but shit it ain't bad compared to those times.
I clipped a few references from the time.
"Discipline in the camp was good, despite the fears of many city residents who spread unfounded "Red Scare" rumors. Streets were laid out, latrines dug, and formations held daily. Newcomers were required to register and prove they were bonafide veterans who had been honorably discharged. Their leader, Walter Waters, stated, "We're here for the duration and we're not going to starve. We're going to keep ourselves a simon-pure veteran's organization. If the Bonus is paid it will relieve to a large extent the deplorable economic condition."" The Bonus Army
Prelude to Washington's bloody battle was a third march toward the White House by some 200 Reds, led by Communist John Pace, Michigan contractor. It was a routine performance which the police efficiently squelched with much pate-thwacking and nine arrests. One veteran climbed a tree, kept shouting "We want our Bonus!" until police dragged him down, gagged him. This radical demonstration, outlawed by the regular B. E. F. was important only in that it gave Administration officials the idea of blaming Communists for all that followed." HEROES: Battle of Washington - TIME
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Glory-Dream-Narrative-History-1932-1972/dp/0553345893/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8]Amazon.com: The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972 (9780553345896): William Manchester: Books[/ame]