As Independence Day 2025 draws near, many Americans are wondering whether the liberties we have always taken for granted will remain intact much longer. 

In that frame of reference, it may be instructive to look back a couple of generations to a time when liberty was indeed at risk, not just in the United States, but around the globe.

The pages of The Smithfield Times during World War II illustrate that, unlike our deeply divided nation, America was largely united in its determination to guarantee the blessings of liberty for future generations.

Whatever role local people played during the war, they undertook it with zeal.

The newspaper published the week before Independence Day 1942 carried a front-page appeal for women to sign up as “airplane spotter volunteers.” Throughout the early days of the war, in particular, there was concern over long-range bomber attacks on the U.S. No attacks ever occurred, but a network of “spotters” was established, and in Smithfield, women signed up to stand watch against the unknown.

The paper made a strong appeal for more volunteers, whether as airplane spotters or in some other capacity: “Every man and woman in Smithfield should be enrolled in the service of our country, in one way or another, until this war is won.”

The town also held a daylight air raid drill, sounding the siren that, at other times, summoned volunteer firefighters. Response to the drill, according to the paper, was excellent, and the streets were cleared of people in minutes. (The old siren they used, now silent, remains atop the original town fire station on North Church Street.)

The paper that week also carried news of the local scrap rubber collection. Marcus Edwards’ Gulf Station, located at Main and Church streets, collected 10 tons of rubber over a period of time. The town of Windsor contributed 6,000 pounds and F.M. Griffis contributed 1,500 pounds.

The Fourth of July wasn’t forgotten, however. The July 2, 1942, paper noted that stores in Smithfield would be closed all day Saturday, July 4, but would remain open until 9 the previous night “for the convenience of the public.”

The paper also noted that barbershops would be open until noon on the Fourth. Apparently, it was necessary to be well groomed on the nation’s birthday.

Thanks to gas and tire rationing, driving for pleasure was prohibited, and the paper acknowledged that “the majority of Smithfield and Isle of Wight County people will enjoy the holiday this year at home or at nearby beaches.”

The paper then went on to promote those beaches — Burwell’s Bay, Morgart’s Beach and James River Beach (at the JRB) — and noted that “fishing facilities” could be found at those beaches as well.

Fourth of July celebrations drew little if any mention in 1943, 1944 or 1945, but the June 28. 1944, paper continued to show how deeply the community remained involved in the war effort and the concern for troops serving in both Europe and the Pacific.

An appeal to continue buying War Bonds in that issue carried a prayer that began, “Pray with millions of mothers the country over, as their hearts reach out over the seas, each one seeking out her boy, to protect him with the shield of her love.”

But then it turned more broadly to the promise of America: “Believe that in this world there is definite strength in decency and honor. Believe that in our devotion there is moral force. Believe that our will to victory will aid that victory.”

It was a patriotic appeal to Americans to maintain their faith in their nation and in the freedom it promised, here and to the world. That belief in “decency and honor” became the model for American leadership in the world following the war. It might well serve as a cry for national renewal in 2025.

 

John Edwards is publisher emeritus of The Smithfield Times. His email address is j.branchedwards@gmail.com.