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Continued from Page 8 sailing through the air like a big bat. When the time tame, the peo ple gathered once again in the cow pasture. The plane took oft, soared high into the sky, and Bat Man sailed out. He fluttered once, crum bled into a knot, and fell straight toward the ground like a dove that had been hit by a load of number eight shot. Thank the good Lord, he did have a parachute. The war soon started and that put an end to air shows. Most of us know where we were on December 7, 1941 when we learned of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. ! was standing on the corner of Carroll and Ball Streets by Pritchett’s Drug Store. Mr. Pit Beckham came out and said, “We are at war; the Japanese just bombed Pearl Harbor.” This was the beginning of a big change in Perry and my life as an eleven year old. PLveryone was talking about war; how long would it last; would the Japanese invade California; who would be drafted or join next; etc. Things did change, but as a child, I didn’t realize the magnitude of these changes. My father was too old at fifty-six and my brother was already in the Coast Guard. There were flags with stars in many windows to identify loved ones in the service. The government had a training facility between Perry and Macon to train British cadets. Soon planes were flying all over middle Georgia. It was quite common for families to invite these cadets to their homes for Sunday lunch and fellowship. There were army convoys passing through Perry daily. 1 vividly remember standing on Main Street waving to every truck load of sol diers, and if the convoy stopped, running up and asking questions. We played soldier-fighting both the Japanese and the Germans, in the gully, the woods, backyards, and school. At times, we were the heroes, wounded saving others and sometimes, we died, but we always won. Of much more importance, we collected scrap iron, paper, and other items that were necessary for our victory. The young people worked on farms during harvest season, shaking peanuts and pick ing cotton. 1 was also an air raid warden’s messenger in case of an air raid. A small hut was located in Smoke subdivision for spotters to look for unidentified aircraft. If there was anything suspicious, I was to run to City’ Hall and report it. There was also a German prison camp where Toileson's saw' mill is now located. There were all sorts of talk about escapes and such, but 1 doubt if there were any, after all the prisoners had it made. They no longer had to fight. The prisoners were used to help local farmers with their crops. These activities contin ued until the war’s end and most of the troops came home. Church was vital Church was also a vital part of one’s growing up in Perry. We were regularly let out of school to attend daytime revival at nearby churches. It was during one of these times that 1 returned to a nighttime service and gave my life to the Lord. Summing Up Much could be written about Perry’ and her characters, problems, sadness, and celebrations. These memories are only a few of w ta< a young boy experienced in a town that reached no more than one mile from the courthouse. In that mile radius were five grocery stores, twelve gas stations, three car dealerships, three dry good stores, two hardware stores, two drug stores, a barber shop, a beauty shop, and various other small stores in a town of about U3OO peo ple. Having just read Tom Brokaws book, 1 he Greatest Generation, about people who lived the Great Depression and fought the second World War, 1 am now aware of the great influence they had ° n m y gener ation’s life. Much is indebted. Thank you. Chnywtidatithih, fin/ity oxr I7f Ij&v MDM! WHMLI TOWING RECOVERY 387-7311 c /fb one hroua to fte hart oftf*e/vHf ’v fo/una/past ana (>rtyh{fit fane / 4ft Chamber of Commerce 101 General Courtney Hodges Blvd. (912)987-1234 Remembering Perry Churches Fond memories - The graceful frame building at the right was the Perry Baptist Church, now replaced by a brick structure. This building below served as the early Perry Presbyterian Church, and was located where there Inside Scoop now stands. It has been moved, and restored with a brick exterior and is still in use by Perry’s Presbyterians, who recently opened a new sanctuary to hold their grow ing congregation. I 1_ 1 — 1 Thank you The Houston Home Journal staff appreciates the time and talent of the writers who contributed to this spe cial section: Bobbe Nelson, Charles Irby Shelton, Kristina Simms, Mary Jane Kinnas and Joan Dorsett. City of Perry 175th Birthday, Nov. 1", 1999, Houston Home Journal Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th v 175th Birthday Happy 1 \ Happy 175th Birth Q* \ thday Hap>\ 175th BirthiX Birthday Happy 175th Happy v oth Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday Happy 175th Birthday and may the next 175 years be even better! W~m HOUSTON H □HEALTHCARE i_a COMPLEX 9B