Guest Post – The Role of Sports: WWII – gpcox
This is the latest article I wrote for Judy over at Greatest Generation Lessons; let us know your opinions and/or ideas for future guest posts.
This month, gpcox shares the role sports played during World War II in entertaining those left at home. Sports was a diversion from the everyday reports of how the war was progressing in the various fronts around the world.
The Role of Sports: WWII
By: gpcox https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com
The movies and newsreels of WWII provided information and diversion for many at the home front, but none could provide the escape and release of stress for the civilian as much as sports.
South Florida maintained a carnival atmosphere with the Hialeah Race Track and West Flagler Kennel Club, which took in $100,000 nightly – just to prove my point. And, somehow, travel restrictions did not deter the action at Miami’s Tropical Park. Horse racing went on, despite the war, in every country. All in all, racing boomed as the 68th running of the Kentucky Derby went off with 100,000 in the…
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Posted on July 10, 2013, in Home Front, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged History, Military History, veterans, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 15 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
Excellent. You asked for more ideas. In the same vein of sports, maybe a follow up of the sports figures that actually were in combat.Names come to mind, of course Ted Williams, but also Warren Spahn and Barney Ross etc. Also there were a number of actors like Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, who fought and then used the GI Bill to get into acting. Of course, Audie Murphy, although I don’t think he ever took acting lessons. And there were a number of ‘stars’ like Steward and Fonda, who in spite of their movie star status, made sure they were in combat and not just in the USO,
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Thanks, Don, but you might want to first read my June guest post for Judy at: greatestgenerationlessons.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/guest-post-gpcox-hooray-for-hollywood/ hope you like it as well.
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Excellent post. I have a lot of catching up to do with your posting.
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Thanks for continuing to read.
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Awesome! Any one of these stories would make a great blog post, but putting them all together was one of the most entertaining reads I’ve had. Earlier, you took an informal poll of favorite posts — THIS IS MINE!!! (I loved the story about Harry James!)
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I added your vote, Susan and thanks for the compliments and comments. People like you make me smile all day long.
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this is a fine tribute to the greatest generation. My best to you!
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Thank you – I try my best. Good to hear from you.
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That’s interesting that teenagers gathered at sporting events to make up for lost male influences. That never crossed my mind before reading your piece. I loved the movie A League of Their Own. It really emphasizes the point you made in the comment above that people had to keep busy as opposed to waiting for letters from the war zones. Great pictures too!
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I greatly appreciate you taking the time to comment. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it; glad it helped to give you perspective about the era. Have you tried the other guest posts I wrote for Judy?
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I remember the Chesterfield ad very well. Although I’ve always been a Cincinnati Reds fan, I greatly admired Stan Musial of the Cardinals.
Lillian
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Thank you, Lillian for stopping in to add to our article. Always a pleasure to see you.
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Really enjoyed your post. I tend to forget that during war time, activities like sports and horse racing and sports tournaments still go on.
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The home front had to keep busy; just waiting for letters to come from the war zones would be endless.
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Indeed.
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