One of the things I really enjoy doing when I go back to Illinois to visit mom is listening to her reminiscing about her earlier life and growing up (something that usually takes a bit of prodding on my part).

I thought I knew pretty much most of Mom’s history, after she graduated from High School in 44 she worked as a clerk typist on the Rock Island Arsenal prior to going into nursing training.

What I didn’t know until this last visit home was that her nurses training was under the Cadet Nurse Corps Program. The Corps was established to train nurses during World War II, the nursing students received accelerated training and their services were used even while still in training. Thus, a larger number of graduate nurses could be freed for military service overseas. Upon graduation the students would work in either VA hospitals or serve in the military for the duration of the war (Moms class did not graduate until after the war ended).

Needless to say there is now a new frame on the wall.





I guess it just goes to prove it can be pretty amassing what you learn if you take the time to listen.

I also "discovered" another Civil War Veteran (a Great Great Grandfather from Mom's side). I spent a bunch of time transcribing a very faded letter he had written to his future bride and also scanned some tin types of them to frame. I've still got to get that stuff put together. I need a bigger office, I'm starting to run out of wall LOL.



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