Now I remember

Until his death, my father wrote a column for The Forest-Blade where he shared memories of special times, events, and folks. I wondered if readers enjoyed his memories. The answer is “Yes”. Now my memory reaches back to World War II when the streets around the square of Swainsboro were filled with “GIs” on Saturdays when the soldiers had leave. They were stationed at a training camp just outside the city limits and learning to use search lights to catch enemy planes. Their training had to be done in the dark night. We sat outside and watched the searchlights crisscross across our skies. We joked that the enemy had Swainsboro high on their lists to attack. It was no joking matter, and we felt safe from enemy planes. We called them the “Search Light Boys.” To entertain the visiting military, our town opened the community house on Saturday evening and gave square dances. Local southern Belles taught many Yankee GIs to circle up and dance to the calls of Earl Varner and music of a country string band. This was a very harsh time for the “Search Light Boys”. Swainsboro showed appreciation for their service and gave them recreation to aid their homesickness. If you have memories of the “Search Light Boys”, share with others who do not know of Swainsboro’s gift to the war effort. Write to Shirley at [email protected].