Eunice Hill shared a heartfelt story of her experiences during the beginning of WWII. She lived in Manchester with her parents and four siblings. Eunice highlighted the fact that she was the middle child. Manchester was an important inland port and an industrial city during WWII. When war broke out in 1939, her older brother was an air-raid warden, and her older sister worked at a munitions plant. At 11, Eunice's job was to get the fire started and take care of her younger brother and sister. She was a crucial part of a family-oriented life. They did not have newspapers or radios, so children obtained information by listening to the adults.

School children were evacuated from school on buses. Each had a backpack with a change of clothes, a can of evaporated milk, a chocolate bar, toothbrush and toothpaste, and a gas mask. They were transported to an area approximately 15 miles from Manchester. Most of the children were repatriated with their parents over a two year period. Eunice described her perception that there were air-raid bombings every night. She remembers the noise of anti-aircraft guns, and watching the search lights attempting to catch the silhouette of Luftwaffe bombers.

Eunice's early teenage years were unlike that of teenagers today. She began working at age 14 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Living conditions were dissimilar from today. Food was scarce and there was no refrigeration. There were no supermarkets. Her mother shopped daily at individual stores (fish, meat, bread, etc.). Food, with the exception of liver, was rationed. Fish was the main item on their menu. They were allowed 10 ounces of red meat that was usually given to the adults. Children ate gravy and potatoes.

Watt and Eunice Hill

Life improved for Eunice when the Yanks arrived. Eunice was restricted (grounded) at home for some infraction. Her older sister insisted that Eunice go with her to the dance hall. There she sat listening to the music while an observant, Army Aircorps pilot, Watt Hill, made his move. They danced and when Eunice left the hall, Watt followed. He told her that he did not have her telephone number, and she replied: "I don't have a telephone." They were married on June 1, 1946 after five dates. Eunice came to the U.S. alone by ship and took a train across the continent to California. She was met at the train station by her mother-in-law and brother-in-law, Bobby. When Watt returned home in January, 1947, Eunice states that "my life began, and so far we have lived happily ever after." This June, they will be married 66 years.

Lesa Thomas

Joe Foreman introduced Lesa Thomas, Director of Aspen Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Lesa visited the meeting to say 'Thank You' for the incredible support MHKC gives each year. There will be an upcoming Volunteer Work Weekend June 2-3. Go to www.aspencamp.org to register. They are also initiating Family Camps this summer. MHKC contributed funds for two grants totaling $2,400 toward Aspen Camp.

The March Madness pool has 15 people participate and raised $150 for the Monument Hill Foundation. Dennis Daugherty is the one member still doing well.