• Sunday-What'sUP March 3 - 07:52 am

U.P. author and World War II historian Larry Chabot provides the heart of this week's Shoebox Memory with a look back at the role of Upper Michigan in World War II. You may see some faces of individuals from your hometown in today's Pasty Cameo

Larry also has written an in-depth article about Pasty Central in the March issue of Marquette Monthly. He relates some of his own experience interacting with the Pasty Cam, and how it put him in touch with others in the course of his research.

As the Pasty Cam has set sail into a new year - a new decade - we are fortunate to have a growing number of folks who share the same love of this land we call home. Learn more about those who fought to defend our freedom in the Public TV-13 documentary "The U.P. recalls the War" tonight at 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday at 8.

Any idea were this photo was taken?

it looks like a shipyard. Could be Menominee.

Possibly T. D. Vinette Boatworks in Escanaba?

Good morning from Mishawaka IN. This weeks Pasty Cameo is very good. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Larry and Charlie for a job well done for the men and women who fought for and laid down their lives for us.

All 5 of my older sisters were Rosie the Riveters in the Detroit factories during WW2. In the late 40's they returned to start COPPER COUNTRY POTATOE CHIPS. Anyone remember that?? They left Hubbell then and 4 are now retired in Port Charlotte, Florida

Neat photo...At first I was thinking they were building a ore doc in the back ground, but is that a ship?...If so what kind? The women look like they are welders from the hats. Cant wait to get the March issue of the MM!

I'm with you, NKR. That video was fantastic. All of the videos are so good I could watch them over and over.

The music that goes along with "The Winter Carnival 2008" was very catchy. First I thought it was Perry Mason, then maybe Alfred Hitchcock, then Ghostbusters, etc. It was great. That one needed no narration. The music said it all.

Thank you for your hard work, Charlie. It's worth it because we all apprecite it so much.

Hey Kosk, Forgot to ask you if the man from L'Anse was any relation. Wasn't your maiden name Koskimaki???

It looks like they are all women and they are all in work clothes, except the man. "You've come a long way baby!"

Charlie, you continue to outdo yourself in entertaining and educating us. It is greatly enjoyed and appreciated.

Yes, we were able to mobilize the Country and its industries to go to war and supply our allies. Everyone was willing to make some sort of sacrifice because we were at war. But that was 67 years ago. Today, we have Generals who admit we don't have "the industrial base" to supply the new MRAP vehicles to replace the Humvee's in Iraq and Afghanistan in a timely manner. Today, we have National Guard and Reserve Units serving 3 and 4 tours because we don't have enough people in the Regular Units. Today, there are worries about ammunition supplies since we closed so many plants and arsenals. Today, we buy planes and helicopters for our military from Europe. Today, a majority of our 18-26 year olds have no clue they could be called to serve their Country. Today, they they don't have to worry about serving their country because no politician has the courage to even mention the draft. Today, we don't count the casualties among the private contractors doing jobs in Iraq and Afghanistan that used to be military. Today, we drive wherever we want in whatever we want and complain about the cost. Today, we can do that because no politician has the courage to ask us to make a sacrifice. Today, our politicians like to thump their chests about being the greatest power on earth. Today, I believe we were in 1941. Today, I think we could be in 2008 - if we are willing. Today, look at the photos, then find a veteran of either the military or the shop and thank them. Today, we should ask ourselves: Could we do what they have done?

They did all of that then so we don't have to today!They must of had the idea many of us know today. They were, and some are still here with us, the Greatest Generation ever! My Mother grew up in Westmont, IL. where she riveted airplanes.

Great cameo Charlie! A big thank you to all the veterans out there, including my Dad, Dave Meyers, who served in the U.S. Navy in the south Pacific right after graduating from Chassell High School in 1944. Let's not forget those who paid the ultimate price for freedom, like my great-uncle Arnie Sillanpaa who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge: http://gallery.pasty.com/keithinks/album76/arnie2.jpg.html

To those who asked about the location of the picture with the lady welders, this was taken in 1943 at the shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, according to the National Archives. Besides welding, there were also quite a few lady riveters, too:

Nancy Harkness Love is a woman who made her mark on the world in WWII. Born in Houghton, MI, in 1914, this aviatrix went on to become the Commander of the Women's Auxiliary Ferry Squadron (WAFS) during WWII. WAFS ferried aircraft to their new stations. Later, the WAFS merged into the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). This young lady was awarded the Air Medal for her 'Operational leadership in the successful training and assignment of over 300 qualified women fliers in the flying of advanced military aircraft'.

Charlie, your cameo was so inspiring. I wonder if we would get the same reaction today. They were the "greatest generation". Thanks to all who have served this country.

We have a picture--like the couple- in the family album

My mom worked in the Ford factory in Detroit during WWII. She made roof bows for the cars. My dad was in the Civil Air Patrol there. I still have the flag that was presented to us at his funeral.

Charlie, the 3 ladies in the middle pic seem to be chipping slag from the welds. I had to do that when I worked at P&H in Escanaba. We built the world's largest roadable truck crane at the time. Late 60s and early 70s.

While inserting the photo of Nancy Harkness Love
above,
I neglected to provide attribution. See
Nat'l Museum of the Air Force

looks like betty davis