Growing Up In WW2

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Northern France in what would become the largest land/sea invasion in history and a major turning point in World War II. D-Day along with Pearl Harbor days, were honored and remembered evey year in my home growning up. Today, 81 years later, I sat down with my 94-year-old father—to talk about what life was like back then and what he remembers from that extraordinary time.

In this special World War 2  episode of theMangoTimes Podcast, we talk about growing up during the war, the mood of the country, and the sacrifices made on both the frontlines and the home front. From air raid drills and ration books to hearing the news of D-Day over the radio, Pop shares stories that give us a glimpse into what it meant to live through history as it unfolded.

We also reflect on how that generation saw duty, service, and sacrifice—not as slogans, but as everyday values. And, true to form, my Pop brings his signature wit and a few great one-liners (delivered through a puff of pipe smoke, of course).

This one is for anyone who had a father, grandfather, or great-grandparent who lived through those years—and for those of us still trying to understand what shaped them.

Quietly making noise,
Fletch

Guest Information
Joe Fletcher (Pop)
Born in Somerville, NJ in 1930, Pop is a regular guest of theMangoTimes Podcast. He spends his days tending to his garden and relaxing on the back porch (summer) and in his smoke shop (winters). He is a voracious reader (1-2 books each week on his favorite Kindle) and focuses on biographies and histories. Pop loves to take your questions, so feel free to contact him here: Let’s Connect.

[Episode Transcript Available Here]

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Music used in this episode:
Newsreel - Max Surla/YouTube Audio Library
1940's Slow Dance - Doug Maxwell/Media Right Productions/YouTube Audio Library