March 11, 2014

The Raleigh Times, Pearl Harbor: Original newspaper account and family heirlooms

In these days of internet and digital formats, it's not uncommon or very difficult to come across newspaper accounts of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

But it IS unusual to come across an original newspaper recounting that terrible day. Now, to us older folk, 1941 really isn't that long ago...in the scheme of things. But really - it was 73 years ago. A lifetime. So long ago that we find fewer and fewer living veterans who lived the horror or even family members who recall.

Today, my son and I visited my Aunt Edith, my father's only sister. Her house is a treasure trove of family memorabilia but I couldn't help but think of some recent advice someone gave me to be sure not to leave my son a cluttered and junk-filled house to clean out once I am no longer on this earth. But among all the "things", there are true family treasures...including an original local newspaper account in The Raleigh Times

The Raleigh Times is no longer in print. It was the daily afternoon paper. My father and his brothers would sell The Raleigh Times from downtown Raleigh street corners. On the afternoon of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Stancil brothers came home from school and went straight to their street corner to sell the afternoon paper heralding one of the worst events in American history. The event probably propelled 3 of them into the Army (Eric, Jesse Roland, and Cecil Stancil). My father, Carl, was only 11 years old but when his time came, he served proudly.

The paper is yellowed and crumbling. My aunt plans to have it preserved by a professional. It will be a true heirloom. My son and I were lucky and fascinated to be able to even see it. What a treasure! What a reminder of the shocking event that propelled us into World War II. 

As I've said in other blog posts, I am quite proud of the World War heros in my family. Every single one of them. 

2 comments:

  1. What an amazing find. Thank you for sharing I am working on an archives project for the 85th anniversary of the Junior League of Raleigh and would like to ask permission to repost this photo in a single Facebook post on the Junior League of Raleigh page? I will happy to provide photo credit back to you or your blog blog if you would please provide your preference for the notation. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely! I would be pleased for you to use any of my pictures. Would you mind sharing the link or work with me when you are finished. How exciting!

    ReplyDelete