The Time of WWII

When World War II began to take off, my grandfather, William Brown, was there to witness it.  At the time, he was only ten years old, so he never did see the battle front.  However, he was there, back at the home front.  My grandfather grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He lived in a relatively small town, but through this close community, he was able to witness the progressive change in the average American lifestyle.  Originally, the community started off as fairly friendly, sometimes keeping to themselves.  As time went on, though, people began to open up and come together more.  There was a stronger sense of patriotism, and with that a nascent sense of American values evolved.  As time passed on, out of the depression and into the forties, then fifties, a new lifestyle also formed.  People began to place a lot more value in the life they had: they put an emphasis on morals that would help both their family and the nation.  For instance, people began to strive for the 'perfect' American family; one in which children respected their parents, where the father worked and the mom took care of issues at the home.  This was greatly different from the twenties, when women were much more independent.  The war also influenced their actions.  Many people went to church or temple, and put much weight on not being wasteful, especially with food.  From small aspects like food to larger ones such as the roles of a family, the war greatly impacted and altered peoples views on life.