World War II Home Front Monument 1941-1945

OMRI AMRANY - SCULPTOR

The curving cement enfolding us suggests the archetypal Great Mother. She stretches out her arms and yearns with her hands. Set on repetitive cycles of granite, she exemplifies forces, personal and societal, which supported troops overseas.

Poetic words of wisdom by many women appear on the sweep of her garment. She is the home front.

Drawn to the center, a young woman in bronze looks out to the city. A bandana protects her hair. As the mythic 'Rosie the Riveter' she symbolizes new opportunities for women in factories, mills and foundries.

Over Rosie are hand-written letters, emotional messages to and from soldiers and sailors, mothers, sisters and lovers. Letters, radios and newsboys provided what we knew. My dearest Ray, I get so lonesome sometimes, but you know me, I work hard till I get over it Dodie (South Bend.)

World War II involved all of us.

Led by the War Production Board in Washington D.C., technology and manufacturing came of age. Northwest Indiana with Pittsburgh, PA, became the world's leading steel producer. Companies like U. S. Steel Gary Works, Inland Steel Indiana Harbor Works, and Standard Oil Refineries at Whiting led production. World War II was the biggest 'job' ever. 

WE AT HOME knew sacrifice: we rationed and saved scrap metal, we bought war bonds, we grew victory gardens and endured air raid drills. We prayed. Fearing the dreaded Western Union telegram; our losses were real and terrible. When it was over, our mothers lit the home lights again.

SOURCES: 
The Home Front: U.S.A. Ronald H. Bailey and the Editors of Time-Life Books, 1977.
Steel Shavings Home Front: The World War II Years in the Calumet Region, James B Lane, Ed. Indiana University Northwest, Vol 22, 1993.
Women at War World Book Encyclopedia, 2000 Edition.