How a World War Changed an Alabama Family, Part 21

by Glenn N. Holliman

Brothers Visit and Babe Ruth Swings...

From the Memoirs of Bishop Holliman - "I remember seeing Euhal (1912-1989) and Edna (1916-1992) (Holliman) and their twin sons, Terry and Jerry (1940-2003), at the train station in Attalla, Alabama one time, or maybe more, as the train stopped there.  The Birmingham Special or the Pelican on the Alabama Great Southern line.  They lived in Gadsden, and Euhal worked at the Jitney-Jungle food store."  Below right, Terry and Jerry in 1941 in Irondale, Alabama at their grandparents.

"Euhal and Edna were not inclined to write and I seldom heard from them.  I have two letters written in 1942.  Euhal had gotten a 10% raise and hoped he would get more, as nearly all the men in the store had been drafted.

 Terry and Jerry (twins born in 1940) were the only children they had then, and Euhal commented on how they growing.  Indicative of how people thought then was a remark from Euhal in a letter: 'Terry and Jerry say for you to them a Jap!'"

In 1965, Euhal and four of his siblings gathered at Vena Daly's home in Irondale, Alabama.  Left to right, twenty years after World War II and now almost fifty years ago, are Euhal Holliman, Vena Holliman Daily, Bishop Holliman, Loudelle Holliman Ferrell and Ralph Holliman. Notice the narrow ties of the men, and Loudelle's stylish sun glasses!

 



"While stationed in Philadelphia in 1942, I took a liberty to New York City and chanced upon a special event that would standout in my memory forever more.  A special Old Timers baseball game was played at Yankee Stadium (August 23, 1942) on Sunday afternoon and I received a free ticket...I guess from the USO, to the game."

 

"The stadium was full, I remember and the two big name 'old-timers' were Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson.  So I could always say I saw two of the greatest even though it was not in a regulation game.  The Babe was the last to be introduced, and when he came out of the dugout, believe me, the stadium rocked and roared!  Walter Johnson pitched to him and he hit several into the right field stands and then circled the bases.  The crowd cheered.  It was indeed a thrill to see all of them.  I have forgotten who the others were, but Johnson and Ruth I did not forget." - Bishop Holliman Memoirs

That game played on August 23, 1942 was filmed by Movietone News and can be found today on You Tube.  Over 69,000 were present that day, and $80,000 was raised for the Army-Navy Service Fund. Above, middle right the Babe circles the bases and acknowledges the crowd.  Ruth was 48 years old then and had six years to live before dying from cancer.


Next More Stories from an Alabama Family during World War II....

 Have questions about Holliman family history? You are invited to join the Hollyman Email List at Hollyman-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com and the Hollyman Family Facebook Page located on Facebook at "Hollyman Family". Post your questions and perhaps one of the dozens Holyman cousins on the list will have an answer. For more information contact Tina Peddie at desabla1@yahoo.com, the list and Facebook manager for Hollyman (and all our various spellings!).

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