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Independence, MO —
Harry would have been proud.
One of the places President Truman loved most – the Independence Square – was busy with activity Saturday morning as several activities celebrated the 128th anniversary of his birth.
Icons of the 21st century were evident with cell phones and digital cameras, but the calendar also rolled back 64 years as local actors portrayed historic characters in period clothing.
“They’re going to be needing me. I’m here for a few days, and then I’m headed back,” said Joseph Ashby in his portrayal as a Tuskegee supply officer home visiting his wife in 1948. “When the boys come back from flying them planes, my mess hall is ready – we make sure the food is ready for them. They get some good home cookin’, and we take good care of ’em.”
In real life, the 62-year-old Ashby said he experienced segregation as a young boy in Jonesboro, Ark., remembering a time when he would pick cotton all day long and earn just $3. He recognized Truman’s efforts toward ending segregation, especially when the president ended segregation in the armed forces and the civil service through administration action in January 1948.
“He gave us freedom,” Ashby said. “I don’t have to go to the back door anymore to get my food.”
In entirely authentic vintage clothing, except for her sunglasses, Hannah Hutchins walked the Square as a “Rosie the Riveter meets the homemaker” persona. In character, Hutchins had worked at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant when her husband went into World War II. When he returned, Hutchins was given the option of either staying at work or being a stay-at-home wife and mother.
She had the couple’s first child not long after her husband came back from the war.
“It’s been really hard because I loved being able to work and use and my hands and support the cause,” Hutchins said. “My husband’s around here somewhere – he and the fellas are drinking.”
Independence residents Gene and Sharon Harp say they try to support as many activities as possible in their city, and so they set out Saturday to participate in the activities surrounding the Square and the historic sites. They attended the yard sale at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate before setting up their lawn chairs along Lexington Avenue and Liberty Street for the 45-minute parade.
From the dancers to historical characters to the Shriners, Sharon Harp said she thought the parade was good – but she did wish one aspect was better.
“I’m a little disappointed in the crowd,” she said, with Gene Harp adding that he thought the event wasn’t publicized enough.
The Harps may have lived in their current Independence residence for nearly 50 years, but they still routinely visit the tourism sites and had planned to go to the Chicago & Alton Depot also on Saturday for National Train Day festivities.
“It’s all interesting to us – I like it,” Gene Harp said. “We’ve been to all these places, but hey, things change.”
Harry would have been proud.
One of the places President Truman loved most – the Independence Square – was busy with activity Saturday morning as several activities celebrated the 128th anniversary of his birth.
Icons of the 21st century were evident with cell phones and digital cameras, but the calendar also rolled back 64 years as local actors portrayed historic characters in period clothing.
“They’re going to be needing me. I’m here for a few days, and then I’m headed back,” said Joseph Ashby in his portrayal as a Tuskegee supply officer home visiting his wife in 1948. “When the boys come back from flying them planes, my mess hall is ready – we make sure the food is ready for them. They get some good home cookin’, and we take good care of ’em.”
In real life, the 62-year-old Ashby said he experienced segregation as a young boy in Jonesboro, Ark., remembering a time when he would pick cotton all day long and earn just $3. He recognized Truman’s efforts toward ending segregation, especially when the president ended segregation in the armed forces and the civil service through administration action in January 1948.
“He gave us freedom,” Ashby said. “I don’t have to go to the back door anymore to get my food.”
In entirely authentic vintage clothing, except for her sunglasses, Hannah Hutchins walked the Square as a “Rosie the Riveter meets the homemaker” persona. In character, Hutchins had worked at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant when her husband went into World War II. When he returned, Hutchins was given the option of either staying at work or being a stay-at-home wife and mother.
She had the couple’s first child not long after her husband came back from the war.
“It’s been really hard because I loved being able to work and use and my hands and support the cause,” Hutchins said. “My husband’s around here somewhere – he and the fellas are drinking.”
Independence residents Gene and Sharon Harp say they try to support as many activities as possible in their city, and so they set out Saturday to participate in the activities surrounding the Square and the historic sites. They attended the yard sale at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate before setting up their lawn chairs along Lexington Avenue and Liberty Street for the 45-minute parade.
From the dancers to historical characters to the Shriners, Sharon Harp said she thought the parade was good – but she did wish one aspect was better.
“I’m a little disappointed in the crowd,” she said, with Gene Harp adding that he thought the event wasn’t publicized enough.
The Harps may have lived in their current Independence residence for nearly 50 years, but they still routinely visit the tourism sites and had planned to go to the Chicago & Alton Depot also on Saturday for National Train Day festivities.
“It’s all interesting to us – I like it,” Gene Harp said. “We’ve been to all these places, but hey, things change.”
