My Civic Duty

[delirium888]

OK, I might have gone a teentsy bit over my budget for this auction, but how could I not?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=008&item=180006839663&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

This is just amazing!  Not only is it a unique piece of American history, but how fucking cool will I be at DragonCon this year?

Comments

[_gothfather_]

That's some cool stuff. Just as long as you don't start running around the neighborhood making sure everyone's lights are off...

[delirium888]

LOL I promise no light checking, but I may be popping my head in to check if everyone's shelters are fully stocked :)

[_gothfather_]

During the war (WWII) my mother worked for the Dept. Of the Treasury. And one of the things she did was to process German POW's, many of whom were held in Atlanta and around the state.

[aesthetic]

...what is it?

[delirium888]

It's a Civil Defense volunteer's uniform from I'm guessing mid 40's maybe early 50's. CD has pretty much become history, but at one time it was the foundation of community in America. It started at the beginning of WWII as a way for citizens to prepare for war hitting the American shores. Everyone was assigned a task and had detailed instructions as to what there duties would be in case of emergency.
It was governement sponsored, but community owned. Incredibly grass roots. They published a gazzilion books and pamphlets on everything from first aid to constructing and stocking your home fallout shelter. Poke around on google. It was really a high point of American culture. I think with our current geopolitical situation the CD would kick the ass of the wimpy Homeland Security shmucks. If we had had the CD today Katrina would have gone a whole hell of a lot differently too. Person accountability and community involvement. It all good

BOOM

[delirium888]