What Life Was Like Growing up in the Great Depression

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[lucaspico]

I'd listen to this man's lifes stories every chance I'd get

[ender_slayer]

My grandpa grew up during the great depression too. I remember he told me when he was small, when they lived in Michigan too, that they would go to work out in the field either when they didn’t have school, before school, or after school, and whenever the day was winding down, they would have supper, and then listen to “The Shadow” on the radio before going to bed. He was fortunate in a few ways. The only reason why he didn’t go in the war was because he got polio when he was young, so his legs weren’t good. And he wore a leg brace for the rest of his life. Despite that he still did farming, carpentry, and a whole slew of other things.

[jamesyoung]

The fact that he can recount these stories so vividly at 98 years old is astounding!

[larry]

Man is a walking history book, and sharp as a tack 🇺🇸

[allenz]

The Toughest Generation hands down. God Bless You Sir and Shawn for Celebrating his Life

[colin]

Heck of man right there. I miss those WW2 vets. They had really interesting lives. I grew up in the 70s and 80s.. so these men taught me a lot. I knew many. It's my job now to keep these men's lessons alive and pass these these stories along.

[ericscoobie]

This is one of Shawn Ryan’s best interviews hands down…..such a special treat. Thank You!!!

[anthonycampo]

Here from Detroit Michigan. God bless you brother and thank you for all you have done.

[Alexamanion]

I graduated highschool from a "quasi-military" academy. So for about six months we would spend four hours a day, twice a week at the VA hospital in tomah wi. I'm still grateful for getting to spend so much time with men from the greatest generation. My first time there it went from being a community service assignment we had to do to bring something I looked forward to all week. We're quickly running out of time to learn from the wisdom and morals of these men. Take advantage of every opportunity you get because you won't have them long. Thanks for putting this out there man.

[jaayg]

The price id pay to be able to hear my grandpa talk this well again. Alzheimer’s and Dementia got him, but it was expected as he was a boxer for many years. He recognizes me every now and then but he quickly forgets again and it’s like talking to a child. Miss you grandpa..

[sttvbn]

The man I served my tool, and die apprenticeship under in the late eighties was a member of Merrill’s Marauders in the Burma theatre. He saw too much action for one man. Just like this guy. Killed Japanese up close, and personal. I had just gotten out of the Marine Corps, and we were the only vets in a shop of about thirty men, and not many of the older workers liked him, so I guess he felt a slight connection. The stories he told me will always stick with me. I was lucky to have him around for the last six years before he retired. Even visited him every so often. Eventually colon cancer took him in 1997. He was a good man, raised children, and grandchildren that loved him, active in his community, a straight shooter, salt of the earth, fantastic machinist, and friend. Rest in peace Mr. Sebree.

[pjchermack]

My GG lived to be in her mid 90’s I had many conversations with her until her death in 2017, we come from a military family and she was the VFW Ladies Auxiliary President for years, we are from Minnesota and she lost her mama my great grandmother when my GG was 14 so my GG had to help my great grandfather to raise her siblings on a farm, she said that during the winter they used the bedrooms upstairs as their freezer because it was so cold up there! God bless our beloved true historians that truly lived through the depression my GG included RIP Gigi I miss and love you so ❤

[frbrbrgrblgrr]

My grandpa passed at 98. His stories were interesting. I think the thing that stuck with me is he lived through all the same stuff this guy did, he also started a ranch and made a life for himself and loved ones. Every step of the way that man would fight for his beliefs but also learn and grow and would never stop learning and growing. When his daughters argued with his old ways he would think about it and let it grow and change him. This adaptability coupled with his strong work ethic I believe was the reason he lived so long and kept such a sharp mind.
He never settled into a home or retired to sit down. He kept himself busy and growing even opening a small art museum to commemorate family artists.
RIP Archie, you and Stella mean the world to me and you’ll live in memories passed down in this family line

[angiew]

My grandmother would be 2 years older than him, she used to tell me the best stories of what life was like when she was a kid - and stories about my great-grandparents, they traveled in covered wagons. Life has changed sooo much in the last 100 years, it's really incredible how quickly technology changed the planet.

If you're still young, listen to your grandparents, even those 20-25 years younger than this man, like my dad, have amazing stories to tell. I was bored at the time, but now some of my favorite memories as a child are just listening to my grandmother & my dad recount their childhoods.

We can learn so much from them, don't dismiss what your elders have to say, they know way more than you think!

[bobbygene]

I remember that at a gas station growing in the early 80s in the south! They would have that change counter on their hips when you needed change. They would clean your windshield and check your oil and your tire pressure if you needed it. I mean gas wasn't 10 cents a gallon I don't think but 1 $10 $20.00 dollars would full your tank up. I used to love hearing that bell ring when you would pull up to the pump that little rubber hose car would roll over it and ting ting 😂 but that didn't last long I was around 7 or 8yrs old. Times was simple then. Y'all Stay Blessed and Awesome...

[Hayes]

This man is living, breathing history. So glad they got to interview someone like him

[jamesmerritt]

One of the best interviews you've ever had on your show. We do not have these long conversations with our elderly in this country men like him are so full of wisdom knowledge and just great stories

[JohnWilliams-wzvk]

Grand folks lived in Elberon Iowa .as kids we would visit and stay on weekends .they had an out house .a well with a pump ..you hand pumped...they had a wood stove in kitchen .huge metal monster .and a pot belly stove in living room .on the opposite end of house .we stayed up stairs all you hade were vents in floor .it was .heaven on earth .in summer they had acres of gardens .

[bradyhill]

There’s nothing better than talking to old vets. They have the best stories and it gives you a real respect for the people who lived through the world wars and Great Depression.

[complexity]

I have my great great great grandma's pot stove. It was passed down. I'm black, they told me to take care of that stove because it had a price on it (and never sell it). I met my great grandmother born in 1888. She was really old when I was like 4-6 as I remember her. That stove stays hot for like 4-5 hours. You have to get up and kindle the fire about once or twice a night. My dad made me cut wood to feed to the fire. I would cut wood for the week and I would try to stack for the month. By the end of my teenager years. I had cut enough would to skip cutting for a year once. We had electricity, but my dad still made us use the pot stove and its the 1990s to 2001. I can relate with the stove.

It seems like the old timers live alot longer than boomers. My great grandma died at 104 in the mid 1990s. She did not have an official birth certificate, but it was of the year 1888. Some of the WW2 guys, that I know are still alive at 92-98 years old. They all still have the brain working. I think they were way more athletic and physically gifted than the ones that died off.