Linda Gartz, Author at Linda Gartz

About Linda Gartz

Six-time Emmy-honored Linda Gartz is a documentary producer, author, blogger, educator, and archivist. Her documentaries and TV productions have been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and Investigation Discovery, syndicated nationwide. Her educational videos include Begin with Love, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, and Grandparenting, hosted by Maya Angelou. Gartz’s articles and essays have been published in literary journals, online, and in local and national magazines and newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune. Born in Chicago, she studied at both Northwestern and the University of Munich, and has lived most of her adult life in Evanston, IL. She earned her B.A. and M.A.T. degrees from Northwestern.

Memorial Day: Serving World War II America in combat and at home

My dad, Fred, is working on a new oxygen regulator that his younger brother, Frank, may very well use at some time. (Dad had a deferment from military service because of his defense work.) He updates his brother on the improvements being made on this essential piece of equipment for airmen, or order to save more lives. It's an example of how two brothers were closely bound in World War II service, even though only one was actively in the military.

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T11:48:17-05:00May 25th, 2014|Letters of a WWII Airman|

High school teacher keeps her World War II “boys” in touch

Letters were special for World War II servicemen. That’s why Miss Hartley, Frank’s division teacher from Austin High School, made such an effort to write all her “boys.” She starts this letter (her eighth to former students) with a reference to listening to “Charlie McCarthy,” a famous ventriloquist act that was popular, even on the radio, a conundrum to many.

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T11:45:09-05:00May 20th, 2014|Letters of a WWII Airman|

“Raising hell” for a Happy Birthday during World War II

Ebner at six months: Nov., 24, 1924 What a cutie! Today, May 14th, is the 90th anniversary of my Uncle Frank's birth—but back in 1944, he had just turned twenty. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE EBNER! I'm posting these two [...]

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T11:18:07-05:00May 14th, 2014|Letters of a WWII Airman|

Mother’s Day and birthday coincide: World War II cadet homesick

Ebner’s feeling homesick—missing being near family on his 20th birthday and Mother’s Day, which in 1944 was May 14th. His sweet side sure comes through. Phone service was sketchy and made communicating difficult. No email or texting ease like today! Like all our World War II soldiers, he’s really still a kid doing a man’s job.

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T11:13:08-05:00May 11th, 2014|Letters of a WWII Airman|

Draft deferments and home front updates

In this letter, which she typed, Mom congratulates Frank on the War Department letter, updates Frank on the bad condition of his father's knees, and adds homey tidbits written in a lively voice to talk about Chicago on the home front.

Linda Gartz2019-07-09T11:08:15-05:00May 8th, 2014|Letters of a WWII Airman|

Previous 181920 Next