Gosh, how I love hearing from you, Garden Readers! Last week, the Park's News newsletter included an item about Victory Gardens. And to my delight, Mr. Bill Beckham wrote to share his thoughts about the role of Victory Gardens:
Hi:
My name is Bill. I just read your story on the victory garden of 1943. You see, it means something to me. I was born on 18th of July that year. My Dad was in Germany at the time.
Lots of people don't realize how tough it was on mothers, sisters, and aunts that had to provide food, clothes, and other goods for the family and the men and women who were doing the fighting for our country. If it wasn't for the seed companies that kept seeds going out to the home garden, lots of the families would have had it harder to supply food for the table.
I'd like to thank you for the effort that was done back then. I'm sure I and others out here would like to buy a 1943 catalog, a reprint or something of that nature.
Thank you,
William Beckham
Conehatta, MS
I asked Bill to provide us with some pictures of his family, and he graciously sent along several. You can click on any picture (throughout this blog, as a matter of fact) to see it in a larger format.
The picture above shows his grandparents, John and Finna Beckham, with their two sons. Grandfather Beckham was lost in World War I. And Grandmother Finna succumbed to the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918. The boy standing at left is Bill's Uncle William. He served in the US Navy in World War II.
The boy seated between John and Finna is Delma M. Beckham, Bill's father. Delma served in the Army during WWII. You can see his picture on the right. He's standing with his wife, Lether. They were just married when the picture was taken, sometime in April--with the pear tree in full bloom behind them. Bill says, "We were all raised on a farm--had gardens and other crops." No wonder Bill still has an interest in gardening!
Speaking of Bill, here's a picture of him when he was a little sprout in the first grade (left). If you look closely, you can see where he's written "I love Daddy" in the margin of the photograph.
This last picture brings us up to date with the current generation of Beckhams. According to Bill, "The group is my family--3 boys and 2 girls. Mary, Bruce, Luke, Joey,and last, Jessica. Wife is Lottie." That's a fine crop of Beckhams you've got there, sir!
A big "thank you!" to all the Beckhams for allowing us to enjoy these photos and learn why Victory Gardens are special to you! We at Park Seed Company always enjoy hearing from Generations of Great Gardeners like you.
If you have memories of Victory Gardens past, or are making new memories with your own Victory Garden today, please send your pictures and stories to ckuhl@parkseed.com so we can enjoy them here.
