WAY BACK WHEN WEDNESDAY - 100 years ago this week, the local paper in Santa Barbara ran this headline: "Write to Your Mother!" May is the month for Mother's Day, and this year the paper reminded its readers that all mothers of soldiers had made a sacrifice. Some made the ultimate sacrifice. In Santa Barbara County nearly 70 mothers would not see their sons grow old. It was time to thank mothers for their contribution to winning the war.
"At all army camps and posts, and aboard all ships of the navy and transports, the war and navy departments have instructed officers and men, that it is the wish of the government that the mothers of the country receive recognition of the great part they have played in the winning of the war. All commanding officers will bring to the attention of every officer and soldier, the desire of the Secretary of War that each officer and soldier write a letter home on Mother's Day … in recognition of the wonderful part the mothers of America played in making the world safe for democracy." (Image: Library of Congress)