Thanksgiving at Underwood 1943

Soldiers and defense workers sat together to share a Thanksgiving dinner, just as they share the burden of furthering the Allied cause at a huge feast spread for them in the plant cafeteria of the Underwood Elliot Fisher Company.

Workers, busy turning out M1 carbines, machetes, and other war materiel, took a break long enough to enjoy a feast. Joining them was soldiers of the local anti-aircraft unit who also helped ushering in and serving workers. Music was provided by the Anti-Aircraft band.

Preceding the dinner for the first shift of workers Colonel Frederick U. Conard, vice-president and works manager of UEF, introduced Governor Baldwin, who stated “The Company is to be complemented for its insight and foresightedness in helping employees to forego the usual feast at home by preparing Thanksgiving dinners for them here in the plant,” said Gov. Baldwin, as well as pointing out just how  important and essential the war workers were on the home front and praised UEF workers for their records in producing carbines.

Louis G. Julian, a director of UEF, said he appreciated the spirit in which workers had given up the holiday to stick to their jobs. “If the boys at the battlefronts can be thankful for nothing else, they can be thankful for the first-class fighting weapons which have been made here.” he declared.

Also, in attendance were Brigadier General Reginald B. DeLacour, adjutant-general and commander if the Connecticut State Guard: Staff Sergeant Lester Miller, recently repatriated from a German prison camp: Captain H. P. Smith, in charge of army inspection at the UEF plant.

The third shift workers also took pause from their duties at 3 a.m. to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.