Aberdeen residents Ann Chance, Brent Coleman, and Kelly Tucker are featured in an upcoming documentary produced by Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
“Home Front to Battlefront: Mississippi During WWII” premieres Dec.7 at 7 p.m. on MPB TV.
The documentary focuses on the contributions Mississippians made to World War II, whether they went to fight in faraway places or stayed in Mississippi to support the war from home. One section of the program highlights the role of the Gulf Ordnance Plant in Prairie, Miss., and its effect on the local economy at the time of the war.
According to Coleman, who has written a book on the plant, when he started his research little had been written to tell the story of the Gulf Ordnance Plant.
“(The story) needed to be told,” said Coleman. “It”s history. [The plant workers] sacrificed their lives – went beyond the call of duty. They were united for one goal: to win the war.”
Chance, who was a worker at the plant, discusses the role the war played in allowing women to enter the workforce. In the documentary, Chance explains how proud the women were that they were given jobs in the plant and could support the war effort while earning a living.
Tucker was just a child during the war, but he remembers the significant impact that the plant”s construction and operation had on the area”s depressed economy. Tucker describes the poverty his family faced before the war and credits the Gulf Ordnance Plant with helping them recover from the Depression.
Regarding his participation in the documentary Tucker said, “I was proud to have been interviewed for this program. I”m thankful that MPB took the time to record this story.”
Producers spent two years compiling the data for the documentary, interviewing dozens of Mississippi veterans, historians, and civilians.
“I am glad MPB can honor the men and women who sacrificed to support our nation during World War II and highlight the role that Mississippi played in the war efforts,” said Judy Lewis, Executive Director of MPB. “Our state”s contribution to the war effort is a shining example of how far Mississippians will go to support our country.”
As a companion piece to the documentary, MPB has also launched a new Web site dedicated to Mississippi”s history during the World War II era. The site provides more stories about the contributions and experiences of Mississippians who lived during that time period. Visit www.mpbonline.org/homefrontbattlefront to explore the site and learn about Mississippi during World War II.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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