Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Wartime brought unity

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001 | 11:24 a.m.

Those of us who lived through World War II remember how quickly American responded after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Unemployment became a thing of the past as huge factories turned to producing items for defense. Automobile assembly lines converted from peacetime pursuits to producing tanks, Jeeps and armored vehicles.

Shipbuilders utilized their forces to construct victory ships and landing craft. Rosie the Riveter became the symbol of women working at home to free men for combat.

Everywhere city streets were filled with men and women in uniform. There was rationing of everything from shoes to sugar to cigarettes. Ration coupons became almost as valuable as hard money.

Movie stars embarked on trips to sell war bonds. One, Carole Lombard, lost her life on Southern Nevada's Mt. Potosi. She was returning home from a bond-selling campaign.

Families agonized over the knowledge that their sons were fighting desperate battles in Europe and the Pacific, and some would never come home.

It was a time of sacrifice for everyone. Victory came at a terrible cost, but with the indelible proof that Americans, no matter their cultural differences, could come together in a mighty effort to prevail.

I believe we can do it all over again, if it becomes necessary.

The obituary notice for William Mors was short, leaving out a most important detail of this man's life.

Mors had a specific goal and he was persistent in his efforts to realize it. He believed the history of Southern Nevada was being lost and should be preserved. No one has ever worked with more dedication than he did in gathering material, interviewing longtime residents and piecing together all the legends and stories of earlier times in Las Vegas.

Bill Mors spent a personal fortune in his efforts to catalog and preserve Las Vegas history. He never received the credit due for all of his efforts.

We can be grateful to this kind and generous man as he left a wonderful legacy for our children. Mors and his associates supplied videos of the history of our area to all Clark County schools.

Sheriff Jerry Keller is a tough, emotional and caring person. Add experience and devotion to duty and it's a combination hard to beat.

When he announced he would not be seeking office again when his present term expires, it sent shock waves through the community.

I don't know what size shoes Sheriff Keller wears, but they will be hard to fill.

As the Desert Inn imploded in a cloud of dust and Steve Wynn announced plans for his newest extravaganza, many of us who remembered the Strip of old wondered at the energy and enthusiasm of this comparatively young entrepreneur who has led the way in the creation of the modern Strip.

Le Reve means "the dream." Isn't that what Wynn is all about? Making dreams come true.

Signs of the times: A local bookstore going out of business, "Words Fail Us."