Everywhere across the land last week the railroad trains were jammed with servicemen and ex-servicemen bound for their first Christmas at home in many a long year. As they pounded eastward, the crowded, crack trains of the Santa Fe slowed down only a little for the curve on the northwest edge of Neosho Rapids, Kansas. In this Rule town, Christmas and its joyous reunion had already come and gone for the Irwin family.

 

The fact that they had to hold their celebration early did not dim the Irwins’ joy. Their 20-year-old son Jack, Navy aviation ordnanceman second class, had to be back on duty by December 14. James Ferdinand Irwin, who is a farmer and carpenter, talked it over with his wife and they decided to have Christmas presents and Christmas dinner Sunday, December 9. For the first time in three years all their seven children were present. In addition there were four grandchildren, two sons-in-law and Uncle Fred Andrews, seagoing Navy brother of Mrs. Irwin, who had come to Neosho Rapids for the hunting season. Only sad note was the absence of Lieut. Clyde Roush, husband of Betty, oldest Irwin daughter. A bombardier on a B-29, he was reported miming over Japan last spring.

 

The Irwins’ Christmas party followed tradition in every detail. The men went hunting for rabbits and quail. The women cleaned house, did the washing, prepared food. A goose, fat and ready, was killed and plucked. The tree was cur and carried triumphantly home. Carols were sung around the piano. On “Christmas Day” the Irwins attended the Methodist Church. Then Uncle Fred, family humorist, dressed up in a Santa Claus outfit and distributed presents to all the children. They were terrified.