World War II- Life in NY during the war

My mom's note  about the picture below

My parents still managed to decorate this war time Christmas tree in their Elmhurst Apartment. It is stands in stark contrast to the lavish trees of my childhood ten years later. They both look pretty somber in this photo, despite encouragements in the news to keep spirits bright.

 Times during the war were hard- but at least my father was able to be home. I remember asking him what he did during the war, and he explained that his job at Shell was considered a necessary occupation for the war effort. Mom's brother, Ken, however, was serving in the South Pacific. He came to visit them when he was on leave in N.Y. in 1943.

Ken Allen- Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Va. was a training and defense facility during the war

Pauline Allen Garrison and "Ken" Allen in Elmhust -1943

        While the soldiers fought the war, those at home put their savings into bonds to raise money for the war.

I remember Mom talking about rationing during the war. In 1942, the first ration books were issued to allow for limitations and fair distribution of items. The first item to be rationed was sugar. Next came coffee, then meat, cheese, canned milk, and processed foods. Housewives had to do some creative cooking, and special cookbooks came out to help plan meals with ration stamps.

With the Japanese take over of rubber plants in southeast Asia, rubber rationing quickly became important. Civilians were asked to turn in old tires, rubber garden hoses, and even bathing caps. Every scrap was needed.

Mandatory speed limits of 35 mph were imposed. Gasoline rations limited non essential vehicles to four gallons of gas a week.  Since Dad took the subway to work, they were able to save their rations to go visit Dad's sister Aletheia and her husband Fred out in Garden City, or go for rides to sightsee outside of the city.

 Oil was needed in the war, and Dad's work in the transportation department helped get fuel to the troops. Meanwhile, thermostats back home were turned down in the winter time to conserve fuel oil.

There were clothing shortages as well. Nylon was needed for parachutes, so ladies nylons had to go. Women painted "fake" stockings on to be stylish. Old nylon stocking were donated for scrap.