Privates, Rembrandts, Ektalure, Spinets, and Memorials Lost in Helene

[Hovannes]

One thing that has always impressed me----something seldom seen anymore----are 5x7 Ektalure contact prints of the newly promoted (from being Recruits) to Privates during WW2.
These portraits were often taken by photographers local to military camps and with cameras like the Rembrandt, or Agfa Anscos, perhaps an 8x10 with a reducing back and contact printed on Ektalure (to speed up the workflow since thousands of recruits might graduate in any given class) which provides a unique jaundice sort of look These were prominently displayed in parent's homes, either on a table or shelf or a piano (spinets, perhaps) of even the most modest of households.
They were proud of their sons and if their sons didn't make it home, these served as memorials. the subjects were nearly always men (boys really) although I remember seeing a few women's portraits taken after graduating from some advanced training course. Since most of what I saw was as a youngster visiting other's homes back in the 50's and 60's
I wasn't really paying attention to details.
The last time I saw one was in the 90's.
I was in graduate school and interned one summer as a student investigator with the District Attorney's Office.
I'd motor around the county in a Gremlin (remember those?) from the motor pool to visit various homes interviewing, serving papers or conducting photo line ups and I'd often get invited inside where these memorials would be unavoidable.
So I'm watching all the flood damaged homes from Helene on television, all the ruined possessions piled in the steets to be scooped up and landfilled and I'm wonder what became of all those Ektalure contact prints that might have remained, silently remembering the souls of a greater generation?
I know that much has been lost in the wake of Helene, of course, and these lost photos are just one more tragedy of many suffered, but it made me pause to consider one more link to History that's gone.

[Del]

This hurts to think about.

Those people have lost a lot that cannot be replaced.

[sweetandsour]

This hurts to think about.

Those people have lost a lot that cannot be replaced.

And now here comes Milton. I know of some folks that burned up almost all of their gasoline sitting on the hwy in traffic trying to evacuate. They
finally got turned around, and made it back home on fumes. Better to ride it out at home rather than in their car they figure.

[Del]

This hurts to think about.

Those people have lost a lot that cannot be replaced.

And now here comes Milton. I know of some folks that burned up almost all of their gasoline sitting on the hwy in traffic trying to evacuate. They
finally got turned around, and made it back home on fumes. Better to ride it out at home rather than in their car they figure.

That is tragic. May God protect them all.