KFI’S “OPERATION PAPERBACK” (The Year was 1948)

Just now, I pressed this old rubber stamp to the page.  I am remembering how I did just that, hundreds of times, long ago, in KFI’s Studio C.

I never knew how they got there or who finally carried them away.  Thousands of paper-back books.  They sort of leaned on each other.  Rising into a huge stack, higher than my head.  The stack grew so as to fill the large studio except for a small space outside my mixer window.  There, David Starling could stand at the announcer’s desk and use the only microphone left.

All of these books were donated by KFI’s listeners.  A few new ones were bought for the purpose, but the best liked were worn ragged and curled open at the edges.  The book covers were seldom intact.  Some were missing pages and otherwise not worth sending on.  Harder use was yet to come!

If you can read the old stamp print, you know why the books were there and where they were going.  These would be found later in day rooms, barracks, infirmaries, Hospitals, ships, jeeps, tents, footlockers and duffle bags.  There was no accountability!  Men would trade them, pass them along and leave them behind.

There is a lot of hurry in the Service, and a lot of waiting too.  Remember, there was no television and not much radio.  A pocket paperback can fill all kinds of needs and be there when needed.

Our involvement was to open each book and imprint a blank page with this stamp.  We did this as volunteers.  We took turns at this task, as many of the KFI staff as would, on our own time or on KFI’s time.  We started by very carefully placing the stamp and pressing,  without smearing the ink.  But our finished stacks were so small and the tons of books waiting, so intimidating, that we stamped faster and faster.  Much like a local post office hand canceling mail!

Some were too wet and some too dry.  Some were crooked and some misplaced. The room was filled with the smell of old paper and fresh ink.

I am reminded how mindful our nation was of the War and our servicemen.  The National mind set was one of Victory.  Radio and KFI were part of it.

I know that it seems unreasonable, but I believe that KFI only had one stamp!

THIS one.                                                 

                                                                                                                      nw