Friday Smiles 353: back to the Eisenhower Museum

After a two week hiatus, I'm once again joining Annie (at A Stitch in Time) and the wonderful ladies at Friday Smiles.Today we'll be returning to the Eisenhower Museum.  In case you've not been here or forgotten, we visited Ike's boyhood home, then went to the museum where we saw his early days in Abilene, Kansas.  Although he was not born or died in Abilene, he still called it his home.  We met his five brothers, his mother, and his father.  We learned how he got a free scholarship to West Point and how he played football, leading his team until his knee was injured.  We learned the following year, he began coaching undergrad West Point students in football.

After graduating from West Point, Ike returned to Abilene to spend the summer.  In September, 1915, he reported to Fort Sam Houston to begin his career as an Army officer.

While at Fort Sam Houston, he was preparing for the possibility of the war in Europe, but more so with Pancho Villa in Mexico.

His job was to train enlisted soldiers for the war overseas.

He was ordered to set up training camps, first in Texas, then Kansas, Georgia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.  With each move, Ike drew attention to himself and his organizational skills, as well as his ability to see the big picture.  He was good at administration and planning on a large scale.  Working under several superiors, he was exposed to various personality types and leadership styles.  He adapted well to all and received an enviable reputation.  

Needless to say, the Army was so impressed with him, he was too valuable to be sent to the front lines, like many of his fellow graduating class had been.  Most were leading troops in France, which is where Ike wanted to lead, too.  Each time he was promised he would go with the current group he trained, at the last minute the orders would be rescinded.  Finally, he was to be sent.  Just as he was preparing to head to Europe on November 18, 1918, the armistice was called on November 11.  Ike felt cheated.

Although he was frustrated in is military career, his personal life was going well.  He had met Mamie Doud and he couldn't have been happier.  Mamie felt the same way.

As you can see, although the couple planned to wait until after Mamie's 20th birthday, with war looming, they decided to marry in July, 1916.

Mamie was quite popular, but she fell for the 25 year old Ike.

Even when he was disappointed with not being called into service in World War I, he was thrilled to be dating Mamie.  He proposed to her on Valentine's Day, 1916.

It's really hard to see the displays since it's all behind clear plexiglass, especially since it reflects everything.

This is also where we meet Ike and Mamie's first son, Doud, who was nicknamed Ikky.

It was good to see the actual dress Mamie wore on her wedding day.

For most of the first three years of their marriage, Mamie lived with her parents because there was no family housing available on post.  When they were together, Mamie was the perfect army wife because she was a great entertainer.  Although she was never taught to cook, her mother told her she shouldn't ever have to cook if she never learned how to cook.  Consequently Ike cooked whenever he was home.

Despite Ike's frustration with not being sent to the front lines, once Doud was born, he devoted much of his free time playing "family man."  Ike was in Georgia training men when news arrived that his son was born.  Nicknamed Ikky, he became the the joy of both the Doud family and Ike and Mamie.

This was one of the Doud family cars, but it's so hard to see because of the reflections.

Mamie's father was big in new technology and had several cars.  This one he purchased for his wife, Mamie's mother.

Next time we will see how the Eisenhowers spent time between the two world wars.  Unfortunately, this museum is convoluted and you have to follow the path exactly or you find yourself in a new era before you realize you have missed one.

Now let's see what others are smiling about this Friday.  Please don't forget to start your weekend off right by visiting Annie for a few Friday Smiles.