Living World War II: One Family in Weston, Connecticut: Memorable Letters and Experiences

Scott and Betty Hill were long-time Westonites. From dusty boxes in their attic, their daughter Louise (Lisa) dug out hundreds of old letters-weekly reports that each of them had sent back to their parents from the time they left home in Nevada and Pennsylvania. Lisa was especially intrigued by accounts her father wrote during the family's first stay in Weston, which coincided almost exactly with the duration of World War II: 1939-1945. (Scott and Betty moved back in 1959, becoming dynamic participants in the community for the rest of their long lives.) Having written books about the adventures of her own family over time, Lisa felt compelled to highlight the details of life in this historic period. Using excerpts from Scott's letters, she alternates accounts of his technical involvement in the war through General Electric with colorful vignettes of life at home with his family in Weston. She and her brother Doug add personal recollections. Lisa writes: "Despite the myriad wartime inconveniences, our sojourn in Weston is an almost magical time in my memory. The war pulled the entire town together as had nothing before. We relied on neighbors, reached out to each other, galvanizing and coalescing to combat the escalating threat overseas.