In 1941 Ann and husband Ray Hayden moved from Illinois to Seattle, Washington to work in the Boeing defense plant. Ray immediately secured a job, and Ann decided to pursue work shortly thereafter. Purchasing overalls and a bandana, she went to work holding the "bar" in the galley of an aircraft while the riveter set the rivets into the hull. Ann and Ray continued to work for Boeing for three years before moving back to Illinois and opening a Gambles General Store in Petersburg, Illinois in 1945.
Photos
Caption
Ann Hayden enjoys a bit of fishing at the Illinois River, circa 1940. Where:
UnknownWhen:
1940Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Ann Hayden relaxes in front of her trailer near the Boeing Plant near Seattle, Washington in 1943. Where:
Seattle, Washington When:
1943Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
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Ann and Ray Hayden in 1945. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
UnknownWhen:
1945Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
A photo of Ann Hayden appeared in the Seattle Post Intelligencer on July 31, 1944, which prompted several lonely servicemen to write to her. Where:
UnknownWhen:
July 31, 1944Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
A letter Ann wrote to her brother, P.F.C. David L. Secrist, came back unopened, with “RETURN TO WRITER” stamp in the middle of the envelope, and the hand written message confirming David’s death in the bottom left hand corner of the envelopeWhere:
UnknownWhen:
May of 1944Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
One of several responses Ann received from lonely G.I. who had seen her photo in the Seattle Post Intelligencer. Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Another letter from a sailor who was inspired to write to Ann after seeing her picture in the Seattle Post Intelligencer. See also the next photo, the enclosed application. Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s Photo
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This “Application for a date with a Navy Man” was included with the preceding letter. Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Ann received this lengthy letter from a sailor temporarily stationed at Quillayute, Washington in September, 1944. Where:
UnknownWhen:
September, 1944Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Second page of a sailor’s letter to Ann. Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Third, and final page of a sailor’s letter to Ann. Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s Photo