Jim Zeigler: Pearl Harbor in Alabama
Eighty-one years ago, in the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces surprised and killed 2,403 Americans and wounded more than 1,100. Thirty-two Alabama servicemen died aboard the USS Arizona, docked in Pearl Harbor. In a speech to the U.S. Congress the next day, President Franklin Roosevelt referred to December 7, 1941, as “a date which will live in infamy.” That prediction remains true on this observance of Pearl Harbor Day, 2022. In December 1941, the people of Alabama, and indeed most of the then-48 states, did not know where Pearl Harbor was. They learned quickly and have never forgotten. The 1941 Congress quickly passed a formal declaration of war, and America entered World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor swept away the feeling of security of many Americans that we were immune from attack due to our separation from the old world by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Suddenly, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, did not seem so distant from Alabama. The Pearl Harbor attack ignited American determination to disable the Japanese war machine. Americans were filled with patriotism, and individuals sought to aid in victory. Many enlisted in the military and fought for their country. My own father, Bloise Zeigler, was already working in a defense-support job at Huntsville Arsenal (now Redstone Arsenal). Two days after Pearl Harbor, Dad went down and enlisted. The next day, management pulled him into the Huntsville office and told him they had gotten his enlistment canceled because he was needed in the defense effort right where he was, in a vital defense job. He served his country right here in Alabama. For other Alabamians, their role in the war effort consisted of rationing their use of items such as gasoline, sugar, butter, and canned goods. A war was to be won, and Alabama folks were willing to do their part to win it. As we remember those who lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack, let us be mindful of the privilege of living in America. After World War II, America became a world superpower. Today, America is blessed with abundant wealth, resources, and global influence. Most of all, America is blessed with citizens who face adversity with resilience and determination. Jim Zeigler is the State Auditor of Alabama.
Jim Zeigler: Growing up on an Alabama Christmas tree farm
Many think that Christmas trees cannot grow in Alabama, that it takes the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Well, here is my story of growing up on one of Alabama’s early Christmas tree farms – The Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm outside of Sylacauga, Alabama. My father, Bloise Zeigler, had grown up on an 80-acre farm in the Russell Chapel area near Fayetteville, Alabama. About 1951, Bloise Zeigler bought for our growing family a 20+ acre farm in the Oak Grove Community adjacent to Sylacauga. You can’t make a living and support a family of six on 20 acres, so Bloise Zeigler worked full-time at Coosa River Newsprint, later Kimberly-Clark, now Bowater, what’s left of it, near Childersburg, Alabama. As Dad worked full-time, he also worked part-time on his small farm for additional income. Sometimes a few cattle, chickens, or hogs. Always wife Bernice Zeigler’s garden, including a cornfield and strawberry patch — my Mom with a green thumb. After retiring from the newsprint plant, Bloise Zeigler had a desire to utilize the family farm more. He turned to his unofficial adviser on all things agricultural. Dr. John Woodruff is married to my older sister, Ina (to those in Sylacauga, “Ina Gayle.”) John Woodruff is an agricultural genius. Award-winning. The two minds got together and came up with it. Alabama’s soil and climate were perfect for growing Pinus Virginiana. Virginia Pines. Christmas trees. Bloise and Bernice Zeigler started the area’s first “choose-and-cut” Christmas tree farm. It took just three years for Virginia Pine seedlings to become usable Christmas trees. A nickel seedling could become what was in 1976 a $15.00 to $30.00 Christmas tree (They can cost more now). Eastern Red Cedars and Leland Cypress trees were added to the gourmet selection of Christmas trees. Plan the work and work the plan. By 1979, we were attracting families across east and central Alabama. The families would make an outing of it. Bring the children and grandchildren. Get your saw from Bloise Zeigler. Rummage through the fields until you find a tree you like. Cut it. Take it up to the Zeigler barn, where you could shake the dead needles out using a “shaker” invented by nephew Mickey Zeigler. And wrap it in a netting using a gizmo invented by Mickey Zeigler, mechanical genius. In 1996, a tree from the Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm was selected as the official Christmas Tree of Alabama. It adorned the inside of the Governor’s Mansion. That was the first time that something Zeigler-grown stayed in the Governor’s Mansion. For 30 years, families from Birmingham to Auburn, from Gadsden to Clanton, came to the Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm. It became a tradition. It was also a tradition for Bloise Zeigler to witness to the families about salvation through Jesus Christ, the true meaning of Christmas. Nowadays, all that remains of The Zeigler Christmas Farm is that witness and the pleasant remembrances of thousands of families. Do you know anybody over age 40 near the Sylacauga area? Ask them about the old Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm. And ask them about Bloise and Bernice Zeigler. You will be amazed at the Christmas stories they tell you. Old fashioned Alabama Christmas stories. Jim Zeigler has been State Auditor of Alabama since 2015.
Jim Zeigler: Pearl Harbor and Alabama 80 years later
Eighty years ago, in the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces surprised and killed 2,403 Americans and wounded more than 1,100. In a speech to Congress the next day, President Franklin Roosevelt referred to December 7, 1941, as “a date which will live in infamy.” That prediction remains true on this 80th observance of Pearl Harbor Day, 2021. In December 1941, the people of Alabama, and indeed of most of the then-48 states, did not know where Pearl Harbor was. They learned very quickly and have never forgotten. The Pearl Harbor attack ignited American determination to disable the Japanese war machine. Americans were filled with patriotism, and individuals sought to aid in victory. Many enlisted in the military and fought for our country. My own father, Bloise Zeigler, was already working in a defense-support job at Huntsville Arsenal (now Redstone Arsenal). Two days after Pearl Harbor, Dad went down and enlisted. The next day, management pulled him into the Huntsville office and told him they had gotten his enlistment canceled because he was needed in the defense effort right where he was, in a vital defense job. He served his country right here in Alabama. For other Americans, their role in the war effort consisted of rationing their use of items such as gasoline, sugar, butter, and canned goods. A war was to be won, and Americans were willing to do their parts to win it. As we remember those who lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack, let us be mindful of the privilege of living in America. After World War II, America became a world superpower. Today America is blessed with abundant wealth and resources, as well as global influence. Most of all, America is blessed with citizens who face adversity with resilience and determination. Jim Zeigler is the State Auditor of Alabama.
