I’m living in the wrong decade…
If this holds true for anyone, it would be true for Sammie Marie. Sammie is the manager of a WW2 memorabilia shop called The War Front. She owns several WW2 uniforms and is also a pinup model. What’s her favorite era, the 40’s! Sammie has an in-depth knowledge of WW2 and I’ve learned a ton of information about WW2’s influence on the popularity of Tiki. Here is Sammie’s story…
How did you get interested in World War Two?
Sammie- I’ve always loved the 40’s-50’s era. Growing up my grandmother still had most of her furniture. She never threw away anything if it was still good and she had all these fabulous clothes, shoes and photos. I remember spending hours looking at old black and white photos. I always thought that they were so special and I loved the hair and the way people dressed. Fast forward several years and I fell in love with pinup and embraced that look and feel but something was missing from my experience. I am curious by nature so I began reading up on the subject and met WWII living historians who introduced me to WWII veterans. I was hooked! There is no one cooler than a 95 year old feeling like an 18 year old young man again. I absolutely love what I do!
You are the manger of The War Front located in Kirkland WA. Can you tell us about it?
Sammie- It’s a militaria and collectibles store, much like an antique shop, specializing into military items and home front patriotic goods from the civil war all the way up to the Vietnam era. Here, collectors, living historians and reenactors can find relics, treasures and gear to carry their hobby to the next level. At the same time, we do consignment and appraisals for people who want to find good homes for items they can no longer keep so that military heritage and history may be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
The War Front was born three or so years ago down in Portland from the desire of two of my dearest friends who wanted to transform their dedication into a daily passion. They’ve both been collecting for over 20 years and are from military families, great people with a tremendous amount of knowledge. Where do I fit in in all of this? They needed help with their online strategies and to really push a business, which tends to be associated with old school army surplus stores, to the next level. We opened the Seattle location a few years ago and I help coordinating the operations there as well. It’s been a very rewarding and exciting time in my life, getting to build our little empire, meeting incredible people and hearing their stories, but more importantly, creating a foundation for future generations and young collectors to be exposed to these artifacts and paint a picture of a time no one should ever forget.
Do you own any WW2 memorabilia, if so what are some of your most prized possessions?
Sammie- I do! I collect women uniforms and home front items from WWII. It’s hard to decide what my most prized possession is because there is a story to everything, but my most unique would probably be this erotic poem I found in a pile of paperwork on US Army letterhead from WWII, and my rarest, a WWII US Army Nurse Corps purse in mint condition and a SPARS (women US Coast Guard uniform) and a sweetheart necklace made from an Australian coin dated 1943 given to me by a friend. There are so many quirky little things that means something special to someone but nothing to the next person. Collecting militaria is a very intimate and personal business. Most of my collection is dedicated to bringing joy to WWII veterans and educating the public.
You are also a pinup model, how did you get into modeling and where has it taken you?
Sammie- After some radical life changes many moons ago, I had decided to do something nice for myself in order to find my beauty again. It’s very hard sometimes for a woman in her 30’s starting over again to know that she is worth caring and being appreciated. I had a coworker who was doing pinup for fun and I admired her, she was so beautiful and looked confident so she hooked me up with her favorite photographer and from there on out I was completely hooked! My second photo shoot ever was at Hula Hula in Seattle, a tiki bar that at the time was all the rage, and I remember the excitement of getting my photos back, it was incredible! Ever since, my pinup passion has brought me all over the country and got me featured in magazines over 125 times in 5 different countries worldwide, including Bachelor Pad, a great kitschy tiki cool and burly magazine. I have met incredible people, sat on the propeller caps of two story high WWII airplanes and done wild and amazing things, which I am incredibly thankful for. You never know where life will lead you if you don’t follow!
What sparked your interest in Tiki?
Sammie- Rum and coconut… Scooby Doo? Adam West as Batman? My love for orchids? My daughter who is half Polynesian? My love affair with Maui? No honestly, I am not sure what triggered it. It’s always been love at first sight between the Tiki Gods and I. I love the Polynesian culture and food and I love the flavors and the mystique of tiki as a swanky underground culture and it’s so well rooted into WWII era culture and history so I find much comfort in the joy that it represented for the boys in the Pacific…. oh the wonders they have seen! It’s an escape and a destination at home. I collect tiki mugs and wherever I go I try to find the tiki establishment and soak in the flavors that defines it. I love understanding others passion for it, everyone’s interpretation of what tiki is varies a little bit. I think that everyone dreams of paradise in some form or the other and I soak it all in. Some day I’d love to open a tasty beverage establishment merging my love of pinup and tiki in a 1940’s Pacific atmosphere!
What does the future hold for you?
Sammie- This year I’m planning on pursuing my travels in order to meet new faces and connect with history. Time is a precious commodity for our WWII veterans and I would like to spend as much time as I can with them. Of course we’ll hit the air show circuit with the store this summer and bring militaria over to the public who is always curious and excited to see what we bring to the table next! Of course, I will pursue my pinup photo journey through time and I am always open to new adventures and challenges, wherever the wind will take me! And tiki drinks… Lots of them. Tiki Kon this year Ray?
Anything else you would like to add?
Sammie- Drink more milk!
Here is the website for The War Front
