February 18 in A.A. History

In 1942, Father Ed Dowling [right] wrote to Bill W.:

In the confusion of World War II, the AA personality is keeping an easy pace, convinced that somehow, some time, the cockeyed world will land on its feet. I am grateful to God for the AA virus in my spiritual blood stream.

In 1943, the U.S. federal government granted A.A. members the right to use cars for emergency 12th-step work, despite the nationwide gasoline rationing that began on December 1, 1942. While ordinary citizens were limited to just three gallons per week—except for factory workers and traveling salesmen, who received eight—A.A. members were given an exemption for this vital service. Notably, gas was rationed not to conserve fuel, but to preserve rubber.