The Coolidge examiner., 1942-08-21
Davis-Monthan Field Notes

The soldier let his feet dangl'
carelessly in the canyon waters
Slowly he reclined, putting his
hands behind his neck. The blaz
ing sun blinded him for a moment
and he closed his eyes. A wave ot
though suddenly crossed him.
he remembered how she looked
when they went to their first for
nal. The jingle sugar and spice
kept up a staccato beat with his
faltering heart. Then there were
the 'proms' and football games they
both attended. Slowly but surely
they were being identified as
Kay and Bill" After that there
was June commencement week
Summer went like a gust OF wind
because they were together
He'd break of a twig from a
tree and outline on the bare
ground just where the kitchen
would be. yes, there Is the library,
and here is the guest room. Her
musical Taught would break up his
planning. lie could hear her now,
"Bill." she'd chuckle visions OF
sugar plums dance in your head"
'T'n build you castle he would
rejoin.
The days and weeks passed. He
would by stinting and saving man
age 10 put away just a little for
the blessed day. Thanksgiving Day.
1871. they announced their engage
ment.
The distant rumble OF drums. the
blare OF martial music. the shrek
ing bombs that caused havoc and
chaos were merely stories OF the
fanciful imagination OF radio com
mentators and newspaper men. No
one could penetrate his kingdom.
Christmas Day he was 10 be mar
ried. The lines OF a poem he learn
ed in high school occurred TO him.
God is in Heaven, all is right IN
the world"
Sunday, December 7th, was a
quiet day. His mother was prepar-
ing a list OF names OF friends and
relatives who simply had TO be in
vited TO his wedding. He would
object here and there, the objection
would be overruled. and he would
submit without further comment
Suddenly he turned on the radio
The cheers OF football crowd fill
ed the room. Turn of that thing
his mother cried, can't think OF
Mary's address"
With his hand on the knob. the
cheering suddenly ceased. and the
excited voice OF a radio announcer
burst forth with. I'VE interrupt this
program to bring you a news flash
Washington, ID. c.. The State
Department announces that Pearl
Harbor. Hawaii, has been attacked
by the japanese. Stand by for fur
ther developments" The cheering
OF the crowd once again permeated
the air.
Something within him suddenly
stirred. IL was an awakening OF
emotions he had never felt before.
All the things which he had read
about Nazi terrorism. Japanese in
science, Axis intent on world dom
inatiOn suddenly appeared crystal
ICED before him. A cringing pain
under his heart almost brought
tears TO his eyes.
He knew that his plans were
shattered. He knew that in a world
OF violence, in a world of hatred
and oppression he could never find
real happiness with his beloved
MON, forget about that invitation
list. There are other things which
] must do first"
Events rumbled on quickly after
that He broke the news TO enlist
quickly to his fiancee. She cried
softly. but understood his thoughts.
The days before his departure were
filled with the problem OF convinc-
ing himself of the justification OF
his actions. He would toss in his
sleep. struggling with the concept
OF giving up his personal life for
destiny unknown.
He withdrew his soaking feet
from the water. The sun had des-
cended in the west. Tomorrow his
group was leaving for foreign ser
vice. Soon thereafter he would be
able 10 contribute his bit to those
who were going to help create a
world where one would have the
right TO love. The shadows OF the
nearby mountains embraced him
and passersby didn't notice the
sight Of a man kneeling in prayer
for his own.
Moods and Fancies
Watching Pvt. Samuel Canelstein
perform an unusual service in act