Forever Faithful

After church on the second Sunday in September, Mark suggested, “Julia, let’s have another musical session this afternoon.” Then he added, “In the evening, I would like to take you to the movies.”

That evening, before the movie started, war clips were shown. The war news told how the United States, even though they formally are acting nonbelligerent, they really are aiding the British in their battle against Nazi Germany.

“Mark, it seems our country is dangerously tempting fate, and it looks like we might get into the war in Europe.”

He quietly spoke back, “Yes, it does look serious.”

The movie came on. It was a new movie, Sergeant York.

Mark, in a barely audible voice, enlightened me. “The story is supposed to be a true story. That should make it interesting.”

As the story in the movie unfolded, we learned that the main character was a pacifist, yet he was drafted into WWI from Tennessee. In the hillbilly country, he learned to be an excellent shot. His sharpshooter ability made him a war hero. Sergeant York was one of the most decorated American soldiers in World War I.

We discussed the movie on the way home. Mark seemed quite impressed with the war hero. He went on to say that with the war heating up in Europe, it might not be long before the United States is drawn into the war.

Mark stopped the car by my front gate. He leaned over, took my chin, and turned my face toward him. “Julia, what would you think if I enlist as soon as my dad’s corn crop is harvested?”

I felt numb. I dreaded the thought of war. Now my best friend is telling me that he wants to enlist.

“Why do you want to enlist?” I finally got out.

“I think we are going to be in war soon. I might as well enlist rather than wait to be drafted. I want to do my duty to protect our country and to protect the people that I love.”

“Oh, Mark, I would miss you so.”

“Julia, you will be teaching next year. You want to teach. After a couple years, I will be coming home again. I hope then I will be able to start farming for myself. Julia, we are too young now to be too serious. Don’t you see you will get your chance to teach and I will fulfill my duty to my God, family, and country?”

“Why do you say your duty is ‘for God, family, and country’?”

“We live in a great nation that protects our religious freedom, our families, and our land.”

I leaned toward Mark. “I am proud of you for wanting to protect all that we love so much. Maybe we won’t get into war, and you will not have to go into battle.”

“Julia, we have to be realistic. War looks inevitable. You and I have a strong faith. We must believe that we can save our nation. We must believe that faith will see us through.”

He kissed me, and we said good night to each other.

That night sleep did not come easily. The movie, the war clips, and most of all Mark’s words came again and again to my mind. The reality of the war clips was hard to accept as affecting me so far away in America. The movie made war look very dangerous. The killing of men in battle is terribly tragic. We are civilized people, yet we are acting in battle as if we are heartless brutes.

How can I let my best friend go away for weeks and maybe months? I will miss him so much. I love to sing and play music with Mark. He takes me out to movies, dances, and for other fun activities. He teaches me many interesting things. We share good companionship. Dear God, I pray don’t let this happen to me.

I don’t know if I can stand it. Dear God, give me strength to face the days ahead.

Marian complained to me that Dad wouldn’t let her listen to her radio programs because he wants to keep the battery for listening to President Roosevelt give his fireside chats. Marian is upset because she cannot listen to the Lone Ranger and Jack Armstrong. Mom went to the library to get her books to read instead.

Dad’s listening more to news on the radio makes me realize he is concerned that we might be close to war. He reads the Telegraph Herald every day.

While I am at Uncle Roy’s during the week, he listens every evening to the news. I am glad that Aunt Ida and the girls keep me busy. Sometimes I help Rickie with his second-grade work. He needs some help in reading. I think that is good practice for me to be a full-time teacher someday. I also drill him on the memorization of his addition and subtraction facts.

Sometimes Aunt Ida lets me take her kitchen electric radio to my room to listen to music. I like to hear the latest songs. Then I can better choose the sheet music I want to buy for the piano at home. Some day we will have electricity at home, so I can have a phonograph or a radio to play music.

Dad and Mom went to the electric co-op in Cresco to see about getting electricity out to the farm. They were told with the threatening war news that no one would get wiring at this time. If we get into war, that will mean we have no electricity until after the war.

At least I am happy that in the evening at Aunt Ida’s, I can hear music like “In the Mood” and “Blueberry Hill” by Glenn Miller and Bing Crosby’s voice as he sings “Only Forever”