The war came into our lives with a great shock. One moment we were carefree teenagers, boy crazy and all that goes with it, and then patriotic citizens wanting to do all that was possible for our country. We had always thought our country was strong and invincible. But with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, we saw how vulnerable we had become. Every man, woman and child was inflamed. We couldn’t do enough for Uncle Sam.
At this time of my life I was pondering what challenge should I accept in life? How could I make an impact on the world? This attack on us by the Japanese altered me. Many of my closest friends were enlisting in the service, some lying about their age to enter. Those that could went into factories to help the war effort. With the loss of men, replacements were needed: many became Rosie the Riveter. Shift work was in vogue.
As I was a senior in high school, I had to finish school. I joined the Red Cross to take their courses as many citizens did. We also gave blood. It was funny now, when I reminisce about the course. The class was mostly old ladies. In one of the sessions, I had the choice spot. I was a mock victim. They were demonstrating how to carry a casualty out the building. My job was to lie there unconscious. Immediate first aid was given and then I was carried out by four fragile, senior citizens. You cannot imagine the terror I went through during this breathtaking event. They were so delicate and I so helpless. My anxiety was high for fear of being dropped. I survived and got my certification. I should have gotten a medal for bravery.
Each day a different friend called to say goodbye. It was getting to me. I worked at the Baltimore Gas and Electric company as an office boy. This place at one time was called “Boys Town” because of all the men that were employed. But after the war was declared, woman predominated.
The position did nothing for me. I became unhappy. Mom suggested I might try nursing. Oh! What the heck! I thought I could take a gamble. It was the patriotic thing to do.
In the end, it was a wise choice. I realized that I was born to be a nurse. It satisfied every fiber of my being.
The regime was difficult, but I enjoyed every challenge. The camaraderie made things exciting. We also had air raid drills in the middle of the night. The German prisoners of war worked in the nursing home. We lived at the hospital. No one was allowed to talk to them. We couldn’t anyway, because they only spoke German. This brought the war home to us. Some were young. It made you wonder what environment they came from. Were their families praying hard for their safety? As they worked close by, we were instructed to act as if they were not there.
We had rations of gas, sugar, nylons and many staples that were taken for granted. Not a soul complained; it was taken in stride. Didn’t the servicemen have to sacrifice much more? They were giving their lives. Every citizen showed patriotism. Not a complainer or dissenter around. When the anthem was played we stood at attention with goose bumps. It was an era of “What can I do for my Country?”
Nurses were getting scarce. So the Federal government formed a Cadet Nurse program. We were recruited to help where needed in the last six months of nursing training. My last six months I spent at McGuire General Hospital in Richmond ,Virginia.
What a place! Three thousand wounded men and we were sent to help. It felt like heaven. Even the ugliest of us got whistles and remarks wherever we went. There was not a male over the age of twenty- five.These men were lonely, some their firs