195

Chapter Twenty

Ellen’s War Effort

December 8, 1941

Loveland, Ohio

And All of America…

7:00 PM (CST)

Huddled before their radios, listening to their president, as..

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy…” ‘President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’, said “... the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

December 8, at 12:30 PM... Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress and the Nation via radio. The Senate responded with a unanimous vote in support of war.

At 4:00 p.m. that same afternoon, President Roosevelt signed the declaration of war.

The attack on Pearl Harbor immediately united a divided nation. Public opinion had been moving towards support for entering the war in Europe during 1941, but considerable opposition had remained until the attack.

After the attack, the vote to enter the war in Europe became unanimous.

“Remember Pearl Harbor!”

Became the watchwords of World War Two.

Loveland, Ohio

December 9/41

What do we do?

We’re at war!

Pictures of the horrible wreckage at Pearl Harbor headlining the worlds newspapers on this day.

Too early yet to tell the amount of human lives lost on this day.

The wreckage! Thousands… ‘Thousands’ of American sailors dead! Countless bodies tangled within the sunken, twisted metal wreckage.

We’re at war!

With Japan! With Germany!

German Americans? Japanese Americans? ‘Americans!’

Where do we go? What do we do?

Numb! Stunned! Dazed!

Now what? What do we do now?

Numb, stunned, dazed.

“Now what?”

Loveland, Ohio

12/9/41

6:10 AM

Bewilderingly asked: “What should we do today?”

“We do what we do every day, Murray…” determined “...go to work!”

Coming into the kitchen.

Sounding hopeful. “We ‘are’ going to work today!”

“Yes! We do what we do every day, Malcolm, until we’re told what else to do— or ‘they’ win!”

7:10 AM

Bundled against this frigid December morning, Sharon and Clyde skipping ahead. Main Street vacant but for an old Ford pickup sputtering by.

Approaching, the four see Pink’s ‘Open’ sign outside the closed door.

Coming in, both Lester ad Oliva behind the counter drinking coffee.

“ ‘Morning, boss, thought you’d want to be open today.”

“I do, Les!” Looking about. “Any business?”

“Not in here…” Oliva said “...but you’ve someone …” jerking her thumb towards the rear “...wanting to have their auto taken care of.”

Heading to the rear, “Thank’s!”

Oliva moving from behind the counter, making room for Sarah.

“So…” Murray asked “... what now?”

Sarah simply shrugged her shoulders in a ‘have no idea’ gesture.

Taking Clyde’s and Sharon’s hands, guiding them towards ‘Ellen’s Hat Boutique’. “Guess we just have to wait to see.” Ellen said over her shoulder.

The mood on this day to those within ‘Pink’s’, and those few customers coming in to make a purchase: depressingly morose.

7/9/41

7:02 PM

The people of Loveland, Ohio and all of America once again hovering about their radios as...

“I should like to say just a word to the women in the country tonight.” Said ‘Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt’ in an announced radio broadcast. “I have a boy at sea on a destroyer, for all I know he may be on his way to the Pacific. Two of my children are in coast cities on the Pacific. Many of you all over the country have boys in the services who will now be called upon to go into action. You have friends and families in what has suddenly become a danger zone. You cannot escape anxiety. You cannot escape a clutch of fear at your heart and yet I hope that the certainty of what we have to meet will make you rise above these fears.

We must go about our daily business more determined than ever to do the ordinary things as well as we can and when we find a way to do anything more in our communities to help others, to build morale, to give a feeling of security, we must do it. Whatever is asked of us I am sure we can accomplish it. We are the free and unconquerable people of the United States of America.”

We are the free and unconquerable people of the United States of America

10:21 PM

In bed this night, talking it over with her husband. Both agreeing.

“But how do we do it? How do we even know where to start to do

anything?”

“Get on the telephone!”

Thinking a moment. “Oh, Yeah!” Ellen said.

12/10/41

8:32 AM

“ ‘Morning, Loretta.”

“ ‘Morning, Ellen.” Always pleased to hear her Irish lilt. “Who can I get for you this morning?” Loveland’s Ohio Bell telephone switchboard operator asked.

Americans, naturally born Americans— hardly thinking about it, take our citizenship, freedoms and way of life for granted.

Naturalized citizens, however, enjoying the freedom and American way of life think of their adopted country as a cherished God given gift.

“Yesterday…” Ellen said “... after listening to Mrs Roosevelt, Malcolm and me, we talked about it and want to do something to help… ‘Anything’!”

The line silent a few moments.

8:35 AM

“Ellen.”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I have an idea where to start…”

“Thank you! You’ll contact them for us?”

“Yes… Now I know it’s none of my business, but where I’m going to be calling… Because of what’s happening, you know, the war and all, they’ll probably want to know if you and Malcolm are American citizens.”

“We are. Went to ‘America’ school six months after coming here, and have

been citizens for…” thinking “...almost six years.”

“Okay. Good! Let me check with what I have in mind, and I’ll get back to you.”

2:16 PM

The roaring of a large vehicle catching Sarah’s attention. The sputtering of the engine shutting down directly before ‘Pink’s’ doorway bringing her from behind the counter to the front door.

A large olive green troop carrier — a white star on the door, with the inscription, ‘U.S. Army’ beneath— opening as two fatigue dressed soldiers, stepping away, walked to the rear, as one other soldier, exiting from the driver side, entered into the hardware store.

Stepping aside as the soldier entered.

“ ‘Afternoon, ma’am. I’m Corporal Tanner.

Nodding her head. “ ‘Afternoon. How can I help you?”

“You Mrs, uh…” glancing at the type written paper in hand “...Murphy?”

Confused. Having no idea why the U.S Army might be looking for Ellen. “No.” Gesturing over her shoulder. “Ellen, uh, Mrs Murphy… She’s there.”

“Thank you, Ma’am.”

Thinking, They sure make soldiers polite now-a-days.

Except, at least for the next week, or so, Michael Tanner is part time National Guard, and a full time third grade school teacher.

Looking over the half wall, immediately drawing the attention of the two children, as, “Mrs Ellen Murphy?”

“Yes.” Wondering if this has anything to do with Loretta’s query. Standing, going to the half wall. “How can I Help you.”

“You’re the hat maker! Right?”

Correcting,“ ‘Woman’s’ hat maker.”

Taking a long moment to absorb the beauty of this tall, red-haired woman.

“I’ve, a, uh…” handing Ellen a five page sheath of official type-written papers “...requisition for five thousand Army fatigue caps.”

“What?” Taking the sheath of papers from Corporal Tanner, “How’ll I…”

Gesturing to the papers. “All instruction and required specifications are there…”

“Yes. But?”

“Where should we put put your material and equipment?”

“I, Uh…” arms gesturing about, as...

As... The front door opening, the two other soldiers, each carrying what appeared to be cumbersome, probably five feet long, heavy, possibly fifty pound bolts of olive green fabric.

Approaching. “Where’d you like these?” One of the Privates asked.

“Uh…” having no idea “...how many have you?”

“Six, and a couple of boxes.

“ ‘Six’! ‘And a couple of boxes’?” Knowing there would not be room enough in her oblong cubical.“Uh…?”

Taking command of the situation. “Here…” Tanner said, pointing to the eastern wall on the outside of ‘Ellen’s Hat Boutique’ “...stand them there!”

A helpless look on her face, looking t o Sarah for approval.

Shrugging her shoulders, making a questioning gesture with spread hands and upturned palms. “Yes, there’ll be okay...” Sarah said “...I guess.”

Four more bolts of olive green material standing against the eastern wall— well into the hardware area, then came two large cartons placed against the material.

“Sewing machines, Ma’am?” Corporal Tanner asked. “Where’d you like the machines?”

“Sewing machines?”

“Yes Ma’am; two.”

“Uh… Guess you can put them…” making a narrow, sweeping motion with her right hand “… there, alongside my machine.”

“Okay, guys…” sharply nodding towards the door “...bring ‘em in, put ‘em next to the lady’s machine.”

Ellen Murphy’s sewing machine, though a good, reliable sewing machine —for the delicate production of making women’s hats — first one, then the second heavy duty, commercial machine, each carried by both men, dwarfing Ellen’s machine, were placed alongside.

“Chairs?”

“Yeah. One’a you go get ‘em.”

Going outside, climbing into the rear of the huge troop carrier, a moment later the Private, jumping from the rear, returned with two, non padded, olive green folding chairs that he placed one each behind the machines.

Terrified at the thought! Having no idea how to make five thousand fatigue caps… However, figuring the sheath of papers she held would give detailed instructions. “That’s it?” Ellen hop fully asked.

“No…” a wicked smile coming to Corporal Tanner’s lips “...not exactly, Ma’am.”

Motioning for he two Privates to follow. Outside again, the three climbing onto the tailgate and inside, within seconds there came a screeching sound as though something very heavy were being dragged over dirty metal.

The Privates off the truck, onto the street, as Tanner, still inside, shoved —it’s six steel legs upward— what looked like an upside-down, four by six, steel stand over the edge of the tailgate, where the two front legs were guided onto the street, as Tanner jumped down to lift the remaining end off the truck.

Lester Harris was outside, watching as the three soldiers lifted the, at least, hundred-fifty pound steel stand off the ground, and it into the store, placing it before the six bolts of olive green material and the two large cardboard boxes.

A few hardware displays moved away to make room. Attempting to sound good-matured about it, and actually Murray was, kind of. “Anything else the Army will be bringing us today?”

Looking at Murray, “Pretty near through now… Except… You two! Gesturing to the Privates. “Get the rest of the stuff!”

“There’s more?” Lester questioned. “Maybe I can help!”

“Sure…” Tanner said “... if you want.”

Outside again and through the tail of the truck...

Out of the truck, now, with Lester and one of the soldiers carrying opposite sides of a four by six, fiber board; obviously meant to sit atop the steel stand.

Carried within the arms of the second soldier, was a three foot long, metal spring auction slicing blade; obviously meant to cut the olive green material, along with a six foot long steel rod fitted with clasps to allow side by side movement of the spring action blade.

Attaching the blade to the steel rod situated alongside the edge of the table… testing to be sure of the easy side to side movement.

All civilians once again inside, anxious to see how this space taking contraption worked.

The three soldiers well aware that every movement was being watched, in a way prolonging the show.

We’ll get the rest of it, Tanner.”

The two privates outside… and back inside with a six foot long, thin, stainless-steel hollow box having a hinged upper panel and a perforated steel engraved bottom panel and two outer grip hand holds... Along with an arm like, hand like rod, that Tanner also attached to the round, steel rod beneath the table, then tested to be sure it ran the six foot length smoothly.

Catching the eye of Ellen, the tall, beautiful, red haired hat making woman.

“Okay…” Tanner said “...here’s the ‘thing-a-ma-bob’ that does the job.”

Attaching the thin, stainless-steel container to the hand like arm like rod. “one of you guys…” motioning to one of the Privates. “...stretch some of that material across this thing, will you!”

“Want I should get the ‘T-square?” The other soldier asked.

“Thought they were here already.” Shaking his head. “Sure, of course!”

Six feet unrolled from one of the bolts of olive green material within the minute it took the Private to run and return with a huge T-square and a box containing different size X-Acto knifes and chunks of chalk.

Looking at the Private holding the running end of the olive green material. “Okay, stretch it tight!”

The six adults and two children crowded behind Corporal Tanner as he forcefully pulled down on the two outer grip hand holds..

Jamming the stainless-steel box onto the stretched, olive green material— with a puff of chalk dust, leaving six perfect, chalk drawn impressions of a flattened Fatigue Cap.

Putting pressure on the flat end of the T-square— handed an X-Acto a knife— Tanner made a quick slice, then, going to the other side of the table, lining the T-square up, he made another quick slice, then held a thirteen inch swath of olive green material showing the six chalk drawn impressions.

“Then we cut them out and sew them into hats?” Ellen asked.

Yes, Ma’am. Instructions in those papers I gave you.”

“How’s about the bills?”

Nodding his head. “Bills in the box.” Tanner said.

____________________________________________

                                      205

                        Chapter Twenty-One

                       Malcolm’s War Effort