iThe Greatest Generation

Chapter 1:

Call To Duty

I hope everyone likes this story. Please let me know!

This story is dedicated to all those who put their lives on hold and stepped up when the world called, and To my Grandfather, who lived with the scars.

Sam's P.O.V.

It's about two o'clock in the morning and we are just now finishing up this great World War II movie. I can't believe what those people had to live through. I wonder how bad it was for the women at home while their men were away. I mean not knowing one day to the next if your loved one was alive. I can't imagine have to tell Freddie bye and sending him off to war.

Carly heads up to bed and Freddie and I make out for a minute and then I head up to sleep as he lies down on the couch. I crawl into the bed and fall asleep thinking about the movie and begin to dream:

December 9, 1941

Carly and I do a little radio show at KLVO in Seattle with help from my boyfriend Freddie. The last few days we have been off the air, what with all the news about the war. After the attack on Pearl Harbor two days ago the news has been flooded with stories about the Japanese taking island after island. The President declared war on Japan yesterday and the city went nuts.

Carly and I are in her apartment making lunch when Freddie and Spencer, Carly's brother, come through the door with strange looks on their faces.

"Sam, can I talk to you outside please?" Freddie asks.

"Sure honey," I say and head for the door.

When we get outside and he closes the door, he takes both my hands and looks me in the eyes.

"Baby, Spencer and I went down to the recruiting center this morning and joined the army. I know what you're going to say and what you're thinking, but baby you know what's at stake here and everyone has to do their share. Please understand that I have to do this."

I'm stunned. I can't speak. All I can think of is the idea that Freddie will be gone and be so far away and in so much danger. I don't want him to go; I can't stand the thought of losing him.

"Oh Freddie, please be careful, I can't lose you my love," is all I can say.

"I'll be ok honey."

"Promise me you'll be ok!"

"I'll be fine, you'll see. I have to leave on the train in the morning at 6:30," he tells me.

"Oh Freddie, no, not so soon!"

"Sorry honey, but I'm on the army's time now."

We skip lunch and dinner and spend our last night cuddled up on Carly's couch kissing and talking. He leaves at 5:00 am to go to his apartment next door and change into his uniform.

Carly and I get to the train station at 6:00 am and begin looking for Spencer and Freddie. We spot Freddie's mom and then Freddie and Spencer. Miss Benson is pale and nervous.

"Freddie, my baby, please be careful. Your all I have and if anything happens to you, I'll die," she weeps.

"I'll be fine mom," he says," Sam and Carly and I worked it out and your going to live in my apartment across from Carly while I'm gone. They are going to help you out and you can all support each other till we get back."

"Alright soldiers, lets get your butts on the train, move it, move it," a big Sergeant called out.

"Look like that's us," Freddie says.

Spencer kisses and hugs Carly as she begins to cry and then hugs me.

"Go with God Spencer," I whisper to him.

"Thanks kido, look after Carls for me."

"I will."

Freddie looks at me and suddenly my tears begin to flow. He's going away, half way around the world into harm's way and he'll be gone for God knows how long. I can't bear it.

"Sam I'll write you all the time," he smiles at me, "I'll be back honey and then we can get married and start our lives.

I hug him as hard as I can and kiss him deeply because I know it will be the last time for a long time.

"Alright lover boy get that ass in gear, your on Uncle Sam's dime now," the Sergeant slaps Freddie's back.

"Yes sir," Freddie states to him and turns to me, "I love you more than life itself Sam. "

"Oh Freddie, I love you down to my core," I weep as he hops on the train, "Be safe and Get back to me, please!"

I wave and he's gone. The three of us just stand there for awhile, lost in our own grief.

"Please God," I pray, "Keep him safe!"

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