Chapter two

" The Day of Infamy "

The next day was a normal Sunday morning for the town of nome. The usual church goers went to church and the rest of the town was waiting for lunch to be served at the local diner.

most of the dogs were at the boiler room taking the day easy cause not much happened on a Sunday in winter. So when the church finally let out for the day most of the congregation went to the diner for lunch but some decided to have lunch at their house.

Yukon's family were one of the few families who ate at their house. "Wow I'm starving, what's for lunch mom?" James his 12 year old owner said. "Your favorite, chicken pot pie." The boys mother Mrs.Ann replied. " Oh boy I just Love...chicken pot pie." James unenthusiasticly stated. "Aw c'mon you know you just Love chicken pot pie." The boy's father Mr.Dilan said.

"Ok I just Love it...hey dad do we get the football game on the radio yet?"

Now Yukon's family was unique in the fact that they were the only family who had a radio for normal use that and James dad was the town radio operator during the weekdays.

" I don't know but let's see." with that they turned the radio on to see what was on the air that day. At first the only thing on the air was Alaska weather reports, then finally a voice over the radio said, "Good after-noon, today's football game features the Chicago bears and the Green Bay packers in one of the best rivalry games of the year..." " yes, we got the packers again dad." James said with a spark in his voice.

"Good, I thought we got the game today...James, after we eat do you want to invite some friends over to listen to the game?" His dad said. James face lit up with joy written all over it, "yes that would be awesome!" "Okay after we eat you can invite them over to listen to the game." "Alright"!

So when the family was done eating James went to the diner and asked everyone inside if they wanted to come listen to the game. the reaction was just what James Dad expected, a house full of guests listening to the radio.

Everything went well until a sudden and serious voice from the radio filled the room with tragic news,

"We interrupt this program for Breaking News, the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor, over 2000 are dead and over 3000 wounded, tune in tonight at 7:30 p.m. as president Roosevelt adresses the nation."

"Oh no...that means..."James began to mutter, "we're at war" his father finished. With that the room remained silent until someone finally asked, "Mr.Dilan...may we come over tonight to listen to president Roosevelt speak?" "I don't see why not." He calmly replied.

So as everyone started to think about the war they had now entered, Yukon decided to slip out of the house while no one was paying any attention to him. His destination, the grounded ship at the beach.

When he arrived he wasn't the only one there, Kodi was there as well but he was asking how to improve his sleddog traits..."so if I did everything you said, I could cut our total mail time delivery in half...right?" "Exactly." Balto replied, Then Yukon decided to make his entrance

"Hey dad, I've got some terrible news"..."What, your owners finally got rid of you." Kodi interrupted, Yukon

Gave him a glare that would've cut cold steel. "No, something even worse." Balto now anxious to hear what happened asked Yukon," so what happened?"

With that Yukon told his dad what happened, " the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor." "What does that mean?" Kodi asked. "It means we're at war."Balto answered.

"Yes, so that means in a couple of days the army and the Marines will start drafting." Yukon said, " but I can't be drafted, I have to deliver the mail still."Kodi began as though he had been drafted. "I don't think the United States would draft a current mail dog." Balto said calmly. With that Balto and Yukon held a conversation that lasted most of the Sunday afternoon

That's one thing Balto liked about Yukon is that they could have a conversation about anything and everything and Yukon would learn both sides of the argument then choose a side, unlike Kodi, although he was lead dog he always chose his friends side whether they were right or wrong.

The conversation finally started to wind down. "Well, I've got to get home before 7:30, president Roosevelt is supposed to address the country tonight." Yukon said. "Okay, tell me what happens tomorrow alright?"

"Alright." Yukon replied then started his long walk back to his house.

He got to his house in the nick of time, as soon as he walked into the room he heard the voice of the radio

"Sunday, December 7, 1941, a day which will live in infamy. The United States was deliberately and suddenly attacked by the naval forces and air forces of the empire of Japan..." with that the speech lasted one hour but felt like a few minutes when the president came to his conclusion..."No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion the American people in their righteous might will win through absolute victory."

With that everyone went home thinking about the war they had just entered.