Another Year Begins

This morning everyone slipped back into their routine. The entire family had breakfast together. Even all the excited jibber-jabber didn't wake Chris. From Friedrich they heard. "This week my guidance counselor is helping me complete my applications to the University of Virginia and John Hopkins University."

And Georg responded. "I'm sure you will be accepted by both of them. You'll have a tough decision to make."

"Yes, I know."

Louisa also spoke of her plans. "I'm going to try and find out if the Red Cross has a place where I can volunteer."

Gretl and Marta shared that they would bring their new book to share during reading class. Kurt said something a little different. "I want to show mine to my physics teacher; he built structures like these."

And Brigitta's comment surprised no one. "I read all three of my books. I'll put them on the book shelf for everyone to read."

The war didn't keep the loving couple from following their usual routine. Until the weather was warmer they would say goodbye inside. The bus arrived as usual. And sometimes Stefan would drive the girls to school.

The news the navy men heard that morning and for several mornings was not good. Nothing had gone well for the navy in the Pacific. Many men and ships had been lost. Even the soldiers they had on land were no match for the Japanese. And to make matters worse, Germany was brazen. They had submarines off the Atlantic coast of America. Several tons of cargo now lay on the ocean floor, cargo which Great Britain needed.

The navy men agreed not to share this news with the family. Instead they would talk about the Pentagon. One evening, Gretl asked.

"How you gotten lost, Daddy?"

"No sweetie. We stay in our section. The only time we leave it is for lunch. Then we have an escort who knows the way to the cafeteria."

"Dad, would it be possible for us to visit it?"

"Kurt, I'll ask the Admiral. Maybe we could visit on a Saturday."

"I hope his answer is yes."

"So do I."

Georg received a positive answer. On the very next Saturday, everyone in the family crowded into either the car or Stefan's truck, including Chris. Maria had dressed him in one of his new outfits. He fell asleep after she had fed him. She wrapped in a warm blanket before leaving the house. No one expected the ride to be so short. The Pentagon was only a few miles from their home.

A guard was waiting outside the entrance; he escorted the group inside the gate to where Samuel was waiting. He noticed the looks of awe on everyone's face. He immediately spoke to them.

"I had your same look the first time I saw this building. It really is a massive structure. Once you're inside, you discover the interior to be quite pleasant."

Their looks of awe continued as the entered the building. It was even more beautiful than Georg had described.

Sam let them catch their breaths before he spoke again. "Follow me and we'll walk the halls."

The group saw for themselves all the beautiful polished honey-toned wood which blended nicely with the light yellow tinged paint on the walls. The multiple pictures on the walls were all framed in the same wood.

They saw the auditorium in the navy section as well as several other rooms which served as offices. Each one not only had a name plaque on the wall next to the door, there was also a half circle of an eagle embedded in the marble floor in front of the door.

Sam took them by one room where there were several men wearing earphones. Sam didn't tell them that some were listening to German and Japanese military men conversing.

The children had also adopted Helena and Sam as an unofficial aunt and uncle. "Uncle Samuel, I speak for all of us, thank you. Do we need to keep this building a secret or can we tell our friends?"

"It's not a secret, Kurt. I was told there were a lot of opinions voiced in the newspaper when the government was trying to decide on its location. And I'm sure some your friends' parents have taken them to see the site."

And Maria reminded him. "Please come see us again soon; you don't need an invitation."

Sam smiled. "I'll remind Helena."

Sam led them back to the door they had entered. There he and the family said goodbye. Both the car and the truck were full of conversation as they headed home. Their arrival was perfect; Chris had begun to stir. Maria immediately attended to his needs. The rest of the family continued to talk about the Pentagon for the remainder of the day.

Maria told them. "I think Chris is enjoying all this conversation. He turns his head towards each of your voices and he's been awake a long time."

"Mom, maybe he will sleep longer tonight."

"Maybe Brigitta, he's already giving me over three hours of sleep every night."

Sunday was a quieter day. Chris still occupied some of their time but the children found other things to do. They read or played games like Old Maid, Slap-Jack and a board game called Treasure Hunt. The temperature outside was very cool but not freezing; the wind was calm. The entire group went on a mid-afternoon walk. The remainder of the day passed quickly.

In the morning Gretl announced. "I can't wait to come home and see if Chris has done something new."

And the first words out of her mouth when she came home were always. "What did Chris do today?"

Sometimes Maria would answer this way. "He is growing; his little feet are beginning to poke through the bottom of his sleep sac. Now he can wear some more of the outfits Aunt Carol bought him. And he entertains Katia, the men and I with all those cute sounds he makes."

All the children were pleased. The next few weeks passed quickly. By the end of January the navy men could no longer keep the war news from the family. Now, each child's class was learning about the war.

One evening, Friedrich asked his dad a simple question. "Why isn't America winning any battles?"

Georg took a moment before he responded. "The Japanese deceived us. While we were in negotiations with them, they were building their war machine. They also had help from the Germans. America's naval ships from the Great War are very old and in disrepair. And we only had a small legion of soldiers at our bases in the Pacific."

"Are we making new ships now?"

"Yes, but it will take time. We do have some new aircraft. We've been building them for Great Britain. All the factories that used to make cars, now only make airplanes."

Maria added. "Sadly, war isn't fought for only few weeks or months. It may take years, but I still believe the righteous will prevail."

"You're mom's correct. We can't let it consume us. In the coming weeks, our government will have ways everyone can help. And Chris will keep us happy and upbeat."

Chris did provide the family with the diversion it needed. As Georg had predicted, the government had begun to plan ways for everyone to contribute to the war effort. War costs money; the government had a plan for all the people to help raise the necessary funds.

Soon posters were in the windows of every store in America. The schools had them too. They announced that War Bonds were available to buy. Most everyone could scrape together the $18.75 to buy at least one. The children could buy stamps for twenty-five cents. In a several months even they had purchased a bond. In ten years they could redeem them for twenty-five dollars.

Every Friday morning, the children would remind their dad. "Please don't forget to give us our quarter to buy another War Bond stamp."

He happily placed a coin in each one's hand. He and the other navy men also bought some. They wanted to do their part; they all knew they owed the United States government a lot for accepting all them so freely.

Liesl's letters always made them smile. She wrote with enthusiasm; it almost bounced off the paper.

Moms, Dad, I sometimes pinch myself thinking this is all a dream. I speak to another dignitary every day. Yesterday, I spoke with the ambassador from Austria. The government still recognizes him. It knew he had nowhere to go. Tomorrow, I'm helping to set tables for a lunch meeting with some of the ambassadors from several small countries. I'll tell you all about it in my next letter. Tell everyone I said hello.

Love, Liesl.

"We should be very proud of her. James told me she's a very fast learner. And she hasn't been intimidated by the all the phone calls she has taken from other consulates and embassies. She even met Viscount Halifax, the British ambassador recently."

"I am proud, sweetheart. I don't think either of us expected her to have this opportunity."

"America has given all of us opportunities beyond our wildest dreams. We should get some sleep."

"Yes, Chris may wake in another hour or so."

When February twenty-seventh arrived, the family celebrated Maria and Georg's first wedding anniversary. The house was packed with all their friends. Liesl had made the trip with the Lewis family.

Katia had made an extra-large cake. She was able to make an egg-white frosting which took less sugar. It was one of the first food items to be rationed.

Everyone milled around the family room eating off of several platters of hors d'oeuvres and enjoying a beverage. After about an hour, Stefan and Phillip carefully carried the small table with the large cake on it to the center of the room.

Katia stood near the table. She tapped a glass gently with a spoon to get everyone's attention.

"Georg and Maria, you need to re-enact the cutting of your wedding cake. I have your Wedding Day knife."

"Shall we comply, my husband?"

"Of course, my wife and I should." They laughed along with everyone else.

They placed their hands in the proper position; Maria's were on the knife; Georg's covered hers. On the count of three, they made the first slice. Katia completed cutting it and served their piece on a plate with two forks.

They followed through on their re-enactment. They placed a small piece on their fork, entwined their arms and fed each other. The group applauded.

Helena and Carol helped Katia serve everyone. They mingled in the family room as they ate and enjoyed another beverage. One by one the guests began to leave. Maria said the same words to everyone. "You don't need to wait for a special occasion to visit."

The family retired to their bedrooms soon after everyone left. Chris was asleep when Maria laid him in his cradle. She knew he would wake for his midnight feeding.

She and Georg sat on the settee and talked. "Sweetheart, did you notice how much time Liesl and Michael spent together this evening."

"I did. Is it what I suspect? They're more than good friends."

"Yes, I believe Americans would say they are dating. Only time will tell us if Michael will become our first son-in-law. How do you feel about our oldest getting married?"

"Not like it could be if it wasn't someone she's known for a long time. It's probably rare for girl and a boy who have known each other since they were young children to now begin to date. And what about you, how do you feel?"

"I'm happy for her. She's a very level-headed young lady. I know she'll be sure he's the right one."

Georg waited for her to feed Chris. Their married time was more eager and passionate that night. It chased away all the bad thoughts about the war; they both slept well.

Sadly, the days and weeks would pass with very little good news about the war. Only news about Chris kept this family upbeat.

Shortly before the eighth of March, Audrey visited to check on Chris. She was required to submit a report to the local health department every month for a year. Maria always enjoyed her visits.

As Maria had done on past visits, she helped Audrey weigh him. Chris didn't like being naked; he fussed. The two women worked together to get his weight quickly. Then Maria wrapped him in the light weight blanket Audrey had used and held him close to her. He would immediately stop crying.

Audrey announced his weight. "Maria, your son weighs thirteen pounds and one ounce. I think it's time to start him on solid foods. I warn you, this will be challenging. He must get used to the spoon and also the taste. He must wear a bib or else his clothes will always need to be changed.

"Let me ask Katia to join us. She'll need to know what to buy."

She was also very excited. She looked over the list Audrey had prepared; one box of Gerber Oatmeal cereal and several cans of strained fruit and vegetables.

"I've seen these at our A&P store. I will probably need to go to Sears to purchase his baby spoon."

"Yes Katia, they have them. You should also buy him some bibs. Maria, call me if you have any questions. I need to check on a baby I delivered two days ago."

"I'll call you after his first time to let you know how he did."

"Yes, please do. Ladies, I can see myself out."

Maria then talked to Chris. "Your brothers and sisters are going to be very surprised that you can eat real food now."

Katia added. "And I think he will do quite well. He'll be like Kurt; he tried to eat the spoon." Both of them had a good laugh.

The ladies waited for the children to arrive home. The girls were always first; the bus arrived about an hour later. Maria waited until they all were home before she told them. They were elated.

Gretl had another comment. "Now, I can't wait for Saturday to watch you feed him."

"Your daddy will be able to watch too."

Gretl didn't wait hardly a second to tell him the news when he came home. "Is that so, Gretl? I bet it won't be long before he joins us in the dining room in his highchair."

"Then he'll really be a big boy." She ran off with a grin on her face. Georg's heart was full; she was really happy.

That wasn't the only news of the day. That evening Friedrich stayed with his parents after his siblings had gone upstairs.

"I'm still in awe that I was accepted at two very prestigious universities. The University of Virginia is not only a fine academic institution, it is also very historic. Not many universities were founded by a former president; it is the same today as it was when Thomas Jefferson walked the stone pathways.

"I had another opportunity to speak with the admission representative from John Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland. He shared some things I didn't know. The university was the leader in a program for controlling Malaria in war zones. The university is doing research on finding a better drug to treat the disease.

"A research professor from the university also visited the high school. He told us the university is working with a scientist from London, Howard Florey who had knowledge about the discovery of a mold by another scientist, Alexander Fleming. This mold produces a substance which kills bacteria. It's been tested on humans and all of them got better.

"As a student there, I could be involved in further research."

"I believe you just told your mom and me your choice."

"Yes Dad, it is my choice. And Mom, it's closer to home than the University of Virginia. I know you must remember us traveling from Baltimore after we arrived at its port."

"I do, Friedrich. I'm pleased with your choice."

"Thank you, I'll notify the admission office that I have selected their school. I hope my excitement won't keep me awake. I have a chemistry test in the morning."

"I'm sure you will get to sleep, sweet dreams, Son."

"Thanks, Mom." Friedrich hurried upstairs.

"Well Georg, another child is leaving the nest."

"I think were both prepared to let him fly. He will write letters and maybe come home once or twice during the semester."

"I think so too. Chris is stirring. I'll take him to our room to feed him."

Neither parent was sad. And the children were proud of their brother. Gretl told him. "Maybe one day you'll be famous." Everyone smiled. They finished breakfast and everyone left for the day.

Maria was a little frustrated the first couple of times she attempted to feed Chris his cereal mixed with fruit or vegetables. By the fourth time he swallowed more than he spit out. Audrey had been pleased with Maria's report.

Chris continued to give everyone diversion from the war in the Pacific which was still nothing but defeats for America. And the Germans continued to sink cargo ships off the Atlantic coast.

The navy men and the children would learn that fifty smaller countries had joined with the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China to fight the two common enemies, the Germans, specifically Hitler and the Japanese war lords. Soon all Americans learned other ways they could help with the war.

Stefan and Phillip already had a large garden. The government was encouraging every family to have what they called Victory Gardens. This was also true for the Kellers and all who lived in the farm community. Everyone shared their abundance with the needy.

And everyone began to save all kinds of things: rubber, rags, paper, silk, string and all kinds of metals. Steel or aluminum was salvaged from basements, backyards and attics including old cars, bed frames, radiators, pots and pipes. And in order to make ammunition, families saved household waste fat; it contained the key ingredient, glycerin.

And Chris never failed to make them laugh and smile. Before he was six months old he had delighted everyone with his ability to roll over with ease. One day Maria had a surprise. She was sitting near the big window to do some sewing. Ever so often she would look towards the cradle. She was startled by what we saw. One of Chris' little hands was holding on to the side of the cradle and one leg was in the air.

She quickly put down her sewing and ran to him. She found his other shoulder was tucked under him. "So you're trying to roll over in your cradle." She picked him up and hurried to find Katia. Immediately Maria announced.

"Katia, his cradle days are over."

"What did he do?"

"I caught him trying to roll over. The only place for him to sleep now is in his crib. I'm so glad Phillip and Stefan put it together recently."

"I'll go up and put a sheet on the mattress and place one of his blankets on the rail."

That's where he was when the children came home from school. Maria didn't wait for either of the girls to discover the empty cradle; she told them what had happened and where their brother was.

"I can't wait to tell Daddy." Gretl excitedly announced.

Georg had the same reaction he had had to his eating real food. He had told Gretl. "He's really getting to be a big boy."

Liesl was fully engaged in her work with Carol. Maria and she had shared many short letters and the occasional telephone call. Her letters continued to ooze with her excitement. And their phone conversations were the same.

One day Liesl mentioned that Michael had been home for a weekend. Maria had to ask. "Are you and Michael more than friends?"

There was a brief pause. "Yes, Mom we are. We often talk about how unusual it is for us to like the other. We've known each other since childhood."

"Your dad told me that too. We're both happy for you."

"Thanks, Mom. I really, really like him. I better go; I need to go check on the tables for dinner tonight. I'll write or call again soon."

"And I'll look forward to hearing from you either way."

Maria smiled broadly; she was very happy for her daughter. She knew Georg and she were lucky that Liesl was dating a boy they both knew.

Chris quickly progressed to being able to sit up. He now ate all his meals in the highchair Phillip had also found in the attic. He now sat there during dinner. Soon he would be given a hard biscuit to gnaw on; Maria knew his first tooth was on the way. And Gretl had her opportunity to sit with him and read his Pat the Bunny book.

When summer came, all the children volunteered at the local Red Cross office. Gretl and Marta were taught how to make bandages. Kurt and Friedrich packed boxes of nonperishable and personnel items for the military men. Louisa and Brigitta had learned basic sewing skills. They helped repair clothing so it could be worn again. Very few items were ever thrown away.

Germany occupied almost all the countries of Western Europe; most had capitulated without a fight. It was still engaged in a war with the Soviet Union. It had started months before Pearl Harbor was bombed. The United States focused on the Pacific theater. It continued to enlarge the size of its army, navy and air force; and was building the necessary ships, aircraft, tanks and guns of all types and sizes.

The summer seemed to fly by; it was soon time for Friedrich to leave for the university in Baltimore. Maria planned a party for him. It included others from his class along with all their adult friends. Since it was summer time, it was held outdoors.

All the adults must have all agreed to keep the spotlight on Friedrich and not on Chris. All of them acknowledged his presence but didn't ask about him. Katia had prepared all-American picnic foods. Everyone ate off of trays filled with hotdogs in buns, and other trays of halves of hard boiled eggs whose yolks had mixed with mayonnaise and mustard and place in the hole the yolk had occupied. She also had made bowls of potato salad. Their beverages that day were bottles of Coca-Cola.

When the party goers had had their fill, Katia brought out not one but two cakes. Helena and Carol helped her serve everyone. Friedrich stood where he could speak with his guests. His dad got everyone's attention using his navy whistle.

"Thank you for coming. I know some of you are also going off to a university. Hopefully we will visit during the holidays."

His friends were the first to leave. Each offered similar thoughts. The adults didn't leave until after the young people left; they now turned their attention to Chris. Friedrich didn't mind. He happily picked him up and showed him off. He heard what Maria had often heard. "He's a big boy."

Friedrich would tickle him to make him laugh. Slowly, the adults began depart. Maria and Georg were there to thank them for coming. Helena and Sam were the last to leave. She spoke to Friedrich.

"I always knew you would go on to a university. I remember how much you enjoyed my science lessons."

"I did Aunt Helena. Your lessons probably planted the seed. And my mom's lessons helped it grow."

"A wonderful thought, Sam and I wish you well."

Later Friedrich would thank his mom and dad for a wonderful party. The next day only his dad drove him to Baltimore. His siblings wished him well. And Maria made him blush with a kiss on his cheek. Georg would report.

"He's all settled, Maria. I left him as he went off to an assembly for all the freshmen. He promised to write soon."

Maria tried not to be sad; but this was number two who had left the nest. And sadly the war continued.