Living Each Day

The family acted on Georg's words; they began to live in the present.

The next day Liesl came home full of excitement about the Prom.

"Mother, an army building will be transformed into a dance hall; including a drop ceiling to hide the rafters. The room has a large space to dance and also a space for tables for dinner. I'm helping make all the table decorations."

"It's wonderful you are so enthused. Is there a cost for you to attend?"

"No Mother, it's all paid for by the community."

Later Georg would comment to Maria. "I still find it amazing our children have all made friends so easily."

"The two who have surprised me the most are Marta and Gretl."

"So true. Now it's our time."

"Yes it is."

The next day it was Friedrich's turn to be excited. He hurried home and immediately found his mother.

"You're not going to believe how many colleges and universities there are here in Virginia and the nearby state of Maryland. My guidance counselor will help me get information on them and also help me with the application."

"That is wonderful. I'm positive you will be accepted to many of them. You may have a difficult choice to make."

"That may be true, Mother."

In spite of these happy events, world events continued to happen. The navy men learned almost every day of another country Hitler had invaded; many without much resistance.

At one meeting the three men had with the President and his cabinet they heard this from the Secretary of War.

"This man Hitler has a vision of the world that is anti-Semitic, anti-Christian and Hitler's economic policies are also unacceptable and this administration should do its best to keep Hitler from spreading this vision of his to other nations."

Georg asked. "Is this possible without going to war?"

"It's our hope that by supporting both Britain and Canada with arms, ships and aircraft they might halt Hitler's aggression. Our ship builders have not been idle. They have been building Battleships and Aircraft Carriers, along with Cruisers, Destroyers and Submarines with more tonnage. They have agreed to pay us when the war is over. It's also been good for Americans as well; the factories are booming again, our people are working again."

"Erwin asked. "Where's the money coming from to build these ships?"

President Roosevelt answered. "Two of my countries original statesmen, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, wrote the document known as The Constitution of United States. In this document the Federal Government was granted the power of taxation in order to pay the country's debts and to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.

"The president went on to explain the entire procedure. "After I make my request known in a document known as a Bill I send it to Congress for the approval of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Bill to request money for these ships was debated thoroughly before being passed by both Houses of Congress.

"The ship builders have been working around the clock to make these ships as fast as possible. And this has an extra benefit of getting our people back to work."

"Sir, thank you for all you told us."

"You're most welcome. It's time for lunch."