Their Home

The group had an up close look at another of America's massive buildings, the District of Columbia's train terminal. Then they noticed several large cars parked in front of the building. John Knox spoke again.

"These cars will take you to your new home. The district doesn't have large homes; except for the old mansions which are now the embassies for foreign governments. Your residence is in the state of Virginia, the county of Arlington and the neighborhood of Ball. You will find it a most pleasant place to live."

"I'm almost speechless John. Your government is most gracious."

"You're welcome. You have a few days to get settled. I have the telephone number to your home. My office will call you to tell you when to expect a car to pick you up and bring you the Navy building."

John and Georg shook hands and then a very surprised family took seats in one of the cars and they drove away. Maria and Georg sat in the back seat of the lead car. The driver spoke to them.

"To get to Virginia we need to cross the Potomac River. The bridge I will take is new; it's much closer to all the government's buildings and makes the trip to your home much shorter."

After the driver made a few turns, this bridge loomed in front of him. The bridge had two lanes for cars; trolleys used tracks in the center. It wasn't a long bridge; the driver was on the Virginia side in a few minutes.

The driver continued to speak. "Directly ahead of us is Arlington National Cemetery. A street name Arlington Boulevard goes around it. At the junction with tenth street North I will turn right. Your home is near the junction of Tenth Street and Washington Boulevard. You will see it immediately."

"Maria, I don't believe I will any difficulty learning how to drive here."

"It seems easy to me too. And is that huge house our home?"

"Yes it is." The driver told them. "Let me pull in the driveway far enough so the other drivers can park behind us."

Maria continued to stare at a two and a half story white brick building with a porch across the front and on around the left side. An extended portico was attached to the house and was supported by round columns. It was long enough for a car to drive under it to a garage a short distance away.

Their car had stopped. Georg immediately opened the car door. He got out and offered his hand to Maria. By now the others were exiting their cars.

"Dad, is this really our home?"

"It is, Liesl."

By now another representative of the government had stepped out of the foyer. "Welcome to your home. I'm Walter; a member of the government's housing office."

Georg let go of Maria's hand to introduce himself.

"Hello Walter. I'm Georg Trapp and this lady beside me is my wife Maria."

"Pleased to meet you both. Let me tell you about your home. This house was originally built for an Army General who had a large family. Georg, it's perfect for you and you wife and children as well as all the adults who came with you. The first room we enter is a foyer. Let's go inside."

Everyone was extremely quiet as Walter led them to the portico and stood in front of a large wooden front door painted white. The door opened into a rather large foyer. A window on the left provided light for the room. There also was a small table with a lamp and a radio.

And Walter told them. "The door you see on your right is the front door. Any guests to you home will climb the few steps to the porch and ring the bell. When we exit the foyer we will be in the living room."

Maria spoke immediately. "Look at the size of this room, a room where we can all sit comfortably and talk. No more needing to crowd into a small sitting room."

"And the children will like the next room; it's a room where they can play inside. There's room to run around in and tables and chairs for doing schoolwork, playing board games or putting puzzles together. There's a door to a terrace there too."

"Dad, this house really is perfect for us."

"Yes, Louisa it is."

"Where's the kitchen and dining room, sir."

Maria and Georg held similar thoughts as they both contained their smiles. Kurt would be the one to ask about them. They both thought.

"I'll show you them now. Follow me young man."

The dining room was in the back of the house. Isabel and Katia in particular were overwhelmed by it size. The extra-long table could easily seat twenty. A large modern kitchen was there too.

Walter now told them. "The large kitchen has been stocked; cans and jars of food fill the shelves and the refrigerator and freezer have enough food for several days.

"The old cooking fireplace was left there; it can be used on our very cold days. Young man, are you pleased?"

"Yes, sir, I am."

"We are all pleased Walter. Kurt is always hungry child."

Walter smiled at Maria, before continuing. "I'm sure you are all going to be pleased with the bedrooms. There is one near the kitchen."

"Georg, I think I will use it. I won't wake anyone getting up early to cook breakfast.

"That's fine, Katia. Isabel, I'm sure there's a nice room for you upstairs."

"There is Georg. There's also an elevator to use; it was installed about ten years ago when one of the Army Generals had an elderly relative living with them. The home also has two staircases, one in the front and this door is to the back stairs. There's a light switch on the wall. Follow me please."

There was another door at the top; John opened it and held it open for everyone to enter the hallway on the second floor.

"Walter, how many bedrooms are up here?" Isabel asked.

"There are ten on this floor and another two in what might have been an attic when it was first built. Isabel, the room I picked out for you is this one on my right; my wife told me it gets perfect light for sewing or embroidery. Come have a look at it."

Isabel saw a modest size room with a big bed; the linens were in shades of blue. The dust ruffle was made from eyelet cotton lace. And a comfortable chair was near the large window.

"This is lovely, Walter. And your wife is correct. It gets very good light for needlework."

Walter then encouraged all the others to find their bedroom while he showed Maria and Georg the master suite at the other end of the hall.

Walter opened the room's door; the couple's eyes gazed at a larger four post bed with an all white simple bedspread. It was centered between two windows. At the bottom of the bed was a wide bench. And the floor was carpeted with a muted design in shades of brown and gold. The same colors were in the drapes.

"Walter, this room is perfect for us. I was expecting a more masculine room since army generals lived here."

"It may have been that way; but after General March became Chief of Staff in 1918 he changed things to be more child and dog friendly. He loved to sit on the floor and play with his children.

"I'm going to leave you now to get settled. My card is by the telephone in the foyer. Don't hesitate to call me. I also arrange for home repairs should appliances or anything else need fixing. I'll report to John that you are more than satisfied with your home. I can see myself out."

Before leaving, Georg and Walter shook hands again. And now life in America began.