The Sun rose over a grim little town, the world as they knew it had ended but life went on. Big Bobby kissed a crying Cindy Jean good bye and told her he was going to pick up Hiram and they were heading into Greenville to Enlist in the Army. Hiram sat at his Momma's kitchen table and reassured her that his big brother Joe was too mean to get hurt. He was just hoping that Joe didn't win the war before he got there to help him.

 Little Pearly Johnson, only 15 years old and scrawny as a new born calf, walked down to the county road and hitched a ride to Greenville from a passing trucker.

 Reverend Smith gassed up the church bus, put on his World War I infantry uniform and started out to the local farms to pass the word, pray with the people and offer rides into Greenville.

 Randy Meyers the Principle of Nomocotton's School called all the boys over 15 years old together and told them "I know yall are mad, I know you want to do your duty and go fight but you need to finish school first. You will get your chance, I am gonna drive up to Greenville this afternoon and ask that Army Recruiter to come out and talk to yall. He will be able to tell us what we need to do, maybe he can set up one of those training classes like they got over at Texas A & M. I know you boys are brave and want to do the right thing but all we can do at the moment is pray and wait."

 Lester McCullum dead tired from his all night drive pulled into Greenville, and stopped at the Army office. He told the Sgt. working there " My Name is Lester McCullum, I've got 3 years of college at Oklahoma State. I drove all night to here, I wanna enlist in the Army Air Corps. All I ask is you let me go to see my Momma and Daddy over in Nomocotton tonight, them I'm ready to go."

 Tommy Joe Lunsford gave his coach the same promise he gave his parents that morning. He would finish his Senior Year before signing up but come June he was leaving for the Marine Corps.

President Roosevelt and the Congress declare war on the Axis Powers.

As the days slowly dragged by Nomocotton settled into the old routine with some noticeable exceptions. The Traywick family grieved for the tragic death of Joseph. Big Bobby and Hiram had left for basic training. Lester and come home and left again. Everyone suspected little Pearly Johnson had snuck off and enlisted but no one was sure. Tommy Joe and the football team went on to win the district title and came within a touchdown of winning the state single A championship. Christmas came without much cheer.

"My god I think that Drill Sgt. is trying to kill us before the Nazi's get a chance" Pvt. Bullen muttered " I sware he wants to march us all the way to Germany." Halfway through Basic training Big Bobby Bullen still had the fire in his belly but couldn't help but think he was the oldest guy here and it showed. The training was hard but he knew it would be worth it. "alright you grunts, you got 5 minutes, smoke em if ya got em" Yelled Sgt. Hanson, Bobby shrugged off his pack and sat down beside Mike Trevor. "Well Mike these little walks in the woods shure are fun aint they?" "Bobby 26 mile forced march with a full pack isn't my ideal of a walk in the woods. What I don't understand is if we are gonna be Tank Drivers why they keep marching us through these woods?" Big Bobby smiled and said "Cause Sgt. Hanson is a cruel man who likes torturing little Yankee's like you." "Bobby don't you ever stop, if you aint kidding me about being from Ohio, you're giving Wagner a hard time about Okie's. One of these days your bad jokes are gonna get you shot. You know, I don't understand you. I mean why are you here, you gotta be 35 years old, your wife is pregnant you didn't have to do this?"

 Big Bobby got a smile on his face and said "Well, first I'm 33 not 35, and yea my sweet Cindy Jean ought to be having that baby any day now. Why am I here, about 7 years ago this skinny little kid with big ears and wild sense of humor came to work for me at the graveyard. This was as clumsy as a newborn calf but I got to liking him. We became best buds, Me and Cindy Jean would have Sunday supper with his family at least once a month. Hiram is his name, he had an older brother, Joe a quiet serious boy. Joe wanted to go to college so he joined the Navy and started saving his money. Joe was on the Arizona, If I didn't do this I could never look his Momma in the eyes again, or Hiram, or my Cindy Jean or myself."

 "Well aint that sweet Pvt. Bullen, it just about brings a tear to my eye, now get off your lazy Texan butt and get to marchin" Yelled Sgt. Hanson " and Bullen if I hear one more word about Jalapeno Waffles you are gonna be pealing spuds till the end of this war."

"Lt., I understand his paperwork says he is 17 and his Daddy signed for him, but that boy aint anywhere near that old."

 "Sgt. is he turning into a good Marine? Can he pull his own weight in a combat situation?"

 "Yes Sir, but …"

 "Then I don't care how old he is, just train him and ship him out. We are at war in case you haven't noticed."

 "Yes Sir, Sir you know Pvt. Johnson has volunteered for Demolition school?"

 "Sgt. we both know the boy is underage and I do understand your concerns. I even share some of them but the boy can handle the job. I suspect he has a little experience with dynamite already. I am approving his transfer and promotion to Corporal. When this war is over you can ask "Corporal" Pearlie Johnson how old he really is and what he did back in Texas."

 "Yes Sir"

 "DISMISSED"

 Sgt. Thompson turned and left the office. He could only hope the Lt. Was right. On his way back to the barracks he stopped by his quarters and picked up an old pair of corporal stripes. Pearlie wasn't his son, but it shure felt like it.

"Good Lord Cindy Jean are you ever gonna have that baby?" Adaline Traywick asked with a laugh as Cindy Jean came through her front door. "Adaline I sware this baby is just like Bobby, all it wants to do is lay around all day. I don't think he is ever gonna be ready to show his smiling little face. Have you heard from Hiram yet?"

 "Not a word but that don't surprise me none, he never was much for letter writing."

 "Adaline, let's go down to German John's for lunch, you really need to start moving around more. I would offer to make us something but I don't feel like cooking and you don't need to."

 As the ladies drove into town they talked about names for the baby, and the changes that had come to town. All the men from 18 to 30 were gone, Betty Jean Smith, the Reverend Smith's wife was organizing all the local ladies into sewing circles and prayer groups.

 When they got to town they were surprised to see Ben Abrahmson up on a ladder painting over the name of German John's Mercantile. "Ben what are you doing?" Yelled Adaline "Well Mrs. Traywick I don't want people to get the wrong ideal and the name German John's just don't seem right anymore." "Ben Abrahmson, you stop that right now, this has been German John's for over 60 years, we all know your family, nobody is gonna think you are one of those Nazi fellows. Ben, let's not let those people change us."

 On the other side of town, Tommy Joe and Margeret sat on the front yard of the school eating their lunch. "Margie, I love ya girl, and I wanna marry you before I leave. We are both 18 now and don't need anyone's permission. Lets go to Greenville tonight and find us a JP." "Tommy Joe Lunsford, I love you too and I do wanna marry you but I aint gonna sneak off in the middle of the night like some Dallas Street Walker. If you wanna marry me your gonna have to ask my Daddy and do it right. You know Reverend Smith already said he would marry us if my Daddy said yes." "Alright Margie, I'll ask him but you gotta hide his shotgun. Hey did you hear Kary Kay got a card from Pearlie, he joined the Marine Corp."

 "Tommy I'm glad you decided to finish school first, that gives us a little more time together before you leave. That is it will if you ever work up the nerve to ask my Daddy."

"Lester I don't care if you did get order for England I am not that kinda girl!" Emily said as she pushed the slightly inebriated Lt. Lester McCullum away from her. "Besides that you don't finish flight school for another six weeks. Lester did you really get orders?"

 "Well, not really but I was hoping I could impress you."

 "Lester lets go back inside and do some dancing, then maybe we can go get friendly."

 Lester jumped out of the car with a big smile on his face and said "Lets go do some 2 steppin"

"excuse me Sir, you want us to jump out of a airplane?"

 "Pvt. Traywick that's why we are called airborne, cause we jump out of planes, what did you think we were pilots?"

 As he walked away shaking is head, Pvt. Hiram Traywick muttered "I'm gonna kill that Big Bobby, I should have knobbed better, but NO I believe him when he tells me Airborne means Pilots."

 "Hey Redneck, you wanna go over to the club and have a beer or seven" yelled Cowboy Because from across the parade grounds.

 Hiram Said "why not" and the two of them headed for the bar. "Cowboy did you know we gotta jump out of perfectly working airplanes?"

 "Yea, I can hardly wait, its gotta be a lot of fun. Sorta like skiing without the mountain."

 "Seaman Margison this aint no Honeymoon cruise, if you cant get to your battlestations post any faster than that we gonna end up on the bottom of this ocean. People we don't have time to be slow learners. 10 days from now we are gonna be in Pearl and you will see first hand why we have to be ready at a moments notice!"

 "Ok there's the all clear, go back to your regular stations, but remember next time it may not be a drill."

 Seaman Brian Margison headed back to the galley. He just couldn't believe it the world at war, his friends learning how to maintain engines and the big guns and he was peeling potatoes, a cooks assistant on the USS Austin, the smallest oldest and weakest destroyer in the Navy.

 Somebody slapped him on the back and said "Brian, don't let it get to you Chief Wright yells at everyone."

 "I know he just wants us ready maybe he knows where we are going after Pearl. I heard we are going to Manila, to support the troops there."

 "Brian, you gotta quit listening to those shipboard rumors, the Captain is the only one who knows and he aint talking."

"Mrs. Traywick are you here with Cindy Jean?" "Yes Is she ok? Is the baby ok?" The nurse said with a big smile "Yes, Cindy is find, so are the twins. She asked me to come out and tell you she named them Bobby Don Bullen and Joseph Traywick Bullen" Adeline started to cry and said " I don't know what I would do without Cindy Jean, she's about the sweetest thing I ever saw."

Tommy Joe Lunsford nervously said "Mr. Margison, Sir, can I have a moment of your time, sir."

 "Tommy you came to see me not Margaret?"

 "Sir, I sorta wanted to talk to you about Margie. You see its like this when I graduate my Daddy said I could have 100 acres and a few cows"

 "That's nice Tommy, but aren't you planning on joining the Marines?"

 "Yes Sir, I shure am but I wanted you to know that I was gonna have ranch and would be able to support a family after the war."

 "Son, I think you better get to the point!"

 "Mr. Margison I wanna marry Margie, Sir . Before I report to the Marines. Sir, I love her and she loves me."

 "Boy, maybe you ought to ask my new daughter in law Susan what it's like to have her brand new husband off to war. Do you really wanna put my baby through that?"

 "Sir, we talked about that, she don't wanna wait anymore than I do. Sir, I am gonna come back, aint nothing gonna stop me from coming back to my Margie."

 "Alright Tommy, you got my permission but I still want Margie to finish school." You could hear Margie yell for blocks.

 "Margie, hush up, Tommy Joe who is gonna take care of your ranch and my girl while you are off to the war?"

 "Well Sir, my Daddy and my little brother Wyatt are gonna take care of things till I get back. We gonna fix up the old homestead to live in or Margie can stay here after I leave. I mean she can move back here, I want her to stay with me till I leave, ah ah I mean after we get married." John Margison cracked up laughing " I know what you meant Tommy, relax I aint gonna shoot you, I said yes."

 Joan Margison came bustling in "Did yall hear Cindy Jean finally had those babies? She named them Little Bobby and Joe Traywick after that poor Traywick boy that died at Pearl Harbor." " Yes Momma we heard, Daddy told Tommy he could marry me."

"See Hiram, I told you it would be a blast. That is gotta be the most fun I had in years. Hiram you ok? How come your Face is so white? Maybe you better sit down."

Hiram Traywick, white as a sheet slowly sat down and muttered "Big Bobby Bullen, I sware I 'm gonna get you."

Cowboy Zahn started laughing and said "there you go again, threatening that Big Bobby guy. Come on boy pull yourself together and relax, you just gotta learn to have fun."

Hiram Looked up at him and asked " You really enjoyed that? You're as crazy as Big Bobby."

Seaman Brian Margison and a dozen other sailors stared at the devastation that had once been the home of the Pacific fleet. Chief Johnson walked up behind them and said "Boys I want yall to stare, I want you to remember this sight. When we get the chance to put a hurt on the Japs, I want you to think about the Arizona and Pearl Harbor. I may be a mean old SOB but I don't want this to happen to you!" Brian turned to see tears running down the cheeks of this old grizzled Chief.

"Bullen, do they let you drive back in that hick town you come from? We put Canon's on these things you aint gotta run over the Nazi's."

 "Well, Sarge, I learned to drive running moonshine, guess I do still drive a little on the wild side."

 "Bullen, I don't know whats more dangerous the Nazi's or you're driving. One thing is for sure I don't want to be between your tank and the enemy. Ok yall park those tanks in the barn and Bullen try not to run over anything this time."

 As they walked back to the barracks Mike Trevor turned to Bobby and asked "Big Bobby do you know where this Tunisia place is and why we are going there instead of Germany?"

 "Well I hear its in Africa somewhere and I guess we are going there cause Sgt. Hanson is lonely."

 "lonely, I don't understand what you mean."

 "Well look at him, he's so ugly and mean his girlfriend has gotta be one of those big apes they got over there."

 They were both still laughing as they entered the barracks.

"Senor do you take this lady to be your wife?"

 "I DO"

 "Senorita do you take this man to be your husband?"

 " I DO"

 "By the power invested in me by the Mexican Government I declare you man and wife, you man kiss the bride."

 As Lt. Wells kissed his new bride, Emma Lansing leaned over and whispered in Lester's ear "Does that give you any ideals?"

 "Emma, I don't want to rush into a marriage. I like you a lot, I may even love you but there is a war on. I don't know when or even If I am gonna be coming back. Girl you gotta understand we are going to England and them Brits are losing Pilots faster than a west Texas Jackrabbit."

 "Lester I know I just don't want to lose you."

 "Emma, you aint gotta worry about that, you the woman for me."

 "Corporal, you really like blowing things up don't you?"

 "Yes Sir, I guess I do, but don't worry I aint crazy I just enjoy my job."

 "Well son you gonna get your chance, pack your duffel, you are shipping out. Your Transport leaves at 0600 tomorrow morning."

 "Yes Sir, Where am I going?"

 "Troop train to California, then somewhere in the Pacific, The orders are not very specific but I would imagine the Philippines."

 Chapter 2:

April 1st 1942 ------------------ The American Government begins to round up Japanese Americans and place them in internment camps.

April 3rd 1942------------------ Japan begins the all out assault on the US forces defending Bataan

"Cindy Jean are you going to Tommy Joe and Margie's Wedding tonight?" asked Adaline as she came into the Bullen Kitchen. " I just don't know the boys can be such a handful. I'm just not sure we are ready to go visiting yet."

"Cindy Jean Bullen, those little angels are no problem at all. I'll help you take care of them." As she bent down to pick up Little Bobby Adaline cooed "Come to Granma Adie my little Gumdrop. You wanna go see Tommy Joe get married don't cha."

Cindy Jean started laughing "Ok Grandma Adie, we will go with you."

Adeline smiled "Cindy Jean, I'm sorry I just cant help myself, These little Angels of yours may not really be my grandbabies but they shure do feel like it."

"Adeline, you know I don't mind that at all, unless you start talking about buying them a pony."

"Margie Girl if you don't stand still we aint never gonna get this dress right."

"Momma, I'm sorry but I just know something is gonna go wrong. Are you sure Daddy knew he had to stop by German John's and pick up the food for the reception?"

"Yes, Margie"

"What about Susan? Did she go pick up the cake and the flowers? You know how flighty she has been ever since she found she was in a family way?"

"Margaret Anne Margison, you stop that right now, I wont have you bad mouthin poor Susan. You gotta understand she is going through a lot. She is going to have a baby and she aint heard from Brian in months. She's scared and she needs us."

" I know Momma, I don't mean to be mean, I'm just, I don't know, I think I'm losing my mind. I mean Tommy Joe is letting Randal Beddingfield be his best man. I mean really, Randy Beddingfield, sure he can catch a pass but Momma he's not even a Baptist."

"Margie just relax, all you are is nervous."

"Tommy, we got this old house done. You and Margie can move in it tonight. Of course it don't matter where you are tonight all you gonna see is Margie."

Tommy Joe and his brother Wyatt started laughing and walking back towards the main house.

"Wyatt you gonna be able to take care of things while I'm gone? I mean Daddy aint as young as he used to be."

"Tommy Joe, you can count on me but you better not let Daddy hear you say that. He may be old but I bet he can still whop your butt."

Tommy started laughing again. "You got that right, I rather go fight all them Nazi's bare handed than have to tell him I wrecked his truck again. He almost killed me last time."

Laughing Wyatt said "I never seen you run so fast in my life. If you could run like that on the football field you could catch your own passes."

Susan Margison pulled into the bakery in downtown Greenville. She got out of the car and decided to have a milk shake before she picked up the cake. As she headed across the street she saw a young oriental woman with a small child come rushing out of Tolly's crying.

Susan rushed over to her "are you ok?" Ling Pau Mhin shook her head and said "They wont sell me any milk. My baby is hungry, he needs milk." Susan frowned and said "you wait right here" She marched into the store and said "Mr. Tolly I need a quart of milk right now!"

"Young lady I aint selling any milk to that Jap or to you to give to that Jap."

"Mr. Tolly, my name is Susan Margison, my husband is in the navy. My Father-in-law owns Margison Sheep Farm. My sister-in-law is marrying Tommy Joe Lunsford tonight. If you don't sell me a quart of milk I guarantee you wont see one more penny of Margison or Lunsford Money."

"Whoa slow down little lady do you really think Dozier Lunsford or John Margison are gonna get mad cause I didn't sell milk to some stinking Jap? You just get your Jap loving self on out of here. I don't want your business!"

Susan stormed out of the store and said "I'm sorry, they wouldn't sell it to me either."

Ling Pau started crying again "What am I going to do, my baby needs food, when they changed bus driver's the new one refused to let me back on the bus. I'm Chinese not Japanese, but no one believes me. My husband put me on bus and told me find us a new home outside California, it not safe for us anymore. He in Army."

"You mean you don't have any food, a place to live or a way to leave Greenville?" Gasped Susan.

"Yes, I don't know what to do. I'm Chinese not Japanese."

"I tell you what we are gonna do, we are gonna pick up Margie's cake and then you're coming home to Nomocotton with me. My name is Susan Margison and yours is?"

"Ling Pau Mhin"

"What's this little guy's name?"

"My husband Lee, he say we Americans now and he in Army. So we name the baby after famous American Army Generals. His name is Custer Grant Min."

"OH My! Ling I will explain later but for now lets introduce him as CG."

Ling Pau went down to the bus station to pick up her bag while Susan got the cake. Then they headed for Nomocotton. When they got to Nomocotton Susan stopped at German John's and picked up some milk. She explained what was going on to Ben Abrahmson and he said "Well you know I been needing some more help since Cindy Jean had them babies. Bring her on in here maybe we can help each other out."

"Ling Pau you want a job?" asked an excited smiling Susan as she got back to the car.

Ling Pau started smiling and said "Yes, I have money but need job."

"Well you come on in and talk to Ben while I run this cake out to Margie. I'll be back in about 20 minutes to pick you up."

When Susan got to the Margison Ranch and explained what had happened in Greenville. Joan Margison got that look on her face and said "John Horatio Margison you go into Greenville tomorrow and close our account. Don't you even start with me about Tolly's being cheaper that cruel man was trying to starve that baby."

"Momma she can stay in my room till she finds her own place cause I'm gonna be staying with Tommy."

John cleared his throat, Susan and Joan started giggling and Margie blushed. "Yall know what I mean, stop that." Giggled Margie.

John turned and said "I think I'm gonna go have a talk with Dozier, Susan why don't you drop me off on your way to pick up this little girl. I'm sure Dozier wont mind giving me a lift to the church."

Susan dropped off John and headed back to German John's.

"Hey Dozier we got us a problem!"

"What's up John, your little Margie aint come to her senses and realized what a fool my son is has she?"

"Dad! Don't say that Mr. Margison might think your serious!"

Laughing John entered the Lunsford living room and said "Nah, she still thinks he hung the moon. The problem is that big mouth Tolly up in Greenville. This little China girl came in his store today and he refused to sell her milk for her baby."

"What the devil got into him? Don't tell me he is spoutin that Klan crap again. I told him after that trouble he gave the Pugh's he better walk the line." Growled Dozier Lunsford.

"Seems he thought the girl was Japanese and he was stupid enough to do it around Susan. Well you know Joan she's so mad I sware you could cook cornbread on her face."

"Crap, what we gonna do John, after your Joan talks to my Cathy you know she's gonna be just as mad?"

"I'm gonna talk to Ben tonight about ordering the stuff I need through German John's and tomorrow I'm gonna have a few choice words with the Exalted Wizard of the Ku Klux Klowns Mr. Jim Tully. Your welcome to come with me."

"John I think I will and I bet Russell Traywick and Abner Beddingfield might wanta contribute a word or three."

"Alright but Dozier I want you to promise not to hit him this time.

John and Dozier started laughing.

BATTLESTATIONS, BATTLESTATIONS, THIS IS NOT A DRILL, MAN YOUR BATTLESTATIONS!!

"God Big Bobby I hate this. I just know one of them U-boats is gonna sink us before we get to Europe." Swore Mike Trevor as he watched the sailors man the guns.

"Nah, Mike we gonna make it just fine. These water rats know what they are doing. Aint no Nazi sub gonna sink this big ole boat. Besides all we have to do is fire up Sweet Cindy here." Big Bobby said as he patted the side of his tank "and drive the rest of the way. You can hold your breath cant ya?"

"Bobby don't you take anything serious? I mean they done sand a couple of troop transports."

"Mike it don't do no good to worry, if its our time to go, its our time. But you just stick close to Big Bobby Bullen and you will be just fine. I'm gonna get to Germany and I'm gonna personally shove this cannon up the butt of the first Nazi General I can find."

American troops arrive to reinforce General McArthur and the Auzzies. Among the young marines arriving is Corporal Pearle Johnson, Demolition Expert and unknown to anyone in his unit celebrating his 16th birthday.

Lt. I don't care how they did it back in Texas, I will not put hot peppers in any breakfast food!"

Lt. McCullum took his eggs and went to sit down. "I sware these cooks aint got a sense of Humor." He said with a smile.

"Lester you didn't really put hot peppers in your waffles did you?" asked Lt. Randy Wells as he sat down.

"Of course I did, everyone back home did. It's an old Commanchi Recipe."

"Lester when do you think we are gonna start flying missions?"

"Soon, Buddy, real soon. I get the feeling we gonna be seeing the sights of Berlin. But don't you worry we gonna kick some German butt."

"Lester you aint ……….. worried?"

"To be honest yes I am as scared as you are. We been here 5 days, I've seen the number of planes that take off and the number that come back. I saw that shot up bomber that crashed on the runway yesterday. I know this aint gonna be an evening at Maudel's Boarding House. Mike it's a stone cold fact that some of us are gonna die but these Limey's been standing alone for years. They aint backed down and they are still getting in their planes. So I'm gonna strap myself in, fly my missions and try to spend as much time as I can explaining Texas to the local ladies. Mike I can tell your right now you are gonna get in your plane and do it too cause you wanna go home to that pretty little wife of yours and the only way she will be safe is if we stop those lunatics right here right now."

"Cowboy, I can see the land, just a little while longer and we will be on land again."

"Hiram, why don't you just shoot me. I been puking since we left Carolina. I don't mind jumping out of planes, I'm willing to invade Germany all alone anything they want. Just GET ME OFF THIS SHIP!"

"Cowboy you may be the biggest toughest man I ever met but you are also the most seasick soldier in the US Army. How the devil you gonna get home when we win this war?"

"Oh God, I never thought of that, I'll swim or I'll sneak enough whisky onboard to stay drunk or I will just stay over here."

It was just another boring day on the USS Austin. Seaman Margison was almost finished cleaning the Galley after breakfast when the Battlestations Claxon sounded. He dropped the pot he was scrubbing grabbed his helmet and sprinted for the AA Gun battery he was assigned to. As he ran on to the deck he saw the Zero's begin their strafing run on the ship. Brian dove for cover and watched as the crew of Battery 2 was cut to pieces. As soon as the Zero was past, He leapt to his feet and grabbed the Battery. He began to fire as the Zero's made another pass. He kept firing as the bullets worked their way up the deck. Seaman Brain Margison didn't stop firing until the 14th bullet entered his body, severing his spinal chord and killing him instantly. There would be no medals for Seaman Margison, No parades in his home town and no one outside of Nomocotton would ever remember him. The USS Austin was lost that day with all hands. No one lived to tell of his heroism or the heroism of the other men on board.

 Chapter 3: War on all Fronts

June 4th 1942 - British 8th Army Counter Attacks in Libya.

June 4th and 5th 1942 - Battle of Midway

June 5th ---- Nomocotton, Texas

Joey Beddingfield slowly walked up to the Margison Front door. As he reached out to knock he once more thought of how much he hated his job.

Laughing and smiling Joan Margison opened the door and saw Joey, she immediately started crying.

"Mrs. Margison, I have a letter for Susan, is she around?"

Susan Margison, 18 years old, 7 months pregnant started wailing " Oh God No, not Brian, not my Brian."

Joey delivered the letter and said "Susan, Mrs. Margison I am so sorry, Brian was a good kid, I can still remember him sneaking into my watermelon patch."

Joan said "Thank you Joey, we understand you just doing your job."

"Ling Pau you keep cooking like that and I'm gonna weigh 500 lbs." Laughed Dozier Lunsford as he finished his lunch. "Ben, hiring that little girl is the best thing you ever done."

"Dozier, I gotta admit I cant pronounce the names of some of those thangs she cooks but they shure are good. Have you tried them Aigg roll thangs yet?"

"Not Yet, hey Ben you get that stuff in that I ordered yet? My little Cathy is gonna have my head if I go home without them buttons!"

"There supposed to be in this afternoon, you want me to bring them out tonight?"

Laughing Dozier said "You know Ben, I've noticed you always seem to have a reason to come out to the house when Cathy makes Chicken and Dumplings."

"What can I say, Ever since my wife passed, Cathy is about the only woman in town that will feed me an occasional home cooked meal."

Joey Beddingfield came in and said "Give me a big glass of that stuff I aint supposed to know about."

"OK, Sheriff, are you alright?"

"No, Ben I aint, I had to deliver another one of those letter this morning."

"Oh my Lord Joey, Who was it this time?" Asked Dozier.

"Dozier, I hate to tell you my old friend but it was Brian, Margie's brother."

"I had better head home, the Margisons are gonna need their friends tonight. Ling Pau I'll send Wyatt to pick you up tonight. I kinda doubt Margie or Susan are gonna feel up to it."

"Cindy Jean I got a letter from Hiram. He's in England and he's ok. He says he saw Lester McCullum last week."

"Hi, Granma Addie" Cindy Jean said with a smirk.

"and how are my little gum drops today?"

"Well JT has the colic, but little Bobbie almost turned over today."

"Cindy I knew that boy was special the moment I saw him, I bet he grows up to be President or even better Governor of Texas. Have you heard from Big Bobby?"

"No just that one letter saying he was ok."

JULY 4th 1942 - Field Marshall Rommel halts his attack on El Alamin

Aug 7th 1942 - US 1st Marine Division lands on the Islands of Tulagi and Guadacanal .

"MEDIC, MEDIC" Screamed Corporal Johnson as the man beside him fell. Thompson, Fitzgerald, Moore yall set up the 50 caliber and see if you can nail that Jap sniper."

"Corporal, I think the Lt. is dead or if he isn't he is so badly hurt I cant help him."

"Medic if you don't get over here and check the Lt. I'm gonna shoot you myself! I mean right now PVT!" Screamed Corporal Johnson.

"Curly get on that durn radio and try to contact HQ. Tell them the Lt. Is dead and we are getting the crap kicked out of us. Moore you got that blasted sniper spotted yet?"

Pvt. Moore pointed off to the Northwest and raised two fingers. Corporal Johnson pointed to Pvt. Moore and motioned to the left, He then motioned for Thompson and Fitzgerald to lay down cover fire while he circled to the right. Thompson and Fitzgerald opened up with the 50 mm and Pearly and Moore started circling around behind the Japanese position. A few minutes later Pearle opened fire from the right and Pvt. Moore from the left. The Japanese Snipers were cut to pieces.

"Alright Pearle, you sure taught them turkeys not to mess the US Marine Corps."

"Corporal Johnson, I've got Major Scatterwaitte on the horn, he wants to talk to you."

Pearle walked over and got on the radio. "Yes Sir"

"The Lt. Was killed by Sniper Fire."

"No Sir, we got the snipers and I think we can continue advancing."

"I guess I am sir, the rest of the squad is all Privates."

"Corporal Pearle Johnson, service number 6439726Z"

"Yes Sir, we'll stay put until we hear from yall."

Pearle signed off and said "yall set up a camp, we are gonna be here awhile, at least till HQ decides what they want us to do."

The squad set up a perimeter around the camp as Pvt. Tollivar, the medic went around checking everyone. Corporal Johnson gathered the personal affects of Lt. Anders and Pvt. McGee. Pearle couldn't help but think this wasn't anything like the war games he used to play back home. In the last 24 hours he had seen 8 of his friends die and his Sgt. Now his Lt. Was dead and everyone was looking at him to tell them what to do. Pearle desperately wished he was still back home trying to talk Kary Kay into going skinny dipping with him.

"Hey, Pearle is it ok if we light a fire?" yelled Pvt. Fitzgerald " I mean with all that shooting, everyone knows we are here and a hot meal would beat the dog out of Cold C-Rats."

"No Fitz, I think we better stick to a cold camp, I get the feeling there are more Japs real close."

"Ok Pearle, you're the boss at least until they send us another butter bar."

The 12 remaining members of the squad started to relax and joke among themselves as they ate their cold C-Rats.

"Pearle, I got HQ on the radio again, they wanna talk to ya."

"Corporal, your squad is at map quardinets R174Q aren't they?" asked Major Scatterwaitte.

"Yes Sir, we are."

"How fast do you think you can get your squad to R193Q?"

"Sir, that's about 10 miles from us. We can get there in an hour, hour and half."

"Ok Corporal, 1st you are a Sgt. Now. 2nd Bravo Squad is pinned down there and we need your squad to get over there and give them an assist."

"Yes Sir." Sgt. Johnson turned to his squad and said "alright yall heard the man lets move!"

With a smirk on his face Pvt. Fitzgerald said "Yes Sir, Sgt. Pearle, Sir." In spite of the fact they were once again marching into battle, the squad was in high spirits. Everyone thought Pearle deserved the promotion because of his natural leadership ability. After an hour's hard march they could here the sounds of the battle.

Pearle called his men together " I think we may be coming up beside the Japs. Fitz you take the point. Fitz I want you to be double quiet but I need to know where those Japs are. Everyone else drop your packs and lets get ready to hit them hard and fast."

A few minutes later Pvt. Fitzgerald returned and described the battle scene up ahead. Pearle quickly and quietly deployed his men behind the Japanese forces. Exactly 23 minutes after arriving on the scene of the battle, Sgt. Johnson signaled his squad to open fire by lobbing a grenade into the Japanese position. Within a matter of moments the battle was over and Pearle's squad had eliminated the Japanese soldiers without suffering a single wound.

Pearle ordered his men to secure the area then took the medic to check on the squad that had been pinned down. Sixteen members of the squad were sill alive but seven of them were badly wounded. Their Lt. was dead and their Sgt. was among the wounded.

"Curly get on the radio and see if you can contact that major again. Fitz get a defense perimeter set up. Pvt. Moore why don't you go ahead a get a fire going, I don't know about yall but I think we earned a hot meal today."

"Major Scatterwaitte, I've got Sgt. Johnson's squad on the Radio, sir."

"This is Major Scatterwaitte, let me speak to Sgt. Johnson."

"Major, this is Sgt. Johnson we have secured the area and relieved the trapped squad, but sir the other squad is badly shot up. We have seven badly wounded men here."

Major Scatterwaitte asked "What about your squad?"

"Well sir, we are a little tired but no casualties or wounded."

"Ok Sgt. stand down for the moment."

"Yes Sir."

Major Scatterwaitte looked at the radio operator and said "Who is this kid? He takes command of his squad when his officer is killed. Gets them out of That problem then hard marches them 10 miles into another battle. Rescue's the pinned down squad without losing a single man. Son, you find me some medics and get them up to that man's position. I gotta go talk to the Colonel."

"Lester, ten more minutes till we get to the drop zone. I know you been having trouble with the Brits but I sure am glad we got those guys escorting us." Said Lt. Wells

"Rusty I aint got no real problem with the Limey's they just don't understand my sense of humor." said Lt. McCullum "Dog, we got bandits at 6 o'clock, lets hope those limey friends of yours are on their game."

"Lester look at them go, it's like watchin a couple of ---------------LESTER HARD LEFT NOW" screamed Lt. Wells when he spotted the burning plane barreling straight at them.

Lt. McCullum jerked the controls of his lumbering bomber to the left as hard as he could. The dying British fighter clipped the staggering Bomber's wing tip, tearing it off.

"Lester, for God's sake do you still have any control of this plane, it felt like that fighter hit us." Screamed Lt. Wells "My God Lester pull up, we are going into a spin."

"I'm trying, I'm trying?" yelled Lt. McCullum as he fought the controls of his wounded bomber. "Rusty, try to get a look at our right wing and see it its still there. She aint responding to nuthin."

"Jesus, Lester we have lost a third of the right wing and what we still got is on fire."

"Rusty get your chute on and tell the gunners too. We aint gonna make it."

"I'm gonna warn the gunners but Lester we cant bail out, the plane's spinning to bad."

"Dang it Rusty, this aint what I had in mind" yelled Lt. . McCullum.

In a desperate attempt to regain control of his dying airplane Lt. McCullum jerked the controls back to the left and tried to gently alter the spin. After a couple of seconds he could feel the plane beginning to respond. A mere 200 feet from the ground the plane pulled out of the spin.

"Lester I can't believe you pulled out of that spin. How long can you keep this bird airborne?"

"Rusty warn everyone to strap in, we are going in hard!"

"Susan? Susan whats wrong?"

"Ling Pau, get Margie I think its time to go see the doctor"

Ling Pau went running into the Margison living room "the Baby, the Baby is coming!"

Margie and Joan jumped up and went to help Susan, John got up and said "I'm gonna call the Doctor, Ling Pau why don't you go warm up the cars."

10 minutes later the Margison convoy left for Greenville. John & Joan Margison, Ling Pau and CG in the first car with Margie and Susan in the truck. As they "Flew" through Nomocotton they caught the attention of Sheriff Joey Beddingfield. He it the sirens and pulled them over.

"Joey, we aint got time for this Susan is having the baby!"

"Ok John, I'll escort yall into Greenville and I'll call Dozier on the radio and have him send Wyatt over to watch your place."

John gave the Sheriff a puzzled look but said "ok, you can explain when we get there."

At 9:15 PM they rolled Susan into the Delivery room and John turned to the Sheriff and said "ok Joey, now tell me whats going on? Since when do we need someone to watch the ranch."

"John I been hearing some nasty rumors ever since that Smithson kid was killed in Manilla."

"About what Joey, I don't know Smithson or his kid who is he?"

"John, Smithson is Tolly's brother in law."

"Joey, quit beating around the bush whats that got to do with us. I aint talked to Tolly since the day after Margie's wedding."

"John, I know all about that talk, I know Dozier punched Tolly out again. I know yall told Tolly you were taking all your business to German John's and that yall threatened him."

"Well Joey, we didn't exactly threaten him we just reminded him that Nomocotton wasn't Greenville."

"John, Tolly and Smithson been making noises about teaching yall and your pet Jap a lesson. Now John calm down I aint calling Ling Pau that, Tolly did."

"Joey, why the dog didn't you tell us about any of this before now?"

"John, I been keeping an eye on Tolly and to be honest between Brian getting killed, Susan being pregnant and Tommy Joe leaving for the marines I figured you already had enough on your plate. Besides John, you know as well as I do that Tolly is a coward. He talks big but he aint got the guts to attack white folks. He and his bedsheet bandits might work themselves up to attacking the coloreds, but they aint gonna risk attacking white people."

"Joey, you're a fool, Tolly will jump on anyone he thinks he can getaway with. That's why he gave Ling Pau a hard time, that's why he tried to hassle Ben Abrahmson. Sheriff if yall would have arrested him 5 years ago when he burned out the Pugh's instead of just turning your back on them because they are colored it would have stopped him and this crap then."

"John I aint gonna argue with you about this again. You know their aint a jury in Texas that would have done anything to him."

"Joey your Daddy didn't believe that, your brother Abner don't believe that. Sometimes I wonder if you don't agree with that nonsense Tolly is always spoutin."

"John, you know me better than that but I aint gonna stir up a hornet's nest without a real good reason."

"Joey you best let Dozier know what's going on. If something happens to his boy that badge aint gonna protect you from him ---- or me."

"Pvt. Bullen you cannot fly a Texas flag from your Tank. Pvt. I gotta ask you are you a screwup or just a bored nut?"

"Well Lt. I guess I did let my sense of Humor get a little out of hand. I'll take down the flag. Sir, when are we gonna do something besides drive around in circles. My Cindy Jean is gonna start thinkin I just joined the army to get out of fixin that back porch if we don't do something soon."

"Bullen, keep you pants on, I bet our new Commander is gonna get us into action soon. I heard General Patton is a real go getter."

"Hiram I cant believe they stuck us on KP. All we did is have a couple of beers moaned Pvt. Barry "Cowboy" Bacaz as he pealed Potatos.

"Cowboy, it aint the beers that was the problem. It's what you did to that little bar that got us on KP. I told ya that little guy wasn't trying to stick you he just missed the dart board."

"Jim, I don't think there's anybody here."

"Aaron that don't matter, we still stick this cross in their yard and burn it. I'll burn for hours. They will get the message."

"Jim you shure this girl is a Jap? I heard that Nazi Ben Abrahmson say she was a Chinaman."

"Aaron Smithson sometimes I sware you're as dumb as that old dog of yours. Don't you know you can't believe nuthin that German Ben Abrahmson says."

"Jim Tolly, I don't care if you are the Imperial Wizard if you don't stop badmoutin my dawg I'm gonna thump you hard."

Jim Tolly shook his head and said "ok you boys get that cross set up and lets get this show on the road." Seven men in sheets went about setting up there cross in the front yard of the Margison House.

BOOM a shotgun blast tore across the night sky. "What are yall doing over there" yelled Wyatt Lunsford from beside the barn.

"CRAP" yelled Jim Tolly "yall get him before he reloads that scattergun."

Wyatt desperately tried to reload his shotgun as the Klansmen charged. They jumped on him as he started to lift the gun for a second shot.

"Hey its just a kid" yelled one of the Klansmen. Jim Tolly walked over and looked at Wyatt and said "that aint Just a kid, its one of them Jap loving Lunsfords. Let's teach him to be a real American." Then he punched Wyatt in the stomach. The Klansmen proceeded to beat Wyatt to a pulp. After beating Wyatt to unconscious they lit their cross and left the scene.