A Fight for Survival

A date which will live in infamy

Our story begins in a small town is the middle of Colorado. A small group of four stands around a stall reading the newspaper 'The Daily Chieftain' Molly or as her friends call her 'Ginger' began to read the paper in the bitter cold of the beginning of December, "The President Requests War Declaration 125 ( "December 7, 1941 A Date Which Will Live in Infamy" Address to the Congress Asking That a State of War Be Declared Between the United States and Japan. December 8, 1941 Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:

YESTERDAY, December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong: Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces with the unbounding determination of our people we will gain the inevitable triumph so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."

The group looks at one another and makes a collective choice to ask their parents to join the military. It would be most difficult for women in the armed forces were hard to come by and we very much frowned upon. They were fortunate enough that Molly's grandfather, a Colonel in the Army Air Corp, was able to get David and Andrew in the same unit. But was able to get the girls into a top secret program. Project Hunter. 300 young women from across the nation are all eligible to be in this program.

Tearful goodbyes are said. "Be safe out there you two, you knuckleheads." Molly says as she hugs David, who gives the hug back, "Oh, Ginger. You should worry about us. Just don't do anything stupid until we see each other again." The two drop the hug as Molly wipes a lone tear that escapes her eyes, she chuckles through her sob, "Will do, but not really sure how we're going to do that. You both takin' all of the stupid with you." Andrew looks back at her and smiles, with a shit eating grin. "Are you so sure about that?" Alexis gives Andrew a playful punch, to which he overreacts to. The train blows its horn, signaling for the two men to leave. They give each other mock solutes and board the train.

A couple of days later a man shows up to the Nelson household to pick up Molly. The doorbell rings. Molly's father Brandon answers the door, "Is this the Nelson house hold, we are here to pick up your daughter." Brandon sighs and nods, "Yes, sir, she's in the living room waiting. Do you want to come in?" The agent smiles and shakes his head, "No, I think I will just wait here. Though we do need to leave soon." 

Brandon nods as he shuts the door and heads to the living room. "Alright darlin', they're here for you." Molly smiles and nods, before asking, "Before we go can we pray?" Her mother stands up and nods with a tearful smile, "Let's begin; come holy spirit. Father, we ask that you keep our daughter safe. We know that this is a big sacrifice and a challenge that you have placed in her path. We ask that you keep her and her fellow man and women. We asks this in your holy name, Amen." Brandon looks at his daughter and gives her an old Irish Blessing as he makes a small sign of the cross on her forehead, "May God Bless you, and keep you. May his face shine upon you for ever and ever." Molly whispers an Amen. 

Molly stood in the center of the bustling train station, her nine siblings swarming around her like bees around a honeycomb. She hugged Lily, the youngest, her red curls tickling Molly's nose. "I'll write as soon as I get there," she promised, pressing a kiss to Lily's forehead. She moved on to Thomas, all elbows and knees, who was already trying to look brave. "No tears, Tommy," she teased, ruffling his hair. "You're the man of the house now." One by one, she embraced each of her siblings, her heart growing heavier with each goodbye. She promised to send them souvenirs, to write them every week, to think of them always. "And when the war is over," she said, her voice thick with emotion, "we'll all be together again. I promise."

A final, crushing group hug, a tangle of limbs and whispered goodbyes, and then two government agents in crisp uniforms were gently but firmly ushering her away. Molly cast one last, longing look at her siblings, their faces a mixture of grief and pride, before turning and disappearing into the throng of people, on her way to Camp Artemis and her uncertain future as a Hunter. She picks up her bags and heads out the door and to the airport.