told a different story.
“Girls,” Miss Kermit yelled out over the chatter. “Girls, quiet down. I have some important things to say.”
The room quieted as they gave her their attention.
“The Japanese are bombing military installations in northern Luzon. Camp John Hay, Fort Stotsenberg, and Clark Airfield are reporting casualties.”
The room hummed with agitation. Margie feared for Helen at Camp John Hay. She leaned forward, straining to hear more.
“Girls, settle down, please. We must use this time to prepare for whatever lies ahead. Expect unusual activity. Workers are hanging blackout curtains inside. Outside, they’re sandbagging around the hospital and digging foxholes in some areas.”
“What? Sandbagging?”
“Foxholes?”
“Please settle down, girls. This work is just a precaution. At the end of this meeting, you will be issued a gas mask and shown how to use it. There is the slimmest chance the Japanese could use chemical warfare, so we must be prepared. I know it’s upsetting, but again, this is just a precautionary measure.”
The women fell silent. Margie’s mouth went dry.
“All ambulatory patients will be discharged. Those who are confined to their beds will need extra assurance they are safe. We may get very busy later. For those nurses on duty, make sure your units are well stocked with supplies. For those not on duty, eat well and get some rest. You will need your strength. Remember, we are here to serve. Are there any questions?”
Yes, there were questions. Would the Japanese attack Manila? Would they bomb a hospital? How could they contact their loved ones back in the States to allay their fears? The director reassured her staff that they were protected. The army and navy patrolled the island, and Manila was secure. The director dismissed the group, but asked the surgical nurses to stay behind.
“Gather around, girls.” Miss Kermit’s demeanor was grave. “We’ve received word from Fort Stotsenberg. They are overwhelmed with wounded. The situation is serious, and they’re desperate for help. I’m asking for five volunteers to go there to assist.” Two hands shot up, and a third slowly rose. “Thank you. I need two more. Anybody?” Margie furtively glanced at her co-workers, all looking ashamed of their reluctance to sign on to help. She, too, didn’t want to leave the safety of the city. “Don’t make me assign this duty, girls,” the director prodded. Still, no one raised her hand.
“Why don’t we draw straws?” a nurse beside Margie suggested.
“Excellent idea, thank you. Does anyone object?” Quickly fashioning straws from cotton-tipped applicator sticks, Miss Kermit arranged them in her hand. After each woman pulled one, Margie and Tildy discovered they held the short ones. Margie’s jaw clenched in dismay, but she nodded her assent.
Finding Royce in the doctors’ lounge later, she told him her news. “I’ll be back before you miss me,” she tried to quip, but a tremor in her voice betrayed her true feelings.
He hugged her with a ferocity she slumped into. He whispered, “Let me talk to Miss Kermit.”
“No! The selection was fair. I’ll do what has to be done.” She stepped back and smoothed the worry lines from his forehead, caressing his cheek and chin. “I’ll be okay. I love you.”
As they kissed, she cried. She hated goodbyes.
Wearing her white uniform and carrying her wool cape, Margie boarded a bus with four other army nurses, 15 Filipino nurses, two doctors, and a score of enlisted men. She took the seat next to Tildy, who was knitting a cap for her sister’s new baby. Supply trucks packed with medical equipment and food followed behind. The convoy lurched, stop-and-go, through streets busy with people stacking sandbags, taping glass, and boarding up windows. Everyone anxiously watched the sky. Margie looked upward too, and saw nothing but a few fluffy clouds. After the bus left the city, the ride smoothed to a rhythmic rock,
“Girls,” Miss Kermit yelled out over the chatter. “Girls, quiet down. I have some important things to say.”
The room quieted as they gave her their attention.
“The Japanese are bombing military installations in northern Luzon. Camp John Hay, Fort Stotsenberg, and Clark Airfield are reporting casualties.”
The room hummed with agitation. Margie feared for Helen at Camp John Hay. She leaned forward, straining to hear more.
“Girls, settle down, please. We must use this time to prepare for whatever lies ahead. Expect unusual activity. Workers are hanging blackout curtains inside. Outside, they’re sandbagging around the hospital and digging foxholes in some areas.”
“What? Sandbagging?”
“Foxholes?”
“Please settle down, girls. This work is just a precaution. At the end of this meeting, you will be issued a gas mask and shown how to use it. There is the slimmest chance the Japanese could use chemical warfare, so we must be prepared. I know it’s upsetting, but again, this is just a precautionary measure.”
The women fell silent. Margie’s mouth went dry.
“All ambulatory patients will be discharged. Those who are confined to their beds will need extra assurance they are safe. We may get very busy later. For those nurses on duty, make sure your units are well stocked with supplies. For those not on duty, eat well and get some rest. You will need your strength. Remember, we are here to serve. Are there any questions?”
Yes, there were questions. Would the Japanese attack Manila? Would they bomb a hospital? How could they contact their loved ones back in the States to allay their fears? The director reassured her staff that they were protected. The army and navy patrolled the island, and Manila was secure. The director dismissed the group, but asked the surgical nurses to stay behind.
“Gather around, girls.” Miss Kermit’s demeanor was grave. “We’ve received word from Fort Stotsenberg. They are overwhelmed with wounded. The situation is serious, and they’re desperate for help. I’m asking for five volunteers to go there to assist.” Two hands shot up, and a third slowly rose. “Thank you. I need two more. Anybody?” Margie furtively glanced at her co-workers, all looking ashamed of their reluctance to sign on to help. She, too, didn’t want to leave the safety of the city. “Don’t make me assign this duty, girls,” the director prodded. Still, no one raised her hand.
“Why don’t we draw straws?” a nurse beside Margie suggested.
“Excellent idea, thank you. Does anyone object?” Quickly fashioning straws from cotton-tipped applicator sticks, Miss Kermit arranged them in her hand. After each woman pulled one, Margie and Tildy discovered they held the short ones. Margie’s jaw clenched in dismay, but she nodded her assent.
Finding Royce in the doctors’ lounge later, she told him her news. “I’ll be back before you miss me,” she tried to quip, but a tremor in her voice betrayed her true feelings.
He hugged her with a ferocity she slumped into. He whispered, “Let me talk to Miss Kermit.”
“No! The selection was fair. I’ll do what has to be done.” She stepped back and smoothed the worry lines from his forehead, caressing his cheek and chin. “I’ll be okay. I love you.”
As they kissed, she cried. She hated goodbyes.
Wearing her white uniform and carrying her wool cape, Margie boarded a bus with four other army nurses, 15 Filipino nurses, two doctors, and a score of enlisted men. She took the seat next to Tildy, who was knitting a cap for her sister’s new baby. Supply trucks packed with medical equipment and food followed behind. The convoy lurched, stop-and-go, through streets busy with people stacking sandbags, taping glass, and boarding up windows. Everyone anxiously watched the sky. Margie looked upward too, and saw nothing but a few fluffy clouds. After the bus left the city, the ride smoothed to a rhythmic rock,
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