Thanksgiving 1941
 

            Thanksgiving day November 20, 1941 was the last good holiday that all family was present. While waiting dinner the conversation kept referring to the hostilities in Europe. Bill, and several of his brothers, had gone to the annual Thanksgiving day football game between Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University. On this day Western Reserve won the game which made Bill angry since he had braved the cold weather and snow flurries to attend the game. But now it was 2:00 pm and besides the immediate family of ten there was Edward's special girl friend Virginia, Grandma & Grandpa Hochwalt. The 25 lbs turkey was cooking with the help of everyone basting, since it was the habit of this bunch of boys to check the color, texture and process of the cooking.
        Edward , aged 25, had recently been drafted ,' his name drawn from the hat' and consequently was leaving for Army boot camp the very next day.
        Edward's brothers were Bill, a graduate engineer, Dick who was in his first year of medical school, Jim and Jack who were in High School, and the last in line David and Tom who were in Grade School. The boys had one sister, Joan, who was in High school.
        The dinner being ready the family moved to the table set in holiday fashion. Best silver and crystal glittered and was displayed beautifully on a lace tablecloth. Piles of mashed potatoes were placed at either end. In addition there was Jell-O salad, fresh beans, turkey, stuffing, a cold plate of carrots, celery, pickles and two gravy boats.
        Edward and Virginia sat together at the foot of the table while Dad sat at the head with mother to his right. This was the way it always was and I think this was practical since Ed's half of the table allowed him to carry the conversation while Dad could converse at his end.
        The bird was brought in to the exclamation of the diner guests and Dad carved. After all the plates were served it was necessary to say grace : Bless us O Lord for these and all thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord . Amen.
        Jim asked Edward how long he would be in the service, to which Ed replied, "Not very long Jimmy because President Roosevelt has promised no to send American Boys into war. I should be home in six months or a year".
        Grandpa Hocwalt then spoke up "We have to fear about the yellow race, I can remember my grandfather saying that war with the yellow race was in the future and that was fifty years ago".
         "Well at any rate war will by the grace of God, hopefully it will never come to this country".
         "Is Hitler that mad that he will not content himself with Czechoslovakia and France as well as Poland ?" said Jack, who had just finished a high school theme paper on the subject.
         "Hitler is a dictator , a Fascist and has proven to the world that he is not a man of his word". Replied Edward, who had done a thesis on the topic at John Caroll University, "after reading and studying about Mussolini I agree with Dad , these fascist leaders are not going to be appeased and what's worse I feel that America is drifting into war".
         "Enough of these morbid conversations," Mother commented "we have much to be thankful for this year. The Depression is over, Dad is building more houses, you older boys have all gone to college and I think that war will never again come for America. Besides we are now comfortably in our own home and again , even if it took six bedrooms and three bathrooms to do it."
         "Yes," said Dad "We must be thankful this year for a solid roof over our heads. What's more I now have three houses for sale and the prospects are good that I'll be able to sell them all before Spring time. When you get out of the Army Ed perhaps you'll be interested in going into business with me. Just think, Wm H. Nilges and Sons is a swell company name."
        The dinner finished, the men congregated in the study. Virginia insisted on helping Mother and Joan with the dishes. No one in the family smoked, in deference to Dad who was already preaching the ill effects, twenty years ahead of his time.
         "Dad" said Edward "should I give Virginia a ring now or should I wait until I am discharged from the Army?"
         "That is something only you can decide" answered Dad.
         "Well I think I would be better off to wait ."
         "What about rumors of war in Europe Edward?" said Jim."
         "I am optimistic" replied Dad "that Roosevelt will keep us out of War. After all America by it's nature would be isolated from the rest of the world. Its neutrality could only be recognized by Germany and we are safe from invasion, bombing and any seizure of territory. Europe will need grain and all manner of foodstuffs."
         "In short you feel that America can survive on an isolationist course." said Edward, putting another log on the fire.
         "Of course it can" replied Bill. Edward continued "What did the First World War prove twenty years ago ,except kill millions of people? I hold the view that we shall be at war and sooner than most people expect. By coincidence I must now do my service time and I pray God that if war does come, I'll be ready to meet it."
         "Have any of the fellows down at Otis Steel joined the service?" asked Jack.
         "Well, two are leaving with me tomorrow" replied Ed. "They are about my age and were picked by the same lottery draft."
         "Well, what are you men discussing without us?" asked Mother coming into the room.
         "The future" said Edward. "This has always been a family that we can be proud of and if war does come, those of us who will be swept into it will work hard to maintain ties to each other." "When do you leave Edward?"
         "I leave tomorrow on the 8:30 pm train to Columbus. All I know is that I go to Fort Hayes in Columbus, which is used as a collection station. I should not be there to long. Where I go after is a question."
         "How about a Bridge game with Dad and you against Virginia and I?" Mother said, changing the subject.
        The card game lasted until 8:00 pm, then Edward took Ginny home where they made the necessary appearance before her parents. Edward and Virginia's folks talked about his induction plans, by then it had gotten to be quite late. Ed gave Virginia a big hug and made plans to drive her to work the next morning.
        Ed drove his 1938 blue Chevrolet sedan the next morning to drive his girl to work. It would be their last date for quite awhile. Both made mutual plans to write often .
        That night Edward left for Columbus, Ohio.