Chapter 1

Setting: The Beginnings

Ending of the Great Depression, beginnings of tensions in Europe, with the occupation of Austria by the Germans. Rumors of Hitler's political machine, taking citizens who were not up to the Aryan race or did not believe in the Nazi regime suddenly disappeared when the Gestapo and the SS troops were sweeping the country. The dissidents were sent to work camps or never heard from again. This included all Jewish people who lived in Germany or any occupied country. In the United States, we were just beginning to see the end of the depression, but Roosevelt knew that a war was brewing in Europe and would bring us back stronger, put people to work and the economy would right itself. Our story begins in 1937 with Jack and Elizabeth graduating from High School. Will their paths meet?

Spring of 1937 Backstory

Jack was extremely excited to graduate from High School and would be traveling in July to West Point Military Academy. He secured a recommendation from US Senator Arthur Vandenberg from Michigan, for his appointment to West Point in January of 1937. He was an All-State football quarterback from Detroit Catholic Central and Valedictorian of his Senior Class. He could have gone to University of Michigan to play football but his dream was to go to the academy. When Jack graduated, his parents were so proud, because Jack would be the first to graduate from his family of seven brothers and sisters. His father John Thornton was stationed at Fort Wayne Army base in Detroit Michigan. Jack grew up in a large Irish family in an area called Corktown which was a community in Southwest Detroit. Jack not only was going to West Point for a military career, but to play football for Army too.

Elizabeth Thatcher and her family lived in Highlands, New York where her father General William Thatcher was the Commandant of West Point. Her family consisted of four girls, her mom and her dad. Elizabeth was so excited to leave and explore New York city, attend Columbia University and become a journalist. Being the daughter of the Commandant of West Point her sisters were always being charmed by the cadet's, and asked to go out walking, and attend the dances. Elizabeth was so very tired of them. There was a third-year cadet named Matthew Ashlock that was a pain in her rear end. He was always bothering her, even so much as interfering when she was talking to another cadet. She was glad that she was leaving in August and could get away from him, he made her so uncomfortable. As the commandant's daughter Elizabeth had certain protocols to follow, being involved in charities, helping the new cadets get adjusted, attending teas and dinner parties. She always had to be dressed in the latest fashion and carry herself accordingly, all she wanted to do was wear her riding pants, ride her horse Sugar and write along the banks of the Hudson.

July of 1937

The new cadets were arriving for Summer drills, which meant the weeding out time. They would be put through a basic training of sort and if they pass they would enter as a first-year cadet. Jack was so excited to arrive at West Point, but he also was to attend summer conditioning for Football. His schedule would be busy and extremely focused. They would have weekends to study, and relax, but the basic training was intense. When Jack arrived, he could not believe the beauty of West Point and the historical background that it had, it was simply amazing. He arrived two days earlier than expected so the Commandant of West Point had a dinner party for the early cadets. At that time this is when Jack was introduced to Ms. Elizabeth Thatcher. Elizabeth was not looking forward to this as she had done this since she was a little girl, smile, be polite, have a conversation, eat dinner and entertain. UGH! She just hated it, but was glad this was her last one for a long time, so she would grin and bare it! The dinner was held in the great dining hall, the General and his family would receive the new cadets. Jack was extremely nervous but so excited too. As he walked through the line he was introduced to the General. General Thatcher recognized Jack's name at once, said congratulations to him, and told him that he was looking forward to Jack winning the quarterback spot and beat NAVY! Jack was amazed that he even knew that. As he was introduced to the rest of the family, Jack stopped dead in his tracks and simply stared at Elizabeth. He could not believe how beautiful she was, her eyes, her smile just everything about her. "MY GOD Thornton get a hold of yourself", you cannot even talk, what seemed like an eternity, he simply nodded, said hello and walked on. Elizabeth could not even talk herself as she was mesmerized by this new cadet. "Oh my word, how handsome is he!" His smile, the dimples, the dark hair and the sparkle in his green eyes he is so darn cute. As the night progressed, dinner was served and the cadets were free to walk the grounds, dance or simply get to know each other. General Thatcher walked over to Jack, and began discussing the fact that the Quarterback of the last two years was not very good, and he wanted to beat Navy, they talked football strategies, about Jack's large family, and his background. Jack was so worried that General Thatcher had high expectations of him, but Jack knew that he could not only meet those expectations but he would exceed them. He wanted to play football, but most importantly he wanted to graduate from West Point, and have an outstanding military career. As the night, progressed Jack was getting some punch when he bumped into Elizabeth, he turned, caught her as she was off balance, held her for a little too long, said excuse me and walked away. Elizabeth, about died, she turned red as a beet, said no problem and went the other way. Jack and Elizabeth were absolutely stunned at the feelings they were having. For goodness sakes I haven't even spoke a sentence to her, I haven't even open my mouth to say thank you. What has gotten into me, said both Jack and Elizabeth, I have seven brothers and sisters I am never at a loss for words. Throughout the night they would steal glances, and smile when made eye contact. Toward the end of the evening Cadets who had singing voices were asked to have a little competition, the one who won would have the next day free to do what they wanted before Summer Training started. Jack came from a singing family, and said, what the heck why not. He chose the song Danny Boy, which usually made his ma cry. The pianist was Elizabeth, he said my God, I can't even talk to her and now she is to accompany on the piano. Crap, well here I go. Jack had a beautiful tenor voice, and he sang from his heart, the cadets, dignitaries, and their families were amazed and there wasn't a dry eyed in the bunch. Jack won hands down. Everyone was clapping, whistling and smiling. Jack turned to Elizabeth and said thank you, grabbed her hand and made her bow with him. Her thoughts were "my hand is meant to be here always", Jack thought she is made for me. What now?