Robert E. Hogan (age, 16):

(October 9, 1928)

It was another school day in October. The leaves were majestically falling from trees onto the streets of Cleveland, Ohio. Teenagers making out with their lovers in private sprinted from their cars or places hidden behind businesses in fear of being late for homeroom. Some even ran out into busy traffic in a frantic, causing drivers to slam on their breaks and peek their heads from out of their windows cursing at the 'dumb delinquents' in their way. But not 16 year old Robert Hogan.

Although known to get brought into many troublesome situations (underage parties and jumping into stolen vehicles his stupid friends claimed to 'borrow', among other things), he was incredibly responsible and took his academics as seriously as his retired army general of a father took his duties during World War I. He studied like a dog, making sure his brain was as clever and as sharp as could be; doing anything possible to ensure his chance of getting his dream job after graduating from college: a commercial airline pilot. To fly all over the United States and see everything from the beaches of Los Angeles to the massive skyscrapers in New York City.

Then there was his other goal. One that made him want to be even more of a responsible, well-respected individual. Once he had spent about ten years or so flying all over the country, there was nothing more he wanted to do than become a father. He loved children so much that his minimum requirement was at least four. He wanted to teach them all about music, different cultures, how to be kind and respectable figures in society. He wanted to snuggle and kiss them as little infants, chase them around and play games as toddlers, and of course embarrass them a tiny bit as teenagers. After all, every parent had to give their children a little grief here and there. And he could not wait for every second of it. He wanted to be the parent their kids could trust with anything. A parent that they looked up to and found as a role model in their life. Teaching his kids how to grow up and be loving, accepting citizens was the most important thing to him. Doing well in his academic career was the fundamental ground of doing so.

He walked through the hallways of Cleveland High, making a quick stop at his locker before heading to homeroom. As he made his way to his destination, teachers gave him friendly greetings; he flirted with the cheerleaders, promising the gorgeous blonde captain, Tracy Addy, to be her date to a wild party happening that Saturday night with his flirtatious grin and the wink of his eye; caught a football his arch enemy, Tony Esposito, purposely threw at him to hit Robert in the face and got chants and cheers from the jocks watching. When Tony stormed off, Robert rolled his eyes while shaking his head and tossed the football behind him as he continued to his locker.

After what felt like eternity, he finally reached his locker and grabbed his books for first period science class, when he was joined by his best friend, Richard 'Rick' Schuerman. Always seen wearing a black leather jacket and carrying a comb and mirror to check his 'award winning', dark-brown locks of hair, trying to appear cooler than he really was. To Robert, though, Rick was the coolest guy there ever existed.

"Hey, Rob!" Rick called, making his way towards his closest friend since first grade. "Ready for that geography exam today in Sheffield's class?"

Robert smirked as he closed his locker, his science books held by his side. "There aren't enough days in a year to study for an exam in that woman's class," he answered.

"Just be lucky you passed the mile run. You get to sit in the bleachers and relax, while the rest of us make a fool of ourselves and collapse at the end from exhaustion." Rick replied, pulling out his comb and brushing his hair back.

"Maybe you should focus less on your hair and more on pacing yourself to prevent overexertion on the first lap." Robert teased.

"Hey, you don't just wake up looking like this. I gotta look good in case a recruiter comes wandering by someday and sees me."

Robert fought back a laugh as he shook his head and continued walking with Rick to homeroom, his best friend moving on to a new topic of conversation.

"Man, Rob, I tell yah. Next year's gonna be the party of all parties. Senior Skip Day, Senior Trip Day…Senior Prank Day…" He trailed off, a look of mischief coming across his ocean blue eyes.

"How about doing well on your exams so you get into a good college?" Robert suggested. He earned a snarky glare in response.

"Sure, let's get all responsible about everything," Rick said. "Hey, speaking of good colleges, you decide where you're gonna apply to next year yet? I need a roommate and an estimate on how much I'm gonna have to bribe Sanora Sanchez to give me a passing grade in Spanish class."

As Rick spoke, Robert caught something taped to the walls next to a bunch of other fliers and stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes hooked onto the one in the center of all of them. A flier recruiting men 18 and older to join the United States Army Air Corps and to apply now. As much as he tried to look away, he couldn't. Something about that flier…the way it looked. The way it made him feel, it was as if it were beckoning and calling his name…but he wanted to be an airline pilot. He even hated guns and violence…so why was this flier so…attracting to him.

"Rob," a voice said. "Robert!"

Robert shook his head and turned to his best friend, looking as if he was surprised to see him still standing there.

"You alright there, man?" Rick asked, his voice full of concern. Something dawned on him, and he began to panic in his typical Rick Schuerman manner. "You're sick, aren't you. I told you, I told you to not eat that damn cauliflower casserole they served in the cafeteria yesterday!"

Robert smirked in response. "I'm not sick, Rick," he said, turning back to the flier before him. "It's…it's this flier…something about it is just…it's speaking to me."

Rick gazed at his friend quizzically for a long moment before making his eyes to what Robert was looking at. "The Army Air Corps recruitment poster, you mean?" He asked.

"Yeah…I don't know what about it, but…I feel like I have to do this."

"You. Join the Army Air Corps. Rob, you can't even sucker punch that sleazebag Tony even when he deserves it. What in God's name makes you think you can pick up a gun and kill someone with it?"

"The Army Air Corps means flying airplanes and doing service in the air, correct?" Hogan asked, again turning to face his best friend.

"Yes…" Rick answered, with a slow nodded.

"So I'd still be doing what I want to do for a career…just in a different way…a heroic way."

"I'm so lost right now. More lost than I am in flippin' English class."

"Rick," Robert began. "I think I have to join the Army Air Corps next year. Apply to and attend West Point like my father did for the army…I've gotta serve my country. I've gotta protect everything I believe in. Those who are too afraid or can't do it themselves."

"Well dammit, you've certainly got the brains to do it. Hell, you got the brains to outsmart Newton…" A new realization hit Rick, and a look of dread and despair appeared on his face. He looked back at Robert with a pleading glance. "Aw man, tell me you didn't just drag me into what I think you just dragged me into."

Robert's smile returned and decided to give his best friend the usual grief they gave one another. "Better start practicing for that mile run in sixth period. They do a lot of running in the military." He gave Rick a wink and walked off to their homeroom, leaving Rick alone to himself.

"Man," Rick groaned. "Now I really gotta pass gym class." He was brought out of his thoughts by the warning bell. Homeroom started in three minutes. He realized the hallways were growing quiet, saw that his best friend was no longer standing with him, then looked up in the direction of his designated room with wide, anxiety-ridden pupils before he began sprinting to class. "Rob! Wait! I don't want another detention!"