Cadet Nurse Marion returns to Seattle

Why is it that when you're having sooo much fun time slips away and before you know it Marion's leave ended. We were sad at another parting, but we both knew we had a big job to do--win the war; "Corky," taking care of patients so they could quickly become contributors to the war effort. For me, "Hank," it meant doing the very best I was capable of, to do my part in the war effort. We both just wanted the war over and enjoy normal married life, whatever that was. When Marion left we kissed and we "knew" we were destined to have a life together after the war. I stayed at the boat basin, ate their great food, but missed Corky at night. After about a day I contacted my Marine buddies, Curtis "Buddy" Warner; and probably my best friend, Fred Midcap. Fred had a "winning" closed mouth grin that somehow endeared him to attractive ladies. Buddy was described by women as handsome, but both he and Fred were in "for the long haul--to win!"; and win we must! Buddy was actually a "shirttail" relative since one of his twin brothers, Jimmy, was married to my 2nd cousin, Margie Ackerman. They invited me to come visit them at Camp Pendleton the next day and see how they lived. I agreed and went back to the boat basin.