by Marilyn J. Bennett

In 1951, two ambitious young women, twenty-one years old at the time—Margaret and me, old high school friends, were lured into an Army recruiting office by the signs out in the front window. Travel and adventure, two-year enlistment available now! Bored with our clerical jobs and ready for a change, we somewhat hesitantly but boldly marched inside. The recruiter spun his magical web of intrigue about what military service would be like for two bright and charming women such as us. How could one resist? What a deal! We were absolutely hooked. Testing done, physicals completed, hands over our hearts, we pledged our hearts and souls to the U.S. Army for a period of just two years. We were in like Flynn. We were assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia, for basic training. Afterwards, our orders read: Margaret to Fort Lee, and me to Germany. Let the adventures begin!