Here we are, September, 1940, and, as we know, the rumbles of World War Two were grumbling on already – with out us.  A draft for able bodied men is about to take effect.  Some men will register for the draft and let fate decide.  Some, I’m sure, tried to evade.  It’s a logical thing to be terrified of.  Others would choose, draft or no, to enlist.

As we learn here:

Monday, August 26^th, 1940

  Peach is thinking of joining the air school this year to learn mechanics.

Jake is the kind to take matters, and fate, into his own hands.

Wednesday, September 25^th, 1940

Jake is still running around seeing people and doctors about getting in for flying.    Edmund dropped in tonight and we went riding for about 3 hours.  When we got home, we met Jake.  He had been taking physical exams.  I hate to see him go away.  I don’t know what I’ll do.

Friday, October 11^th, 1940

I wonder what’s got into Peach.  He’s been up practically every night this week.  Edmund and Chet called him out for a few minutes but he ret’d.  Billy came to visit too and we three went out for a ride and a snack.  Jakey got his letter to take a physical exam in Boston for getting into the air corps.

Monday, October 14^th, 1940

Was pressing out some blouses when Nellie came up to tell me Peaches and Chet had gone to Boston.  They received their letter today to take their physical exams.  Gosh, I wonder how it will all turn out.  Only God in his heaven knows.  We must wait.

Tuesday, October 15^th, 1940

I walked down to meeting alone. Willy Kuydzal, Francis Jaworek, and I went to The Moonlight for a coke.  While we were there Jakey came looking for me.  He failed because of flat feet and Chet cause of a tremor in his heart.  They are so dejected.  I am too for them.  Peach and I sat in the car in front of the house for ages.

Wednesday, October 16^th, 1940

The great day of registration for conscription came today.  It won’t be long now before they begin taking the young men.  Stayed at home tonight and pressed clothes, played, took a bath, and read.  Wonder if Peach feels any better today.

Imagine.  Flat feet.  Here was a man dreaming of flying and serving.  And he was, as Babu put it, dejected.  He was not the type of man, however, to give up.

Thursday, October 17^th, 1940

Jakey picture was taken for the paper yesterday as signing up for the draft.  Now he’s being kidded about Hollywood. 

(I’m not going to lie, but this is giving me Captain America vibes!)

Tuesday, October 29^th, 1940

…Oh yea, the conscription lottery was held today-Jake’s number is 1741.  Hasn’t been drawn yet.

Thursday, October 31^st, 1940

Bought a pair of nylon hose today and paid $1.50.  Jake’s number was drawn yesterday and it’s at the end of the 8,000’s so I guess he won’t be called for a long time.

What a way to spend Halloween; wondering when you’ll be sent to war!  But more to the point, there is clearly much more about Jake’s endeavors to enlist.  Clearly, he has not done so yet but, let me catch up!  I am processing these entries as I go along.  Technically, this post was more about conscription, and maybe deserved to be in the “C” category all along, but time will tell.  Well, it has told, but, I guess, it’ll have to tell it again as I read on.

Here is last year’s installment for “E.”

https://transcribingmemory.com/2018/03/24/april-a-z-december-1939-everyone-stopped-by

And the year before:

https://transcribingmemory.com/2017/04/06/ernie-eddie-expectations