 Proudly, We Hale. New York City, where the American stage begins, here is another program with a cast of outstanding players. Public service time has been made available by this station to bring you this story as Proudly We Hale, the United States Army. Our story today is entitled The House on Spring Street, a heartwarming story of an American family of the special problem which confronts them and of how their unity as a family leads them to the solution of it. Our first act curtain will rise in just a moment. But first, I have an important message that concerns all the young men and young women of America. If you know radios, telephones, motors, or if you're experienced in any other technical skills, you are needed in the United States Army. Your expert knowledge and know-how are just as essential to the Army as the man with a gun. You will be an important member of the team. For the high school graduate thinking about a future career, this is a must. You can begin training immediately for a highly skilled position and a vigorous, active life. Visit your nearest United States Army recruiting station. They'll help you decide where you're needed most. You'll be proud of your part in assuring the future security of our country. If you're interested in more information, see your Army recruiter today. And now, your United States Army presents the proudly we hail production, The House on Spring Street. How should I begin such a story? I think perhaps first I must introduce you to the street on which we all live. Spring Street is called a nice name musical. Other than that, it is just a city street on each side of it. The small houses elbow each other for a place at the curb. And each has its own patch of green grass, a porch with a railing and a not quite paid-up mortgage. Our house is one of these, the white one here with the green roof. As for ourselves, I am John Christian. Here on Spring Street, I am mostly just called Pop. My wife and I came here together from a small village near the Red Sea. You have noticed my accent, but our two sons were born here in America. At Jim, the oldest, serves in Germany with the Army. And Gildy, the youngest, serves for now at Elm and Main with the supermarket. Last, but as the saying is not least, Gild's sweetheart, Kathy Mills, lives just down the street. Kathy is best described as a beautiful young woman, so there you have it. You have met our street, our house and ourselves. And like most families, we have our problems. Also like most families, we take our biggest and most serious ones to the kitchen. My Gild and his Kathy are there right now. Here, let me open the kitchen window for you. But Gild, don't you see that in the long run, it'll be more help to the folks if you go ahead with your night school? I know, Kathy. I keep telling myself that. But I can't shake the feeling that maybe the money I pay for the electronics courses ought to be going to help Pop get back on his feet. Which is really the most help? Sticking with the job in the supermarket or training yourself for the day when you'll have a business of your own? And in something you really have to be happy doing. But that needs help now. I don't know, he's strong again and things will pick up now at the shop, but those months when he was laid up, put a big strain on things. Then what about us, Gild? Where do we fit in? You know how I feel, sweetie. I've been wearing this ring for a year and a half. Just the one ring. Twice now we've had to put the other one back in its box. I know, I know. Believe me, if I could just once see for sure what's the really right thing to do, I'd do it. But I'm pulled in all different directions. I'm sorry, darling. I really am. I don't want to make things harder than they already are. It's just that, well, darling, I love you. I know. I love you. Maybe you're right. Maybe the best thing is to go ahead with the classes. The job I can get, the more help I'll be to everybody, including us. Well, we'll work it out, don't worry. We've got to. Sure. You know, family finances isn't the only problem we've got to figure on either. Well, how do you mean? Well, here I am now, three years out of school, healthy. My pop was actually laid up. The draft people had me reclassified on a hardship basis. But pop's up and around again. I'm really right for service. Oh, not that I begrudge the service, either, but just a little more time. Yeah, all right. Sounds like pop. Hi, pop. What's a good word? Good word. Well, let's see. Kathy is a very pretty word, I think. Pop, you should be a politician. You'd be president. But now what's bothering you, too? You look like the world is falling in. Oh, pop, you know. Yes, yes, I know, boy, but I came in to bring some good news for a change. Here's a letter. Letter? Mm-hmm, from Jim. He says he is finishing his duty in Germany and will be coming home. No kidding. Well, last week, and he says in it that he is coming by airplane, so I figure he must be here sometimes this week. Oh, Jim, that really is good news. Oh, well, that mama Christian is excited. Who's not excited? It's been a long time. Yes, so you see, Gil, maybe we got our problems, but we also will have the family all together again soon, and then we will see. For every riddle, there's an answer, right? That's what you always say, pop. And I'm right, too. Now, you don't worry, young people. You just wait and see. John? Yes, my dear? When you cut me two lemons to squeeze on the land. I did it before, mama. There they are by your elbow. Oh, yes, here they are. You're not excited or anything, are you, mama? Well, it is a long time since your brother ate in this house, Gil. I want this homecoming dinner to be just right. It's okay, mama. You'll be as excited as you want. So are we all. What time is it, John? It is four minutes later than the last time you asked me. Ten, thirty-four. I think your watch has stopped. Did you wind it? I know what you mean, mama. Time can stand still when you're waiting. Well, we will not have to wait forever. It will not be too long now. Mama, did you get plenty of fresh bread and olives? Oh, more than enough. And fruit, too, and nuts, don't you worry. Ah, it should be so. And a homecoming table only too much is enough. Gil, why don't you go look out in the front and see if anyone is coming? Just anyone, mama, or did you have somebody in particular in mind? If you go before I hit you with a spoon, Jim will have bags to bring in. Okay, hold your fire. I'm going. Oh, it is good. All together again. What happened, Mr. John? Only one small part of a minute this time since you asked me. I hope Jim arrives before much longer. I think otherwise I wear out my watch. There's a taxi pulling up out front. Papa, how is my hair? You do for an old married lady. John, you go out and help, Jim, Gil. We're coming. I'll open the door, mama. Now, you stand right over here. Oh, that's perfect. You look wonderful. You ready? Hello, Jim! Hi, where's my best girl? Oh, there you are. Hi, mama, I'm home. Oh, Jim. Golly, it's good to see you. Look at you. Nobody's changed a bit. Papa, you look great. Oh, strong like a horse, boy. Good as new. Oh, I guess Gil's done some growing, though, eh? Hey, wait a minute. I thought for a minute I smelled like a lamb. Oh, you stay out of my kitchen until I'm ready for you. I don't want you to see the table and did it as fits. Okay, mama, I wouldn't spoil it for the world. Anyway, you probably want to get cleaned up, don't you? Why don't you come on upstairs and wash up? Fine. We have to hold dinner till Kathy gets here anyhow. That's a good idea, but we'll see you in a minute, okay, mama? Yeah, you go, you go. Hey, now tell me about Kathy. But is she really as pretty as a picture as you said? I can see. Oh, my golly. It's good to be home. Just a little more pie, Jim. Oh, mama, one more bite and I explode. I think he liked it, mama. Oh, too well. Who's going to carry me into the pot? No, no, no. You must weigh a ton by now. Maybe Pop could bring in the wheelbarrow from the garage. Just do me one favor, that's all. Don't bend me. Jim, Jim, tell us some more about your duty in Germany. That was interesting what you were saying before about the people. Did you get to know many of them personally, I mean? Oh, yeah, quite a few. Our outfit had the job of taking care of the wire communications for the area, so we had to work a lot with the local communications people. That was in Berlin? Mostly. It's quite a town. Say, how do they feel about the city being in two parts? Are you mean east-west zones? Well, like you'd feel if your town had an arm frontier through the middle of it. They don't like it. But the communists really have their zone under wraps with the secret police system. It's really a situation. But not impossible. Isn't that right, Jim? Someday those people will come out from under the boot. Well, it's not impossible, Pop, but it won't be easy. See, the Commies have had a lot of experience in keeping people from uniting to oppose them. They don't just divide cities and countries, they divide families. They control all the schools and teachers, of course, so young ones get only one point of view as they begin to learn. Commies inject the poison of suspicion into everyone. You never know who's going to turn you into the secret police. Friends, family, anybody. In the end, nobody trusts anybody else enough to get together and do anything. It's a simple trick, but stops any unified opposition cold. What is the answer then, Jim? They must have a weak point. Ah, that they do, Pop. It's one they can never shake off. It's a simple fact that they're wrong. You see, they figure that people are just animals. They're a sort of animal, sure, but still just smart, two-legged animals that can think. It's a picture they can make sound very logical, maybe, but it has that one fatal fault. It just doesn't happen to be true. You know you've done some growing these three years, Jim. Well, at least I got a picture in my mind of what the heck we're up against. They gave me a new respect for this job of mine, too. You plan to make a career of it, Jim? Yep. You're now looking at a real 30-year, man. If you're making a career of it, you got a good start. Oh, why didn't you write us about that new stripe on your sleeve? Oh, that's right. Look at that. Oh, it is very pretty, Jim. Pretty. That's my mama. What does that make you now? One thing at a time. First, I just got it before I started home, so I couldn't write. Second, it makes me SFC, that Sergeant First Class. Now, I guess they figured they wouldn't be wasting the promotion since I was coming back to re-enlist. They sent you all the way back here to re-enlist. Oh, no, not exactly. I'm not just re-enlisting. I'm going back to school. School? What kind of school? Well, the last couple of months I was over there. I was on temporary duty with another outfit. Do you remember I wrote your pop? Yes, I remember, but you didn't say much about what you were doing. Well, you know, it was classified. I had to do some work at this radar installation near the border. Well, anyway, while it was there, I got to be friends with the officer in charge, this Captain Williams. He liked my work, and I asked if I'd ever had any experience in electronics. Well, sir, I just happened to remember back to the old high school days. Hey, old Atchumon. Right, that was it exactly, Atchumon. That sounds familiar. You remember pop? Sure you do. It was the pet name that Jim and I had for that big ham radio rig we built when Jim was in high school. You remember that monster with all the wires out in the garage? Yes. Well, what did that have to do with anything? Well, I told Captain Williams I'd been a radio bug as a hobby, and in the end he convinced me I ought to be giving the Army the benefit of my experience. But what about the school business? That sounds interesting. Well, it turns out they have a system now where a man can re-enlist for the purpose of going to a specialist school if he can qualify. Oh, and you qualified, all right. Yeah, with some help from Captain Williams, I did. Oh, listen, I want to hear about you. How about you kids, huh? Is still the greatest romance since Romeo and Juliet? Oh, I couldn't get out of it now. I'm committed. She'd sue me for breach of promises, I think. If he gives you any trouble, Kathy, you just let me know. Well, the coffee is still good and hot. Another cup, Jim. No, half a cup is plenty, ma'am. Me, too, ma'am. If we could bottle up your coffee, we would be millionaires. Oh, dear, take notice. All future husbands should take lessons from your father how to make a wife feel appreciated. There's no trick to it. I just speak the truth. Oh, you see what I mean. Pop, after you finish your coffee, you can take a holiday for tonight. I'm going to see if I can still dry dishes as fast as Mama can wash them. Good enough. We put the sergeant first class on KP. But first, everyone, I'd like to give you a toast in Mama's Good Coffee. To our boy, Jim, welcome home. Welcome home. We're listening to the proudly-behaved production The House on Spring Street. We'll return in just a moment for the second act. Ever stop to think about the meaning of a military salute? Soldiers call it a sign of recognition between men of an honorable profession. Some historians say the military salute began when knights in armor, such as Lowengren, raised their helm advisors with their right hand to show friendliness. In our time, it has come to mean among soldiers a gesture of respect, not for the individual himself, but for the uniform he wears and the nation it represents. That's worth remembering. Next time you see a soldier in the uniform of the United States Army, keep in mind what his uniform means. It's a visible symbol that he wears proudly if he's a good soldier. A sign that he has begun to master one of the most honorable professions in men's history. A sign that he has joined the good company of generations of American soldiers who have done man-sized jobs in the defense of our beliefs. He's a man to respect, and he deserves your salute. More, if you can qualify, he deserves your help because our country needs more men to stand beside him. Visit your United States Army recruiting station soon and find out how you can help him with a tough job he's doing well. You are listening to Proudly We Hail and now we present the second act of The House on Spring Street. You know I am still full from dinner. Oh, you really made a success, Mama. It was a good homecoming, wasn't it? Perfect. Jim is upstairs in the boys' room? Yes. After we did the dishes, he went up to unpack and get settled. He's different now, you know? Jim, I mean. Oh, the same Jim, Mama. Oh, yes, the same person, the same son, but he has grown. I think you are proud. No, I'm grateful. Just very grateful. I know what you mean. I think Jim knows the direction he is taking and he is satisfied with the worth of his work. That is important for a man. Are you finished with your sewing? Oh, yes, any time. Maybe we could go up then. I would like to get to bed early tonight. Tomorrow I think I will go in the shop again. Oh, yes, it is good. Things are coming back to normal again. Well, we have seen worse times we too. We will be all right. Well, shall we go? Yes, dear. Already now. Oh, leave the front door and lock for Gil. He and Kathy went to a moving picture. All right. He should be coming home before long. Hey, Jim, you still awake? Gil, come on in. Folks asleep? Yeah, I guess so. They came in the second night about an hour ago. How was the movie? Yeah, not bad. You know, I've been lying here in the sack reading up on you. I didn't know I had such a celebrity for a kid, brother. Well, who's a celebrity? It's all right here in your high school yearbook. Remember the Scholarship Society? Big wheel on the football field? Can I have your autograph? You can have the whole shebang. You know, with all that stuff and a dime, you can get a cup of coffee. Hey, come on. I'm sorry. I don't want to turn the hose on your homecoming. I guess I haven't got much sense of humor lately. Well, pull off your shoes and sit down. Right. Like, they say two heads are better than one, unless they happen to be on the same guy. Yeah. Sometimes I wish I had three heads. When comes a problem, all you do is take a vote, best two out of three wins. She would make things a lot easier. Look, bud, I was talking to Mom while we cleaned up on the dishes tonight. She sort of filled me in on the whole situation. Maybe there's a solution to this thing you haven't considered. You know, you sound just like Pop. For every riddle, there's an answer. I don't know. Now, don't sell the idea short, bud. You know, if you're going to find an answer, you have to start from the idea there is one. Okay, I'm game. Where to from here? Well, for start, let's take the facts one at a time. Say fact number one is yourself. Kathy Mills, fact number two. Yeah, they're only trouble. You can't add one and two because of facts three and four. Which are? Three, the folks need help right now. And four, they got assigned on by the post office that says, Uncle Sam wants you. Okay. Now, there's got to be some way for all the things to balance out. No problem. Oh, we need a telegram in the morning saying that a rich uncle we didn't know about has suddenly kicked off on his yacht in the Caribbean leaving his Fort Knox. Or even $1,200. $1,200. Yeah. And just about what Pop's layoff took out of the business and the savings. Look, I tell you, Jim, long engagements are one thing, but if this goes on, Kathy and I will be on old age pensions before we're on our honeymoon. Well, wait a minute. Maybe not. What do you mean? I just got a piece of an idea. A couple of months ago, I got a letter from an old buddy of mine, Chris Swinson. He's stationed over in Elmhaven now. It's only an hour from here. Maybe I'll just, yeah. Yeah, it'd be kind of good to see old Chris anyhow. I sure hope you know what the heck you're talking about because it's not making any sense to me. Oh, excuse me, but I was just thinking out loud. Look, I'm taking off for Elmhaven in the morning. You tell Mama we'll be bringing Chris back for supper, OK? Well, yeah, but no buts about it. Now, good night, bud. Will you quit worrying? We'll make out. Sure. Sleep good. Right. Sleep good. I'll see you tomorrow night at supper. Mama Christian, I was wonderful. I don't know. I made it back here at the parlor. Well, for after dinner, that dig chair there is a good one. Thanks, Mama, but if I got down in there, I'd never get up again. I just think I'll try the soap over here by the window. Shall we have our coffee in here, Mama Christian? Yeah, I think so, dear. Just put the pot there. Well, everybody, sit down and relax. Oh, it sure is good to see this old bum again. I can tell you, we had some times in Korea and Germany, didn't we? That we did. Yeah, but don't get started on them. We'll be here till next week, right? I guess maybe I should let everybody in on my ulterior motive in bringing you over tonight. You got what kind of motive? Well, it started with something Gil and I were talking about last night. You know, I got to thinking after we turned out the lights. Remember, Gil, I said I might have an idea. Sure I do, but what was the idea? You left out that little detail. Well, I wanted to talk to Chris here about it before I said anything more, sort of get my facts straight. So, first off, suppose I let Chris do some talking. He's really the one who knows the full story. Well, as I wrote Jim few months ago, I've been assigned to the recruiting office over in Elmhaven. When Jim came in at the office this morning, he had a problem and was looking for an answer. And I think maybe we've come up with one. I didn't know you were in recruiting, Chris. That was my first tour, just since I got back from overseas. But as I was saying, as Jim's already told you, there's a system now which allows a soldier to re-enlist for a specialist school if he's qualified. What Jim wasn't sure of until this morning, that is, was that there's the same kind of a deal open for new enlistees. Now, this is the part I want you to hear from the horse's mouth, Gil. Go ahead, Chris. Well, as I say, we've got a program set up so that a man who enlists today, if he's got the qualifications, can enlist with the understanding that when he finishes his basic training courses, he'll have a spot already reserved for him in the school he picked when he signed up. Oh, this meaning me? Well, that's up to you. We spent the afternoon digging up the facts, but you'll have to do the deciding. I don't know, Chris. You see, Jim was different. He wanted to go into the Army from the start. Oh, I mean, I'm not knocking the Army. It's just that I sort of had other plans. Sure, kid. So did a lot of other people. With the world the way it is, the pressure's on. As long as it stays on, we'll have to face the fact that it takes a big Army to keep us ready for anything that might come. This is true. It takes strength to stay free. Oh, sure. Look, Gil, figure the way the facts add up. One way or another, you've got some military service ahead of you, right? Sure. Sure, and that's okay with me. If only it could wait a little longer. Might be a lot smarter not to wait, Gil. That's a fact. Well, how do you mean smarter? Well, Jim and I went over it pretty thoroughly today. I think with your practical experiences and amateur radio bug, plus what you've already learned in your night school, you can easily qualify to enlist for electronic school. You mean like Jim's doing? Just about only you'd have to finish basic training first. You see the idea, Gil, you already have the obligation to serve. If you wait to be called, you take your chances on assignments. But if you enlist for school, you've got a spot in electronic school reserved for you in advance. Mm-hmm. Well, suppose I went in right away. What about the folks? Who helps pop? I help myself, like always. But we all help. With my promotion, I can send home a bigger allotment. Sounds reasonable enough. Oh, look, Chris, say I do enlist for school. Do I really get to the school, or is there some gimmick involved? No gimmick, Gil. If you're qualified to enlist for school, you'll get to the school all right. When I said your spot would be reserved for you, I meant just that. Well, after you get there, of course, it's up to you. Just like in civilian life, experience separates the sheep from the goats. But if you're willing to work, you'll make good in school. Mm-hmm. And after that? Well, then if your record shows you can handle it, you'll find yourself in practical work. Radio repair, radar, maybe? One thing's sure. The Army doesn't spend all that time and money training in electronics just for fun. They'll put you in a job that will use your training. I don't know, Gil, as Chris says, the decision is yours, but this sounds like sense to me. It's worth thinking about, bud. Well, there is this about it. Instead of paying for electronics training, I'd be getting paid for it. Like you say, I'm pretty much at the top of the list for services it is. What do you think, Mama? Well, I think if it will help you to get the knowledge you want and will let you and Kathy start your home, I think it is good. Oh, yeah. Hey, I forgot to mention, you get an extra allowance when you take on the added responsibility of a wife. It's funny how all this never even crossed my mind before. We figured and figured. I know, I know, but sometimes an answer can lie around right under your nose for a while before you finally see it. And you're sure that you'd be all right, Pa. Such impudence. I was taking care of your mama and me long before you ever came along, young fellow. And what about you, Kathy? Whatever you decide. Well, can't hurt anything to find out some more about it. I suppose I'd drop by to see you in a couple of days, Chris, and sort of talk over the whole thing. Any time at all, Gil. You know, I think maybe we got the makings of a real secret weapon here, Chris. How's that, Pa? Sure, with both of these boys in uniform, nobody would have the nerve to scowl a war. So that is how it all came about here on Spring Street, USA. That is how I, John Christian, became the father of two American servicemen. Ah, yes, and a new daughter-in-law into the bargain. It is as my son, Gil, has developed the habit of saying, I never had it so good. High school graduates, if you're of service age, we feel sure you'll be interested in the reserved for you training program of your United States Army. This program is filled with opportunities for the young men of today who want to equip themselves with a top-notch skill and serve their country at the same time. Here's how it works. You make application at your nearest United States Army recruiting station, at which time you stake your preference and training course. There are more than 150 courses to choose from. Now this application does not place you under any obligation to enlist. If you qualify and a vacancy exists, you will receive a letter of acceptance that is your guarantee of a reserved seat in the course of your choice. Then you can enlist and begin your career as a skilled specialist in the United States Army. So if you expect to serve a tour of duty in the near future, make sure you make the most of your opportunities. Visit your nearest United States Army recruiting station and talk it over with the friendly people there. This has been another program on Proudly We Hail, presented transcribed in cooperation with this station. Proudly We Hail is produced by the Recruiting publicity center for the United States Army. This is Ralph Roland speaking and inviting you to tune in this same station next week for another interesting story on Proudly We Hail.