Battle Cry
Chapter One
The roof of the cold, gray, barnlike Pennsylvania Terminal
in Baltimore hovered high over the scurrying travelers
and the small whispering groups about Gate Three. In clusters
of two, three, four and more they stood around sternfaced
youths as the moments ticked away. Here a wife and
child, there a half dozen pals shouted encouragement. In a
corner an aged mother and father and a group of relatives
whispered to a sullen lad.
There were many young girls, some weeping, all fighting
back tears as they stood by their husbands, their lovers, their
boy friends. The almost buzzing sound of their farewell
bounced and echoed off the walls of the ancient terminal.
Danny Forrester zipped up his green and silver jacket
with the block letter F and shifted his weight nervously from
one foot to the other. Grouped about him were his father; his
young brother, Bud; and his best friend, Virgil; and Virgil's
girl, Sally.
"Hey, lady, my brother is a Marine," little Bud Forrester
shouted to a passer-by.
"Be quiet, Bud," Mr. Forrester demanded.
Kathleen Walker stood at Danny's side. Their hands were
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