The end of the war

We returned to the base, chastened and sobered by the events of the day. We knew of course that the vice-president, a modest and little-known fellow named Harry Truman, had been sworn in. What we didn't know was that he would prove to be a fearless and far-seeing leader, destined by fate to make one of the most difficult decisions ever to fall to the lot of a president. He decided to drop the atom bomb and forever changed the world.
Back at the base, things went on pretty much as before, except that now and then we were given leave to go to Washington, D.C. and go we did. I remember the many monuments, museums, parks and especially the cherry trees in blossom. I wandered down the aisles of trees, enjoying the aroma of the blossoms, and felt that I was in another world. The air was warm and balmy, and except for the swarms of pigeons flying around and threatening to bombard us, all was peaceful and serene. Of course we could only get a few hours of leave and had to be back promptly but we appreciated every moment of freedom.
Until the actual moment when the atom bomb was dropped, no one at Arlington Hall knew of its existence. Nicknamed "Little Boy", even Harry Truman was kept in the dark until he assumed the office of president. On August 6, l945, the bomb was dropped, the world changed forever, and the war was over. By the end of August I was in Dallas, Texas and another adventure loomed before me. But that is another story.