The winter of 1942 was a time of great strife for America and her people. The Great Depression had barely ended, the devastating economic shock waves of that disaster still reverberating throughout our society, when a near fatal blow was dealt to us in a far away place called Pearl Harbor. America was bleeding; reeling from a sneak attack that virtually wiped us out as a naval power. Many of our military installations in the Pacific and Far East were under attack by a fanatically determined Japanese war machine.
Our European allies were staggering in the aftermath of many stunning victories won by the Nazis. The infamous German blitzkrieg was being conducted by a well-equipped and staunchly disciplined military juggernaut that seemed invincible. The future looked grim.
America’s young men marched off to war, leaving behind the younger generations who were eager to join the battle. Some of them were teenage athletes, anxious to lay it all on the line for their country. But the future held many surprises for these would be warriors, stranded on the ‘home front’ by fate. Circumstances catapulted them into early adulthood, coached by young women left without male companions their own age. Nature played its part and the younger boys matured quickly, willing students of the times.
Meet some of the unforgettable cast of real life people who you will get to know, reading this romantic adventure. Though this is a work of fiction the existence of All American Airways, Inc. was factual. It was an airline owned by E.I. Du Pont, of Wilmington, Delaware, and operated throughout the mountains of Pennsylvania, Southern and Western New York State, West Virginia and the eastern seaboard, picking up and dropping off the U.S. Mail on the fly. It was an all time first, and the only time in aviation history that an airline existed exclusively for the purpose of getting the U.S. Mail to rural communities had that never experienced commercial air services of any nature.
The newspapers of the time touted this air carrier as having done such a good job, that they put themselves out of business, (as a carrier of mail exclusively) and were awarded a certificate to begin passenger service. All American Airways, Inc. later became known as Allegheny Airways, and through mergers and acquisitions, eventually evolved into what is today know as U.S. Air, one of the largest international carriers based in the U.S.A.
Cast of major players:
Irene: dynamic young woman who takes a liking to a young high school athlete, called Jakie, (Giacomo Mauro) becoming his tutor and mentor, leading her charge to polished and sophisticated adulthood before his time. Then she moves on to her own flamboyant career as famous restaurateur, and vintner.
Barbara: eager to sample the fruits of Irene’s laborious efforts and give