Clare was a navy nurse, one of the so-called “Angels of Mercy” that served aboard a hospital ship that sometimes sailed into harm’s way in order to tend the wounded. She was in her early twenties and life was wonderful – even in this time of war.Following a bloody skirmish, the U.S.S. Clara Barton made for the port of San Tempe in the Philippines. There were a number of soldiers and sailors requiring attention and triage was the first assignment. It was there that she first laid eyes on Tommy.They hit if off immediately and were a common sight as she helped him with his therapy around the ship. After 2 weeks, he was cleared to return to his unit, but they vowed to meet when the war was over at 3pm at the base of the Washington Monument on Valentine’s Day, the most romantic time of the year.Little did she know that this was the last time that she would see him.
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