Voice Of The Army 44-xx-xx (213) Names On The List

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Voice Of The Army 44-xx-xx (213) Names On The List"

Podcast Information

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Voice Of The Army 44-xx-xx (213) Names On The List
• Release Date: January 31, 2025
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Description: Reliving the Golden Age of Radio, this episode transports listeners to a time before television, capturing the essence of family gatherings around the radio to enjoy classics like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and more.

---

Introduction to "Names On The List"

The episode "Names On The List" is a poignant radio drama featuring the distinguished American actress Helen Hayes, who portrays Lt. Margaret English. Set against the backdrop of wartime, the story delves into the lives of army personnel, highlighting themes of love, loss, and resilience within the military environment.

---

Main Story: Characters and Plot Development

1. Meet Lt. Margaret English and Private Alan Wicks

   The drama begins with Lt. Margaret English interacting with Private Alan Wicks, a soldier grappling with the loss of his best friend and dealing with the challenges of his injury. Their initial conversation reveals Private Wicks' reluctance to engage, as he grapples with his emotions and traumatic experiences.

   Lt. Margaret English ([02:14]): "Hello, soldier. Let's see. Private Alan Wicks. Hello, Alan."

   Private Alan Wicks ([02:20]): "I suppose I gotta talk or you'll be saying cat got your tongue..."

2. Unfolding Backstories and Emotional Depth

   As the narrative progresses, Lt. English shares her personal story of meeting her husband, Dick, through a shared love of poetry. This backstory not only humanizes her character but also sets the stage for the emotional currents running through the episode.

   Lt. Margaret English ([04:36]): "Well, it was way back when I was a student nurse in New York... Then I heard someone asking for Mrs. Browning's sonnets."

   The exchange about the poem "How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning becomes a pivotal moment, showcasing the contrasting perspectives between Lt. English and Private Wicks regarding sentimentality and emotional expression.

   Private Alan Wicks ([08:28]): "Yeah, it does something to you, all right. It turns your stomach, all that phony sentimentality."

3. Conflict and Resolution

   The tension between Lt. English’s compassionate approach and Private Wicks' guarded demeanor culminates when Helen Hayes, representing the Army Nurse Corps, intervenes with crucial information about Lt. English’s husband being killed in action. This revelation serves as a catalyst for Private Wicks to confront his own emotions and opens the door for healing and understanding between the characters.

   Helen Hayes ([09:19]): "Private Wicks, there's something I must speak to you about."

   Helen Hayes ([09:35]): "...Lt. English, whose husband has been missing for six weeks, got word late last night that he had been killed in action."

4. Emotional Climax and Connection

   The final interactions between Lt. English and Private Wicks demonstrate a softening of barriers as they share in the remembrance of lost loved ones. The mutual understanding and shared grief bridge the gap between them, highlighting the healing power of vulnerability and shared experiences.

   Private Alan Wicks ([11:30]): "You've got a book in your pocket that... Sonnets from the Portuguese."

   Lt. Margaret English ([11:47]): "How do I love thee?... And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death."

---

Concluding Message: The Importance of the Army Nurse Corps

Following the dramatic narrative, Helen Hayes delivers a heartfelt message emphasizing the invaluable contributions of the Army Nurse Corps. She underscores the urgent need for dedicated nurses to support wounded soldiers and calls upon listeners to consider service in this vital role.

Lt. Margaret English ([14:06]): "No American mother can be unmindful of the debt of gratitude we all owe to the women of the Army Nurse Corps."

She outlines the various ways individuals can contribute, from serving as registered nurses to supporting roles in both civilian and military hospitals. The message serves as both a tribute and a recruitment call, highlighting the ongoing need for compassionate medical professionals.

Helen Hayes ([15:03]): "If you will, accept an appointment as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps... You're needed now. Won't you help?"

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Dr. Dennis Black Advertisement:

   • "Add Ruffgreens to your dog's food for 90 days and I guarantee you'll see changes that will amaze you." ([00:01])

2. Lt. Margaret English Introduction:

   • "Hello, soldier. Let's see. Private Alan Wicks. Hello, Alan." ([02:14])

3. Private Alan Wicks on Sentimentality:

   • "Yeah, it does something to you, all right. It turns your stomach, all that phony sentimentality." ([08:28])

4. Helen Hayes on Army Nurse Corps:

   • "No American mother can be unmindful of the debt of gratitude we all owe to the women of the Army Nurse Corps." ([14:06])

5. Lt. Margaret English's Recitation:

   • "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death." ([07:20] & [11:47])

---

Conclusion

"Names On The List" masterfully weaves a tale of personal struggle, emotional healing, and the enduring human spirit amidst the trials of war. Through the stellar performance of Helen Hayes and the relatable characters of Lt. Margaret English and Private Alan Wicks, the episode offers listeners an engaging and heartfelt glimpse into the lives of those who serve. The concluding call to action serves as a heartfelt reminder of the essential roles played by the Army Nurse Corps, inspiring gratitude and potential service among its audience.

---

Additional Notes

• Narrative Style: The episode employs classic radio drama techniques, utilizing dialogue-driven storytelling, character development, and emotional engagement without visual aids.
• Historical Context: Set during wartime, the episode reflects the societal and personal impacts of war, particularly focusing on the roles of women in the military medical field.
• Emotional Resonance: The interplay between Lt. English and Private Wicks underscores themes of love, loss, resilience, and the human capacity for connection amidst adversity.

---

This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the "Names On The List" episode, highlighting its key components, emotional depth, and impactful messages, making it accessible and informative for both longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Transcript

[Dr. Dennis Black]

Ever notice your dog slowing down and having health issues and wonder, what can I do to make them better? Well, my friend, add rough greens to your dog's food for 90 days and I guarantee you'll see changes that will amaze you. Greetings, Naturopathy Dr. Dennis Black, inventor of Ruffgreens here and I invite you to give your pup the Ruff Greens 90 day challenge. In the first 30 days, you'll see shiny your coats and increased energy. By day 60, you're your dog will have a stronger immune system, less shedding, improved joint function, all due to the live nutrients that you've added to their diet. And at 90 days, better digestion, reduced inflammation, improved heart health, and you may even have reduced their cancer risk. Fetch your dog a free Jumpstart trial bag today. Go to ruffgreens.com. use promo code 90day. That's ruff greens.com. use promo code 90Day. You just cover the shipping. You don't have to change your dog's food to improve your dog's health. Just add a scoop of rough greens.

[Helen Hayes]

The Voice of the Army. The voice of the army is on the air calling Americans everywhere. Maybe you're just the one we are looking forward to volunteer and help win the war. While our brave soldiers fight throughout the universe, won't you serve as a U.S. army nurse? The voice of the army is calling you to get in step with the march to victory. Today, the Voice of the army presents the distinguished American actress, Ms. Helen Hayes, in a story of the U.S. army Nurse Corps. It's with considerable pride that we present Ms. Hayes as Lt. Margaret English in Names on the List.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Hello, soldier. Let's see. Private Alan Wicks. Hello, Alan.

[Private Alan Wicks]

I suppose I gotta talk or you'll be saying cat got your tongue. That's what the other one always said. Cat got your tongue?

[Lt. Margaret English]

No, no, you don't have to talk if you don't want to.

[Private Alan Wicks]

That's good. You the new nurse?

[Lt. Margaret English]

Mm. Want a light?

[Private Alan Wicks]

I can manage.

[Lt. Margaret English]

That's an interesting looking pipe.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Yeah.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Get it over there.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Yeah.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Collect pipes.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Look, it's a pipe. I smoke pipes. I've always smoked pipes. It's interesting looking. And I got it over there was my best friend's. He was killed.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Oh, I'm sorry, Ellen.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Sure you're sorry. I'm sorry. He's sorry I lost an arm. Maybe we're sorry about that, too. Let's let it go at that.

[Lt. Margaret English]

We're going to be able to do something for you.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Here it comes. Lesson number one. Point out to the patient advances made in modern prosthetics. Tell them one of those grappling hook arms is just as good as the real thing. Better, even. All right, maybe it is. Only let's not talk about it. See?

[Helen Hayes]

Wellness. How's it going with the boy?

[Lt. Margaret English]

Not too well, Colonel.

[Helen Hayes]

I told you it wouldn't be exactly easy.

[Lt. Margaret English]

No, it isn't.

[Helen Hayes]

And how's it going with you?

[Lt. Margaret English]

I'm all right. It's kind of hard. At mail time, Dick used to write so regularly. I'd always know there'd be a letter from him. Of course, I got several letters even after the news that he was missing. That was the hardest of all. Then they stopped coming, too.

[Helen Hayes]

I know.

[Lt. Margaret English]

But I'm so sure he's safe. It couldn't happen to us. I read the poem and I know it couldn't happen to us.

[Helen Hayes]

You read the poem?

[Lt. Margaret English]

Oh, yes. How do I love thee? Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

[Helen Hayes]

Oh, oh, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

[Lt. Margaret English]

You see, that's how we happened to meet, Dick and I. I guess I never told you about that. No, it's really just one of those sentimental stories that sound silly to everybody except the people it happened to. For them, it's important.

[Helen Hayes]

Tell me about it.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Really?

[Helen Hayes]

Mm.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Well, it was way back when I was a student nurse in New York. That seems a hundred years ago now. That day I was looking over the 10 cent counter of a little second hand bookstore down in Greenwich Village. You know the kind. Then I heard someone asking for Mrs. Browning's sonnets.

[Private Alan Wicks]

It was a little blue book. It was here last week. Sonnets from the Portuguese.

[Lt. Margaret English]

I looked around. It was a young man. A very nice looking young man, I thought, with curly brown hair and a nose that turned up just a little at the end. And a lovely smile.

[Private Alan Wicks]

It was right on the shelf. Sonnets from the Portuguese. Ah, yes, there it is. The young lady has it. Did you wish to buy it, miss? Well, I. Oh, that's all right, please. I wouldn't think.

[Lt. Margaret English]

But it's quite all right if you'd like it.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Why, no, I wouldn't dream of.

[Lt. Margaret English]

But really.

[Private Alan Wicks]

No, I assure you, I. Well, if either of you wants it, it's 10 cents. Look, I have a wonderful idea. Let's buy it together. We'll each put up 5 cents and we'll each own a 50% interest.

[Lt. Margaret English]

50? 50.

[Private Alan Wicks]

What do you say?

[Lt. Margaret English]

We each put up our 5 cents, Colonel, just as crazily as that. And Dick decided we'd have to go to lunch together to discuss the details. Of our part. And then, well, three months later, we were married. And I always teased Dick by saying the only reason we were was to put an end to the eternal problem of the custody of Mrs. Browning.

[Helen Hayes]

That's wonderful.

[Lt. Margaret English]

So I like this little book, especially now.

[Helen Hayes]

That's the same little book.

[Lt. Margaret English]

The same faded blue cover. Faded a little more. I always like to have it with me. Well, guess I'd better go on up to our problem child.

[Helen Hayes]

Not going to try poetry on him now?

[Lt. Margaret English]

I might. Hello, Alan.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Hello.

[Lt. Margaret English]

You don't have to talk. I'm just going to sit here for a while and read, if you don't mind.

[Private Alan Wicks]

I don't mind. What are you reading?

[Lt. Margaret English]

A book.

[Private Alan Wicks]

What book?

[Lt. Margaret English]

I don't think you'd like it.

[Private Alan Wicks]

How do you know I wouldn't like it?

[Lt. Margaret English]

Poetry.

[Private Alan Wicks]

What makes you think I wouldn't like a book of poetry?

[Lt. Margaret English]

I don't know. I just didn't think so.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Why don't. Why don't you?

[Lt. Margaret English]

No, what? Go ahead.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Well, why don't you read out loud? Would you mind?

[Lt. Margaret English]

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach when feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet need by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely as men strive for right. I love thee purely as men turn from praise. I love thee with the passion put to use in my old grief and my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seem to lose with my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, smile, tears of all my life. And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. Well? Well, it just kind of does something to you, doesn't it?

[Private Alan Wicks]

Yeah, it does something to you, all right. It turns your stomach, all that phony sentimentality.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Alan, I thought you wanted me to read it.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Sure. I went for that sort of thing once, but I forgot anyway. Who do you think you're kidding? How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Sure. I love thee with one arm.

[Lt. Margaret English]

I'm sorry it doesn't mean anything to you. Because it means a great deal to me.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Well, why don't you do something? Why don't you slam the book down and stalk out and report me to the colonel? Why don't you?

[Lt. Margaret English]

I don't want to. Alan, why do you keep fighting inside yourself? Why don't you let us try?

[Private Alan Wicks]

Why don't you? Why don't you leave me alone?

[Helen Hayes]

Private Wicks.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Yes.

[Helen Hayes]

Colonel, there's something I must speak to you about.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Oh? I suppose she told you I was rude to her yesterday.

[Helen Hayes]

No.

[Private Alan Wicks]

No.

[Helen Hayes]

Lt. English didn't say anything. She wouldn't.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Huh?

[Helen Hayes]

It so happens that Lt. English, whose husband has been missing for six weeks, got word late last night that he had been killed in action. If you can't feel any consideration for her, I hope at least you can be civil. That's all I wanted to say. Of course you won't mention this to her, you understand. You don't know about it.

[Private Alan Wicks]

No, sir. I don't know a thing about it.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Hello, Alan.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Oh, I wondered if you'd come in.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Did you?

[Private Alan Wicks]

Yeah. I'm a pretty tough patient.

[Lt. Margaret English]

No. Gonna puff your pillows up a bit?

[Private Alan Wicks]

Oh, don't bother.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Oh, I'm sorry. I keep forgetting.

[Private Alan Wicks]

No, I didn't mean that. I just meant I didn't want you to bother.

[Lt. Margaret English]

No bother. Here.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Thanks.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Hmm.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Thanks. Would you hand me my pipe?

[Lt. Margaret English]

Here you are. Oh, it's a different one.

[Private Alan Wicks]

I'm still so clumsy spilling matches on the floor. Would you?

[Lt. Margaret English]

Of course.

[Private Alan Wicks]

That's good. I like a pipe. I got a whole collection back home.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Have you a meerschaum?

[Private Alan Wicks]

You know about pipes?

[Lt. Margaret English]

My husband. My husband was very fond of pipes too.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Yeah. I've got a Mirsham. Nurse.

[Lt. Margaret English]

Yes. Alan?

[Private Alan Wicks]

Would you read to me?

[Lt. Margaret English]

Read to you?

[Private Alan Wicks]

Yes.

[Lt. Margaret English]

I'm nothing to read here.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Oh, you don't want to.

[Lt. Margaret English]

I've nothing to read.

[Private Alan Wicks]

You've got a book in your pocket that. Sonnets from the Portuguese.

[Lt. Margaret English]

I'll go get something else.

[Private Alan Wicks]

No, read from that. Well, read. How do I Love thee?

[Lt. Margaret English]

I'll get something else.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Please read it to me.

[Lt. Margaret English]

No, I.

[Private Alan Wicks]

Please. Please.

[Lt. Margaret English]

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach when feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet knee. To the level of every day's most quiet knee. Thy sun and candor.

[Private Alan Wicks]

I love thee freely as men strive for right. I love thee purely as men turn from praise. I love thee with a passion put to use in my old griefs and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seem to lose with my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life. And if God choose. And God choose.

[Lt. Margaret English]

And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

[Helen Hayes]

Two names on a list. Two men. Two soldiers. A Major English, a Private Wicks, unknown to each other. And yet, as you heard, their stories were not wholly unrelated. You've just listened to names on the list. And now we'd like you to listen to our star, Ms. Helen Hayes, who has a personal message for you about the Army Nurse Corps.

[Lt. Margaret English]

No American mother can be unmindful of the debt of gratitude we all owe to the women of the Army Nurse Corps. Now, as the good news continues to roll in in ever increasing proportions, we must not forget the bad news that inevitably must accompany it. Our casualties. As for these wounded men, the war will still be with them for a long, long time to come. This is a need only registered nurses can fill. But there are other ways of helping. Senior cadet nurses may take their final six months training in army hospitals. And graduates of Red Cross training courses may serve as nurses aides in both civilian and military hospitals. The need for army nurses is urgent. Today, the men of our army and their wives and mothers ask you to think this over most carefully. You're needed now. Won't you help?

[Helen Hayes]

If you will, accept an appointment as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps, write the Surgeon General, U.S. army, Washington, 25, D.C. or apply at any Red Cross procurement office. This closes another program in the series, the Voice of the Army.

[Private Alan Wicks]

It.