Union Town, located in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, is not very large, and without any unforeseen events, it would remain as anonymous as many other American towns.
But when a man named George Marshall appeared, and made a name for himself during World War II, it started to gain some fame.
However, no matter what, it still looked like a very ordinary small town now.
The muddy, slippery streets would occasionally emit the smell of cow and horse feces.
"Boss, is the person you're looking for living here?"
Steve Cotting looked at the state of Union Town with great disdain.
"Most of the time, he doesn't live here, only during vacations does he stay!"
Donnie explained offhandedly, then grabbed a hurried worker to inquire about an address. After getting a reply, Donnie continued forward.
Soon, he arrived at Marshall's residence.
A somewhat rundown, wooden two-story villa, a typical American construction.
After knocking on the door, it soon opened, and a black woman answered.
"May I ask who you're looking for?"
"Hello, I'm Donnie Block. I already called Mr. Marshall before coming, and he knows I would visit him today!"
Donnie said politely.
"Oh, the master already told me, please come in!"
The black woman stepped aside, and Donnie told Steve Cotting to wait outside for him before entering alone.
This was Marshall's former residence, usually he would be by Pan Xing's side at the U.S. Army Staff Department, but recently Marshall was on vacation, so he had returned to his hometown.
When Donnie entered the villa and saw Marshall sitting on the living room sofa with a Universal production radio next to him, the Atlantic City Broadcast was playing from the radio.
Donnie called out quietly.
Marshall was thin, but perhaps because he had spent so much time with Pan Xing, he also looked stern.
However, when Marshall looked at Donnie, he still let out a hearty laugh.
"Take a seat!" Marshall gestured for Donnie to sit down and then told the black woman, "Maria, go pour a cup of coffee for my lifesaver!"
Once Maria had left, Marshall leaned back on the sofa and said with a smile, "Donnie, I never would have thought, that brave young man back then, has now become a millionaire, and one of the most influential people in Atlantic City!"
Donnie, knowing Marshall's character, said straightforwardly, "Military training taught me a lot!"
Marshall commented with emotion, "If every American soldier who came from the battlefield could adapt as well as you, maybe we wouldn't be so troubled!"
The United States was facing a very embarrassing situation at the moment.
That was how to accommodate the veterans!
When the United States first started recruiting, they had promised all the expeditionary forces going to Europe a salary of 1 US dollar per day and a 25-cent allowance!
The victory of World War I made the U.S. Government very wealthy, but they did not fulfill their promises and kept delaying the payment of the expeditionary forces' salaries.
Millions of veterans, after coming down from the battlefield, suddenly couldn't find their life's purpose; lacking work skills, they rarely had decent jobs and mostly became what are now called 'common laborers': construction workers.
Such treatment obviously couldn't satisfy them.
Thus, the veterans would gather from time to time to express their protest to the government.
During the war, these men were called the nation's heroes, but once the war ended, they became the nation's problems.
In a few years, these people would gather together and then form what became known as Hooverville... essentially slums!
But no matter what, the issue of veteran accommodations had always been one of the most troubling matters for the U.S. Army Staff Department.
"Everyone is different; some people can adapt well to post-war life, while others can't accept such changes. But I still hope that everyone's life can get better!"
Donnie spoke earnestly. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NovᴇlFɪre.ɴet
Before coming here, Donnie had already done his homework; Marshall was one who tended to favor better settlement plans for veterans.
Marshall nodded, "Yes, but these matters aren't for us to decide!"
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Even though Marshall was now the first assistant to the most powerful person in the U.S. Army, such big decisions were still out of his reach.
In fact, even Pan Xing didn't have a good solution to such matters because they were up to the White House.
The old men in the White House didn't have time to deal with what they considered unimportant issues.
After exchanging pleasantries, Marshall asked with a smile, "Tell me your purpose for coming, Donnie. I know that if it weren't for something important, you wouldn't have specifically left Atlantic City to see me!"
Donnie didn't beat around the bush with Marshall and after careful consideration said, "Indeed there is something I need your help with.
I'm currently planning to set up our own logistics company in Atlantic City... to specialize in transporting Atlantic City seafood to inland cities. But as you are aware of the domestic security situation, to ensure my property is not infringed upon, I am establishing a security company alongside the logistics company.