More about They Called Them Angels

There’s certainly nothing glamorous about wounded men. They are dirty, in pain, often frightened, and so very very tired. We were there to help them rest, help them feel secure even if just for one night. We were there to give them a shave, a bath, clean sheets...and they were so grateful for our every gesture. I, for one, am humbled to have helped them. I may not have known it at the time, but that is why I joined.

The above quote is from my play, They Called Them Angels, which is based on my book of the same name. When this play was produced at the Hill Country Community Theatre in Marble Falls, Texas, it was received with much emotion. People were anxious to talk about the roles they and/or their relatives had played in the war. The actresses said it meant so much to them to portray not only real women but women who'd been through so much, achieved so much, and gave so much.

The Nurse

One of the noblest lives,

Or so it seems to me,

Is just to be a nurse

And serve humanity.

If ever there was work

That carried out God’s plan,

It is the sweet task of serving

And helping our fellow man.

The nurse’s hours are very long

Her duties are many, too.

There’s no end to the work

Her busy hands must do.

Whether her work is assigned

To long night or busy day

Ever her duty ‘tis to strive

The aching of pain to allay.

Was that a smothered cry

Or someone moaning in their sleep?

So through the hours

The nurse her vigil keeps.

Every task, large or small,

She must keep at ‘till it’s done

Soothing pain and bringing cheer

To her patients, every one.

The nurse’s life is living example

Of life to golden rule held true

For she must ever be in mind

“Do unto others as you’d have

Them do to you.”

Her life is not an easy one

Not yet so well rewarded.

But each moment finds a golden deed

In God’s own book recorded.

---Hattie Smith Weaver

November 29, 1927

(VA hospital nurse and author’s aunt)

With a sparse stage and no special costuming, this approximately hour-long production needs a cast of only 7 actresses. If you are interested in producing THEY CALLED THEM ANGELS, please contact me at kjack16@hotmail.com.