Letter, Berenice M. Harrison to Franklin D. Roosevelt

harrison 730-731 Ingraham Building & Miami, Florida May 28, 1941 berenice The President PPF 200 RADIO White House SPEECH 5 27 41 Washington, D. C. PRO Sir: Last evening I was one of several thousand persons who listened attentively to your voice. While it was not a wildly enthusiastic unanimous burst of applause that followed, it was the reception I had hoped for, since I was almost perfectly accurate in my anticipation of what was coming, hence chose to listen in the park rather than at my own radio. After the last war I welcomed home my young husband, who returned from France a permanent casualty, and he left me a young bride when he enlisted. My only brother also was a permanent partial casualty as a result of flu and other ailments contracted in an army camp on this side. At that time there was nothing I could say and little I could do. I was too young and it was not a woman's war. This time women share the risks, and since I have no dependents and do have some unusual and varied qualifi- cations, it is possible that sooner or later I might be assigned to some post in danger, since I had registered for Home Defense before questionnaires were printed and had sent Senator Pepper a list of my experience and training with an offer to serve anywhere at any time about the time when he stood alone, looking forward to the present situation. I now have a right to speak. I wish to reiterate a statement in a letter to you almost a year ago - as a single, rather unimportant citizen and voter, all I have in the way of ability, experience and my life are at your service and that of my country. I heartily endorse every word you have spoken and every move you have made throughout this trying period. If I had any criticism at all to offer last evening, it would have been that you were not more firm and more drastic. But I believe you have used remarkable discretion. I am only sorry I have not more to offer, but do hope I can serve somewhere. I know my services will be needed. How richlyour Respectfully yours, country is blessed Berenice m. Harrison Rossevelt! in you and Mrs. (Mrs.) Berenice M. Harrison.