The Night Dunn Nearly Missed the War The four veterans sat in their usual corner of the Legion Hall, nursing pints and waiting for the high school student who was supposed to interview them for a history project. The lad had called ahead, polite, curious, eager to learn about the war. They’d agreed, of course. It was good to see young people taking an interest. But with ten minutes to spare and no sign of him yet, the conversation drifted, as it always did, into stories they’d never tell in a classroom. Randall kicked things off with a grin. “Remember London, ’44? The night Dunn here nearly missed the whole bloody war?” O’Riley chuckled. “Missed it? He’d have been left behind if Girard hadn’t known exactly which door to bang on.” Dunn raised his hands in mock surrender. “Timing wasn’t ideal,” he admitted, earning a round of smirks. Girard leaned in, warming to the tale. “There was an MP posted right outside the building Dunn had slipped into. No way through the front. I had to sneak into the place next door, climb up to the roof, and cross over just to reach him.” O’Riley raised an eyebrow. “That place had a reputation.” Girard didn’t deny it. “I’m pounding on the door, yelling ‘Dunn!’ until I finally hear this confused little voice, ‘Girard?’ I shout back, ‘Section’s moving out!’ And what does Dunn say?” “‘Just a second, I need to get my pants on,’” Dunn muttered, grinning. The table erupted in laughter. Girard continued, “Door flies open, and out comes Dunn, shirt half on, boots untied, and some poor girl peeking out behind him. We tear down the stairs, hit the bottom, and through the door straight into the MP. Knocked him flat.” Dunn raised his glass. “We were halfway down the street before he even knew what hit him.” The laughter faded into a warm silence. Randall glanced at the clock. “Five minutes to go.” O’Riley looked toward the door, then back at the others. “We’re not telling that one, are we?” Girard shook his head. “Not to the kid.” Dunn nodded. “Yeah, some stories are better left between us.”

The original story of the escapade in London, 1944 was shared by a WWII veteran and was adapted for a scene in the 440 Production video movie “Beyond the Parade” (1998-1999).