One day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Lay Vice President of SCI’s Board of Managers and President of the Untied States Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Declaration of War against Japan. The U.S. could remain neutral no longer. Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war against the U.S. According to the January issue of The Lookout, “Always a dangerous calling, the war has only heightened the hardships endured by the merchant seaman. Here today, gone tomorrow, he does his job efficiently, modestly, courageously, carrying food, guns, planes and troops essential for Victory.” Seamen and staff at SCI did what they could in the early months of the war, donating 200,000 units of blood to the Red Cross to aid the U.S. Navy. Veteran seaman Samuel Kendrick described his decision to donate: “I figure it is better to give my blood here than spill it on the deck in fist fights.” [see The Lookout 1942 January http://qcarchives.com/sci/items/show/1261]