so we called our minutemen, the national guard from 48 states, and placed them into federal service.e first time in our history, we began mobilizing an army, while still at peace. >> the first number is serial number 158. >> the second number, which has just been drawn, is 192. ♪ ♪ >> it wasn't too soon. time was running out. the nazis had begun their shattering blitz on britain. >> hello america, this is edward murrow speaking from london. there were more german planes over britain today than any time since the war began. antiaircraft guns were an action along the southeast coast today. >> back on main street, usa, daily we followed britain's life struggle. for if britain died, we would be in grave peril. our first line of defense in the atlantic, the british fleet, might go to nazi germany. we would be unprotected. britain must not fall. in our harbors, idle and rocking the ancient destroyers, built for world war i. but this was world war ii. this gave us an idea. 50 tired destroyers were revitalized and transferred to great britain. in return, we acquired further protection of our