Its a big year for welcomes on Waltons Mountain. Welcome back to John-Boy visiting from New York, and to Grandma finally home from the hospital. And welcome to the family for John Curtis, the baby boy of Mary Ellen and Curt. But all of that welcoming joy is set against the tragedy of events in the outside world. As the fall of 1939 turns into the spring of 1940, war rages in Europeand the Waltons are soon caught up in its chilling grasp. Curt is called up for duty. Soldiers train on Walton property. The first local enlistee dies. British children flee the Blitz for the safety of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Depression might be overbut even tougher times lie ahead.