World War II has ended and Laird Nordstrom is returning from a Germany in ruins. As he steps off the train into the small South Dakota town he left three years ago, he's haunted by memories of his horrendous war-time experiences in Europe. His home town is apparently unchanged, yet it seems strangely unfamiliar. He confronts difficulties in reestablishing the relationship with his fiance, Jan; he discovers that his old girl friend, Diane, is now a war widow; and is surprised to find that Jan's younger sister, Carla, is all grown up. This story is a salute to all those men and women who struggled with relationships during and after the long absences of the World War II years and to the supportive small town communities who welcomed them home."