71 Years Ago (Letters From My Father)

[VAdame]

June 6!
Time to share Dad's D-Day Letters again
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June 7, 1944 - Somewhere overseas

Dear Folks,

Just want to let you know that I am safe and unhurt.

I was one of the boys who helped make history the other night. I'll tell you more details at a later date or else when I see you again.

I guess old Adolf will be sorry he picked on us Yanks.

I suppose I am allowed to tell you that I am glad it has finally started because now it will be over with sooner.

Haven't heard from Jimmy lately. I hear from you regularly but the reason I wasn't writing is we were told our mail was being held up, so I decided to wait awhile.

Haven't received my sun-glasses yet. The only packages I have received from you are two little ones with some candy and gum in them. I also got one of those from Aunt Ann.

Well, I guess I'll close this letter.

Remember I'm OK and please don't worry about me,

Your loving son,

Mike
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Mary's note: Jimmy was Dad's older brother, serving as a navigator in the Italian Theater (on a B-24 Liberator, I think). When this letter was written, Jimmy would have only another 4 days to live. Mike (Dad) would not find out for weeks.

[VAdame]

2nd D-Day letter from Dad:
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June 9, 1944 - Somewhere overseas

Dear Folks,

I am enclosing a money order for 60 (sixty) dollars in with this letter. Unlike the other times I sent money home I am going to tell you what to do with this. Remember I always left it up to your discretion.

Well, this money is for Mom to use. It is a sort of delayed birthday and Mother's Day gift. I want her to buy a new outfit and spend it all on herself. After the siege she has had the last several months I'll bet she hasn't paid much attention to her looks. So I want these instructions to be followed to the letter. If you need money for other needs, you know where you can get it.

You remember the other day I mentioned that I took part in the big show that we started over here this week. Well I'll tell you a little more about it now.

We were among the first over. We went in low, dropped our load (troopers) and came out lower. Everything worked like clockwork.

We picked up a few holes from ground-fire, but nothing serious. It was an after-climax to examine the holes after it was over.

My personal reactions were somewhat of a surprise to myself. I wasn't a bit nervous and certainly wasn't scared. That I am glad to say, although it is no disgrace to be scared.

Any thoughts I had, aside from doing my job, were along the line that this was a most important job we had to do.

Also I was thinking that we were making history and in future generations children would be studying about us, much as I used to study battles of other wars.

Well, I guess that sums it up pretty well. You can get the story of the fighting from the newspapers, but I thought maybe you might be interested in my reactions to what goes on.

I find out that once you have actually been under fire it gives you a different feeling. I don't know whether to describe it as a sort of superiority or not. It gives you a feeling that it is your war and you've got to win it, or else.

Well, that's all,

Let me know when you get the money order,

Your loving son,
Mike

[ne1410s]

I do so miss the "rec" button.

[BackInTex]

Thanks for posting. It's good to remember those who were there, what they went through for us.

[VAdame]

Thanks guys!
Dang, I need a new avatar pic!
Daymon was about 4 mos old in that photo and he'll be 2 in August! I'll take care of it later when I have time

[Kazoo65]

Very interesting.

I think students would enjoy (and learn more about) history if they were able to read accounts written by people who actually lived through the events they are studying about. It's a lot more informative when it's a personal narrative.

[tlynn78]

Gave me goosebumps. Bless him.

[Vandal]

Great letters. Thanks for sharing.