I’ve spent the afternoon reading through some of the letters my grandfather wrote to my grandmother while stationed in Normandy during World War II. I wrote about them here and promised more. I apologize that I’m just now getting around to it.
I don’t have much to say about this letter, but the romantic in me loves it.
Dearest Virginia,
We finally got our radio fixed today. Naturally it made us all very happy to again be able to have at least that contact with the outside world. The news which concerns us most is seldom mentioned on the radio until days after it happens but even so we get a big kick out of hearing the voice of an excited newscaster telling his listeners all about it.
I personally feel that the end of Germany is very near. Sure hope I’m right for believe me I’m way past being ready to come home. As anxious as I’ve been ever since leaving to be home again with you it seems that the nearer we get to the end of this engagement the more anxious I get. Right now I’m at the point where I just sit and look at your picture and wish for you every moment I can. Of course I’ve always done just that but now it seems I wish harder every day.
I forgot all about Labor Day. Did you have a holiday-if so I sure hope you had a nice time. Remember the plans we always used to make for that particular day. Usually a picnic with J.D. and Ruth or some of the family or maybe just you and I would have dinner out somewhere and then take in a show or just drive around. Those were the times I always liked best-the ones when just you and I were together.
Just keep on keeping that chin up Sweet and maybe who knows? I may get to see you some day soon after all.
With all my love, Fred
It wasn’t until a year and half later that he returned home and they were reunited, but at least he made it home. So many never did.
forty-one ten 
Love this post! Thanks for sharing it! Postal letter writing is my #1 hobby, and I have other blogs about postal mail and genealogy – where I have also shared letters – such as letters from my grandma’s friend written to her in the 19-teens. And I love history too.
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I would love to read your posts about the letters! I could get lost for hours reading old letters-even if I don’t know the people involved…Did you ever read “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’? It’s a work of fiction that takes place just after WWII and it’s written all in letters. I loved that book.
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Here is that post from my genealogy blog. I also have some WW 2 letters but have not gotten around to sharing those yet. https://vanscoter.home.blog/2019/01/02/letters-from-exactly-100-years-ago-including-photos/
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I’m eager to read the post when you do!
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I hope someday you could perhaps tell us a little about how your grandfather coped with civilian life upon returning from the War. These are some of the strongest people, I believe, and there’s a lot I can learn from them.
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I agree. Those people were some of the strongest (they survive the Great Depression and WW2!) and we have so much to learn from them!
I think my grandfather had a bit different experience than most American soldiers who served. He was in a Machine Records Unit and, though he was serving within combat zones, he was not directly in combat (my maternal grandfather had a much different experience, I think. Sadly I know very little about it). He only ever shot one person and that was the cook for his unit. It seems the man wondered off one night and came back drunk. When they called out for the password to enter the camp, the man couldn’t remember it and my grandfather shot him in the butt. That is one of the few stories we ever heard about his time in the war. About a year ago I learned the work of the Machine Records Unit was top secret and it was decades after the war until that was lifted and the men could talk about it. I’m sure my grandfather never knew he could talk about what he’d done during the war.
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So super sweet!!! Thanks for sharing with your readers❤️
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