"We sure never planned for this, my Tillie...

Words written ... words remembered | never | My Father-in-law and others

[illstillbe]

... but do it we must. I left what money I could under my sock drawer ... saving it, I was, for our trip ...but use it as you need it.

Neal, down at the pharmacy, will see that you have what you need. I talked to him. Keep your rations safe. I know you will take care of the children."

So begins the very first letter written to my Mother-in-law from her husband at the beginning of his involvement in the Pacific theater during WWII.

What follows is a tapestry of courage and commitment and fortitude which should bring us to our knees ... as each tried to buck up the other ...

"Dear Tillie ... I've not had much sleep ... but what I had brought me home to the great USA! I hope you get this ... packages are going out badly. Bobby ... did he make the cut?"

He wasn't getting much sleep because his ship was under attack ... and later sunk .... but I digress ...

Meanwhile ... Bobby made the cut for football ... but Madeline contracted polio ....

"Tillie, got your letter ....finally! .... Bobby made the cut! The guys gave a cheer! The season is long over, I know ... but it was cheered news. I am worried about our Maddy ...sounds like a nasty cold ... hope she is feeling better. Wish I could be there to give you a hug ... I miss you more than you know ... we are off again ... do not know if I will be able to write for a while ..."

He wasn't able to because the Helena sunk like a rock and he was lost at sea for 5 days ....

"Till ... I am so tired, but happy to get your letter. I have read it over and over again! Uncle Boliver would tell me to put it down... I have read it so many times. Our Maddy ...how's she feeling?!"

Maddy had died .... but my Mother-in-law never told him until he came home.

Instead ..."Till ... what's my Maddie-Girl up to?!"

"She's happier than can be, my heart. Rest easy ... hope you get this ..."

So.

The war should be over by now?!

Our sights are short?

We've no patience ... as the remains of the World Trade Center still smoulder....

We are all so very honored, I think ... to be living in these times ... we're a part, we are, of an elite group ~~~~ Citizen Soldiers ... each of us ...

Our President:

"Every American is a soldier ... Every Citizen is in this fight."

[illstillbe]

I tried to post this in "miscellaneous" but was not allowed ... *sigh* ... flames away ....

[illstillbe]

Well ... I did it ... heaven help me. POLs!!!!

[Temple Drake]

thanks for posting this. (You made me cry, but thanks anyway. )

[illstillbe]

My extreme privilege, sir.

[illstillbe]

A Navy Vet .... to you sir.

redrock ... I have been thinking of you ....

[jtill]

ISB, read the tidbit on ATRW and am so very glad you posted this. It tells a story that has long been forgotten of patriotism, integrity, self-sacrifice, endurance and undying love. If only all of these could be recaptured for the long and tedious road ahead. These letters are a part of history that can never be lost. Thank you for reminding all of us that there is so much more to life than that which we, ourselves, experience.

[Miss Marple]

Thank you for posting this, illstillbe. It is helpful to remember our heritage. My father was gone for FIVE YEARS. He had enlisted before Pearl Harbor, and didn't make it home until 1946. FIVE YEARS.

Now, let us all remember that we are, indeed, citizen soldiers, and persevere!

[Adrastus]

How short are our memories. A great and timely post. Thank you.

[JRandomFreeper]

You made me cry. Again. My heart is touched. Great BIG ((((((HUGS!!!!!))))))

Note to Trill: I need more kleenex back here.

/john

[Brad’s Gramma]

BTTT!!!! Thanks so very much. I wonder how very very many stories such as yours are tucked away in drawers and closet shelves back home. The things we could learn if we'd just talk to the WWII generation, eh?

[Never Surrender]

Very touching. Thanks for the post.

[illstillbe]

Listen to this ... another artifact from my M-i-l:

"The Agrigulture Department hopes that, because Victory gardens (as many as 18 million of them), food rationing will have much less sting this summer. The department emphasizes that gardening is work as well as fun, requires sound planning as well as patriotism"

Har ... Imagine all of us doing that!

Where's the flow chart when you need it?!

[kayak]

Beautiful story of the sacrifices made by others that we might have the freedoms we enjoy. Now it is another generation's time. As President Bush said in his inaugural address "Now we must choose if the example of our fathers and mothers will inspire us or condemn us."

Obviously you have been inspired, illstillbe. I only hope that millions more are also.

[Snowtrill]

Ok, But I want stock in the kleenex company!

Trill

[calypgin]

The war should be over by now?!

Only according to the media, with their "Vietnam quagmire" similes.

Our sights are short?

Only the media is short-sighted, not the American people.

We've no patience ... as the remains of the World Trade Center still smoulder....

Again, the media is telling us this, but it is not true.

Thanks for posting this.

This gif doesn't show up on "preview", I'll be interested to see if it shows up on the forum. I've printed this and "posted" it on my car back windows, in an effort to contradict the insidious media.

[Snowtrill]

Wonderful post!

Thank you

Trill

[JRandomFreeper]

We would have to have help here about the fig trees. Some are dying. Sigh. The nice thing is that I know an expert. We'll manage on what's in the garden. Without figs, if required. GRIN!

/john

[calypgin]

*sigh*... It didn't show up. The text, superimposed over the American flag, is:

We have Patience.
We have Time.
America Will Prevail.
NEVER FORGET 9/11