My father’s WWII wartime letters sent to his then sweetheart and future wife, my mother were somehow miraculously preserved, considering they were in plain sight during my childhood years.

As a 101st Airborne paratrooper, he wrote letters to maintain some kind of connection and link to keep his sanity. I would sometimes pull out a letter or two as a little girl, but I never got past the opening “hello darling or sweetheart,” without giggling and placing them back in the drawer. The “letters” serve as a heartfelt reminder of the sacrifices that were made to preserve our freedom.

But when I organized and actually read the letters as an adult, they tell my father’s story, a story shared by hundreds of thousands of men from that era, the greatest generation. The story of a man who appeared tough as nails to the world, but showed both vulnerability and compassion when writing about matters such as life, death, marriage and children. What started out as a memoir for my family, is also offering a glimpse into the human element of war with sentiments resonating with soldiers today.

Below is from a Comes A Soldier’s Whisper follower, whose family has similar letters with a story to tell. We can all benefit from such letters and need to preserve their memory in the process.

Hello Jenny,

My name is Dawn and I also have the Facebook page “Moms of Those Who Serve.” I just wanted to say what a wonderful book you wrote (haven’t read it yet). I have some similar letters between my parents that they wrote each other before they were married. My dad was in the Air Force and stationed in Okinawa – post the Korean War. I haven’t even gotten through all the letters there are so many. But what a treasure! There are two years worth. I have wanted to do something similar as you, at least have them organized for my children and their children.

My son served in the Army in tow tours to Iraq. He died in 2011 here at home, PTSD related. We are very proud of him and his service. Miss him so much. We also have a son in the Coast Guard. He is currently in North Carolina. Our oldest is our daughter who lives not too far away. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a line to say hello and send a friend request. I think your book will be wonderful to read and like you said…”tell a soldier’s whisper and help to bring healing to those who serve and their families.”

With that, I say, “thank you.”

Take care,
Dawn Biehl

COMES A Soldier’s Whisper remembering our veterans and “the letters.”

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