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As
the greatest war in the history of Humanity raged, Nicholas
and Opal fell in love. Nicholas trained in Fort Benning and
Fort Bragg, he was based "somewhere in England,"
he fought through D-Day in the 502nd PIR of the 101st Airborne
Division, then during Operation Market Garden. During these
months Opale and Nicholas wrote many letters about their love,
their faith, and their hope.
Many years later their daughter read the letters and met for
the first time a man and woman whom she had never really known.
This is the story of a man who went hungry, cold, and sleepless,
a man who was willing to die for his wife and child, his friends,
and his country. It is the story of a woman who gave her heart
to a man who risked everything.
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" I captured three Jeeps and sixteen men. "
March 27, 1943
Darling Opal,
Didn't write yesterday because we were away from base
camp where our tents are. We were fighting a battle
and were on the go all the time. Couldn't build fires
or smoke cigarettes because the enemy might see the
light and know where we were.
The last battle was fun. The 401st Glider Infantry was
our enemy. We attacked them at 6:00 A.M., and we kept
pushing them back until we wiped them out. I captured
3 Jeeps and 16 men. I put food and water in one of the
jeeps and I went after the enemy. In fact, I did not
see B Company for days. I even found a small town and
had a bath in a barbershop. The barber charged me fifty
cents.
It's evening, and I'm wearing my heavy underwear, two
pairs of socks, a wool cap, and my overcoat. My hands
are cold, but I don't care. I want to write to you.
If I were at the North Pole, I would still write to
my sweet wife.
When I come to Alabama, are you going to cook a meal
for me? All by yourself? Darling, don't drink too much
coffee. It might hurt Junior.
Your husband,
Nicky
" Yellow and green bags will represent other
bombs and gas. "
April
4, 1943
Dear Nicky,
We are having an air raid drill in Birmingham. Enemy
planes will attempt to destroy all war plants. Bombs
will be dropped, bags filled with sawdust. Red bags
with bright colored streamers will represent incendiaries
and high explosives. Yellow and green bags will represent
other bombs and gas. All workers must be on the job
before 2:00 P.M. Everyone must stay inside . . . .
Thinking about seeing you is a joy.
I love you,
Opal
To
be continued in October
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