October 2007 / n°47
 
   
 
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.
  
 


April 30, 1943
" After your furlough, tell him to go to h.... "

Nicky Darling,
Dad went to the Post Office this morning to mail my letter, and I hated to ask him to go again this afternoon. I thought I'd wait until tomorrow, but I was afraid I would lie awake thinking about that letter waiting for me. About 4:45 P.M. I took off, and I got to the P.O. just in time. Now that I've read your letter, I'll sleep like a baby, and I hope I'll dream of you. The letters you mail in the morning get here in less than three days.
A couple of cousins came to visit yesterday. They tell everything they hear, so I didn't say anything about Nicky Junior. They kept saying how good I looked, and I kept holding my stomach in. Everyone will know soon enough.
Say Hon, don't make the Captain mad. He might not let you come home. That d... guy. He doesn't know a good soldier when he sees one. After your furlough, tell him to go to h...
Love you,
Opal

June 21, 1943
" I'm so sorry I missed seeing you in Atlanta "

Opal Sweetheart,
I'm sorry I kept you waiting for a letter. I couldn't write while I was in Tennessee. I wrote Monday June 7, and Tuesday June 8, we went to the Evansville airport, got on planes, and jumped into Tennessee. We were in Tennessee until yesterday. I received only three letters from you, and I was a little disappointed. You said you were going to write to me every day.
I'm so sorry I missed seeing you in Atlanta. I'm glad you got home safe. I thought you might be there, and I looked for you on the platform, but I didn't see you. There were hundreds of people at the station, and I couldn't get off the train. I wish we had met, if only for an hour or two. You say you arrived in Atlanta at 9:00 A.M. and did not get a train until 5:45 P.M. That was a long wait. I knew there was only a chance that we would meet.
Dr. Scott said he would take care of everything for you and Junior for $150. Does he want it all at once, or can we pay monthly? Remember, you are supposed to get six more bonds and an insurance policy.
The food you sent me and Angelini lasted well. The cheese was excellent. The wax melted off the paper, but that was O. K. Angelini said to tell you thanks for being so swell to him. I love you.
Always yours,
Nicky