The love that comes from war

George Munieo stationed in Alaska in WW2.

Shelby Moquin, Editor

Shelby Moquin reflects on how Veterans Day affects her family. 

 

In 2014, I was told that my great grandmother, Marie, had died sitting on the couch in the living room of the house we had recently moved into. She was 92, and had 15 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. I like to believe that she did live her life to the fullest. 

She lived in the little house on a quiet street. The house had three bedrooms at most, but somehow she managed to raise all 5 of her children in that house with the love of her life, George. 

We went to her funeral in the middle of winter, and when standing on the front steps it started snowing. It was known in my family that whenever it snowed or rained our family members who had moved on were sending us kisses from above. 

After her funeral there was a large family gathering. And my mother, who was arguably the closest with Marie, was sitting at a table talking with family members about these letters that Marie had once showed her.  Letters that George, her husband who had passed years before her, wrote to her when he was stationed in Alaska in WW2. Everyone thought my mother was crazy, no one else had seen these mysterious letters before, they thought she was making this up. 

When cleaning out Marie’s belongings a couple days later, my mother stumbled upon a box, containing every single love letter her husband wrote to her during the war. Even the one he proposed to her in. Nobody thought my mother was crazy then. 

 

Here is one of the letter below: 

Dearest Marie, 

I received your letter today. I am answering right away. I had received sixteen letters and not one from you. I was beginning to think you had forgotten me. 

I was glad to hear that you are fine. I wished I was home with you to be able to have as much fun as you are having. I have not seen any place except camp since I have been home. I don’t mind it though because I can save money, by not going to town. But sometimes I wish I had a nice cold bottle of beer. I have not had one for so long I have forgot what it tastes like. 

I was sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your back, but I hope by the time you get this letter. That they have been taken care of and the pain is a thing of the past. 

After hearing you tell of the boat ride you had. You will not want to ride in such a small as mine, when I get back. But I will bet it is a nice thrill on a boat that nice. Does one of the fellows at the shop own it? 

You tell Ray that when I get back I will make good use of the diving board. I haven’t been swimming much this year. The water is too cold here. 

To hear in your letter about the pears. It makes my mouth water, we can’t have any here. They would spoil by the time they got here. I would also like a fresh peach or two. 

There has not been much to tell about here. The scenery is still the same mountains and more mountains, but it is really pretty. You will not be able to keep me quiet when I get back as soon as the war is over. I sure do hope it is over soon. So I can hurry back to you my sweet. 

I have not heard directly from Sam or Jim. But I have heard from their sisters and they said they are both getting along good. 

I hear from Hank quite often. He is in California now. He said it is pretty hot there. He is hoping for cooler weather. 

Well Marie my love I think that is about all for this time. I will write again as soon as I get a letter from you. It is so much easier to write one in return. Do with that I will close this letter to you future Mrs. Muneio. 

Love & Kisses, 

Geo 

 

P.S.-Say hello to all. 

P.S I just seen something tonight. I have never seen before. That was to see the moon set in the south-northeast. Now that is something new to me.