June 6th marks the start of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy and with it, a momentous occasion to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation.
Normandy Tourism writes:
D Day: On 6 June 1944 and during the long summer that followed, men from all over the world came to fight in Normandy to defeat Nazism and re-establish freedom. Normandy will bear the scars of this moment in history for ever and every year we remember and pay tribute to the veterans from America, Britain, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Poland and Australia, along with their brothers in arms, those many heroes who lost their lives here during that summer of 1944.
With its many museums, historic sites, cemeteries and cultural and teaching facilities, Normandy is truly an open-air history book. All these places can be discovered by families, who can transmit the exceptionally important lessons of history here to new generations.
Pretty epic and cool that they do this! I had no idea this happened every year, but I did know this was a big year. Coincidentally, (or not) on the home front…
My Grandfather writes:
This last Christmas amongst the family get togethers, the turkey and the ice skating traditions, there were moments sprinkled in of having to to sift through some of my recently deceased grandmother’s possessions and divvy them up amongst the three grandkids. It was bitter sweet. It was beautiful but there were moments for sure. When my mom handed me a pair of gloves and I could smell my grandma I promptly fell apart for a good half hour. But that was nothing compared to the emotional roller coaster I embarked upon when I was handed a shoe box full of letters my grandfather had written to her during his time in France in WWII.
The Letters
17 letters in all. In one of the first ones I can hear my grandpa ‘yelling’ to my grandmother ‘You better get back here quick because I’m shipping out’. (Grandma was visiting her family). You see, John was a simple country boy who was in love. He could have lived happily ever after on the farm, but he was called to duty and we went. Grandpa stormed the beach at Normandy and he was forever changed.
I stayed up late that night bracing myself for whatever was in those letters. They chronicled his time, yes, but I learned a lot about my grandfather. He was young when he went overseas, barely an adult. Before he left, his whole world could be summed up in faith, farm, fishing, and my grandmother. Truly, this was John at his essence.
The Change
What Grandpa experienced in WWII drove him to cling on to his faith and his girl. The letters are careful so not to get censored and explains what he could at the time. Each time he states he is praying hard and loves and misses Grandma. He asks after family and laments he isn’t there to take care of her or to go fishing. Then there is a gap in time and I experienced the panic of what was happening in the absence of the letters that were pretty regular. My grandmother must have been beside herself. What a horrible time of angst.
Grandpa got blown out of a fox hole and was there for two days before he was rescued. From that day forward he would be severely hearing impaired and walk with a limp. He would also carry deep unseen emotional scars. The letters pick up again in the infirmary and it’s a different person.
Grandpa, Legit Pain in the Buttox
My grandfather was loud and he functioned in a black and white world. There was right and there was wrong and there wasn’t much in between. He was a chain smoker and a heavy drinker. He was a difficult man to be married to and was kind of an absent father. But this was not my relationship with him.
Turns out, when he was blown out of the foxhole he had a lot of shrapnel in his bum. When the letters pick up again with him in recovery and I laughed out loud when he commented about the boys poking fun at where his injury was. I actually stopped reading at this point because I could feel him watching and I had to laugh and say, ‘You really WERE a pain the butt Grandpa, in EVERY sense!’
PS Grandpa earned the purple heart for his actions because his pain in the butt self saved lives
The Last Letter
The last letter was not to my grandmother, it was to his father in law, whom he called Dad. It was long and it was in depth and it was a man who needed to vent and to cry on another man’s shoulder. There was no pretense of being strong for his girl and grandpa shared his hurt and confusion and vulnerability. My heart broke. Things he had eluded to in previous letters were spelled out here and true cost of war was so evident. I wanted to hug him so very bad.
My Relationship with Grandpa
My relationship with Grandpa was different then what he had with the other grandkids. I was the stubborn one who stood in front of him until he answered me and who climbed up in his lap and insisted he tell me a story. I was also the one who hid his cigarettes from him and one occasion crystal clear in my mind, sat down with both him and my grandmother, and asked him about the war. This was the only time I ever saw him cry.
To me, John was a hero. He fought for freedom. He was a hunter and fisherman and had a little mini farm that I got to pick vegetables from. From him I learned all about morel mushrooms, collecting eggs, and the beauty of a simple life. Grandpa thought John Dillinger was cool and the neighbor was too nosy. He had a robust laugh and I loved to make him laugh. If I knew then what I do now, I would have found as many ways to make him laugh and smile as I could.
Grandpa stormed the beach at Normandy and he lived. He survived D Day and the war physically but I cannot say his spirit did so well. But he was my grandfather, and I am forever grateful for what he did and who he was to me. I miss him.
What Can We Do
I believe strongly in these stories. I’ve barely scratched the surface on John’s story but his means more to me than any Marvel movie and it is my belief that we as Americans should take steps to honor and preserve these. It has to start at home with our own families.
Preserve: We can preserve letters and photos and these personal stories. The Center for American War Letters is fantastic resource to preserve your family’s vital records of conflict and to experience others. This place is freaking amazing at what they are doing!!!
Educate: They say a picture is worth 1000 words. This book is hauntingly beautiful and brings to life stories that shaped the lives of our grandparents. A million words in photos. I had a REALLY hard time looking at it because in short, it’s truth. A great coffee table book and an excellent gift choice
Share: We are losing this generation and the stories they have hold valuable lessons for our future. I encourage you to thank veterans every chance you get because they each have sacrificed deeply
Live Well: Live as an example of your gratitude. Every soldier has these type of stories. In this current time of turmoil, it is worth asking ourselves…are we living in a way that makes them proud of what they did? It is a sobering gauge.
What a remarkable story!! So much history and such a roller coaster of emotions. I love the letters! I have some of my grandfather’s letters to my grandmother – soooo romantic and amazing to read. Thank you for sharing this fantastic story!
Thank you. Yes, they are such a treasure and I’m so glad you have treasures too!!
Incredible family history and love how the sentiments were preserved for future generations to discover.
Thank you. 🙂
Truly an emotional roller coaster!!! What a beautiful journey, although difficult. I agree, we need to listen, share, and remember, and of course honor those who made such a sacrifice for the rest of us. Thank You for sharing this post.
Thank you for taking the time to read and to comment 🙂
I just love that you found those letters! What a special treasure to have! I saw my Grandpa all the time but until the obituary at his funeral. I didn’t know how much he did in his lifetime. I really wish I could ask him about it now. I feel like all the stories died with him and it is so unfortunate. I love that you are documenting his story
Ohhhhh I’m sorry you missed that opportunity with your grandfather. There are still ways to learn about him and find his story.
What a remarkable piece of history you have! I’m sure there was a wide range of emotions while reading those letters!
I cried, too, and I didn’t know him. But I know my father and so much of this rings true. Thank you. Thank you.
Karla, Thank you for your kind words. I feel like so many of these guys had similar stories. We haven’t done justice to their sacrifices. I’m hoping sharing these stories will generate some more discussion and understanding and appreciation. 🙂
That’s so awesome that you are able to read those letters. I love your “What Can We Do Tips,” as well. Living in a way that would make those who fight for us proud is a great way to check in. Thank you for sharing this powerful post.
Thank you!!!! I really struggled before I posted that last bit about living in a way that would make them proud. I was so worried it would offend some people. Then I finally resolved to myself. Nope. It’s the right thing to say and maybe needs to be said more! I tell ya, I’ve used the gauge on my choices and more then once it’s stopped me in my tracks. On our worst day, we still have SO much more than people did just two generations ago. Probably time to remember that and honor that. 🙂 Thank YOU!!
What an incredible story and tribute to your Grandpa! I’m glad you kept those letters (wow 1930’s) so you can can pass it on and keep his memory alive. I watched a movie related to Normandy but like you said nothing can do it justice esp for the people like your grandpa who was there fighting. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
I can’t take credit for the letters. That was all my grandmother but I’m so glad she did. Good for you for taking the time to watch and learn. Makes me happy to know others do things like that 🙂
This post says so much. It is a gift to have a piece of history both of our country and of a close relative. People today seem to forgot how this country has developed and grown and what so many people went through for our futures. It must have been both real and sad to read that last letter. Thank you for sharing some of your family history.
Dawnmarie, I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s the motivation behind the entire blog. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Please share with others where you feel might be appropriate.
This is a wonderful memorial to your grandfather. My father in law was a Prisoner of War in WWII and it was such a hard time for many.
oooooooo there is a story there! Yes, it was a devastating time but a real testiment to the spirit of people as well. It is my hope these stories, as tough as they are, are shared and we can learn from them and help us appreciate and connect…. and not do the same bad choices twice…
What a blessing to have those letters. They offer a glimpse into a time in his life, that was difficult to share with words. My grandfather was there, in Normandy. He too survived and returned home to his farm and his family a changed man. Pop taught me to garden and how to care for plants. He would not talk about his war experiences unless he had had a lot to drink. Tears would roll down his cheeks as he told a few stories. I think there’s much about that time that we never got to hear. I don’t have letters but I have my grandfather’s uniform, Purple Heart and his army trunk. I treasure these things.
I think it’s a common theme with those soldiers. I have Grandpa’s purple heart too. I treasure it too. A glimpse at that, and knowing him as I did, has a way of keeping things into perspective.
So cool to have all of those letters! When my grandmother died and my aunt was cleaning out her house she found the letters that my granddaddy had sent her while he was in the army. She made copies and gave them to all of the kids and grandkids! I love taking them out and reading them.
That is fantastic! We are going to do something similar to that for the grandkids in our family as well.
What an incredible find those letters are! I have a whole set of letters my husband and I sent back and forth while he was stationed in Japan, but nothing at all like those. What wonderful insight into that time period and your grandfather.
Oh but yours tell a story too…. and a special one. Hang on to them. 🙂
What a treasure to have those letters! Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
How amazing to have those letters. I am sure they are something you and your family will cherish. I’m a total history buff so I love hearing first hand accounts.
They are a treasure indeed! You should look at the site that keeps the letters. IT’s pretty cool
What a great article. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment 🙂
I am so glad you have this piece of your grandpa to know him by. My grandpa was a navigator for the bombers in a few of the wars. I remember interviewing him for a school project in middle school. I definitely agree that we have to preserve their memory and legacy.
It sounds like there is a story there to be shared and preserved! Do you still have your school project?
What a treasure! This is such a wonderful memory. I hope you are able to pass it down for a long long time
I hope so too!
What an amazing story! I had to re-read it a couple of times because at first I thought it was one part of a series of the actual letter! We are losing history and I’m glad you are helping to preserve it.
haha I did sort of set it up that way didn’t I? I may share a letter or two…we will see.
This is beautiful. I loved reading it. What a wonderful tribute to your Grandpa.
Thank you Heather! I appreciate those kind words
I love to hear stories, it’s important to learn from those experiences and keep those stories alive. My dad had two cousins, Ken and John. John was engaged to Aunt Ruth. He died in the war so she married Ken. A few years later there was a knock on the door and it was John!!! She later divorced Ken and married John, but noone is sure which brother is the father of her fourth child!
This is freaking amazing LOL It sounds like the storyline from Pearl Harbor!
I love this. There is so much of history that is missing from our books.It’s a true treasure that your family kept those letters. Stevenn has thought a few times about re-enlisting, and even though we’ve both did time in the military, I still can’t help but to fear what would happen if he got deployed (says the person that lived on an aircraft carrier for over a year collectively). I’m grateful that your grandpa survived and was able to return home. History books rarely capture the emotional pain of a separated family. ❤
It’s true. History books are pretty dry. I am continually amazed at how dry the school curriculum really was and how actually rich and deep the stories in real life are.
Beautifully written! I love your story. I feel like I know your grandfather because he reminds me of all the men of his generation in my family. I never knew my maternal grandfather because he was killed in WWII when my mom was only 3. My great Uncle, however, was also on the beach at Normandy. He never spoke about it. This generation was special and, you’re right, we need to preserve their stories.
Thank you Julie. Yes I think John was fairly typical of our boys that went over. Their stories are remarkable and I am moved every time I hear one.
Wow! It is so cool you have all of those letters! I would love to have something like that. I am glad that you cherish it!
I don’t have much and they are currently in my mom and aunt’s possession. I hope to make a home for all our family heirlooms soon. It’s a goal.
What a tribute and a great way to share the legacy. The box of letters just makes me so emotional without knowing the contents. This was a lovely story.
Thank you Angela. I know…I stared at them for quite a while before I had the guts to read them.
Wow, Those pictures are amazing!
What a wonderful story you have shared with everyone. And those letters, such a beautiful treasure to have.
Thank you Brittany!
What an amazing story! Pretty cool that there’s a Center for American War Letters to preserve things like that.
RIGHT?!?! I was pretty excited about it. I actually met the gentleman who started it and the letters he shared that day were remarkable. Some funny, some simple, some deep. One had a bullet hole through it. One was from the Revolutionary War. They are treasures because they provide a context we simply cannot get any other way. It’s life and a soldier’s connection to loved ones and suddenly its not a ‘battle’ or time period. It’s a deeply personal story.
As a veteran myself and a grandfather who landed at Normandy and was at the Battle of the Bulge, I really appreciate your post. My grandpa is still alive and was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor – literally in March!
Laura, Thank YOU and your grandfather for your service. Truly. I’m so glad you still have your grandpa and what an honor indeed! Are you guys going to the big festivities next month? If I could, I would! I think it will be so moving and so special. Please give your grandpa a hug and a thank you for me!
What a treasure to have these letters! Wish I could read them too. 🙂
Well, you might. I’m debating if I should put together a book or a screenplay. Have to think on it… and talk with the family….
WOW What an inspiring post! Thank you for sharing this…I love it!
Thank you Holly. That means something coming from you 🙂 I was pretty nervous to write this one. It was tough but I’m glad I did.