From Battle, Soldiers Send War Letters Home
April 1, 2003 -- From a desert battlefield far from home, a U.S. military officer sent his wife a love letter via e-mail, describing how his wedding ring has soothed him and reminded him of her though they are many miles apart.
"Everyday, I find myself fidgeting with my ring … the smoothness of its surface calms me," Captain Scott Smith wrote to his wife, Kelly. "I can't fully describe what I'm feeling. I'm no poet, but its lightness, its beauty, remind me of you. Its hardness is a sign of your strength. Love, you are my rock. You are what I live for."
Before this war in Iraq gave embedded journalists unprecedented access to troops, the only way to get a sense of life on the front lines was from letters like Smith's, from soldiers, writing to their loved ones.
Andrew Carroll, who wrote War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars, has read 75,000 war letters from the Civil War era to Bosnia. Regardless of the year — or even the century in which they were written — many share the same themes.
"The formality of language changes, but the emotions don't, whether they're carrying a musket or an M-16," Carroll told Good Morning America. "This is their war, so the messages are timeless. The messages always come back to 'I love you, I miss you, please write me.'"
A Slice of Life in Wartime
Another letter, which aired on Good Morning America Monday, was from Army Pfc. Favio Melendez Jr., with the Patriot unit from the 108th in Fort Bliss, Texas. He wrote to his wife.
"Dear Babe,
"My journey back home is about to begin. The war would've been halfway over by the time you get this letter. I love you and miss you.
"If anything happens to me remember I'll always love you. I'll always be with you. Tell everybody back home thank you for the letters and for the prayers. I'll see them soon.
"Tell my parents they have raised a proud American son. Tell my sister to achieve her goals for I have fought for them. Pray for those soldiers who have lost their lives for our freedom and pray for those who continue to fight to make the world a better place.
"I made a promise to you before I left, that I shall return … It's rough and tough out here but I'll keep that promise.
"Take care of our son, and let him know who his daddy is. I'll see you soon."— P.F.C. Melendez
Another war letter was written by Cpl. Jeffrey, who asked that his last name be left out. He wrote a letter to his family as he shipped out.
"The time has come for me to say goodbye," Jeffrey wrote. "To my loving brothers, you have taught me to be a man. Dad, you are the man I hope to be. Mom, you are the glue that binds everything I am. I said at the beginning that it's time for me to say goodbye. I won't say that. I'll say this instead … See you soon."
Different Wars, Same Emotions
War after war, soldiers have described combat, losing a buddy, feelings of exhaustion and lack of food and showers. A line lifted from a Civil War letter could be mistaken for one that was written now said Carroll, who also founded the Legacy Project, a volunteer initiative to save letters written during American wars.
Carroll says that for the first time, e-mail is the most common form of communication for soldiers.
"We encourage people to print out and save them, even if the messages seem common," Carroll said. "This is a slice of life during wartime. You can't beat the speed and convenience, but if you throw them away, all that will be lost to history."
Even though the letters might not seem important beyond the emotional or sentimental value they have for the people who receive them, they give a crucial window into history. From the privacy of their tents, soldiers can say things they wouldn't tell a journalist.
"This is the most immediate and intense and vivid history we can get, even more so than photos," Carroll said. "And it's not the huge, life-or-death details … Just the little insights … That's the history of a people."
War Letters, Through the Ages
Here are more war letters, and excerpts of letters, through the ages:
World War II
"Dearest woman, my girl, my girl, how I miss you. At night, Ilie awake and think and think and think of you. The roar of big gunsgiving way before the press of mental pictures of you. Write.Write. Your devoted hubby." — 2nd Lt. Francis N. Tracy.
"Dear Mildred, I floated around in water for about an hour andwas more dead than alive. I lost all hope and said my last prayer tothe good Lord. Got to the beach half frozen and almost unable tomove, then I passed out. How long I remain there I don't recall, butwhen I came to, the fight was at a climax. Bye sweet, until tomorrow,love and kisses— Dom."
"Dear Nathan, I heard there was a letter from you. I rushedhome and devoured it."
"Darling, this should be the last letter that I shall write to you."
"I want more than anything right now to fall completely in love withyou."
"So long, honey, and pucker up because here I come." — Staff Sgt. Nathan Hoffman.
Vietnam
"Dear Mom, Dad, Ruth, Pat, I'm the machine gunner in my squad.If you think this letter is grubby, that's because we live that way.On top of hills for weeks without shaving, washing, or brushing yourteeth. At night you sleep with a few grenades in your pocket becauseyou never know when you'll get hit by something. Much love, your son and brother, Tim."
"Dear family, We have seen many tragic cases and marvel at the spirit of these fine young men. There's always a lump in your throat when they leave. Especially for those who must return to duty. Our prayers go with them. Love, Claire" — Lt. Claire M. Kronen.
First Gulf War
"Dear ya'll, It never seemed like war, even when stuff was burningall around you and firing going off all over the place. I just can'tdescribe it. Love, Dan"— Staff Sgt. Dan Welch.
Bosnia
"Dear Connor, I'm very sorry I couldn't be home for your seventhbirthday, but I am sending you something special though. It's aflag. It was flown in honor of you at your seventh birthday. Keepit and honor it always. Love, Dad" — Maj. Tom O'Sullivan.
For more information on the Legacy Project, go to warletters.com.