Bill Guarnere – January 1944
Jesus Christ could it get any colder, thought Guarnere. Sometimes when he felt like he just could not bear one more minute of Kraut artillery, the frigid temperatures, snow up to his ass, cold food if any and lack of sleep, Bill pulled out his photograph of Edie and him that night that now seemed so long ago. Then he would hum "They Can't Take That Away From Me," to himself. For a few minutes he felt warm and tingly. However, more and more, it was the letters from Frannie that kept him going these days. If I live through this, the first thing I am gonna do is marry that girl.
Skip and Don – January 1944
Standing in the chow line, Skip turned to Don Malarkey and said, "I wouldn't wish this place on my worse enemy, but I can't help but wonder if Edie and JoJo could find something to add to whatever the hell their serving today. Those girls turned scavenging into an art form. I bet they could coax the Krauts into giving us their hot chow."
"Yeah, I hate that fat bastard who drags that sled out with food so hot; you can see the goddamned steam from over here. Well, I am going to fix him." That night, Malark sneaked across the lines and placed a charge under the sled. When the Kraut dragged the sled the next morning, hot cereal exploded all over him. The boys slapped Don on the back, and recommended that Captain Winters issue Don a citation for sticking it to the enemy.
Wild Bill observed that the dumb Mick should have figured out a way to blow up the sled and steal the food. "If the kid pulled that stunt off, then I would pin a goddamned medal on him myself."
Bill Guarnere & Eugene Roe
Seeing Doc Roe, Bill jumped out of his foxhole and called after him, "Hey Doc."
"Hey Bill, how's that leg."
"Never mind that, I'm pissing needles over here."
"Drink lots of water. I ain't got now penicillin for your…" mumbled Roe.
"My what?" Wait a minute, he said penicillin. Bill smiled, jumped back into his hole and dug into his kit, pulled out a bottle of pills and kissed them. "Thank you Edie."
January 3, 1945 – Bois Jacques Belgium
Lip woke up on the morning of January 3rd. Stiff from the cold, he slowly rose and wondered what the day would bring. Checking in with the other sergeants, everyone was either awake or already taking care of their morning business before checking on the men. The snow was still up to their rump as Bull put it. A patrol went out and upon their return, the most exciting thing that happened all day was when Hoobler took down a German officer and finally got his hands on a Luger.
Later in the day found Lip standing towards behind Guarnere in the chow line. Much to their surprise, Joe Toye was walking toward them. Bill left the line to greet his buddy.
"Hey Joe, how the hell are ya," said Guarnere. The two men were tight as ticks as Lip's father would have said. Bill said something about tying his boot "all by meself," which caused everyone to laugh. Lately, Bill and Babe Heffron hung out so much that the Italian started developing a bit of an Irish brogue. In fact, according to Babe, Wild Bill sings Toye's favorite Irish tune 'Briged O'Flynn' better than Joe does. After the usual banter of the day and Guarnere asking how his nuts were doing, the First Sergeant replied they were just fine.
As they were digging in, Hoobler went from foxhole to foxhole showing off his prize Luger and telling anyone within ear shot how he brought the Kraut down. Shifty wondered what became of the horse. As Hoob headed off to find someone who had not heard his tale, Lip heard a shot. Babe ran up to them and said it was Hoob. "That goddamned Luger went off." They tried to find where Dons' wound, but like everyone else; he was wearing so many layers. Finally, Doc Roe located the wound but Hoob was bleeding hard, by the time they got him to an aid station, Don Hoobler was dead. Since Dike was nowhere to be found, Lip had the task of delivering the news to Captain Winters. Shivering in his own foxhole, the latter asked why didn't Dike report this to him. After explaining that he was there when it happened, Lip left a sullen Winters alone with his thoughts.
On his way back to his foxhole, the unmistakenable sound of incoming German artillery caused Lip to yell incoming. The men did not have to be told twice they clung to the bottom of their foxholes. Unfortunately, Joe Toye did not reach his in time. Amidst the bombardment, Bill could hear someone calling for help. "That's Joe," he told Buck. Despite the latter's pleas to get back into his foxhole, Bill was on his way to help his buddy. Locating him was easy, but getting them both back to safety proved harder. When an artillery shell blew over his head, Bill was knocked unconscious. By the time Lipton, came up on them, Bill was trying to hold his mangled leg still, but he was calm. "Hey Lip, looks like they got old Guarnere this time."
Lip bent down over Joe and looked over at Bill. The stretcher-bearers were coming in to take the latter. "Hey, Bill, I've got something for you." Pulling out the letter, he stuck it in Bill's front pocket. "It's from Edie. Before girls left, she said there would come a time when you might be hit. She made promised that I would give it to you." Lip wondered if Bill even heard him. Shock and pain were etched across his face. "Did you hear me, Bill?"
"Yeah, yeah, sure Lip. I heard ya. It's just right now I got more important things on my mind." Staring down at his shattered leg, Bill said, "If she knew this was going to happen to me I think she could have give me 'a little heads' up."
"Ya think," yelled Joe Toye as Lip tucked Edie's note in his pocket. "Jesus Christ, what does a man have to do to get killed around here?"
As the corpsmen carried Bill out, he yelled back, "I tol' ya I beat ya back to the states." As they loaded him on the jeep, the loss of blood finally caught up with old Guarnere and as Babe Heffron saw the jeep drive off, his buddy from South Philly was unconscious.
Three weeks later, Bill found himself in the same goddamned hospital he just left a month ago. Across from him was Joe Toye, who was still sleeping. A nurse came over to him and asked how he was feeling. "I've felt betta nursie." Listen where are my personal things, ya know like letters and stuff?" She pointed to the table and asked if there was anything in particular he wanted. "Just put it all out here if ya don't." Looking through the items, he found the small picture of him and Edie and then he saw a letter with his name on it in her handwriting. Opening it up, Bill could see Edie must have shed some tears while writing it. Good, he thought.
My darling Wild Bill,
By the time you read this, I will probably be back in 2006, looking you up in South Philly. Geez, I am gonna live to be that fricking old, thought Guarnere. I hope I still have my hair.
You will never know how I struggled with whether or not I should warn you, but honestly Bill, how could I tell you knowing that each day would be harder for you than the next. I could not give you that burden. Aw kid, I understand. Hell, it was hard enough out there without knowing that down the road I was going to get a ticket home. Bill continued reading the letter.
How I wish I were there to run my fingers through your thick dark hair, by the way you retain your hair, albeit white in case you are wondering. That girl knows me so well. Actually, if I were there I would hold your hand and give the doctors hell for not giving you enough pain medication. That's my girl.
Bill thank you for everything. Knowing you has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life. Speaking of which, you are going to have such a good life when you return home. Fran will be there waiting for you. Together, you are going to have a house full of kids who love and adore you. It's going to be you and Fran that organize the reunions and keep Easy together after the war. There will come a time when there will be a move to tell Easy's story. Winters will lead the way, and you will all become so well known that people will treat you and your buddies with the honor and respect you so richly deserve.
By the way, Babe is going to look you up a year after he gets back home. Yes, the war ends soon but not until August. Don Malarkey makes it and so does Buck and Lip. However, I am afraid Penk and Muck die six day later after you and Joe get hit. The Krauts drop an 88 smack dab in their foxhole. I can hardly write those words down. There were a lot of tearstains on this paragraph. They were great guys, and I know it will be hard on their families and the men, especially Malark.
Poor kid, he thought, but damn, both Penk and Muck. I can't believe it.
Just remember my promise. I will find you whether now or later. If I am not there in England within a few days after you, it means that I returned to my time. As soon as I am able, I will return to the states and look you and Babe up. I think by then, you can share our little secret with the boyo.
All my love buddy boy,
Edie
PS Enclosed is a note from Katie to Joe. Make sure he reads it.
Never a man to show too much emotion, Bill put his arm over his eyes so no one would see him cry. The nurse asked him he needed any pain medication. "Sister, there ain't a pill big enough."
Later when Bill and Joe were sitting in wheelchairs waiting for their turn with the physical therapist, he handed Toye the letter, who refused to take it at first. "Listen Joe, just read it. Edie said to make sure you read it so it must be important. Come on buddy, if anyone ever needed a pick me up its youse."
Hesitantly, Joe took the note from Bill, but he waited until he was back in the ward and had the nurse pull the curtains around his bed.
Hi ya Big Man!
When Edie told me what was in store for you, I almost slapped her, but she is right if I told you then you would have lived in fear until that awful day in January. There were tearstains on the letter. Joe touched the letters that blurred on the page. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't do that to you because I love you so. You made me feel like a woman and treated me like one. Never has any man ever given me what you did Joe. You make feel beautiful. I will carry what we shared in my heart all my days. Edie tells me you have a good life and I believe her. So, please know that what I feel for you is real.
All my love dearest Joe,
Joanna
Later in the afternoon, Bill and Joe smoked cigarettes and shot the shit, as Bill referred to it. "I love Fran, and I am gonna marry her just like Edie says, but I tell ya Joe, I ain't never gonna forget those girls, especially Edie."
Joe did not say anything at first. Then he started nodded and said, "Your goddamned right I won't forget her. Curahee Bill."
"Curahee, buddy."
Carwood Lipton and Donald Malarkey January - 1945
"Hey, Malark, Captain Winters says he needs a runner for a few days. You interested?"
"No, thanks, I'd rather stay here with the guys."
"Hey, didn't you say you wanted a Luger for your kid brother." Malarkey nodded. Never had he seen a man look so down, but who wouldn't after your two of your buddies are blown to bits in a foxhole six days after your three of your closes friends are shipped off to a hospital.
"Well, this is Hoobler's Luger, I was just going to throw it away, but here you keep it. And here's a note from Edie. She asked me to give it to you when I thought you could use some cheering up."
"Thanks, Lip for the pistol and the note." It was a small gesture on Lip's part, but sometimes that made all the difference to a soldier on the line. Opening the note, Don thought he detected the smell of Edie's perfume. It was just a few lines, but it seemed to put more pep in Malark's step. Every now and then, Lip caught Malarkey reading the note. He never asked what it said, but it seemed to do the trick.
Belgium – March 1945
Carwood Lipton was feeling on top of the world. Having just been awarded a Battlefield Commission, he was not Second Lieutenant Carwood Lipton. Winters had just handed him a note. Recognizing Edie's handwriting, he quickly opened it up. Smiling, he showed it to Winters and Nixon, who both just nodded. It read, "Congratulations, Lieutenant Carwood C. Lipton of West Virginia. It is a promotion that is long overdue. Love, Edie.
Standing in front of Dick, Nixon said, "I've been carrying around one of her notes for you too, but first Colonel Sink is not at all pleased with your appearance. He feels that these are more appropriate for a man with your responsibilities." Nixon tossed a box at Winters, which he quickly caught. Opening it, he saw Oak Leaf clusters. As Lew saluted him, he said, "Congratulations, Major, and here is a note from Edie that probably says the same."
Winters took the note, but did not open it until he was alone. It read,
Dear Dick,
I am so proud of and for you. The promotion is well-deserved and should have been given to you after Foy, but that is neither here nor there. When you return to the states, and you will, I promise that you will have that peaceful life that you richly fought for and deserve. Also, you will meet a wonderful woman and have a wonderful life, but there will be bumps along the road. Just remember to lead the way and maintain your principles.
Deepest Affections, Edie
Germany April 1945
"Lew, wake up. It's time to move out." Winters tried to roust his roommate, but Nix was having none of it. "Hey, remember what happened in Holland?" Nixon's eyes opened wide and he sat up quick. This time Dick just held out a note instead of a pitcher containing his own piss.
"What's this?"
"I don't know. Edie asked me to give it to you when I thought you might need it. After what we saw in that camp, I think this is as good a time as any."
"I don't need to read a pabulum filled note of platitudes. See, try and say that sober," scoffed Nix. Seeing that Dick still remained standing over him with the note dangling from his hand, Lew snatched it and was getting ready to read it in the sardonic manner he recently adopted since the divorce. After reading it, he folded it back up and handed it to Dick. Then he got out of bed and went to shower.
Unfolding the note, Dick nodded as he read it.
Nix,
Now you know why you are here. Remember you will find your saving grace.
Take care, Edie
Somerville Family Chapel, England June 1945
"To have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, till death do you part as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," said Molly.
November 1945
In the fall of 1945, Babe Heffron left the streets of his South Philly neighborhood and entered one very similar to his own except he heard more Italian accents than he did Irish. Looking at the piece of paper where he wrote the address of his war buddy, Babe made his way through the neighborhood when he came across some men shooting craps. Who should be the man throwing the dice, but his good friend Wild Bill Guarnere. Babe jumped on his back. Bill turned around, "Goddamned kid, I thought youse was a cop. Wtook you so long." Picking up his winnings, Bill put his arm around Babe and said, "Let's go have a beer. There's something I've been dying to tell ya. Then I want you to meet my Frannie."
Somerville Hall - March 1946
"Are you sure you do not mind if we call her Edwina," asked Molly?
"My dear, I quite understand why you wish to call her Edwina. Of course, it is all right. It is a lovely name for a beautiful baby. You know I think she has my eyes," said Ralph.
Somerville Family Chapel – June 1950
"I Anika van Vries take thee Robert Walkup as my lawfully vedded husband."
A Cocktail Party in California 1958
"Hello, Lew, it's so good to see you. I am sorry about you and Irene." The sultry voice belonged to Vivian Dodson, the hostess. "There is somebody I want you to meet, but try and stay sober. Grace is too special for you, but Harry insisted that I fix you up with someone. Here they are."
Vivian's husband, Harry was making money hand over fist in the electronic business. With him, was the loveliest woman, Lewis Nixon had ever seen. She was Japanese with dark black hair and porcelain like skins. Standing beside Harry, she looked like the graceful swan standing next to the ugly duckling. "Hi there Lew, how are you doing these days?" Harry did not wait for him to respond. "Grace, this is the man that I wanted."
With a slight bow, Grace said, "It is pleasure to meet you." Then she extended her hand.
Taking her hand, Lewis Nixon felt like he there was hope for the future and he held the answer in his hand. "My saving grace," murmured Nixon.
"I beg your pardon," said Grace.
"Nothing, I just remembered something that someone promised me would come true one day if I was patient enough."
"Ah, and have you been patient enough for it to come true." Neither one noticed that Harry leading Vivien away from the couple who were obviously attracted to each other.
"I believe I have."
Carwood Lipton and Donald Malarkey 1965
Years later, at an Easy Company Reunion, Carwood told Malarkey that he always wondered what Edie said that helped him get through that rough patch after Skip and Penk died. Don smiled and said, "She told me there might come a time when I was so down that I'd have to untie my boots to look up. Well, that's pretty much describes how I felt that day. She said when I felt like that to remember that God couldn't take all the good looking men from Easy Company so hang tough and let someone else do the cooking when I got back to Astoria."
"Why did that cheer you up?"
"Lip, there were all kinds of rumors about how those girls just popping up out of nowhere. One night when Bill and I were watching the line, he clued me in and at the time I thought he was shitting me. When I read the note, I knew it was true because I never told Edie I was from Astoria. I knew I was going to make it. Even if Bill had never said anything to me, it gave me a boost that she thought I was too good looking to die." Tears formed in Don's eyes. "She knew what was going to happen to Muck and Penk, but she didn't do a damn thing about it."
"Yeah, she tried to stop Dukeman's death and Bill's accident, but every time, wham, it happened anyway," said Lip. "On the days when I need a good laugh, I think about the Sobel Song she and JoJo use to sing.
"Yeah, how'd that go again? Captain Sobel, he's so noble…" When Bill heard the song, he started singing along with them. Sometimes, those who weren't in on the know, complained how the girls never got in touch with them after the war, but never around those who really close to the four women who came into their lives that September in 1944.
American Embassy – London 1994
"Arthur, Lily allow me introduce to you the Earl of Somerville and his lovely wife Countess Margaret."
Joe Toye and Bill Guarnere 1995
"Hello Joe, how's dey hanging?"
"Not too good, Bill. They say I've got lung cancer. It looks like I'm gonna take that final jump."
"Damn, I sure am sorry to hear dat Joe. Is there anything I can do for ya?"
"Yeah, do you remember Joanna Riordan?"
"You know goddamn well I do."
"Well, I want ya to give her this when ya see here. I sure loved that girl. I mean I love Betty, but Joanna was different, ya know." Joe handed Bill a letter.
"Sure, sure, Joe, ya know I would do anything for ya. All ya have to do is ask."
"I appreciate that Bill, and I know ya would. Ya proved that back in the Bois Jacques."
"I would do it again Joe in a minute."
Bill Guarnere & Babe Heffron – 1997
"Hey, Babe, thanks for coming over. Did you bring it?"
"Sure Nutsie, you think I would lose something this important to you. Here you go, and here's the key." Babe handed Bill a small metal box.
"Out of respect to my Frannie, I just didn't feel right keeping it around here. She was a good woman, God rest her soul." Bill took his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his face. "I sure do miss her Babe. It's hard. Ya knows we was married over fifty years."
"I know Bill. "Listen do you want me to leave?"
"No, take a load off."
Babe watched as Bill unlocked the box and took out some pictures. "Remember this," said Bill as he handed Babe one of the photographs of Bill and Edie that night in Mourmelon.
"Bless me, would you look at this," said Babe as he stared at the photo. "Boy that sure does brings back some good memories. What's that a necklace?"
"Yeah, Edie gave it to me. It's a Saint William necklace. I wore it until I came home, and started dating Frannie. Then I puts it dis here box and put it on a shelf. I was glad you agreed to keep it for me when youse got home, but it sure is good to see these things again and remember a happy time."
Babe Heffron , Bill Guarnere, Frank Perconte, and Dick Winters – 1998
"Jesus, Bill have you ever seen so many people in your life?"
"Not at a funeral, I haven't, but it just goes to show ya, George Luz was a good guy. It's a shame the way he died."
"I can't believe he's gone," said Frank. Wiping his eyes with his handkerchief, he blew his nose. "His kids are great, and people keep coming up and asking me how I knew him. Some of them didn't even know he had been in the Army.
"Hi ya there, Major," said Bill. "It seems like we keeping running into each other more and more at deese things. God, I hate it. Dat was a real good speech you gave at Joe's funeral. The family appreciated it."
"I was glad to do it," said Dick. "We all have to make the final jump sometime; it just seems that lately there have been to many of them.
"Yeah, I was sorry to hear about Captain Nixon, he was good guy," said Bill.
"Yes, he was a fine man. You know he finally stopped drinking after he met Grace. They traveled everywhere together," said Dick. "Here's Ethel, I hope to see all of you real soon on a happier occasion."
Bill Guarnere and Dick Winters 2001
"Hi ya Major, just called to see how youse was doing? Can you believe all dis fuss dey are making over the movie? My goddamn phone rings off da hook, and I had to get a post office box to handle da mail. Ya know Edie said it would be like dis, but Christ Almighty, I had no idea what she meant."
"No, neither did I. The correspondence is getting to be a bit much for me. My health isn't too good."
"Sorry to hear that. Too bad about Lip, he would have gotten a kick out of all this. Lip was a great guy. I'm gonna miss him. It won't be long before Edie comes looking for us. I sure have missed that girl." Hearing no response, Bill asked, "Ya still there Major."
"Yes, Bill. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't best if Edie just remembers me the way I was instead of how I am now."
"I don't think that matters to her. In fact, I am sure of it. She's the kind of woman who has to make sure we are OK, and I know for a fact, Edie is gonna want to see youse Major. Gotta go, the grandkids are here with more mail.
Bill Guarnere and the Countess of Somerville 2004 – The Netherlands
It was a beautiful September day in September in Eindhoven, Bill and Babe flew over for a special ceremony and the dedication of Memorial to the 101st Airborne. Bill wanted to pay his respects to William Dukeman at the US Military Cemetery in Margraten Back at the hotel, Babe was taking a snooze. As he made his way over to where Dukeman was laid to rest, he noticed an older woman who looked vaguely familiar. A tall, young man in a British uniform walked beside her, but eventually she must have told him she wanted to go it alone. It made Bill chuckle. Even though Bill was not a fashionista, he who knew her clothes were expensive. She carried a large bouquet of lilies. Probably for her husband or a sweetheart, he thought. As they both made their way through the cemetery, it soon became apparent that they were heading in the same direction. The woman stopped and stared at Bill Guarnere and he did the same. Then simultaneously they recognized one another and broke into a smile. She made her way over to him, holding out her hands, the beautiful woman took his extended hand and kissed it, and then she kissed the stunned, older man on both cheeks and said, "Hello Bill."