Dear Dick,
I am finding it hard to believe that the holiday's are once again almost upon us. However, the atmosphere here at home is cheery yet somewhat subdued. I believe that many people are finding it hard to celebrate the season when so many soldiers are away from their homes and families and unable to take part in the festivities.
Spent yesterday afternoon putting a few holiday touches here and there around the house. Placed some sprigs of holly and pine boughs over the fireplace, a big red bow on the front door, and a little bunch of mistletoe in the front hallway, just for fun. Trimmed our tree also with some red and green ribbon mother received from a woman down the block and now things look very merry indeed.
I have been thinking for the longest time about what I could possibly send you for the holidays but had been drawing a blank until your last letter arrived. After reading how you wished you could be home with warm blankets and hot tea, I decided to try and make part of that wish come true. In this letter I am enclosing a few tea bags and hope that they find their way to you in time for Christmas.
As always, take care! I will wait anxiously to hear from you again. Merry Christmas!
Yours Always,
DeEtta
Dear DeEtta,
Your last letter reached me two days ago but I have not been able to write until now. Boy, was I surprised to open your letter and have those tea bags fall out. I have decided to save them for tomorrow night-Christmas Eve-and enjoy them then. It will be a great luxury to have a taste of something from home again.
We are still in our same position with the snow and cold is remaining relentlessly persistent. We are all hoping that the weather will let up at least a little bit before too long; being able to see the sun even if only for an hour would be a most welcome change.
We have been taking pretty heavy artillery fire from the Germans these last few days. The frequent shellings have put all the men on edge and I am afraid that it is just a matter of time before some of them cannot cope and start to break. I have already seen signs of distress in some of them, so I try and do what I can for them which is admittedly not much, and continue to hope for the best and that this all works out.
Take care of yourself! Happy holidays to you and your family!
Always,
Dick
P.S. Save a bit of that mistletoe for when I return home.
Dear Dick,
Now that the holidays have come and gone, a quiet gloom seems to have settled over many folks I know. Went back to work today after having a few days off around Christmastime. So much paperwork to do, so many letters to send off to loved ones who will have their dreams of seeing their young men return home dashed in an instant. I cannot wait for this war to be over so that people can be spared this kind of pain.
I was pleased to hear the tea reached you intact and hope that it carried with it some of the warmth of home. The weather has been below freezing every day of this week. Snow dusts the ground and all the trees are encased in a layer of ice that shows no signs of disappearing.
Lucky caught his first mouse the other day and brought it proudly into my room where he laid it at my feet for me to see. He got an extra treat and the mouse was promptly disposed of.
Well, I wish I had more to write but I am having trouble coming up with anything that would be of an interest to you. Take care and know that I think of you always.
Yours Always,
DeEtta
P.S. I almost forgot, but I have that sprig of mistletoe hanging from the rod in my
closet for when you come back.
Dear DeEtta,
I apologize for my delay in answering your letter but so much has happened in such a short amount of time.
Right after I received your letter, we were informed that we would be leaving out current positions the next day in order to attack and secure a neighboring town. Easy Company was in the lead on the attack, led by their new CO, Lt. Dike. The attack was a disaster from the beginning with several of the platoons becoming pinned down almost immediately and many of the men sustaining injuries from German artillery and small arms fire.
Fortunately, I had in my presence a highly capable officer, Cpt. Speirs who took over Easy's advance into the town and most likely saved many men's lives that day. Once the action was over, I relieved the Lt. Dike of his command and put Cpt. Speirs in his place. I am greatly relieved to know that Easy Co. now has someone who I know can lead them effectively.
We are now occupying a town on one side of a river with the Germans occupying a town on the opposite side of the river. It has become a standoff of sorts with neither side wanting to make the first move; after all we do have shelter and supplies at the moment.
I will close this letter now before it become too long and tedious. I wait anxiously to hear from you again. Take care.
Always,
Dick