Military History in Paulding County

By: Mark Holtsberry 

A letter to his mom from my uncle Ray Keck:

Somewhere overseas June 16, 1944

“Dear mom,

“I received your swell letter today and I am answering it right away.

“Glad to know you are well. I am feeling fine and getting along pretty well over here so don’t worry about me at all.

“It takes a letter quite a while to get to me and vice versa so at times it may be quite a while before you hear from me. However I’ll try to write often. I do hope you’ll be back home soon. Don’t let anything worry you mom. I’ll tell Roy [Ray’s brother who is in the service] that you are well. I haven’t heard from him for a long time. I guess he must be pretty busy. I think he is still stationed in Hawaii. I was hoping that I would be sent there also, however I was not. At the present time I cannot tell you where I am but I’m not in combat and probably will not be for quite a while.

“We can see movies here every night which helps a lot. Also we can buy cigarettes and necessities. I go swimming in the ocean nearly every day and really have a nice suntan.

“I haven’t heard from dad and the kids for quite a while. I guess they must be pretty busy. I received a letter from aunt Mame she says they are all well. They were out to Antwerp and fixed up grandpa’s and grandmother’s graves. Have you been up there lately, mom? I haven’t been there since grandmother was buried.

“How were uncle Bud’s getting along? I haven’t heard from them either for a long time. Well I’ll close for now mom so bye and don’t work too hard keep cheerful.

“Your loving son, Ray”

… Until Next Time!