When writing about one's father, one does not know where to begin, since all fathers are big in the eyes of their children--especially if that child is only two or three.
This is the story of my father's experiences in World War II, as told by himself through his letters to "dearest Marie," his wife.
This letter, out of time sequence, describes the man well. It is written after months of of intense conflict at Monte Casino in Italy.
March 23, 1944
Dearest Marie,
I stood in the window high above the valley and watched the sun set. Long shadows grew darker behind the rocky hills and distant mountains turned dark purple. The green valley, with its rivers and ponds, blended softly into the foothills of the mountains. Here and there a pond of water shone golden from the rays of a blood red sun, and a soft yellowish haze settled softly over the valley. Before me, at my feet and disappearing into an olive grove, was an old rocky road. A few buildings partly visible through the trees caught the last rays of the sun and reflected them, giving these old buildings the appearance of some ethereal houses. All was quiet and peace reigned while God saw the world being put to slumber.
And suddenly as if to break the spell, the valley flashed and roared with artillery fire. Startled birds screaming wildly, flew hurried and disturbed courses past my window. A pall of smoke rose to blot out the rays of the dying sun. Echos rocked the valley and roared between hills and mountains, and sharp lightning like flashes pierced the gathering darkness. And I thought as I watched that a sacrilege had been committed for man had disturbed God's communion with the earth. The rude and unnatural sounds of battle broke the spell of the moment. It was all so senseless. the only one out of harmony was man. It is times like these that I have such a desire for peace and home.
Letters from John Donahue to his wife, Marie Donahue, during the Second World War.
Labels
- 1943 (3)
- 1943 - August (2)
- 1943 - September (2)
- 26 (1)
- New York City (1)
- North Africa (1)
- October 21 (1)
- September 17 (1)
About This Blog
This blog collects the letters of my father, John Donahue, to his wife, Marie Donahue. I'll post a new letter about once a week.
John Donahue, an Irish Catholic, was born on July 14, 1914, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He was the first of six active children growing up on the east side of Milwaukee.
Marie Quincy was a Catholic of English heritage growing up on the east side of Milwaukee. When John met her, she was working at Woolworths Five and Dime.
They were married in October 1940. A little more than a year later, John was deployed to the European theater of what would come to be called the Second World War.
John Donahue, an Irish Catholic, was born on July 14, 1914, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He was the first of six active children growing up on the east side of Milwaukee.
Marie Quincy was a Catholic of English heritage growing up on the east side of Milwaukee. When John met her, she was working at Woolworths Five and Dime.
They were married in October 1940. A little more than a year later, John was deployed to the European theater of what would come to be called the Second World War.
John and Marie Donahue
2 comments:
Wow, wow, wow, he was a fantastic writer!!!! I am so glad you are posting these! At this moment I have a new appreciation for how incredibly hard it must have been for both of them. I love the slideshow soo much! This site looks so good!
I read this one over and over, it is so deep!
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