This is sent in honor of my uncles, Jimmy HAMILTON, who served in a tank division during WWII and was killed in the Battle of France, August 17, 1944; and Cpl. Dale HAMILTON, who was one of the men who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. This letter was published in the Friday, October 20, 1944, edition of the Roscoe Ledger. "Somewhere in Germany October 3, 1944 Dear Pop: Now I can pour out the pain and sorrow that I've held back for so long; the pain that will never leave until I am with Jim again. When Mom went to Heaven something inside of me nearly died. Now since Jim has gone to join her, that something inside of me has gone with them. Nobody will ever know what Jim meant to me; he was my mom, my pop, my brother and my pal ever since we have been away. Oh Pop, I loved Jim; he was so good. I've been waiting for your letter telling me that you knew that Jim was killed in action. It was terrible waiting and wishing you didn't have to know. But I couldn't tell you, the Army doesn't allow that. All I could do was wait. I tried to write but each letter seemed an awful lie. I tried to be cheerful but I couldn't. Now I don't have to hide it any more; I don't have to conceal how my heart is hurt. I couldn't hold back much longer. Oh why did it have to be Jim, Pop? I wish it could have been me. Jim, poor old steady Jim, so good, so much a man. Yes Pop, Jim was killed in action, but more than that Pop, Jim was killed saving my life and God knows how many more. There was a counter attack and we would have been cut off, but Jim was there with his buddies and I know he was fighting and saying, "They won't get Dale." That was Jim, Pop, always helping someone else, even to the end. The Chaplain took me to the cemetery. It is a quiet place in Normandy, far from the war now. But Jim is not alone, his buddies, many of them, are resting beside him. The Chaplain held services over Jim's grave; it was a simple but beautiful service. He mentioned that Jim would be with Mom, and Pop, as I knelt by his grave and prayed, I could almost feel Mom and Jim beside me, smiling and happy. I don't know how long I knelt there and prayed, but Pop I prayed for you, I prayed for all our family, and Evelyn. And somehow I knew that Jim was there. He walks with me wherever I go. I know, we all ask WHY? I did and I still do, but Pop, somewhere I read that God knows no accidents. It was no accident when Jim was taken. God wanted Jim, Pop. And we can't question the works of God. And too, these words are always before me. God loveth no man more than he who giveth his life for his country. The Germans hve paid for the sorrow they have caused us and other people and they will pay more, and more, on earth and in hell. So don't think about that, that part is taken care of. We must think of nothing but how we love your son, Pop, our brother, my family, and your husband, Evelyn. Jim was a man above men. Jim is with Mom, now, he is happy. We must be brave and strong and make Jim proud of us. We on earth must carry on for those who are in Heaven. Please get better Pop, and don't worry. Good night, Pop. Your loving son, Dale" ===== Eva Dayle Zippay Tallahassee, Florida [email protected] __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com