Christmas in the Front Lines

Dearest Beloved,

            Winter’s here, family’s away, preparing themselves for coming storm. Christmas tranquility before lightning hits.

My Mrs. Alwin,

            How’s class? Men weary, cold speaks of frostbite and frozen ground, too hard for the fallen to lay in anything but bits.

Dearest Beloved,

            Children well, all is cheery, made snowflakes for parents. Beautiful to see their smiles, hell to clean up.

My Mrs. Alwin,

            Hell is nothing, seen worse. Miss your smile- Rory’s down, back in infirmary. New kids in; almost funny to see them throw up.

Dearest Beloved,

            The mutt waits, he sits in doorway of study and whines and whines. Between Gus and I, we could cry you a river to bring you home.

My Mrs. Alwin,

            Hold each other tight, give him my dinner. I’ll be back soon. New recruits look like old men- growing up in a battlefield doesn’t cut slack, let alone let boys roam. 

Dearest Beloved,

            Christmas almost here! Slaughtered garden, but fed sparrows and cardinals with crumbs from yesterday, saw their joy, grinned at sight.

My Mrs. Alwin,

            You feed birds and America, I’ll feed freedom. Lieutenant joked that we’ll have full bellies tonight.

Dearest Beloved,

            Be safe. Feeling down- children walk to school in ice and snow, galoshes and loafers slipping whole mile.

My Mrs. Alwin,

Germans advanced, might not get to write for a while. Love you dearly, miss your smile.

Dearest Beloved,

            Snow has fallen, starting the backyard over. My tongue burns on chocolate, hot numbing tastes and flavor.

My Mrs. Alwin,

            Miss you dearly, need your love. Bombs come night, flaring blood and danger.

Dearest Beloved,

            School was canceled, but many came anyway. Children cold, faces red and blue. I try not to hover.

My Mrs. Alwin,

            Pneumonia stays close, kisses men and boys. Developed slight cough, will have to recover.

Dearest Beloved,

            Merry Christmas to you, handsome! Family much excited to see letters, all love you dearly.

MRS. ALEXAndra ALWIN

Received, Decemeber 26^th, 2:35 AM

          THE U.S.A. ARMY DEPARTMENT DEEPLY REGRETS TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR HUSBAND CHARLES ALWIN WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTY AND IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY. THE DEPARTMENT EXTENDS TO YOU ITS SINCEREST SYMPATHY IN YOUR GREAT LOSS, AND A CONFIRMATION CHECK WILL BE DELIVERED YEARLY.

Sincerely, Rear Admiral Jacobs,

Chief of army personnel