Thinking of all the Anzio vets - and of course my Dad
today. 
I have the letter he wrote to his mother Jan 21st.
He must've been on board ship at that point. They left
from Naples, right? Does anyone know how long it took
to get to the beachHead?
The letters my father wrote just before Salerno, Anzio,
and Southern France - were all similar. He makes sure that he
mentions that he recd all the mail from home, lists every single
item that his mother sent him, tells her not to worry and then
babbles that he's fine & the weather is great. I think most of
the guys were writing similar letters home & it's a wonder that
their parents didn't think they were all on some fabulous European
camping trip (of course we know the reality was far different).
On Jan 21, he'd just recd letters they'd written before Christmas,
so it was taking about a month to get mail. That made me think:
how long after the Anzio landings would the families have to wait
to know if their sons were ok. A month? It must've been torture!
Also, he briefly mentions something in this letter and then quickly changes the
subject. He saw in the local Wellesley paper that a Dr Graves passed away &
then mentions that his son Monroe (who my father knew) and his other two
boys are in the Pacific. Knowing my father, he likely was also thinking :
"What if I'm here and something happens to Ma or Pa?".
When you think about the long list of things these guys had to worry about -
being killed, being wounded, being tired, getting sick, being captured,
being cold, being hot, having trenchfoot, losing your buddies, etc etc -
many of them also had to worry about their loved ones at home -
are they well?, will they have enough money?, who will take care of them
if something happens to me?
Notice how he adds: "this year ought to finish the war over here" NOT!
Here's Dad's letter:
"Jan 2, 1944 Italy
Dear Ma,
I received quite a few letters today - from you & Mary dated Dec 20th, 21st,
22nd & 31st, along with copies of the Boston Herald. I am glad to hear that
you are fine!
A few days ago, I recd a clipping about Dr Graves dying suddenly. Monroe is
in the Pacific and the other two boys are in the West Pacific area for two years
now. They left about the same time as (illegible) and a few more of our boys
from the 181st and 101st.
I bet that bonus came in very handy and also the $10 Mr. Fallows sent Mary.
Didn't Mary get a bonus this summer too? I'm glad you mentioned that you
received the $35 alright. There isn't any way of checking up on it from here.
I guess I've received all the packages you sent me with candy, gum etc -
also more soap, tooth powder, socks, underwear, handkerchiefs, and
last week the camera.
Well Ma, there isn't much to tell you. I am fine, the weather has been good lately -
nice, sunshiney days and warm where we are at present - so much so that you'd
never know it was january.
I'm glad to know that you are fine Ma - and not worrying. Remember what I always
say - it doesn't do any good to worry. This year ought to finish the war over here.
Hoping to hear from you soon- when you get time to write.
Love to all,
Francis