On VJ Day 74: Letters between the generations

Jun 22

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About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on June 22, 2020, in First-hand Accounts, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 61 Comments.

  2. Aussie Emu | July 4, 2020 at 11:35 PM

    Excellent repost again gp, plus another great link to an intriguing story, fortunately my library here is quite adept in getting my requests in stock.
    Cheers.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. padresteve | June 24, 2020 at 2:18 AM

    ThNk you for posting Greg. Such a great resource.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Liz Gauffreau | June 23, 2020 at 7:00 PM

    How fortunate Ashley Prime’s family is to have his letters–and how fortunate we are to have access to them.

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Gypsy Bev | June 23, 2020 at 12:58 AM

    Sounds like his father learned a terrific life lesson from his suffering in the war.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. shoreacres | June 22, 2020 at 8:00 PM

    I don’t read much fiction; I prefer history, essays, journals — and collections of letters. These are wonderful letters, and I’ll be reading more. Thanks so much for bringing them to our attention, GP!

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. doesitevenmatter3 | June 22, 2020 at 6:37 PM

    Thank you for sharing this, GP! Wow, so powerful and so important! And a wonderful post for Father’s Day! The post and the few letters I read, so far, brought tears to my eyes. 🙂 What a wise father who lived what he said/taught.
    (((HUGS))) 🙂
    PS…I’ve been thinking AGAIN about all of the sacrifices the family of soldiers, and most Americans, made during WW2..going without, rationing, supporting, contributing, caring, etc…and people today are complaining about wearing a mask.

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. lifeinkarolingston | June 22, 2020 at 5:19 PM

    It is very moving! Beautiful post! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. SCLMRose | June 22, 2020 at 3:16 PM

    Fascinating story about the life of a soldier not written in history books. I read three chapters so far and will come back for the rest. It must be a shock for them to see how the Japanese soldiers behaved. I love the one who defied the Japs and nothing was reported.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. John W. Howell | June 22, 2020 at 1:04 PM

    These letters are fascinating, GP, Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Lavinia Ross | June 22, 2020 at 11:06 AM

    Both his parents were very wise, pragmatic people. His father is correct about forgiveness being difficult, anger eating one from the inside out.

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Jacqui Murray | June 22, 2020 at 10:32 AM

    Wonderful first-hand info. Thanks, GP.

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. DC Gilbert | June 22, 2020 at 9:06 AM

    Wow, GP! What a fantastic site. I would like to think I would be that forgiving but knowing how the Japanese treated their POWs, that would have been quite difficult I think. He must have been quite a man. I also bookmarked the site to read more letters later. Thanks for sharing your find.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. OIKOSâ„¢-Publishing | June 22, 2020 at 8:49 AM

    Thank you for sharing, GP! Will head over to read, and i am sure it will be very heart touching. Michael

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. Beck | June 22, 2020 at 8:40 AM

    Thanks for sharing – I love the write up about his father’s capacity to forgive, and that bitterness eats away from the inside. That’s wisdom. We are graced with their presence (both patriarchs & matriarchs) until they are gone and most of the time take it for granted…

    Liked by 1 person

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  19. equipsblog | June 22, 2020 at 8:10 AM

    This is a very personal, powerful message that could teach us do many lessons today since we are do divided on so many issues. Thanks for sharing it.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • GP Cox | June 22, 2020 at 2:00 PM

      My pleasure, Pat. It’s terrific having more letters from the past. That generation can still teach us.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • equipsblog | June 22, 2020 at 2:45 PM

        Have you noticed how trendy WWII is right now? I don’t know if it was viewed as a simpler, purer time, if it is because we are losing so many of the Greatest Generation, or so many people sense a similarity to the rise of Fascism and Nazism and today’ polarization? Bet you didn’t know you were writing a trendy blog. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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        • GP Cox | June 22, 2020 at 3:00 PM

          Not when I started, that’s for sure. What I did notice was more interest in it because the new on-rush of family history research going on due to DNA advances. People realized I was talking about their own ancestors. I’ve had a number of people tell me that after reading some posts here, they were beginning to understand their parents better. How the Great Depression and war molded them since birth.

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  21. ralietravels | June 22, 2020 at 6:58 AM

    Great idea for father’s day. I too read some of them and bookmarked the rest for later.

    Liked by 2 people

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  22. beth | June 22, 2020 at 6:44 AM

    oh, these are so powerful and moving, thanks for sharing them

    Liked by 1 person

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  23. beetleypete | June 22, 2020 at 6:03 AM

    Just read some of the letters, and saved the link. Many thanks, GP.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. GP Cox | June 22, 2020 at 7:00 AM

    Thank you. Isn’t it a great site?!!

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  25. GP | April 13, 2021 at 1:48 PM

    Thank you, Ned.

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    Reply

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