The Postcard Read… “Your Son Is Alive!”
James ‘Dad Mac’ MacMannis is believed to have sent as many as 33,000 postcards during World War II.
WEST PALM BEACH — Dad Mac sat in his living room and furiously scribbled the names the German propaganda machine rattled off. Names of GIs whose moms and dads and siblings and sweethearts in Florida and Iowa and Oregon. Loved ones who for weeks or months had wondered and worried and wrung their hands. Mac would fill out and address a postcard. It would say: Your boy is alive.
As World War II raged, and before and after D-Day, James L. MacMannis wrote as many as 33,000 postcards to families across America. After a while, people called him Dad.
At first, he said, he sent out just a few cards, and he got few responses.
“I was discouraged,” he told Palm Beach Evening Times Editor Tom Penick for a June 1944 column. “It was weeks before I heard from any of the folks I had written. Then they started.”
One parent wrote, “You are doing marvelous work. May God bless you.”
The date of Penick’s column was June 2, 1944. Neither he nor most of the country knew at the time that in four days, on June 6, the world would change.
‘Keeping faith’
James L. MacMannis was a veteran of both the Army and Navy and both world wars. He’d been a barnstorming pilot in those first days of flight — a relative claimed he got America’s fourth-ever pilot’s license, something that couldn’t be independently verified — and taught pilots in World War I, when military aviation was in its infancy
He was a parachute jumper who later became an airplane inspector. He joined World War II via the Coast Guard in the Baltimore area. Around 1943, he moved to West Palm Beach, believed to be about a block south of what’s now the Norton Museum of Art.
MacMannis did have a hobby: shortwave radio.
In August 1943, he tuned in to a Berlin station. Naturally, it was a propaganda broadcast by the Third Reich. Night after night, the feminine voice would rattle off each soldier’s name and serial number, along with messages the GI hoped would get back to their families in the U.S. The Berlin fräulein even gave the GI’s home address so that anyone listening could drop a line to the family that he was OK, at least relatively.
Whether the idea was to show how humane the Germans were or was a ploy to get parents to pressure the U.S. government to push for peace, only the Nazis could say.
But for Dad Mac, a light went on.
Every night at 7, Dad would settle into his rocking chair. He listened even when the static made broadcasts pretty much undecipherable. Some nights he would listen until dawn.
“He doesn’t dare leave because he fears he may miss some of the broadcast with the prisoners’ list,” Mary MacMannis said, “And he tries to get all.”
Some nights it was 20 names, some nights 60 or 80. One night he heard 157 names. Some nights, there was no list.
Dad Mac didn’t tell families everything. Sometimes the broadcast would impart that a boy had had both legs blown off or had bullets still lodged in his body.
“It’s enough to let them know that Berlin says they (soldiers) are alive and a POW,” MacMannis said.
He also worried at times if he was a dupe, forwarding details to desperate families about which the Nazi propaganda machine might be lying. He said he felt better when the War Department began verifying to him what he was hearing.
Once word got out about “Dad’s Listening Post,” others stepped up to help; fellow radio enthusiasts, the West Palm Beach fire chief, an assistant chief and a printing firm donated everything from radio parts to postcards. Dad Mac graduated from a small radio to a big receiver.
By January 1945, MacMannis estimated he’d heard 20,000 messages about American POWs and mailed out about 15,000 cards.
Life magazine got wind of him and ran a photo of Dad and Mary in their living room in front of a giant radio. That story quoted a total of 33,000 messages from POWs, including Canadians.
“War Prisoner Information,” Dad Mac’s cards said. “A free humanitarian service given by ‘Dad MacMannis’ Listening Post.′ ” And, “A veteran of both wars keeping faith with his buddies.”
“Howdy, folks,” one postcard quoted G.I. Ray Sherman. “I won’t be long. These Germans treat us mighty well. I will write you soon. Don’t worry. Love Ray.” The form was dated July 22; no year.
A search of databases shows a Ray J. Sherman, born in 1923, had enlisted in Milwaukee and served in the infantry in both the North African and Italian theaters before the Germans captured him at Anzio on Feb. 16, 1944.
Article located in the Palm Beach Post.
We spoke once before about the ham radio operators during WWII and the great job they did, read HERE!
Click on images to enlarge.
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Ham Radio Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert Blake (Michael James Vijencio Gubitosi) – Nutley, NJ; US Army / beloved actor
Robert C. Blair (103) – New hope, PA; US Army, WWII, PTO
Rosemary Campbell – Braidwood, IL; Civilian, WWII, Joliet Arsenal
William H. Dillow – Kingsport, TN; US Navy, WWII, PTO, gunner’s mate & disarming mines, Sr. Chief (Ret. 20 y.)
Charles Dougherty – Clarkston, MI; US Navy, WWII & Korea, diesel mechanic
Frank C. Ferrell – Roby, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, TSgt., 328BS/93BG/9th Air Force, B-24 navigator, KIA (Ploiesti, ROM)
Virginia Hanson – Odessa, NY; US Navy WAVE, WWII
Terrance Larkin (102) – Davenport, IA; US Army, WWII, PTO, Cpl., 1881st Engineer Battalion
Bill McNeil – Wheeling, WV; US Army, 11th Airborne Division / Chairman of the 82nd Airborne Association
Robert McHugh – Woburn, MA; US Air Force, pilot, flight instructor
Paul R. Sheridan – Detroit, MI; US Air Force, Vietnam, F-4 pilot, Colonel (Ret. 24 y.)
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Posted on March 13, 2023, in First-hand Accounts, Home Front, Letters home, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, family history, History, Home Front, Military, Military History, POWs, Tributes, war letters, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 160 Comments.
This story is a feel good!!!!
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It truly is!!
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Wow, this is absolutely amazing GP! As both a military retiree and a military spouse, I can only imagine what a relief it was for those families getting those postcards. Thank you so much for sharing this!
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It must have ease their minds after many a restless night!!
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Thanks for sharing this idea. Anita
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Thanks for your like of my post ” Present Age Prophecies (Part 1);” you are very kind.
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You’re welcome.
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Truly inspiring story, How Dad Mac did. GP
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Thank you. I love stories like this.
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Even me too…
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What an absolutely wonderful story, GP. I have a little experience using HAM radios for communication, and I’m sure it was even more difficult for James and Mary MacMannis. The kind of concentration needed probably left them exhausted after each broadcast; on the other hand, it sounds as though they made quite a team. I can imagine that the eventual arrival of feedback from families, and support from other sources, helped to keep them going. It’s just inspiring.
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Mary probably knew what it was like to wonder all the time, as she did just that when James when in the service. So, once home, James’ hobby came in handy. I love this story and the example it sets for others.
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A wonderful achievement. Incidentally my paternal grandfather taught flying in World War 1 – on the basis of his being a schoolteacher
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Whoa, back when aviation was in its infancy!! Do you know a lot about him?
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Quite a bit. He survived the experience but could never go back to teaching and sold his School for the sons of Gentleman and turned to furniture removals
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How wonderful that you learned where your roots came from.
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A heartwarming ‘Home Front’ story, GP. What a wonderful service he performed!
Best wishes, Pete.
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They were certainly were a ‘can-do’ generation, eh?!
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The fact that he bothered got my attention, what a guy eh? I wondered too that it was problematic to listen to enemy stations, I know it was a punishable offence in Britain if caught.
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The FCC controlled their actions and since they were supplying him with so many postcards, they knew his reasons.
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That’s pretty incredible 🙂
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I love stories like this! Thanks, June!
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WONDERFUL STORY! 🤗
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Thank you, Ana.
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Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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Thank you, Ned.
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Reblogged this on From the Frontlines to the Homefront.
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Thank you very much!
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Yes, before the Internet, there was short wave radio and ham radio operators.
How people connected around the world before the Net.
There was an escapee from East Germany who lived in the neighbourhood when I was growing up who communicated with ham radio operators in Communist occupied Eastern Europe via his ham radio.
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Thank you for your story. It shows how important they can be, before, during and after the war!
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Such an amazing service.
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I was very happy to learn this!
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Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful slice of history.
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Thank you very much, Peggy. I learned a lot myself doing the research for this and the ham radio post!
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Speaking of radios, you might find this book interesting.
https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/news/2020/04/29/radio-girl-the-story-of-the-extraordinary-mrs-mac/
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Wow, yes it does sound very interesting. It is now on my list. Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention.
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A great story, GP. James was an angel. My dad was a HAM operator before and after the war. W8ZZ was his call sign. He certainly loved it. Thanks for this post.
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I was happily surprised to find out how much they did when I put together the ham radio post, and many are unaware of how much they still do.
Thanks, John and hats off to your Dad!!
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He did go “off air” during his service years but was back at is as soon as possible.
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Yes, I should think the war would interrupt a bit.
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It certainly did.
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Reblogged this on .
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Thank you, Dave!! Great story, isn’t it?
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What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing.
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I appreciate your visit, Rosaliene.
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What an incredible man and an awesome endeavor!
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Wasn’t he something else?!! He is truly an inspiration.
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Unique and very special individual.
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I so agree, Dolly!
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thank you, John.
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You are very welcome.
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This is truly inspirational, GP! Thank you!
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My pleasure. It’s always good to know that people like this existed.
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It sure is.
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A very inspirational story, GP. It represents the level and kind of kindness we need in the world today.
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Oh, you said a mouthful there, Bruce!!!
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Great post, GP. What an unsung hero Dad Mac was!!!!
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Isn’t it amazing that he sent out so much joy to so many! Perfect hobby in my book!
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Great story , GP ! That was a guy too be proud of .
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I do believe he was too, Dan. Thank you!
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What a great guy, GP! God bless him. ❤️🇺🇸
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I think they were quite the couple!! Thanks, John.
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I completely agree! 🇺🇸
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What a laborious task to write some many cards! Knowing their loved ones were alive must have been such a great comfort.
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I can only imagine the joy he sent to so many! Thanks, Peter.
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One more example of the fact that a committed individual can make a significant difference. Both in war and peace. There never can be enough ‘Dad Macs,’ G. Great post. –Curt
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Thank you, Curt. For some, giving comes naturally, I think.
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Yes.
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We need more inspiring stories like this nowadays. What a wonderful couple to do this service to the servicemen’s families.
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Isn’t it great? I hope this inspires others.
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What an amazing story. I’d never heard about that, GP. What a wonderful thing Dad Mac did.
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A prime example of that generation, IMO.
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What a generous person!
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Agreed, Luisa!!
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🙏💙🙏💙
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Love this post GP! Thanks
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I hope inspires people to do for others when see it needed.
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💞😃
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What a super chap…well, a super couple.
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Another example of the Greatest Generation!
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Reblogged this on e-Quips and commented:
GP’s post highlights another faithful veteran who provided service to thousands of families.
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Thank you very much!
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I loved this story. Now I’m wondering where else I may have seen it. Semper fi and Bravo Zulu, GP (acolades from both Sea Services.)
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You might have seen it here about 4 years ago, but I felt it was worth repeating.
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I think you are correct. It was worth repeating.
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😉👍
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I remembered that you’d posted this before, on July 11,2019 [prompting me to re post on Profiles] Still, MacMannis turned his hobby into a source of comfort for many, and bears retelling.
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Thank you. I thought it was worth repeating.
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Thank you! The correlation between todays propaganda and “yesterday” is such a reminder that we live in dangerous times. Thank you for the info!
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They were quite the ‘can-do’ generation!
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Great story, GP! I never knew about this.
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I can only imagine the joy those parents and families felt!
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Wow, Mr. Macmannis!!!
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My opinion as well.
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What an incredible story, GP! Thank goodness for people like James MacMannis. And thank you for keeping these memories alive.
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My pleasure, Gwen. Thank you for stopping by!
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There were beautiful people hard at work for others, everywhere. Awesome story.
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I hope this post inspires more people to help out wherever they see a need.
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This kind of post is exactly the inspiration that is needed today, so thank you.
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I appreciate you saying so.
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What a wonderful service to provide. He’s a guy that realized he could do something and decided to do it.
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They were certainly a ‘can-do’ generation!
Thanks, Dan!
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What a great man!
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I adore this story! Thank you for reading it!
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There are always angels among us. Wonderful story.
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A beautiful description, thanks!!
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Transcribing the messages would have taken a lot of skill due to the nature of shortwave radio reception and the lack of tape recording technology. I’m thinking that the couple worked together to help fill in the gaps during their note-taking. I wonder if James knew shorthand or had perhaps invented his own version of it. This work was heroic and interesting.
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Thank you, Swabby. So many parents must have been thrilled to receive one of these cards!!
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Great added details here!
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What a story!
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I love it too!! Thanks, Beth!!
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That’s one of the best posts you’ve done and it brought a tear to my eye! I did some posts recently about who should have a statue put up for them, and “Dad” MacMannis qualifies with ease! What a kind, dedicated man.
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I remember that post of yours and I totally agree! Thank you, John!
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Clabe and Leora Wilson received three letters from listeners on the West Coast, telling them about hearing that their son Dale was a POW of the Japanese. (I’m the keeper of those letters.) The navigator’s parents also got letters. Only God knows what really happened to them.
Lisa L. Spahr’s book about these patriotic listeners is “World War II Heroes: Letters of Compassion.”
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Thank you for telling me, I am thrilled to know many more will read about these beautiful, compassionate people!
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The letters are partway down in this post: https://joynealkidney.com/2019/03/22/radio-tokyo-named-dale-wilson-a-pow/
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Ah yes, I do remember them now. Letters from anyone back then must have seemed like a heavenly gift!!
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Amazing Story! Thank for sharing GP!
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A good news story is always welcome. Thank you for reading it!
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Hooray for Good News!! 👏👏👏
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YOU BET!!!
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I think we can all use more of it! Thanks, Ana.
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Thank you.
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