Frances always began her letters to Melvin the same way - “My Darling Husband.” Melvin’s favorite salutation to Frances was, “My Beautiful Little Red Head.”
Melvin was an American GI during World War II and he and his wife Frances have been apart an uncomfortably long time. She writes to him daily. Her graceful script is inviting and warm and conversational; you can picture her in housecoat and slippers, sitting at the kitchen table, as she chats on paper with her husband. Her letters are filled with the retelling of her daily activities or neighborhood gossip, but most importantly to Melvin, are her warm expressions of love.
Just as relentless in his letter-writing, Melvin’s cramped and hurried cursive offers a picture of him prone on his …show more content…
Like colorful patches, creating a double-sided quilt — one side civilian, the other side military — each letter tells the story of life in the 1940’s. Their love, humor, and concern for each other, are laid out in these conversations.
“It Girl” Frances’ letter, penned in April of 1946, reminds us that for thousands of allied soldiers their military obligation didn’t end with Germany’s surrender almost a year before. Europe was in ruins—its infrastructure, as well as its social and economic systems, needed rebuilding. Melvin was part of the occupation army given that task. In her letter, Frances talks about Mel’s new assignment as part of “Operation War Bride.”
During the war, over 150,000 European women and American GI’s fell in love and married. With the war’s end, these new brides were anxious to be reunited with their American husbands, who were already stateside. Part of Melvin’s job was processing the bride’s paperwork, clearing their way to a new life.
While her concern for his well-being and happiness runs throughout the letter, and was appreciated by Melvin, her refreshingly descriptive need to be “loved,” (possibly requiring Clara Bow to give up her “It Girl” title) may have been the most memorable part of the letter for him.
“His Happy
Melvin was an American GI during World War II and he and his wife Frances have been apart an uncomfortably long time. She writes to him daily. Her graceful script is inviting and warm and conversational; you can picture her in housecoat and slippers, sitting at the kitchen table, as she chats on paper with her husband. Her letters are filled with the retelling of her daily activities or neighborhood gossip, but most importantly to Melvin, are her warm expressions of love.
Just as relentless in his letter-writing, Melvin’s cramped and hurried cursive offers a picture of him prone on his …show more content…
Like colorful patches, creating a double-sided quilt — one side civilian, the other side military — each letter tells the story of life in the 1940’s. Their love, humor, and concern for each other, are laid out in these conversations.
“It Girl” Frances’ letter, penned in April of 1946, reminds us that for thousands of allied soldiers their military obligation didn’t end with Germany’s surrender almost a year before. Europe was in ruins—its infrastructure, as well as its social and economic systems, needed rebuilding. Melvin was part of the occupation army given that task. In her letter, Frances talks about Mel’s new assignment as part of “Operation War Bride.”
During the war, over 150,000 European women and American GI’s fell in love and married. With the war’s end, these new brides were anxious to be reunited with their American husbands, who were already stateside. Part of Melvin’s job was processing the bride’s paperwork, clearing their way to a new life.
While her concern for his well-being and happiness runs throughout the letter, and was appreciated by Melvin, her refreshingly descriptive need to be “loved,” (possibly requiring Clara Bow to give up her “It Girl” title) may have been the most memorable part of the letter for him.
“His Happy