| In a letter to my mom and dad, dated Thursday,
August 24, 1944, I wrote, "Mom & Dad, I have been doing
a little fighting lately, and have been in one major battle. You
probably read about it in the papers. I came through it without
a scratch. I have been "baptized" to fire, so now I know
all the tricks. Therefore, there is absolutely nothing to worry
about. I am a good soldier, love and believe in my God and my family
and therefore I will be home before very long. All you have to do
is pray for me and everything will be alright." What I didn't
tell them was I had killed my first German. While I'm sure my mortars
had dropped on the enemy several times, killing them, this was the
first time I killed a man with my rifle. There wasn't much to it,
as I think about it. |
