WWII Diary of Chick Bruns – 70 Years Ago

Mothers Day
1944
Anzio Beachhead

Dear Mom
The thing farthest from my grasp
is closest to my heart
It’s in trust with you beyond the
Glogal rim, It’s you and home I’ve left behind

To My Mother
To one who bears the sweetest name
and adds a luster to the same
The greatest friend I ever had
Long life to her for there’s no other
could take the place of my dear mother

Maybe by this time next year I’ll be
home. All of my prayers this they will be for
you. Please don’t worry mother as im OKea.

Your Son,
“Chick”

Dear Mother,

Today is your day to get a letter all for yourself. I hope dad won’t be too jealous, ha ha today being mother’s day makes it a special privilege.

I said all my prayers at mass this morning for you. It will be swell when I can get home and we both can go to mass together, or for a nice ride and the car. I’m afraid you will find me quite a changed boy than I use to be. When you are over here it gives you time to think of how much your parents mean to you. At least it does me.

I am really not in the mood to tell you how much I care for you but it’s more than you will ever know. I have been thinking of you all day and know that you have been thinking of me. Please don’t worry about me mother. I can take care of myself.

Gee wrote and told me that she had taken you to a show. Go all you can, have a good time. Life is too short and you and dad have stayed at home most of it. You and dad might just as well plan on going to California when I get home because you are both going to have a good vacation. Dad can take a month off as soon as I get home. What you think of it.

Snook was in to see me the other day. He was on his way back to his outfit. Had been to the hospital, a bug had hit him in the eye. He’s Okea now.

Thanks for the paper and the envelopes. They came in handy a specially the envelopes. I guess I had better quit for now. O yea, I gave Snook some of my Milky Way bars as that’s his favorite bar. Goodbye and I wish you all of the happiness in the world, and pray that someday soon we will all be together again.

Your Son,
“Chick”

Dear Mother & Dad,

The weather has taken a change for the better today. It’s really swell out. It has been cool and windy as could be. It hasn’t rained for some time now and the dust is terrible.

Well I had a big mail call the last two days. It seems as though everyone writes me a letter. I received 24 letters and cards and three packages from you, dad, Gee, and a pencil from Mildred & Claud. Also a couple of days ago I had a package from Rita. I got quite a kick out of her package as she sent me some spam, Ha ha. If she only knew how we love spam over here, but she didn’t know. Same way a lot of fellows get shoe polish kits and neckties. That’s something a combat soldier never sees or uses. I would know how to act back in garrison again.

Boy I will have enough candy to last me a month now. Thanks a lot for all of it. I guess I might just as well ask for some more hot tamales & pop corn.

I’m enclosing my campaign ribbons and my good conduct medal ribbon. I’ll probably lose them over here so it’s best I send them home. We haven’t been issued the battle stars for our campaign ribbon but if & when we do get them I’ll send them home and you can put them on the ribbon and for me. Guess that’s all for now. Good by

Your Son,
“Chick”

I’ll put the stars on the ribbons myself and then send it.

Dear Mother & Dad,

Anzio’s new Secret Weapon

Your Son,
“Chick”