Dear Selma: A World War II Love Letter Romance

After seeing a feature segment on the CBS Morning Show I connected with Shelley Brown, editor of Dear Selma: A World War II Love Letter Romance which is authored by her father and WWII veteran. I was intrigued by the similar experiences she and I have had in discovering letters from so long ago that provide a rare connection with our parents’ younger selves. We enjoyed exchanging stories so much that I invited her to share her book here. I hope you will be equally inspired by the fortitude of young love developing over thousands of miles during wartime. – Kathleen A. Cavazzi

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I always knew my parents fell in love over the letters they exchanged while my father was in the army during World War II but I didn’t realize the details of their enduring long-distance relationship until I sat down and read each one. When my mother passed away in 2017 my siblings and I helped my dad move out of our family home in Salem, Oregon. It was then that we started reading the letters and realized what a treasure we had. As the Americans took Germany, my father was on the front lines fighting from fox holes. It’s chilling to think that each letter could have been his last. I want to believe that these letters gave my dad the drive and determination to get through the war and back to the woman he had known most of his life and was now falling in love with. I hope you enjoy the heartfelt expressions of a young man (really a boy), homesick but also determined to fulfill his duty. We dedicate this book to all those who didn’t make it back. – Shelley Brown

They fell in love through their letters. Writing daily to his childhood friend Selma, from Army college in Oklahoma, Boot Camps in Georgia and Texas and the WWII front lines in France and Germany, a teenage Bernard’s letters chronicled the young infantryman’s experience during WWII. Through daily letters home to Selma, the reader will watch their young love flourish amidst the background of Bernard’s war experiences. Between 1941 and 1945, a total of 246 handwritten letters to Selma were lovingly saved. “Fate is on our side” is a recurring theme in his letters, as Bernard never faltered in his belief that he would be coming home safely to Selma’s arms.

Buy Dear Selma: A World War II Love Letter Romance by Bernard D. Brown now.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House at the Rood Family Pavilion in Portland, Oregon.

LETTER 12 in a series of 12

TIME TO SHARE MORE LETTERS FROM:

Before I Go Berserk, Hon: Tumultuous Love Letters, Comfort Women with VD, and 4 Ton Wreckers

Kathy and Christine started a 12-part series of some of their favorite Jack Cavazzi love letters.

Christine posted six of her favorites. Now, here are Kathy's.

Letter 12 in a series of 12.

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May 20, 1953

Songwhan, Korea

My Dearest Anne,

Hello Darling. How are you and Richie today? I hope he is eating better.

Before I forget I want to tell you about a dream I had last nite. In this dream, you thought that I was fooling around with these women over here so you started going out with this man. It took place in a night club and you were doing a strip-tease to get even with me. Crazy isn’t it? Anyway, I tried to explain that I had been faithful but you wouldn’t have anything to do with me. I woke up before it ended so I don’t know if we got things straightened out. And do you know that that dream has bothered me. I keep seeing you with someone else. What makes me think like that? I know that you aren’t fooling around but I keep worrying about it. I think I am going crazy. I can’t stand this life. I miss you so much it is killing me. I need you Darling. I know that my happiness depends on you. I could never live without you Anne. Please keep loving me. Be good for me. You are the only thing that I live for.

I only wish I could put into words the way I feel about you. It is something that can only be felt when I think of holding you or kissing you. I can almost feel you next to me. I get a feeling that I can’t explain. I kind of feel nervous all over. I know that when I come home and have you again that I will be the happiest man in the world.

Honey, try not to miss writing me every day. I am only getting 3 or 4 letters a week from you. I didn’t write last nite because I am doing 2 hours of hard labor every nite for a week. I missed reveille one day and got company punishment. I had a fight with the motor sergeant and they almost pulled my license. If it weren’t for you and the baby I would probably be in the stockade right now. I hate this place. I can’t stand it Anne. I don’t know if I can take it much longer. If I only had you to talk to.

Well Dear, I have to go dig my ditch.

I love you and always will.

All my Love Always

Jackie

P.S. Hello Son

LETTER 11 in a series of 12

TIME TO SHARE MORE LETTERS FROM:

Before I Go Berserk, Hon: Tumultuous Love Letters, Comfort Women with VD, and 4 Ton Wreckers

Kathy and Christine started a 12-part series of some of their favorite Jack Cavazzi love letters.

Christine posted six of her favorites. Now, here are Kathy's.

Letter 11 in a series of 12.

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May 2, 1953

Songwhan, Korea

Dearest Anne,

Hello Darling. How is my baby today? I sure do miss you hon. I’m trying to get used to being away from you but I can’t do it. I guess I’ll just have to suffer.

I just had chow and I’m writing now because I want to take a shower tonight. You know we have to go a long way to take one.

Two more trainloads of ammo came in last night. Boy we have almost a million tons of ammo here now. That’s a hell of a lot of work. I don’t mind though because it passes the time.

How did you like the poem? Boy what a ham. When I read it over I almost ripped the letter up. It was too late to write another one so I changed my mind.

Gee hon, I thought you would have had the baby by now. What are you doing, holding out? I’m all on edge. I am getting as nervous as all.

I wish something would happen around here, I’m going nuts. Boy is it boring. I guess I’ll get used to it.

Hon how about rushing me some pictures. Some of you and the baby. By the time you receive this letter you should have had the baby by then.

Baby, I’ll finish this tonight. Maybe by then I’ll have something to say. Besides I’ll be in a more romantic mood. Bye.

Hello Hon.

Well I said maybe something would happen so that I could write tonight. Something did! Someone stole my wallet. They took the $30. dollars I had kept for myself. I don’t know who it was but if I catch him it’s going to be his a--. I’m so disgusted I could kill someone. I’m sorry hon but I couldn’t help it. Lucky I had the $50. I was going to send you in my foot locker. I won’t be able to send it now hon because I don’t get paid until the 1st of June. I really am sorry hon. I felt so good yesterday. I knew you would be surprised when I sent it. I figured it would make you feel kind of proud of me. I wanted to show you that I could save. Well it’s done and there’s nothing I can do now. I’ll be more careful the next time though.

I bought a new wallet. The other one fell apart. It’s nice. Has room for about 20 pictures so let’s fill it up. Okay?

Tomorrow is Sunday. I’m going to church in the morning. They give us an hour off to go. The mass only lasts 15 minutes and besides it’s a Protestant preacher. Better than none at all. There is no confession. Of course we work all day Sunday. I haven’t had a day off yet and I have been in the company for a month. I wouldn’t know what to do with a day off anyway.

Honey I’m in a lousy mood because of that money. I’m really P.O.’d.

Between being away from you and waiting for the baby and putting up with the shit that we get around here, I’m about crazy

Well babe I’ll close with all my love.

Forever

Jackie

P.S. You know