Blog No. 12 – October 12, 2024

U.S. War Letters – What to do with Them!

WWII letters from an old auction on eBay

Never but really ever in my 75 years (a few years ago) did I ever, but ever imagine there were war voices from the past that wished to be heard if we only listened. And all we had to do was look in the right places. Oh, sure, love letters sent home and sons’ letters sent to mothers. How about those letters sent home to pals about the war and their emotions and experiences just being there away from their friends and their daily lives together? All those utterances can be found way in the back of drawers, tucked under clothing we don’t wear anymore, far in the rear of closets, on shelves where we don’t go anymore, up top of armoires in straw baskets with slide wooden clips to hold them shut where they sometimes get dusted if we reach high enough on our tiptoes. Those expressions of love, of anger, of descriptions can be found tied up in neat ribbons and bows inside envelopes with red, white and blue stripes around the edges of them inside of peeling trunks in the attics of thousands of people found years later by the children and grandchildren of those who wrote those letters in a hurry on the battlefields of war all around the world. Those are the voices from the past we don’t hear anymore. And you know why? We just don’t listen to them. We are too busy.

There are many out there who find them and just, out of hand, toss them away – you know, Deep Six them. Sometimes they are quickly looked at and then ditched. Perhaps they are shown to family members and then chucked in the closest receptacle for disposal. Sometimes a caring person might try to find their owners or family members thinking those voices put to writing might be of value to someone but sometimes not and they are dismissed thereafter. It’s just too often these envelopes with heart-felt words written with pens having dried-out ink on old paper are cast off without the writer’s feelings ever being known. Very sad. Yes?

Well, I am here to help. At least for some of them. It was only after I found 45 letters from WWII written by my father, his brother, his cousins, his friends and their brothers that I realized what I hand in my hands. These eleven men wrote their heart out to each other during one of the most outrageous wars ever. And there they sat in dad’s attic for 75 years while the greatest number of them laid buried in the ground who knows where. No letters were read as much as they my dad’s letters were. I laughed. I cried. And then I did it all over again. And again and again and again. It took me 12 years to write a book about them. I researched their every word. And now their legacy will be known as the book – The WWII Chain Letter Gang book is being offered to publishers. One of them will understand, I’m sure and I sincerely hope.

So, in order to help those who wrote those letters who have no one to tell the world their experiences, their emotions, I am asking you who still have these envelopes from WWII, whether you know the authors or not, to send them to me. I will sort them by date and place and put together the war in their own words. It will tell how they felt as they fought for freedom. Finally, their words will be heard. At least, some of them. I will do my very best to help. Then I will send them to the proper place to be permanently held and not destroyed.

Please send what you have to me. First, email me ltalongbranch@gmail.com and tell me what you have and I will give you the approval to mail them. I hope to get a certain amount from each part of the world that Germany and Japan invaded to keep a balance for the book that will make known their voices.

Meanwhile, here are a number of other places I borrowed from the internet interested in receiving letters of all wars. I hope they are still viable addresses.

1. FAQ | Center for American War Letters | Chapman University For example, they will review any correspondencethat is related war or life in the military. They want everything from letters having to do with boot camp, basic training and descriptions of being under fire. Even after war correspondence written by veterans reflecting their wartime experience will be received. They want letters from the home front, too, how families made sacrifices for the people at war; they want to hear/read their voices also. Remember, it doesn’t have to be handwritten letters; typed letters and emails are also accepted. Copyright of this correspondence is optional and will be discussed upon donation. For any questions about this, contact them directly: warletters@chapman.edu

You could consider donating them local museums or historical societies.

2. Donate to the American Heritage Museum (fill out a form first).

1. Local Historical Societies: Many local historical societies or museums are interested in personal artifacts from WWII. They often have archives and can ensure that the letters are preserved and made accessible to the public.
2. National Archives: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in the U.S. accepts donations of letters and documents related to military history. They have specific guidelines for donations, so check their website for details.
3. Libraries and University Archives: Many universities and public libraries have special collections that focus on local history or military history. Contacting them about your letters may lead to a suitable donation.
4. Veterans Organizations: Organizations such as the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) may accept letters to help preserve the memories of veterans.
5. Online Platforms: Websites like the “World War II Letters Project” or other historical preservation platforms may offer options to share or donate letters digitally.
6. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History. There are collections there related to WWII, but the “American History Museum’s Archives Center” is important for letters and personal correspondence. Also, you may send to them various pieces other than letters; i.e.K diaries and personal narratives from the WWII era.

9. The National Museum of American History’s War Letters focuses on individuals’ correspondence during wartime. They highlight the importance of historical – letters, for instance —  that write about the experiences and emotions by those who lived through the war.

To donate letters to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s Archives Center, follow these steps:

Contact the Archives Center: Reach out to them via email or phone to express your interest in donating. Here’s their contact information:

1. 1. Email: archivescenter@si.edu
   2. Phone: 202-633-3270

Provide Information: Be prepared to give details about the letters you wish to donate, including:

1. 1. The sender and recipient.
   2. The context of the letters (who they are from, their significance).
   3. Any historical background you have.

Follow Guidelines: The Archives Center may have specific guidelines for donations, including:

1. 1. Condition and preservation of the letters.
   2. Any documentation or provenance information you can provide.

Complete Donation Forms: If your donation is accepted, you may need to fill out a donation form, which usually includes information about the items and their history.

Arrange for Delivery: Depending on the arrangements made, you may need to mail the letters or schedule a time to deliver them in person.

10. Sell on places like eBay and Etsy. There are those who are interested in letters from certain places and dates and even people.

Let these voices be perhaps one of my next books.