At this busy time of year (Merry almost Christmas!), I have been so happy to get some feedback from readers in the process or having completed reading The Heart of a Soldier! Very hopeful that this continues! I gathered some comments from email and texts I’ve received as well as conversations I’ve had with readers that I know. It’s been interesting to hear about the readers’ own relatives who served during World War II and their sharing of their soldier’s war and post war experiences and memories. I’m sure that my father’s letters might be quite similar to other soldiers’ letters. However, over the course of writing The Heart of a Soldier and talking to people about it, so many people have told me that a family member had some letters but now the family no longer has them or only kept a few. Hope that The Heart of a Soldier can give all readers a glimpse into the life of the WWII soldier and their thoughts and feelings. I’m sure they all missed their homes and the good old USA so much particularly at this time in 1944 when they were about to enter The Battle of the Bulge!! So here are some excerpts and descriptions from texts, emails and conversations regarding The Heart of a Soldier and thank you to all who shared these!! “I just finished reading the book. All I can say is outstanding.” “Great job” I LOVE IT! I couldn’t put it down! Stayed up till 5 am one night reading and 2 am another night! I can’t believe all your research! I have learned so much! Everyone should read this! (Paraphrased as she excitedly shared with me but Love her train of thought! LOL!) “Your book is amazing El! What an intro and forward! I am on the first chapter. I had no idea you did so much research on WWII” “Phenomenal research!” “If history books were written like this, I would have paid attention. This is awesome! Not liking it -- Loving it!” “…succinctly, it was superb. I used one word to balance out your thousands.” Finished reading it on Friday. There were times reading it I couldn’t put it down. Great book El. !!!

December 7th. 1941

Remembering our country and the lives lost and changed forever, on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. This headline is included in The Heart of a Soldier, courtesy of Williamstown American Legion Post 239. During the midst of writing this, I attended a dear friend's party being held at this Post. I walked in and was surrounded by historic newspaper headlines framed and hung all around the room. I felt like I had stepped back into the time period that I had been extensively researching. It was both deeply moving and somewhat surreal. I don't think many adults can think of this date and it's impact on this country, it's soldiers and citizens during World War II and not be moved. We were and are quite a country. Giving thanks for this country and those who stepped up to defend the USA and the Allied countries during WWII, and thankful for those who continue to defend this great country even today. #WWII #Memoir #LoveStory #WW2 #veteran #veterans #Soldiers #ww2history #worldwar2 #worldwarii #worldwartwo #worldwar2history #worldwariihistory #Pearl #pearlharbor