Brooklyn in Love & at War

My grandparents' World War 2 Love Letters

Probably thought I was looney!

Saturday 10/14/44 Darling – Today day has been a long and weary day for me – but I have accomplished two things. One – I’ve made up to Christmas packages … Continue reading

September 21, 2022 · Leave a comment

On Card Games and Play…

I keep thinking about the how much of yesterday’s letter from Alex was taken up with a description of the sailors’ preoccupation with a card tournament. Here they are, at … Continue reading

September 14, 2022 · Leave a comment

Well, no more Pinochle games

September 4, 1944 Dearest Wife, Again a few lines to let you know I am well. These lines will be sent to our home address so that in case you … Continue reading

September 13, 2022 · 1 Comment

Autumn in New York

Autumn in New York is particularly spectacular. For me, it brings on a rush of emotions, from nostalgia and melancholy to excitement and hope for the new year (I guess … Continue reading

September 9, 2022 · 2 Comments

We Are The Forgotten Men

This is a short letter about the monotony of waiting during wartime. Alex covers various quotidian topics in this letter: His paycheck and what he will buy with it; the … Continue reading

August 23, 2022 · 1 Comment

Dog Days of Summer

Like many New Yorkers in August, Sylvia took a trip to the Catskills to escape the city for a few days. In this letter, her writing feels lighter as she … Continue reading

August 19, 2022 · 4 Comments

The quickest way to drive a person crazy…

Today’s letter is a long one, packed with details about daily life as well as a rare mention of the news from the warfront. This one is from Sylvia, written … Continue reading

August 4, 2022 · 1 Comment

Hello, Again

Hello? Is anybody out there? It’s been almost exactly five years since I posted on this blog. In all honesty, it felt painful and difficult to look through these letters … Continue reading

July 27, 2022 · 5 Comments

Adrienne Joy

It is with a heavy heart that I write that on July 24th, 2017, Adrienne passed away.  The family was together and her three wonderful children were all by her … Continue reading

August 18, 2017 · 4 Comments

Immigrants Welcome

It is a dark time in America. The rays of light come from the organizing, protests, compassion, and vigilant civic engagement happening across the country. For that, my feelings of … Continue reading

January 30, 2017 · 3 Comments